How to Uncomplicate Multi-screen Video Walls

How to Uncomplicate Multi-screen Video Walls

Video walls are a creative and dynamic way to display art, messaging or digital donor walls. They quickly grab the attention of viewers, but they have always been complicated to install and create content.  Not anymore, with the new monitor mounts, commercial screens and multi-port players, you can easily create a totally unique video wall. The addition of Arreya Creative Studio or CRM allows the user to remotely create and update content. 

6 Steps To A Successful Video Wall

There are many items that need to be considered when moving forward with a multi-screen video wall. 

arreya digital signage airport large screen1. Budget

Video walls are not an inexpensive option, and there might be a large monitor that would be a good alternative.  If the content is going to be broken up into individual screens, a video wall might not be the economically wise option. 

When considering the budget for a video wall, consider how long it will last. Cheap screens, mounts and devices will take more to look correct, and achieve the dynamic impact of digital signage and upkeep.  The vivid display should be the only thing viewers focus on. Spend the money at the beginning and build into the budget maintenance costs for the lasting effect. 

2. Software for Digital Content

Contemplate the reason for using a multi-screen video wall and what is the final intent. Pick a content team that is trusted to be responsible for updates and maintenance. Keep the content fresh and new. Video and multiple menus, lists and information can scroll across the screens. Children-hospital-digital-signage-arreya

Because of the ability of the Arreya Digital Signage smart sizing feature,  video wall content can be created without calculating each screen. 

Layout in the Arreya Creative Studio using the aspect ratio of the video wall. Deploy instantly to devices and update remotely from anywhere. Software is a critical component to consider if you want to easily create a video wall.

3. Placement

When picking a location for a video wall, there are multiple options to consider. 

High traffic is optimal for the ROI as is distance viewing, and large open spaces are ideal.  Think of video walls like movie theaters. Distance gives the viewer the ability to see the full display and understand the digital content. Space to walk toward the monitors captures the attention and allows moving traffic to gather the information on the go. 

4. Hardware

There are many good options for video walls. Consider the longevity of the display and whether it can easily be maintained. Arreya can help replace worn devices and hardware for current updates.

hospital video wall kiosk arreyaScreens that are commercial grade meant for 24/7 are the most effective option. Small bezels, or the frame of the screen, make viewing more seamless to the eye. Screens do have color variations, and to avoid the hassle of going through large color corrections, make sure all screens are from the same manufacturer and lot numbers.

Adjustable monitor mounts are a must. They easily allow you to adjust screens in every direction so they fit perfectly. The Peerless Smartmounts allow for all the adjustments, but also pull out for maintenance.

Media players are the last hardware element for a successful video wall. There are many options depending on the video wall layout. Portrait, landscape, stacked or straight line and random are all different configurations. There is specific hardware depending on the configuration chosen and what you are doing with the digital content.  The Arreya team will help decide on which device fits particular needs and reduce the cost of using individual devices for each screen.  CHECK OUT KEYWEST AQUARIUM VIDEO

5. Installation

Hire an experienced and insured installer. Multi-screen video walls require special handling and navigation of the hardware. Installers that don’t understand how to handle screens can easily damage or drop devices.

6. Updating

 Digital signage content is a living display that needs constant updates to be fresh and for the best ROI. The content team should care about the display, have experience in publishing content, and have a schedule of deployment. 

The Power of Video Walls

A well planned, well placed video wall will increase efficiency and increase awareness, that is why they are being installed in airports, schools, hospitals and attractions. Through the power of video the messaging is easily, quickly and dynamically translated. With the right tools and guidance, anyone can easily create an eye-catching video wall. 

 

Navigating Airport Digital Signage

Navigating Airport Digital Signage

Advertising on digital signage is a fantastic way to grab the attention of all airport passengers.  A recent airport installation by the Arreya team is a complete design. In addition to the massive 98” monitor, there is custom wallpaper, designed to look like luggage, a 3-D luggage tag and dimensional lettering. The Arreya digital content, managed by the airport marketing team, is welcoming advertising for passengers arriving in the area. 

