April 9, 2013, Smithsburg, MD – Noventri, a US digital signage company, has announced the release of Version 2.8 of Noventri Suite, Digital Signage Software. The new release provides an enhanced experience with more features and security, plus greater usability for large networks.

Some new features in Version 2.8:

• Preview Interval management for large networks
• New, more robust and secure Communications
• New, optimized ODBC Connections
• PowerPoint import enhancements
• Updated Designer Panel functionality
• Enhanced permissions panel

The ‘Preview Interval’ feature expands usage in managing screen thumbnails on larger networks; allowing efficient uploading of thumbnails without using excessive bandwidth.

‘New Communications’ and ‘Optimized ODBC’ features provide a higher level of security and reliability on larger networks.

Version 2.8 also addresses a number of bugs and enhances user experience.

Noventri Suite 2.8 can be installed on any windows-based computer and is the companion software to the Noventri Eco-Series digital signage player. Users can create content in Full HD resolution, add multiple region types, and overlap other regions with full transparencies using industry standard image formats such as .jpg, .png, and .bmp.

Also, Noventri Suite functions as a stand-alone simple digital signage player, although some features are only available when combined with the Noventri Eco-Series player.

Noventri Suite is a no-cost digital signage software; there are no licenses, no subscriptions, and no hidden costs of any kind… Request your free copy at: http://www.noventri.com/digital-signage-demo.php.

For information contact Judy L. Hoffman at: judyh@noventri.com or call 301-790-0103.

Download Noventri Suite 2.8

“Can I just buy TV screens from a department store and use them for digital signage displays?”

Of course, you can. You can also use a porcupine for a seat cushion. Either choice presents you with certain and specific pains.  (See below: 7 Reasons Consumer Screens Are NOT For Digital Signage Use)

The main reason anyone even considers consumer grade is to try to save money.  However,  the price between consumer and commercial screens can be as little as a few dollars and the difference is shrinking all the time.  Is saving a few dollars up front really worth the risks?

Here is some food for thought. The last link between your message and your audience is your screens. That is why reliability is crucial. In the end, you can have the greatest content in the world but it makes no difference if no one can see it. Commercial grade screens are designed and built to handle the usage requirements of digital signage, hence providing the reliability needed to be successful.

Knowing how important screen selection is,  Noventri spends a lot of time vetting suppliers before we associate the Noventri name with them.  On rare occasions, you can find a company that has great products along with great support.  NEC  is one of those companies.  NEC screens have an amazing track record for being reliable.  They are the only screen supplier that has a 3-year onsite overnight warranty and their team is phenomenal.  Their focus is on providing great business products.  NEC does not even make consumer grade screens!  Since our clients expect personal communication and attention to detail,  having a company like NEC is a perfect fit.

Or we could sit on a porcupine. We made the right choice. We’re confident that you will, too.

7 Reasons Consumer Screens Are NOT For Digital Signage Use
1. If customers purchase the Consumer TV on their own, there is a high probability it won’t work correctly and they’ll be chasing problems which their digital signage supplier probably won’t be able to support.

2. Many manufacturers will NOT honor the warranty on Consumer TVs if they are used for professional or Digital Signage applications, even if purchased from a digital signage integrator.

3. Consumer TVs are not made for 24/7 operation. Even though many work just fine, it’s impossible to predict failure rate due to 24/7 operation.

4. There is almost no chance that the supplier will be able to find an identical model, even a few months later.

5. Consumer TVs can’t be mounted vertically (Portrait Mode) because they will overheat. Commercial grade screens have special venting and fans that make this possible. If a consumer screen is mounted vertically (Portrait Mode) you may also find that the screen may not be visible if standing anywhere but directly in front of the screen. The viewing angle is for consumer screens is engineered for the TV to be mounted above someone’s fire place or sitting on an entertainment center.

6. Power On/Off on Consumer TVs cannot be controlled with the Digital Signage Player; they’ll need to be turned On/Off manually.

7. The life of a Consumer TV is about half that of a Professional Digital Signage Display.

Are consumer grade screens a viable alternative?  Post your comments and questions below.

This is becoming common place on websites. You’ve seen it.  And I know you’ve used it.  The link to opt out of an ad.

Have you ever NOT looked for this option when a commercial pops up on your screen?
Clicking it gives you a sense of relief and satisfaction.  “You thought you were going to tell me to buy something, but you were wrong!”  Then, with a smug look, you navigate to the information you really want.

