Industry News

Rebirth of the Digital Signage Expo

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The parent company of the Digital Signage Expo, Exponation LLC, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Sept. 2020, liquidating its assets and shutting down. Any death certificate, any autopsy would show the event was another victim of Covid-19:  the event had been delayed twice in 2020 due to pandemic travel restrictions.

As the world voices optimism in its battle with the virus, the new owner (Questex, an events and publishing company bought the rights and assets of Digital Signage Expo at auction earlier this year) confirms a re-launch March 21-23, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Questex buys DSE assets

But it won't be the usual DSE.

First, it will have a sister event-- the Bar & Restaurant Expo (formerly Nightclub & Bar Show) which Questex also owns. It attracted 8738 attendees for its last show in June 2021.

And it's that type of synergy that compelled Questex to acquire the assets. The acquisition complements Questex’s business and builds on the recent acquisition of LDI, which connects design, technology and production to the live audience experience, and with Questex’s Technology assets including Sensors Converge, StreamTV Show and Fierce Electronics.

Questex CEO Paul Miller comments, “...Digital Signage Expo complements our portfolio perfectly and we’re excited for the opportunity to grow these properties as part of the Questex family. We hope to build upon the past.

The CEO also said he and his team felt picking up where Exponation would be a bad strategy. Questex believes an industry talking to itself is a limited conversation.

You can bet will leverage its assets to not only bring together the digital signage industry but also designers and buyers in a wide range of markets (particularly those industries it already serves).

In fact, Questex expects the DSE exhibitor list will expand beyond digital signage equipment providers to those who use digital technology to design and implement experiences that attract, inform, educate and entertain.”

To reach their new vision for the rebirth of DSE in 2022, DSE announced an Advisory Board last month who met over Zoom. Some smart folks in there.

  • Rich Ventura, VP, Sony B2B
  • Rick Robinson, Chief Strategy Office, Billups
  • Dorothy DiStefano, Director of Research, Immersive Art, Digital Placemaking Institute
  • Marcos Terenzio, VP, Creative & Strategy, iGotcha Media
  • Laura Davis-Taylor, Chief Strategy Officer, InReality
  • Nick Belcore, EVP, Peerless-AV
  • Jeff Hastings, CEO, BrightSign
  • Jackie Walker, Digital Signage Subject Matter Expert and Strategy Lead, Publicis Sapient
  • Stephanie Gutnik, Global Head of DOOH, Verizon
  • Sandra Richter, CEO, Soofa
  • Cherian Thomas, CEO, Octopus Interactive
  • Brad Gleeson, Managing Partner, TargetPath

DSE 2022 Advisory Board


Questex acquired the rights to the live and digital assets of DSE including all trademarks, tradenames, websites, domain names, databases as well as customer, vendor and attendee lists. Questex has the backing of its owner MidOcean Partners, a New York-based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity and alternative credit investments.

So Questex has the money, the experience from other events and an industry board. In March 2022, we'll get to see what they can do with DSE.

Extron Interactive Wayfinding Interface Now Available

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Extron announces availability of the TLSI 201, an interactive Wayfinding Interface that provides real-time meeting space availability, status, and location information using a centralized display.

Extron TLSI 201

Designed to connect directly with Extron Room Scheduling panels, the Interactive Wayfinding Interface enables users to easily locate and book meeting spaces and make ad hoc meeting reservations.

You configure the TLSI 201 interface using free Extron Room Agent software to view and book meeting spaces for the current day or week. Easy-to-navigate room information can be viewed in list or map view layouts, allowing users to quickly see and book meeting spaces.

The Interactive Wayfinding Interface offers several customization options, including logo branding and personalized messaging, as well as light and dark color themes. Flexible, distinct information fields can be turned on or off as needed. The scaled output supports signal resolutions up to 1080p, making it a plus for 40” or larger touch screen displays.

The TLSI 201 features the convenience of PoE.

Go Extron TLSI 201 Interactive Wayfinding Interface

Digital Signage Summit - The Show

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Hybr.id Studio

ISE is going all out for this year’s *Digital Signage Summit—The Show*… trust us, because we’ve seen a preview, this will not be your ordinary on-line conference.

Scheduled on-line for 29th - 30th July 2020, this year’s topic is Digital Experiences for the New Normal challenges and opportunities for retail, corporate and public spaces.

