Monthly Archives: July 2014

Should Jails Have TV’s?


Posted by Stella

TV’s for prisoners rights or privilege?

Compassion and basic human rights point to prisoners having the right to watch television whilst they are detained, but to what benefit does a television give to inmates? Norway, for example, is a country which treats prisoners in a humane way and results show a positive outcome.

Boredom is a factor causing unrest and tension, so imagine a week without TV yourself! It may seem a great idea for a few days, but you will start to feel fidgety and anxious, even if it is access to news or current affairs programs, people have the need to be informed and aware of what is going on in the world. Whether television is a right or a privilege, that is up to the governor, but society relies heavily on media for entertainment and education.

TV protection

TV – luxury or weapon?

A television can become a lethal weapon which, if misused, may cause serious self harm or endanger life or injuries to others. The shattered screen creates a myriad of sharp implements with which to cause harm; a slice across a femoral artery could cause death in a matter of moments. This can be to the inmate or a member of staff, or even a visitor, depending upon the mental state of the detainee. One significant way of eliminating any dangers is to enclose the whole television set within a metal housing unit, also known as a Non-Loop or anti ligature TV enclosure. This particular enclosure has Intellectual Property Design Rights and is frequently requested and specified for by architects, as plans are drawn up to include televisions in hospitals, detention centers and mental health facilities, where protection is an absolute necessity, as all the cables and hardware is out of harms way. Not only is a broken television inconvenient, it is expensive to repair, whereas purchasing an enclosure is a one off expense, which will save in the long term.

Then again, prison is a punishment and the point is to teach people a lesson about unacceptable behavior. Is giving them the opportunity to watch television just like their current lifestyle, which got them into trouble? Television can be highly influential in both good ways and bad, even good programs can be misinterpreted by inmates. The fact that criminals have committed a crime is one which needs a debt paying back to society and their wrongful actions have severe consequences. It is not a holiday camp – book me in for a fortnight! And are you happy at paying your hard earned taxes for someone else to sit around watching daytime television all day (especially if you haven’t got time to enjoy that!). Prison is a place for punishment not luxuries, so are TV’s necessary?


From LED signs to Interactive Kiosks In The House of worship


Posted by Stella

House of worship digital signage solutions.

Many religious worship places are turning to house of worship digital signage to spread the good work they do and the word of God. Including outdoor LED signs, video walls, multiple screens and interactive kiosks; as a way to interact with the wider community.

Outdoor LED signs for house of worship digital signage.

house of worship digital signage

There are a lot of churches that deploy outdoor LED sign, in the form of a monument. These can be single or double sided, yet most importantly they can be seen in any light, even direct sunlight. These units come in a 3 foot square panel and are tilled together to create one large screen, that is high definition with a brightness that can be adjusted from 2,500 to 10,000 candelas.

The mounting frame is fitted into the monument and then the panels are clipped into place and secured into the frame. Content can be updated through a wireless connection or a hardwired link.

Advantages are; the screen can be seen at any time of the day, size can be as big or small as your budget will allow. This is one of the best solutions for outdoor advertising period! LED signs are proven to increase church sales quarter on quarter.

Disadvantages are; you need someone to run power and data to the monument as well as build the monument.

Indoor interactive kiosks.

These indoor units can be wall or free standing, with a choice of screen size and choice of media player, including Linux, Windows or Android. These units are simple to update and need no special training. It is as simple as drag and drop, just like uploading a website from a computer to the hosting.

These interactive houses of worship digital signage devices are used to get the congregation’s opinion. They are also used to provide information on future events, how the house of worship allocated the donations given to the community and who needs prayers in the coming weeks. This can be for a job interview or someone going into hospital. These are one of the low cost solutions available.

Multiple screens.

Houses of worship are also turning to commercial grade screens in thought provoking configurations to provide a multimedia rich experience for the congregation. One church uses 22 x 46” displays in the form of crucifixes and like around the religious home of worship. These screens are used to inform the congregation of upcoming events and service. Ensuring that the congregation is immersed in the religious understand of what is happening in their community, so they are prepared to go out and know the challenges but are prepared for them.

These are only a few solutions available for house of worship digital signage.


Tablet Digital Signage Sweeping England


Posted by Stella

Tablet digital signage solutions.

Many people may have encountered tablet digital signage, yet recently the growth in England has been tremendous. From major retails to restaurants, they are all using mobile tablet devices to promote their businesses.

Retail tablet digital signage.

tablet digital signage

Argos who is the main shopping catalog store in the UK, with retail outlets in every city, some even have two retail outlets! The brand used a large printed catalog with all the products in and was created per season. The costs must have been expensive as these catalogs were in colour and even after proof reading before the print run, errors are found in the fully completed, bound catalog. They have now deployed digital signage in the form of tablets in stores rather than the bulky brochures. If anyone knows the catalog they will testify that the weight is a lot!

Restaurant digital signage using a tablet.

Restaurant digital advertising is another use for tablets, as here they can be used to build a list of subscribers to send updates too and offers. They get the customer to interact and review the dining facility whilst they are there; if a problem presents itself the manager can resolve it (hopefully) immediately. The customer completes a short survey and enters either their email or cell phone number to receive promotional offers. Some cafes even use tablets to present the menu along with complimentary drinks. One such outlet is a specialist tea shop that has over 200 teas, so you can choose either the food or drink and the tablet will recommend the best match for food or beverage.

Mom and pop stores.

Any small local business with an office or counter can use a tablet to promote products and services they offer. In the reception it may feature the main business activities then demonstrate the new services or products added. On a counter top this solution may show over stocks at a reduced rate on the original sales price, making it more tempting to prospects and at the same time boosting the bottom line of the store.