 

 

 

Airports, international and local, deal with thousands of clients on a daily basis. Including businesspersons, tourists, domestic and international travelers, and the people that accompany them to the airports. Navigating airport digital signage can be a positive if planned correctly and thought out.  It should be done by a professional digital wayfinding team, like Arreya. Many times wayfinding is left to the architectural firm, who think of signage as an afterthought on projects. 

While the Flight Information Display System (FIDS) is the most common content for airport digital signage, there are a numerous variety of functions that digital screens can provide.  CURRENT US FLIGHT STATS

Traveler Experiences

Airport digital signage improves an average traveler’s experience at the airport. The most common stress source for passengers at the airport is being rushed and confused by the lack of signage.

First-time travelers or not, passengers tend to pause when trying to get to gates or find amenities at the airport. The several terminals, counters, and intricate airport landscape is often very overwhelming.

The foremost benefit of digital signage solutions at the airport is enhancing the customer experience. Airport personnel can optimize the display screens by running signs, helpful tips, directions, and reminders on schedules so that passengers can easily locate their needs. Easily optimizing digital content by pinpointing specific travelers during the day or months. Similarly, digital displays catch travelers attention with bright colorful and dynamic content. Thus, digital signage screens provide the best customer experiences.

Advertising

The financial rewards of digital advertising is the easiest sell with digital signage. Airports are packed with people, a common hub to catch interest with digital content, either international or domestic. Airports are a focused location for the specific brands targeting their audiences.

Retail and businesses are an easy sell for advertisements on screens across the airport space. You can make excellent revenue off the displays via promotions and advertisements for local and national businesses. Advertisements for jobs, vacation specials, ground transport, or restaurants can grab the captive audience. Brand owners are aware that not everyone boards their flights on time so they can capitalize on the wait time spent inside the airports.

Entertainment and Information

Besides wayfinding and relaying relevant information to the passengers, digital signage is a secondary source of entertainment and engagement for travelers.  Bored with scrolling mobile devices, travelers can look at something different with entertainment and information digital content.

 

Spending hours waiting at the airport, sadly, isn’t uncommon. Flight delays, the processing time of security, check-ins, and customs can be time consuming for passengers should they have nothing to pass the hours. Digital signage can help reduce the wait time despite having mobiles in the hands.

It can run sports, weather news, concerts, TV series, and even Disney movies to diminish the torture to some extent. Generally, other kinds of infotainment about the environment and animals can also work fine, as long as there is something to watch on a bright, vibrant screen. In fact, cartoons work even better to keep kids distracted.

Internal Communication

Moving from the external audience benefits to internal ones, digital signage screens is an extremely convenient tool to communicate super-smoothly with the audiences on the other side of the fence.

These include airport managers, employees, counter staff, and other workers trying to effectively run the airport realm. Communication is the key to proper management. Hence, digital signage screens placed strategically can exchange information to hundreds of workers within a second. It helps increase the productivity of staff twofold. Simultaneously, communicating a security threat is a prime example of such cases to alert not only the staff but also instruct travelers on what to do.

What to Consider For Airport Digital Signage Launch

  • Placement

Navigating airport digital signage can feel overwhelming. Help is there, in professional digital wayfinding teams, like Arreya. First, consider what digital content you want to show. Start with the basic information such as FIDS and work up to the advertising and entertainment displays.  Then, map a path through the airport and include the employee areas. Mark the locations on a map. Include the access to electrical and internet to make installation easier.

  • Displays and Chrome devices

Only use commercial grade displays meant for 24/7 usage. Commercial grade displays maintain their brightness and have a longer life.  Look at warranties and if they have an on-site replacement warranty. Arreya only sells commercial devices meant to last for years.