Your hosts, Invidis Consulting’s Florian Rotberg (MD) and Stefan Schieker (Partner) have been traveling (if not risking life and limb at least sticking their neck out more than most of us) to get video footage showing how digital signage in Europe is rising to the challenges of the pandemic era. The Digital Signage Summit team will present offsite reports and interviews from Barcelona and elsewhere, giving you an immersive and new experience.

The presentations will be studio quality, taking the on-line experience to the next level. It will be more TV broadcast than Zoom call. And even the remote presentations have an upgrade.

Taken alone, the insight from Invidis Consulting would be well worth it—as they’ll be releasing their annual Yearbook on the industry…you’ll hear about big sweeping trends and, more importantly, the details that support those trends.

We’re looking forward to the The Digital Signage Leaders Panel 2020. Florian Rotberg will be the moderator and he’ll be joined by Alberto Cáceres, CEO of Trison (Spain), Bernd Hofstoetter, CEO of Storever (France) and Laila Hede Jensen, CCO of ZetaDisplay (Denmark).
Invidis Consulting Florian Rotberg

Along the way, you’ll hear from associations:  Simon Jackson at DSO, Jon Sidwick, at AVIXA and Mark Ossel at GSA.

David Haynes from Canada’s Sixteen-Nine will moderate Digital Solutions for the Reopening.

ISE MD Mike Blackman will join for an update on future ISE Events.
 
And much more content than we can include here. Super stuff because it’s bringing together a wide geography of experts—something we’ve been missing these months since ISE 2020.


Attendees will be able to log-in throughout the two days and gain inspiration and knowledge from keynotes, panel discussions and best practice presentations... Registration is absolutely free and they've even considered time zone - as the first day will be programmed in the afternoon (CET) to enable the American audience to participate, and the second day starts in the morning (CET) to make it convenient for APAC delegates to attend.


VWall Powers LG Showroom Video Walls

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LG VuWall

The VuWall video wall solution finds use in two recently opened LG showrooms in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, and Frankfurt, Germany, as part of a partnership between the two companies first announced back in 2019.

The showroom video wall control systems combines the VuWall VuScape vieo wall processor and the latest LG curved LED video wall display. The integration allows customers to control LG displays remotely using the VuWall scripting tool with VuScape, a series of modular video wall processors and controllers designed for small- and large-scale video wall controllers.

Video wall operators get both flexibility and ease of use, as the fully integrated platform provides a comprehensive ecosystem driving video walls from anywhere in the facility, be it in control rooms, collaboration rooms or lobby signage. VuScape can be combined with ControlVu, the VuWall PoE touchpanel and interface designer, making a complete, easy-to-use video wall management and control system.

“LG shares our commitment to provide customers with a comprehensive easy-to-install, easy-to-use control room solution that allows them to focus on their mission objectives,” VuWall says. “Customers were able to experience first-hand our combined platform when LG opened its Paris showroom earlier this year, and now customers have even more opportunity to see it in action. We’re proud to partner with LG who is recognised for pushing the boundaries of video wall technology by powering some of their most innovative and spectacular displays.”

Go VuWall Powers Video Walls in LG’s New Showrooms

Extron Launches Quantum Ultra Video Wall Certification

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Extron Quantum

Extron launches the Extron Quantum Ultra certification program-- a collaboration with display manufacturers to guarantee consistent source content presentation with professional displays using the Quantum Ultra 4K video wall processors.

Displays that pass an extensive testing program are identified as Quantum Ultra Certified. The first displays receiving such certification come from Planar, specifically the DirectLight X 1.2mm LED Video Wall System and the Clarity Matrix G3 MX55X LCD Video Wall System.

“Video wall applications demand the highest level of dependability and performance, especially in mission-critical environments,” Extron says. “The Quantum Ultra processor’s configurability and capabilities, such as support of 4K60 video, combined with installation of Quantum Ultra Certified displays mean dependable video wall performance from integration to operation, including 24/7 applications.”

The Quantum Ultra video wall processor offers output rotation, output overlap, bezel compensation and custom output resolution support, making it ideal for a diverse array of display technologies. The Quantum Ultra certification program aims to eliminate compatibility concerns, making system designers know the image processing and display products are tested using established parameters, including image acquisition, image stability and EDID management.

Go Extron

Best of ISE 2019: Digital Signage

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Best of ISE 2019

According to rAVE USA (and every year their video reporters visit each and every stand at ISE), here are the BEST of the BEST from ISE 2019 in digital signage.