Benefits of tablet digital signage.

As in the example of Argos, errors can be spotted in the printed catalog and reprinting the section, page or brochure would be too expensive and the lead time would be too long. Tablet digital signage allows the retail outlet to edit a promotion at any time of the day, they can add a new line when it has restocked, as well as up selling offers, all down to the units being controlled over the internet and Argos even offer free WIFI connection in store for customers when shopping. This is one store that has not been affected by showcasing.

Drawbacks.

With everything positive, there has to be negative, the yin and yang of life! The bad is that these units have to be secured otherwise the hardware has a habit of vanishing. Also make sure when using tablet devices that the screen is locked to the page you want, this stops the user of the tablet from browsing the internet on the tablet. You would not like to hand the tablet to a family after a group of guys have been looking at adult sites!

Digital signage is growing and with the low cost of tablets, makes tablet digital signage an option for any business.


Digital school signs cost less than you think!


Posted by Stella

Digital school signs – good or bad?

With the popularity of digital school signs, schools see the cost as a barrier, however now there is a cost effective solution that will fit in every developing schools budget. Enabling teachers to communicate with parents in a simple yet affective manner as reported on Digital Signage Today.

Education is a three way partnership; the school, the pupil and home, using electronic signs can inform parents of future tests, examinations and what the child needs to revise. A more day to day benefit may be to remind the parents of the end of year school trip, when deposits are required, what clothes to wear.

The school has become a super secure environment in the past 5 years, with most doors having access control on them; this prevents anyone who should not be in school and a potential threat to our children to be kept out. It also stops parents from going into school at the end of the day to have a chat with the teacher. This is one way the digital school signs are effective in providing the support from school for teachers. If a parent needs to discuss a child’s development the correct procedure is to contact the school and make an official appointment.

Challenges within schools.

digital school signs

Not only do the teachers have challenges delivering lessons, in some instances they also encounter challenges from unruly pupils. It has been reported that the number off physical attacks on teachers from pupils is on the increase, these pupils when removed from a class room situation may lash out and if a digital sign is near by, the frustration the pupil has, may end up being vented at the school sign. This is why most digital school signs are located in public areas, such as reception areas or they are protected with indoor screen housings. Keeping them out of “harms way”, ensures the pupil does not harm themselves on a screen that has been damaged, accidentally or on purpose.

Digital school signs cost?

Digital school sign costs can dramatically be reduced, when the installer takes it under their wing and creates an income stream for the school, by finding local businesses that wish to advertise on the digital signs within the school. In some instances the schools can earn around £2500 per year from ads on their digital signage network, that can be managed to ensure the content is in keeping with the schools media policies. Companies that tend to advertise are school uniform suppliers, travel agents, restaurants and even taxis, these ads are aimed at primary school parents, when they drop off or collect their children.

Some company’s offer a complete solution, from installing the signs within the school, configuration and then updating the content. Some even provide training to staff, but if the digital advertising hardware is managed, this takes a massive headache away from the school. With everything dealt with by a third party, that is just a phone call away.  Using displays for advertising and marketing is a good idea and expect to see more of digital school signs.


Through the Digital Signage Lens


Posted by Stella

Digital Signage ideas.

Research and exhibition statistics are all about the deployment and innovation of digital signage and where better to review the outcome than after the InfoComm annual conference. Apparently it was inspiring, informative and full of thought provoking ideas and concepts and other spring boards on which to launch innovative dynamic-place-based digital signage. Pushing the boundaries in this segment of technology is already advanced for its age, but really it leads to infinity…

One sector considering digital signage screens was the US Department of Transport, after a study of roadside dynamic digital signage safety was carried out. The results were of interest, as it was stated that CEVMS (commercial electronic variable message signs) had no significant consequence on driver safety. So, will we be seeing screen-media billboards on our roadside verges?

digital signage

Terms used in the digital signage industry.

Many terms for the general phrase ‘digital signage’ is banded about, like ‘Screen media’, ‘dynamic-place-based’ and ‘enterprise media'; all have one thing in common – they display products for sale. It could be via a brand awareness campaign, particular sale or offer or a promotional campaign, but you can be sure other names will appear for this media term.

Unsurprisingly the number of new patents has been submitted for various devices, encompassing the digital signage stage, particularly including the Eco-systems of screen displays and mobile devices in a commercial or retail setting. Also, many of the authoritative names in the game are partnering up with others to provide a package – an all-in-one system of supplying the hardware, matched with the software and installation. Screen-media display boards has been utilized by almost every sector; from owner to shopper, to traveler and including staff and students within education.

The size of a screen caused much deliberation among various stands, as the smallest screen used is generally a 26”, which suits applications like elevators, counter tops, shelving or reception desks – particularly where wall space is not accessible. And one of the most popular sizes for other screens for other areas is a 52”, with a thin bezel frame, allowing greater visibility, especially when tiled to form a video wall. 4K HD displays are the fashionable screen of the moment, as the imagery is stunning coupled with the program content and software resolution. Although slow on the uptake, 4K is the screen choice of the future, after further development and is a popular screen for retail fashion displays, museums and attraction exhibitions. After initial teething problems, one of the next technological break throughs will be laser-based projectors. Its increasing popularity comes due to its projected life span, including the 20,000 hour bulb life, an increase from 600 hours on projector bulbs currently; just the installation and maintenance costs are to overcome.

Which ever term you wish to use, at the end of the day, these screens are digital signage advertising billboards!