Digital signage is only good if your content is playing and being seen. The most reliable players on the market are Google Chromeboxes. Verified by Google and Arreya for security, reliability and durability. Chromeboxes come in fanless models with hardened cases for high traffic areas. They are powerful enough for the most complex and dynamic digital content.  Reduce the Maintenance and IT involvement with digital signage by using Google Chromeboxes. Saving labor costs and increasing engagement.

Along with Chrome Management Upgrade Licenses, Chromeboxes can be locked into kiosk mode for digital signage that can’t be hijacked. No unwanted content ever. Chrome Management also allows for remote hardware management and screenshots.

  • Arreya Digital Signage software service

Quickly and easily make updates for immediate deployment or scheduled information.  Arreya allows users to view from anywhere and make changes quickly. Admin can login from any computer and update content, take screenshots and be confident their devices are connected and on.

Airport digital signage can seem complicated, but beginning with a good planning foundation will take out the anxiety. Professional digital experts in wayfinding and digital installs are an important part of the team when navigating airport digital signage.

Digital Signage for Transportation

Digital Signage for Transportation

The transportation industry and logistics are vital to the global economy, getting people where they need to be in a timely manner all across the world. Transportation methods change a lot over time, and technology is an important factor in terms of getting people to their destinations more safely and comfortably than ever before. The transportation industry is implementing digital signage software into buses, trains, and airplanes to help people navigate to wherever they need to go seamlessly, and to make the journey more comfortable and entertaining. 

LEARN MORE about the implementation of digital signage in the transportation industry.

Digital Wayfinding in the Transportation Industry

Trying to navigate through an unfamiliar city is often stressful and difficult. Public transportation organizations use digital signage software as a powerful tool to help with wayfinding. Customers use digital signage to see exactly where they are currently, and exactly where they need to go next in complex subway systems, bus stops, and airports. Interactive digital signage allows travelers to touch screens or use a mouse and keyboard to navigate through content. Travelers view different routes and estimated arrival times.

 

 

Realtime Travel Information

Buses, trains, and airplanes implement digital signage into their cabins to display real time travel information. Digital signage displays points of interest as travelers pass by, like historical or locally relevant locations. Estimated time of arrival, distance traveled, and current speed are displayed as well. The age old question, are we there yet, now has a very specific, constant, and accurate answer. 

 

 

 

Interactive Travel Experiences

Digital signage software allows travelers to have more interactive experiences on the go. They can navigate through touchscreen digital signage, or access content from their cell phones. Digital signage software integrates with content feeds from providers like Screenfeed and Datacall. These content feeds allow travelers to view news, sports, entertainment, weather, and more on digital displays, or on their mobile devices.

Building Excitement on the Journey

When travelers are on their way to a concert, or a sporting event, excitement tends to wane throughout the journey. Transportation firms are using digital signage software to tailor experiences to individual travelers. When they are headed to a baseball game on the train for instance, digital signs display statistics, videos, previous games, and team history. When travelers are on their way to a concert, music videos, playlists, and interviews with musicians are displayed. Users even connect bluetooth headphones to digital signage for a better auditory experience. 

 

 

Traveler Safety

Unfortunately, the transportation industry is a target for bad actors. Employees need to remain vigilant, and they need to be equipped with the right tools in case of emergency. The transportation industry uses digital signage to display emergency alerts, deploying critical information to thousands of screens simultaneously with the push of a button. Updates are easy to make, and travelers get clear instructions on what to do to stay safe in the event of a lockdown situation or a natural disaster. Updates to routes and closures due to inclement weather are displayed using emergency messaging integrations as well.

LEARN MORE about emergency alerts.

Modernizing Travel

Traditional paper maps and brochures are still used in subway stations and airports, but these products are difficult to update and unpopular. Most people don’t want to carry around maps and brochures now that they can access information on their mobile devices.

Digital signage clearly displays information for travelers, and updates are seamless and instant. The transportation industry uses QR codes in conjunction with digital signage to allow travelers to take information with them as they go. Digital displays make bus stops, subway stations, and airports look and feel more modern.

LEARN MORE about digital signage in the transportation industry.