•Best New Screen Product: Screen Innovations FlexGlass Flexible Glass Projection Screen Material

•Best New Overall Digital Signage Product: BrightSign Cloud-Based BSN.cloud Digital Signage Software

•Best New Digital Signage Touch Display: Peerless-AV KIPICT2555 Kiosk

•Best New Indoor Digital Signage Display: Epson LightScene EV-100

•Best New Outdoor Digital Signage Display: Peerless-AV KOF546-20HF Outdoor Digital Menu Board

•Best New Digital Signage Hardware Product: BenQ ST5501K 4K Display

•Best Digital Signage Software Product: TriplePlay Xenia IPTV Portal

•Best Digital Signage Accessory: Allsee Rod-Powered Display Series

•Best New Digital Signage Product for AV Integrators: LG 55EV5E Display

•Best New Digital Signage Media Player: molitor MP01 Media Player

•Best New Digital Signage OS: Neovo Digital Signage Software

•Best New Outdoor Digital Signage Display: Absen Polaris Series

•Best Use of Augmented Reality: Epson Moverio BT-350 Series Glasses

•Best New Touch Screen Software: Baanto Modular Video Wall With Vizetto Software

•Best Overall LED Wall Product: Philips Indoor LED Products

•Best Modular LED Wall Product: Daktronics Optica 0.9-millimeter LED Display

•Best New Video Wall Display: NEC SpectraView

•Best Video Wall Product: LG .44mm LCD

•Best New Rigid LED Wall Product: SiliconCore EZ-HD Series Displays

•Best New Flexible LED Wall Product: Flying Screens Flexible Line

•Best New Video Wall Accessory: Monitors Anywhere USB-Based Videowall Solution

•Best Portable PA System: Anchor Audio Beacon PA

•Best Emergency Services AV Product: IC Audio WA 06-77/T-EN54 Voice Alarm Speaker

•Best Security Product: AtlasIED IPX Family of PoE Speakers

•Best Transparent Display: LG Transparent OLED

Go Best of ISE 2019

Go We Just Shot 1500+ Videos (and Posted 300+ New Product Articles and Recorded 55 Podcasts) at ISE 2019


USB-IF Rebrands USB 3.0 Standards

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USB 3.2 standard

MWC 2019 sees the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) present the upcoming USB 3.2 standard which will absorb prior USB 3.0 and 3.1 specifications.

Essentially both USB 3.0 and 3.1 will now be considered as generations of the USB 3.2 specification. USB 3.0, which offers speeds up to 5 Gbps, is now USB 3.2 Gen 1. Meanwhile USB 3.1 Gen 2, with support for transfer rates of up to 10 Gbps, becomes USB 3.2 Gen 2. As for what we know as USB 3.2, with throughput reaching 20 Gbps, the standard is designated as USB 3.2 Gen 2x2.

In order to prevent consumer confusion, the USB-IF recommends an alternative nomenclature-- SuperSpeed USB for 5Gbps products, SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps for 10Gbps products and SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps for 20Gbps products.

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 uses up to two high-speed 10 Gbps channels in order to achieve transfer rate of 20 Gpbs. It serves as both an upgrade to the USB feature set and a physical layer tweak providing more bandwidth.

That said, since conventional USB hosts and devices are designed as single-lane solutions, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 is only possible over USB-C connections.

The USB-IF says discrete USB 3.2 controllers capable of supporting the 20 Gbps mode will be available later in 2019.

Go USB 3.2 Specification


Qbic at ISE 2019: High end Digital Signage Box-PCs, Industrial Box-PCs and Flagship 10” Panel-PCs

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QbicTD-1050 ProDIGITAL SIGNAGE NEWS EMEA had the opportunity to interview David Chen, CEO of Qbic Technology, a Taiwan manufacturer preparing for their third participation in the ISE 2019 in Amsterdam. The company has already won European design awards such as the IF Award for their modern workplace products.

David, what new products will Qbic bring to ISE this year?

Qbic will debut a series of new products at ISE 2019, from high end Digital Signage Box-PCs, Industrial Box-PCs to our flagship 10” Panel-PCs.

One of our launch highlights includes our next generation flagship 10” PRO version Panel-PC-- along with a full ecosystem of solutions and accessories. It is a perfect addition to the space management system that extends its implementation into smart control. We’ve also teamed up with our partners to provide the market with the most powerful turnkey solutions for Meeting Room & Desk Booking Systems from a medium-small to mega-scale solutions. It will be a one-stop-shop experience for visitors looking for solutions within this field.

How does that product relate to the Qbic company mission?

Qbic IF Award2

Qbic strives to improve lives of humankind from a tech perspective. Our vision is to create innovative technology that helps make life easier, more efficient-- and to help us cope with the world's increasing pace. Yet--and most importantly-- not at the expense of compromising our Earth.

