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FREE Digital Signage for everyone
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FAQs
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General
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What is digital signage ?
We are all familiar with advertising on billboards and posters...it's static and non-interactive.
Now imagine having an LCD monitor in place of that paper poster...with an unlimited number of video, annimation
and design elemsnts for you to make whatever you want. Imagine the possibilities.
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Can my business or company benefit from digital signage ?
Are you a business? Do you have message you want to get across to potential customers? Do you want to reach a captive audience using an effective and efficient method that will allow your company to up sell and cross sell either your product or service? Then yes, digital signage is right for you.
MediaSignage makes the transition into the new medium effortless and inexpensive. Best of all with MediaSignage you can run your signage on any flash powered device including web, mobile and portable devices.
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Where can digital signage be used ?
Wherever you can hang an LCD monitor and reach potential customers...THAT'S where you can use digital signage. The possibilities are endless:
Retail
Education
Leisure
Public Transport
Museums
Entertainment
Gas Stations
Public Spaces
Restaurants and menu systems
Hospitality
and more...
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Is my information and content secure ?
MediaSignage is powered by 128 bit SSL encryption. Multiple levels of authentication are used for user level access. Powered by Amazon S3 services, media is accessible using public / private keys allowing for the highest level of access restrictions for your private data. Our AIR application is SSL signed and approved.
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What are the copyright restrictions and regulations ?
It is your responsibility to ensure you follow your country's copyright laws. MediaSignage Inc. will not be responsible for any copyright infringements associated with your account. Be sure you receive full written approval for media and content used in your signage presentation. MediaSignage Inc. will remove content which was brought to our attention as a violator of any copyright laws
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I am getting an error when trying to upgrade to the latest version, how do I fix this?
Uninstall both AIRPlayer and / or AIRStudio in Windows XP under Control Panel > Add Remove Programs.
After you uninstall these be sure to delete the following:
C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR_NAME\My Documents\MediaSignage
C:\Program Files\SignagePlayerAir
C:\Program Files\SignageStudioAir
Once you complete the above tasks you can continue by re-installing the AIRPlayer and / or AIRStudio.
Go to our web site and re-install the AIRPlayer and AIRStudio:
http://mediasignage.com/html/digital_signage_software.html
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How do I update the software & is it free?
The current release is always available from the download section of our web site.
Private builds are posted on the Forum and Twitter pages respectively.
When you launch SinangeStudio and a new version is available, you will be promoted to upgrade; you should always run the latest version of the SignageStudio. When launching the web version of SignageStudio, by default; you are always running the latest version.
When it comes to the SignagePlayer, update anouncements will appear when you enter the "stations" section of the studio. You may be prompted that a new version is available. You can then choose to UPDATE ALL, so that all your players at all your different locations will update to the new software release. If you have many players installed, you may want to cancel out and upgrade each player individually using the "check for new version" Icon (small icon with MediaSignage Logo) which is available under the "stations" section of the Studio navigation.
We go to great lengths to make sure each GA (general availability) release is stable. However it might be a good idea to upgrade your SignagePlayers one at a time, checking that everything is working well for you.
When you launch the web version of SignagePlayer, you are by default always running the latest release.
And yes, all updates are free with our SaaS solution.
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Pricing
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Can I cancel at any time ?
Yes -- With MediaSignage you have no obligations, no contracts and no hidden commitments.
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Is MediaSignage Free ?
Media Signage is currently a free service as we are still in the beta phase (you can use unlimited SignagePlayer licenses for now). Once we release the final product we will institute our "one free license with 25MB of storage" plan.
The pricing structure that will take effect soon can be seen here:
http://www.mediasignage.com/html/prices.html
Additional licenses will fall between $6.00 - $9.00 per month per SignagePlayer license (price varies on how many licenses and storage you get).
You can use an unlimited number of the web version of SignagePlayer for FREE.
So, in short, your 1st SignagePlayer (desktop version) license is FREE and additional licenses are very inexpensive. And all you SignagePlayer (web version) licenses are free.
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What kind of pricing structure will you adopt ?
You can choose from one of the pre made packages on our "Prices" page or you may custom build you own solution depending upon the number of display monitors and disk space you require.
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Are the prices really going to be stay inexpensive ?
We realize our price-per-license seems rediculously low when compared with our competition -- but THAT is the fundamental business approach of our Software as a Service (SaaS) Digital Signage solution. We have posted our pricing plans, even while we are in this beta release stage, as we want to ensure you are aware of our low pricing model. The posted prices are the FINAL PRICES which will come into effect somehwere in 2010. And yes, this also includes the FREE 1st license for 25MB of storage.
With MediaSignage, Digital Signage for everyone, really means for EVERYONE.
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How can I be sure MediaSignage does not dramatically increase its prices ?
MediaSignage includes in our "end user" license agreement an "agreed minimal increase limit". This is to ensure we gain your trust in our minimalist business approach of digital signage for everyone.
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System Requirements
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What are the software requirements ?
Our software requirements are amazingly simple, allowing anyone to use almost any computer. SignageStudio - Desktop or web version -
Any computer, witn any OS, running a commonly supported web browser with Flash player 10+ or above.
SignagePlayer - web version - Any commonly supported web browser running Flash player 10+ or above ( Any OS or device )
SignagePlayer - desktop version - Any OS which runs Adobe’s integrated runtime including Linux, Windows XP or above as well as Mac OS X
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What are the hardware requirements ?
The following is recommended for lower end signage presentation which include simple swf animation, bitmap images and lower quality video (i.e. youtube style):
Intel Pentium Dual Core 2.5GHz or faster processor with 1GB RAM; 32MB of VRAM
For Mac OS X PowerPC G4 1.6GHz processor
High quality signage presentation do require higher-end hardware. If your presentation includes HD Video (H.264), vector based images and high-quality swf animation, you should invest in better performing hardware.
