Digital Signage Solutions

FAQs

General Digital Signage FAQs

These are some of the more common questions, please feel free to contact us if you have any other or more specific questions.

Q.What hardware do I need to run a digital signage network?

A.Your display device (LCD, Plasma, Projector etc) requires a 'Panel PC' to receive, store and display your messages. Displays can share a PC if they are close enough to run the cabling. Networking via your LAN provides the communications from your 'Centre System' a PC located at your head office, to these 'Panel PCs'. Generally we recommend commercial LCD panels for digital signage as they will give you a long life, glare free, bright and durable display with a low running cost and high angle of view.

Q.What software do I need?

A.We have 3 software packages available, each having their own strengths and suitability for different applications, please contact a supplier and explain your requirements, they will recommend and demonstrate the solutions which will best suit the job.

Q.How many screens can I have?

A.From a single screen to as many as you want. See the software comparison table to select which software solution is recommended.

Q.Who manages the content?

A.NEC is not a media sales or advertising agency. Our job as technologists is to empower you to deliver high quality content and achieve superior business results using our advanced solutions. Of course, that means you need some actual content to deliver and that raises the question of content creation. Some digital signage software features a suite of creation tools that allow much of the content to be created inside the application. However, in recent years there has been a trend to create content outside of the distribution and scheduling application using one of the many media tools commonly used for web design or other media rich applications. This gives the owner / operator a greater degree of flexibility, reduced operating costs and the ability to react quickly to changing markets and conditions; all important considerations for success via this media channel. In addition, NEC can create easy to use templates or show you how to harness the power of the internet to provide automatic content creation such as RSS feeds from news, traffic or weather sites. Our experience is that most average to advanced computer users are quite at home with these tools and NEC is happy to make a recommendation based on your needs and experience. To get you started, you should enquire about NEC helping with your first lot of content so you can hit the ground running.

EasyAdz FAQs

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions, please contact a supplier if you have further questions.

Q.Can EasyAdz automatically turn my screen on and off?

A.The configuration settings allow you to set daily times to turn on and off your LCD, Plasma panel or Projector. There is built-in support for NEC display devices.

Q.Can EasyAdz control other manufactures screens?

A.If your screen has RS232 control, contact your supplier.

Q.Can EasyAdz be used on portrait displays?

A.Yes, many modern graphic cards support screen rotation. Any of the EasyAdz program layouts can be used. Try using a horizontal ad layout set to 50/50 with video in the top ½ and your information in the bottom.

Q.I have a blank display screen, where is my program content?

A.Check your schedule to make sure your program is scheduled for the current time. If the program is not displayed then also check the program is not being displayed in the program list in red. See the next question...

Q.Why is my program displayed in the program list in red?

A.If something is wrong with your program content then it will be highlighted in red and the icon will change to a yellow caution icon. Open the program, the overview area will contain more details to what is wrong.

Q.Why is EasyAdz focused on split screen layouts?

A.EasyAdz allows for split screen, video-wall or fullscreen layouts, we recommend a mix of entertainment and information such as weather updates or traffic reports etc. Combining easily sourced content such as TV to provide entertainment and adding your messages around it gives you an attractive display. Playing promotional DVD's with your contact details, specials or local information can also be very effective.

Q.How do I create my ads?

A.Use any graphic software that outputs the supported file types (BMP, GIF, PNG, JPEG, Flash files). Be sure to use big and bold fonts with high contrast colours.

Q.Do you have any suggestions to grab the eye?

A.An eye catching effect can be to re-use a graphic but in different colours. Then use the transition effects between the graphics.

Q.What size images do I make?

A.The image sizes required for a program pane are shown on the program properties window. These are based on the resolution of the display screen. The images will be automatically stretched if not the required size. Images of the correct size give better results.

Q.Can I set the display order?

A.Yes, EasyAdz is designed to be quick and easy to use, so individual graphic files and timings are not required. Files are displayed in alphabetically order. If a particular order is required then ensure the filenames in the selected directory are in alphabetical order, or prefix the filenames with a letter, e.g. a_file1.jpg, b_file2.jpg etc.

Q.Can EasyAdz be set to display parts of a DVD?

A.EasyAdz Plus has a DVD "Auto Play" option. When "On" DVD's which present onscreen menus will have the default selection selected, i.e. many DVD's have a Root Menu with a "Play" and "Select Chapters" options, EasyAdz will automatically select the default option after a few seconds. This can prevent static images on screen and automates a DVD loop. EasyAdz is not designed to replicate all the functionality of a DVD player. If you require special functions like repeat chapter, then please consider using an external DVD player connected to your TV card.

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