Qbic products are designed to be smaller, faster, and more energy efficient, whether it be smart technology for the medical, smart building, IoT, transportation or automation industry. That’s why and what Qbic’s all about.

Our new products are a revolution for the next generation of modern space management, and targeted to reduce carbon footprint, increase space utilization, and simplify space booking chaos. The centralized management system both reduces cost of real estate and human resources.

We understand Qbic has three featured solutions, Facility Management, Digital Signage and Industrial Computers. Can you tell us what ISE visitors might discover about each at your ISE stand?

Qbic TD-0350

We specialize in fields from facility management, digital signage and industrial computers. At Qbic’s stand, visitors can explore Room Booking, Desk Booking, and Scheduling Technologies for modern workplace management, discover applications for Qbic Box-PC’s to enhance interactive digital signage and self-service kiosk, but also experience our industrial grade embedded single boards.

What type of partners do you hope to meet at ISE? And what will you say to them to encourage them to sign up with Qbic?

As a leading smart digital technology brand that empowers people to be productive, manage, experience and work effectively across any space and industry, Qbic is always looking to further strengthen our solutions for our customers. Software vendors and service providers with solutions-- or distributors with channels matching up with Qbic's products/services-- who would like to become a Qbic Technology Partner, are most welcome to visit us at our ISE stand or reach out to us on our website.

Qbic Plaque Decor

This is not your first year at ISE...what do you like most about ISE?

ISE is the world's largest AV systems integration show, and this is our third year of exhibiting.

Besides the opportunity to obtain information about new products and innovations, we’ve attracted a lot of visitors and received great feedback from professional experts in the field for the past two years.

We are so grateful and looking forward to sharing our new products and solutions at ISE 2019 on the Qbic stand, Hall 15-K222.

Go Qbic Products


Korbyt Now An Official LG webOS Partner

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Korbyt platform as a webOS Signage Partner for digital signage applications. That’s a win for both companies.

Korbyt

webOS Signage is LG’s Linux kernel-based multitasking operating system for digital signage applications. Originally webOS was developed by the once-famous Palm as a mobile platform, but since LG acquired rights, webOS has been the go-to software platform for all LG’s big-brand name products.

RMG Networks launched Korbyt to give the market an enterprise-strength content management system for digital signage, one that could match up to the latest enterprise demands for multivarious visual content (creation, management and publishing) across the widest-possible range of digital end points. 

LG webOS signage

It’s not an easy task to make a software that meets those demands of large enterprises: they need industrial-strength durability but with the flexibility to meet an ever-expanding number of end points and an increasingly broader range of visual content.

But once the software holds up for the largest users, then smaller users can also take advantage of the solutions. (Korbyt, for example, is available as standard or premium enterprise version. Korbyt is also available as a cloud SaaS or on-premise solution so signage partners can target any size of organisation and usage pattern, from small to medium size as well as large organisations.)

You might phrase it this way:  LG offers webOS as a service to its display customers. But when you need a bigger content platform for your network of LG displays, customers can now seamlessly add Korbyt with its corporate Swiss Army-knife functionality.

Combining LG webOS Signage and Korbyt provides a broad range of benefits:

  • LG clients with webOS Signage can now choose to use the Korbyt platform to expand to a full array of enterprise visual communications. 
  • While Korbyt clients (many of whom are Fortune 500 or FTSE 100) can buy LG displays corporate-wide knowing the compatibility is maximized. And those already with a preference for LG webOS Signage can stay true to their choice of display hardware.

Offering a rich feature-set, webOS Signage powers up visual communications across a wide range of verticals and markets.  RMG’s Korbyt platform now fully supports webOS powered displays, allowing content managed within the Korbyt platform to be displayed directly onto webOS-powered LG screens of all sizes (and even mobile phones, thanks to the platform’s mobile app extension).

WebOS Signage leverages key capabilities of the Korbyt platform, giving users of all sizes access to many options-- including segmented real-time data and  content visualization-- all managed efficiently from one central (or even multiple) locations via a web-based portal.

Ben Johnston, VP of product management at RMG says; “RMG is excited to be extending the reach of our Korbyt digital signage platform to LG webOS powered displays. We recognize the quality, convenience, and performance that LG webOS provides to customers. Combined with our industry-leading data integration and content creation features, customers now have access to a powerful digital signage solution without the need for an external media player.”

Go LG Web OS Signage

Go RMG’s Korbyt