Digital signage Players

What are Digital Signage Advertising Players and Why do you need them

Digital signage Players are media players that play content from USB drives or internal memory and output video to your screens. They differ from other devices in that they have the function of automatically starting playback when power is applied, and they automatically display content 24/7 in a loop (auto-repeat) mode. Advertising media players can operate 24/7 all year round.

A digital signage player is a compact computer specially designed to display multimedia content automatically. The hardware used in advertising players is selected to easily broadcast high-definition images, videos, and animations.

In the past, desktop computers were used as media players for digital signage. However, their size made them unsuitable for certain applications. It was difficult to hide them from the audience's view, and they were too heavy to be mounted behind a screen. Using desktop computers for advertising and information screens also resulted in a loss of a large amount of computing power and memory. Alternatively, you could repurpose old PCs, which increases power, durability, and security. As digital signage screens became more common, these problems became more pressing, leading to the development of more compact and lightweight media players for digital signs and advertising panels.

By removing unnecessary components, ports, and bulky casings, digital signage media player manufacturers were able to offer a compact yet powerful solution for any organization needing to deploy a digital signage system under any conditions.

Standalone Digital signage Players

Standalone digital signage players display video from USB drives or internal memory. They are not controlled by software but simply automatically display content from the drive. This is the simplest and most reliable system for advertising on screens in public places. To display information or advertising, only two devices are required: a standalone advertising player with a USB flash drive, a TV, or a advertising panel (or projector). Then it's simple - copy files from your computer to the USB drive, and then insert the USB drive into the player connected to the screen or projector. Once power is supplied to the player, it will start displaying your information on the screen.

Dekart also produces "all-in-one" advertising screens equipped with a built-in media player used to load, store, and display your content. Our catalog features numerous displays that can be used – from wall-mounted to freestanding totems and kiosks.

Networked Advertising Players for Digital Signage

Networked Digital Signage Advertising Players are physical media players that play content that can be downloaded via a local network or the Internet. Essentially, these are Internet-controlled media players. Such players work hand in hand with your software and CRM systems and typically connect to your digital signage content management system (CMS).

By networking advertising players, you can manage content and update information using your CMS, and then output content to the screen. If you have a network of screens and are trying to display content on these screens, you probably cannot do without a media player. Content can range from images or media ads to presentations, videos, and GIF files. Regardless of the type of content, there should be a device that can be remotely managed, play content from files, and output it to your network of screens.

How Do Digital Signage Players Work?

Digital signage players, unlike digital signage content management systems, are not a platform with a personal account. This is not a control center or information panel that you need to check daily. A digital signage player is a system installed on a physical device that plays content on the screen. Once you set up the advertising player, you can simply let it do its job. The main work is done by your team on the CMS side. As mentioned earlier, CMS is a platform for managing content on screens that allows you to control what is displayed on your screens and troubleshoot any issues that arise. This is where you will spend most of your time. If everything is set up correctly, the CMS and player will interact with each other automatically. You can check out our projects with information advertising screens and advertising players at Dekart.

How to choose a digital signage player?

You'll need a player that meets the needs of your task and budget. Most likely, you'll need a player that works with any equipment you already have installed. You'll also need the player to be able to handle the types of content you want to display. Different players sometimes also have different memory volume limitations, so if you have a large network that uploads large volumes of content or more complex content types like videos or GIF files, your ideal digital signage player should be able to handle all of this without crashing or overloading. Want to learn more? Contact our specialists for advertising screens and players.

More about digital signage Players

In the modern digital era, enterprises and organizations are increasingly turning to solutions for advertising screens, information displays, and advertising monitors to attract their audience and effectively convey their messages. Advertising monitors can be found in various locations such as retail stores, airports, hospitals, hotels, and corporate offices. Today, companies are no longer considering whether to use advertising monitors, but rather how to choose the right solution for digital signage.

When it comes to choosing the right solution for advertising monitors, there are several options, including USB-based advertising monitors, media player-based advertising monitors, and computer-based advertising monitors. 68% of people say that advertising monitors have influenced their purchasing decisions. What are the main differences between these three types of digital displays?

USB-based digital signage and advertising players involve using a USB drive to store and play content on the screen. This method is relatively simple and cost-effective. Users can create content on their computers, transfer it to a USB drive, and connect it to a compatible display. USB-based advertising monitors are ideal for small deployments or temporary installations where simplicity and portability are key. However, they have limitations in terms of content management and remote control.

Media player-based advertising players use a specialized media player connected to the display. These media players offer more advanced features compared to USB-based solutions. They can handle various multimedia formats, support scheduling and playlist management, and often provide network connectivity for remote content updates. This allows for more dynamic and interactive content.

Computer-based digital signage players use a standard computer or mini-PC as a media player. This option provides maximum flexibility and power in terms of content creation, customization, and management. With computer-based solutions, users can use complex software applications and design tools to create attractive and interactive content. Computer-based advertising monitors are suitable for large-scale deployments or installations requiring complex content management and interactivity. However, this is also the most expensive option, and technical expertise may be required for setup and maintenance.

When comparing these three options, several factors should be considered:
- Cost: USB-based advertising monitors are the most economical option, followed by media player-based monitors. Computer-based advertising monitors are generally the most expensive due to additional hardware and software requirements.
- Content management: USB-based advertising monitors have limited content management capabilities, while media player-based and computer-based monitors offer more advanced features such as scheduling, playlists, and remote content updates. If you require frequent content updates or centralized management, solutions based on media players or computers are preferable.
- Customization and interactivity: Computer-based advertising monitors provide the highest level of customization and interactivity, allowing users to create complex multimedia content and interactive features. Media player-based advertising monitors offer some customization options, while USB-based monitors have limited customization capabilities.

The choice between USB-based, media player-based, and computer-based advertising monitors depends on your specific requirements, budget, and scalability needs. Carefully evaluate your needs and consider future growth to choose the most suitable solution for advertising monitors for your business or organization. If you're unsure which advertising display solution is best for your business, our company, with over 10 years of experience in the digital signage industry, can tailor a solution to meet your needs.