May 2009 marks 4 years since the first digital escalator displays went in at Tottenham Court Rd underground train station in London. This was a milestone for the digital signage industry as not only was it a major installation of solid-state media players with screen to screen synchronization (which has been used to tremendous effect) but it was also a significant move by one of the top four outdoor advertising agencies – Viacom at the time.
Digital View provided the media players and various technology including the content management system working with Esprit Digital who provided the DEPs (Digital Escalator Panels) and project managed the whole thing. We hear that the system far exceeded its reliability requirements which were demanding in a very demanding environment – indeed the units are still running. Esprit Digital have continued to supply DEPs as more stations have been added to the network.
The recently launched SVX-1920 LCD interface controller provides a number of features well suited to digital signage display systems. A quick overview of the relevant features includes:
- Full HD 1080p video support with a range of inputs including HDMI and Component.
- RS-232 and Ethernet interface for remote monitoring and control.
- Multi-panel brand & model support, see Digital View’s CSG (Controller Solution Generator for LCD panel details).
- Native 10 bit LCD panel support – over 1 billion colors, not just 16 million.
- 120Hz LCD panel support for smoother motion in video and scrolling text, uses optional IE-1000.
- Works with DisplayMark for verification of LCD panel operation.
It is available now.
Digital View recently started offering OLED panel support with an interface for the Chi-Mei 7.6″, a display with a resolution of 800×480. As more and larger panels are released this support will be extended and of course the panels will be referenced on the Controller Solution Generator (CSG).
There is a good reason that OLED is getting increasing coverage in the press, some of the features will be compelling. Although at this stage most of the media focus appears to be on the ability to manufacture very thin monitors for many applications the more important benefits are likely to be:
- Very wide viewing angle from all directions.
- Extremely high contrast.
- Very fast response times.
- Flexibility, depending on substrate.
In addition OLEDs are light-weight and power efficient. In general these features should make OLED an ideal display technology for video related applications such as digital signage as well as in some professional video monitors where color gamut is not critical.
Digital View has long been associated with LCD panel support and pleased to be able to add OLED panels to its support portfolio.
