Digital Signage Hardware: Everything You Need to Know
It might seem intimidating and complicated, but getting your business’s digital signage up and running doesn’t have to be complicated. With the proper hardware, you can run your digital signage in no time, and it won’t cost you a fortune, either! Plus, digital signage doesn’t just allow you to show off new products or upsell existing ones; it also helps keep customers informed about anything from lunch specials to upcoming events in your establishment. The uses are endless! To find out everything you need to know about digital signage hardware, click here.
The Basics
Digital signage software is the cornerstone of any digital signage system. Digital signage solutions come in many forms and can provide many benefits depending on your needs. Deciding which digital signage solution is right for you depends on your business type, budget, and goals.
How Many Devices Do I Need?
It depends on how many screens you want. The most common setup is to use one digital signage software device per screen. This way, if something breaks in the hardware, only one screen will be affected instead of every screen. Another thing to remember is that each device has a different video resolution, so make sure they’re compatible before you buy them!
Decide What Features Are Important
Digital signage software makes your signage screens work. Some general features should be a part of any digital signage system, regardless of the size or budget of the business using it. Let’s take a look at some of the key features of digital signage software below!
How Does Cost Factor In?
If you’re looking for the best value, price is what you want to be concerned with. Keep in mind that prices will vary based on several different factors. Still, at its most basic level, the cost can be determined by simply weighing how much it would cost to make a similar product at home against the costs associated with purchasing one pre-made. That being said, while plenty of DIY products are available online, many shoppers find the convenience and quality associated with a pre-built product hard to beat.
Determine What Connectivity Is Required
There are three different wireless technologies you might choose from when it comes to your digital signage hardware. The first is Wi-Fi, the second is Bluetooth, and the third is ZigBee. Each wireless technology standard has pros and cons, so you should consider your business needs before deciding.
#1 – Wi-Fi has a more extensive range than Bluetooth but isn’t as quick because Wi-Fi operates at a slower speed than either.
Screen Size, Resolution, and Refresh Rate
A key question you’ll have when selecting hardware for your digital signage is how big it should be. When looking at digital signage displays, you may be surprised that they come in a wide range of sizes, from 32 inches and up. However, regardless of the display size, you should consider what resolution it supports and its refresh rate. The resolution supported by the display will affect how crisp your images look on-screen. A collection with a higher resolution will show more detail in each image.
Monitors vs Projectors vs LED Screens
An LED screen has a built-in chip, and unlike monitors and projectors, they can display video of any size. They are also much brighter than traditional projectors or monitors. They come in various shapes and sizes, but the most common sizes are 60 diagonal and 72 diagonal. LED screens are thinner than regular LCD panels because they do not require an external light source like monitors or projectors.
CPU, Storage, Memory & Video Cards for Displays
A sign that is not running as smoothly as it should be or could be will cause a lot of distraction. The hardware is essential, and there are some important considerations when setting up the exemplary configuration. Make sure you have a quad-core CPU in your computer because having two cores can slow down signage and affect your workflow. Storage should also be 2GB minimum, but the amount will depend on how much content you store and how often.