This conditioned response is more pronounced while watching TV.  A commercial comes on, and if you have a DVR, you fast forward.  Or you channel surf.  I know I’ve seen my share of 5 minute snippets of various Lifetime Original movies while waiting for the game to come back on. Let’s face it.  Watching some mushy show about a love lorn frontier woman who is married to a man that treats her bad is better than a commercial.  Barely, but still better.

Let’s carry this philosophy over to digital signage.  Does it make sense for business owners to put commercials or video content on digital signage in hopes of improving the customers’ shopping experience?  Consumers are already trained to ignore and avoid anything that looks remotely like a commercial.  While they may see your signage, they won’t look at it for long. In fact, they will quickly “Skip This Ad” and move on.

We believe it is vital to remove the association between TV commercials and your digital sign.  We want your message to reach the targeted audience.  Wouldn’t it be a shame if your investment in digital signage went to waste because you were encouraging your customers to “Skip This Ad?”

Sadly, some organizations choose to go for the “wow factor” and end up sacrificing what really works. Poor results mixed with the high cost inherent with video usually ends up giving the illusion that digital signs don’t work and the entire concept gets discarded.

Avoid this scenario like the plague.  Or in this case, like it’s a commercial!

Use content that works—do it in a way that people would want to look at it —this way you and your digital signs will be a success!

“I’m remodeling the kids’ room.  May I get a gallon of lead-based paint, please?”

Before 1978,  lead-based paint was deemed to be good practice and a great value.  Now, in the US, a company can be fined and possibly face criminal charges for failure to comply with regulations regarding removal and disclosure of lead-based paint.

Why?  Because we are now aware of the unintended, yet harmful health effects.  Today, how would you react if you overheard someone asking the above question?  They must be joking, or have no concern for the well-being of their children.

In like manner, it has become standard in the digital signage industry to promote video as the ultimate medium for reaching customers.  Conventional “wisdom” says it’s good practice and gets the best value out of your signage.  This is because many choose to ignore the harmful side effects video has upon customers.

For example, imagine yourself in a store.  You notice a TV suspended from the ceiling near the checkout area.  It’s playing a video.  What instantly comes to mind?

“Hey, there is going to be some interesting information I really need to know.”

Nope.  Most likely it’s, “Oh no! It’s a commercial.”    You make the association between a TV showing video and being sold to.  You quickly turn away.  That’s what customers do.

At Noventri, we embrace the universal truth that people  hate watching commercials and will avoid them at every opportunity.   How could we, in good conscience, tout the effectiveness of video in digital signage applications?  We cannot.  We do not.  It is a source of pride to stand up for the truth.

Despite these facts,  the geeks and crooks of the digital signage industry continue to push “lead paint” as best practice.

“You must have video to have great signage!”

Or  “Using lead makes for superior paints!”

A new coat of paint does brighten a room, makes it feel warm, clean, and inviting.  Digital signage has the same effect.  Isn’t everyone much better off without the lead and video?

Get the lead out of your digital signage.

Does it make a difference where your screens are mounted? YES!

The Eiffel Tower, Mount Rushmore, The Egyptian Pyramids, and the Great Wall of China all have something in common. Whether they have an audience of one, or of thousands, they can be seen by everyone. These landmarks wouldn’t be nearly as impressive if they could only be seen by one person at a time.

 The best way to make your digital screens viewable by the masses is to move them off the floor! Hanging them by the ceiling or on the wall with proper tilting can go a long way. The cynics will say ‘Yeah, but the higher they are the harder it is for them to read.’ Then get a bigger screen! Make the fonts larger! There is always a way around distance. There is NOT a way around having your message blocked while there is a group of people in front of the screen that is on a floor stand. Even one person standing in front of the screen can be enough to destroy your message if your screen is on the floor.

While floor standing screens have their place, make sure that everyone can see your screens by taking the high road, not the low road.

SIDE NOTE: Although this isn’t an article about touch-screens, one reason why touch screen kiosks are strongly discouraged is because they’re intended for one person to use them at a time. Who wants to wait in line to see the Eiffel Tower one person at a time? I would rather enjoy the Eiffel Tower with my friends and family. The same feelings or principles apply to digital signage. People are at your place of business to do something other than stop and admire the new digital screens. So make your digital signs a part of their da­y-to-day lives by giving them the information they need that is easily viewable by many.