What is digital signage?

A digital signage installation is a digital display used for advertising or informational purposes that shows multimedia or video material. It is all around us. Thanks to digital signs, we've been able to look at ads at bus stops, locate gate information at airports, purchase movie tickets, buy meals in fast food restaurants, and get directions at museums. There are countless applications that meet the demands of various industries and target audiences. As a matter of fact, it is anticipated that the digital signage industry would expand from USD 20.8 billion in 2019 to USD 29.6 billion by 2024—a figure that belies the market's immense potential and effect. Digital signage's capabilities are expanding from a passive system that pushes content to an active one that engages people and offers opportunities for the corporate world.

What is digital signage hardware?

Projectors, audio systems, digital media players, and digital displays are examples of digital signage hardware. There are several sizes, resolutions, brightness levels, and interactivity capabilities available for digital signs screens. Projection displays, touchscreens, LCD/LED flat panels, and other devices are some examples. Digital media players, which house the operating system and software programs needed to operate digital signage content, can be linked to these display systems. Certain digital media players can be mounted externally on walls or stands using specialised brackets, or they can be put inside the back of a display. Some screens do not require an external media player since they are all-in-one, integrating the CPU and other infrastructure. Additional hardware, such as environmental sensors, keypad and mouse consoles for user input, printers, modems, cameras, RFID/NFC readers, WiFi routers, digital signage enclosures for outdoor installation and security, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), digital audio streaming devices, and more, can also improve the digital signage network.

What is digital signage software?

Projectors, audio systems, digital media players, and digital displays are examples of digital signage hardware. There are several sizes, resolutions, brightness levels, and interactivity capabilities available for digital signs screens. Projection displays, touchscreens, LCD/LED flat panels, and other devices are some examples. Digital media players, which house the operating system and software programs needed to operate digital signage content, can be linked to these display systems. Certain digital media players can be mounted externally on walls or stands using specialised brackets, or they can be put inside the back of a display. Some screens do not require an external media player since they are all-in-one, integrating the CPU and other infrastructure. Additional hardware, such as environmental sensors, keypad and mouse consoles for user input, printers, modems, cameras, RFID/NFC readers, WiFi routers, digital signage enclosures for outdoor installation and security, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), digital audio streaming devices, and more, can also improve the digital signage network.
In general, digital signage software consists of four main features:
  • Content Creation
  • Player/Device Management
  • Content Management and Distribution
  • Evaluation of Performance