Large monitors running high resolution screens (i.e: 1920x1080) will also require better hardware; for improved rendering and high frame-per-second refresh rate.
For best performance we recommend:
Intel Pentium 2.8GHz Dual Core2 with 2GB of RAM
Mac OS X PowerPC GHz with 1Gig of memory or better
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Does the SignagePlayer run on devices with Windows XP Embedded ?
The MediaSignage SignagePlayer can run on low-end devices with as little as an 800MHz processor with Win XPe SP3
(embedded XP). Of course, you will be limited to simpler videos (no HD) and simpler swf animation
due to the lack of processing power.
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Which operating system do you support ?
We support any OS which runs Flash Player 10+ or above.
This includes Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4; Windows XP with Service Pack 2; Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise; and Windows 7 - all versions. For Linux use Ubunto 8.10 or later release. Mac OS X 10.5.1 or later. Other devices such as portable and handheld are also supported as long they have Flash 10+ running natively.
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What kind of display monitors can I use ?
You can use any display such as a Computer monitor, LCD or Plasma which supports PC input.
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Do I need a fast, persistent internet connection ?
Our SignageStudio and the web version of SignagePlayer do require a dedicated internet connection. However, our desktop version of SignagePlayer, powered by the built-in caching engine, does not require a dedicated connection.
In fact, the SignagePlayer-desktop version searches for internet activity only during power up and when it searches to see if new content is available for it to download. If there is no internet connection at all at these stations, you can update your digital signage manually using a portable hard drive or flash memory device
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Do I need a static IP ?
No, dynamic IPs are fully supported
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Which file formats do you support ?
MediaSignage officially supports all of the Flash Media Formats which include:
Video Formats: Flash video FLV (H.263), MPEG-4 (H.264) ,MOV, M4A, MP4V, 3GP, 3G2, AAC (HE, LC), SWF
Animation: SWF
Images: JPG, PNG
Sound: MP3
However, you should note, due to the hundreds of different encoders available today, it is possible that some of your files may not run properly in your signage presentation.
That is why we highly recommend you use a Freeware utility like Super to convert your media files to standard format including FLV, PNG or SWF. This will eliminate any encoder /decoder issues you may experience.
You can read our conversion format document here:
http://mediasignage.com/html/media_file_conversion.html
And download the Super Free media format conversion utility here:
http://www.mediasignage.com/files/SUPERsetup.exe
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SignageStudio
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What is SignageStudio ?
SignageStudio, which comes in a web version and a desktop version, is the application you will use to configure and administer your digital signage presentation.
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What are Signage templates ?
Signage templates allow you to quickly get up and running by selecting a pre-configured digital signage presentation. You can choose from a range of templates for one that best matches your needs. Once you select a signage template you may begin to modify it and its resources to accommodate your requirements.
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Who can access and configure my signage presentation ?
Anyone who has the user name and password can access and configure the digital signage presentation.
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Where is my configuration saved ?
Once you make or change a signage configuration using SignageStudio, these changes are saved to our servers and propagate to the appropriate signage players.
Media files (such as vidoes and images) also are saved to our servers and download to each signage player.
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SignagePlayer + SignageController
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What should I use, the web version or the desktop version of SignageStudio?
SignagePlayer-web version is NOT designed to run on a dedicated machine. For example, an online visitor to your web site may click a link and view your signage presentation.) The web version runs inside any browser and doesn’t require special licensing or installation. With our web version of SignagePlayer, you may run an unlimited number of monitors (no license restrictions). The web version does require a dedicated internet connection, and it does not support our caching engine and lacks some enhanced functionality.
SignagePlayer-desktop version is designed to run on a dedicated computer. It requires one license per computer and minimal installation. The desktop versin does support enhanced functionality such as real time syncing for content and data, caching engine, detail operation statistics and more. With the desktop ersion of of SignagePlayer you do not need a dedicated internet connection so if your network fails a few times a day, your player will not be effected. Also, the desktop version allows for tuner card support.
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What are the advantages/disadvantages of the desktop & web versions?
SignagePlayer-web version is a "light" signage player that is suitable for online viewing. The resources (videos, images and database) begin downloading to the player as soon as the player loads. The web version runs inside a web browser. A web visitor can view the presentation as soon as the content begins to download. The web version of SignagePlayer lacks some advanced features such as caching engine support, live administration control and recoverability. If you wish to make you signage presentation available for public viewing through your web site we recommend using the web version of SignagePlayer.
SignagePlayer-desktop version is an advanced signage player that requires minimal installation. Each desktop version uses one paid license. The desktop vesion is powered by a sophisticated content caching engine that always keeps your content up to date. The desktop version of SignagePlayer also supports watch dog (fail and recover functionality) as well as many enhanced features including live administration control. If you are going to operate a signage monitor in a physical location (such as a retail store or office building) we recommend using the SignagePlayer-desktop version.
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How many Players can I operate ?
SignagePlayer-web version has no license restrictions. You may use an unlimited number of these players for free. SignagePlayer-desktop version requires once license per computer. So if a single copy of SignagePlayer-desktop version runs on a PC with 4 monitors attached to it, you only need one single license. There is no limit to the number of licenses you may purchase.
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How can I link a signage presentation to my web site so web visitors can see it ?
Once you submit any changes to your signage configuration using SignageStudio, these changes are saved to servers and propagate to the appropriate signage players.
Media files ( such as vidoes and images ) also are saved to our servers and download to each signage player.
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I can see my Player registered but I can not remote control it, why?
The SignagePlayer communicates with the hosted servers over TCP/IP. The protocol uses http (as well as RSA public / private keys over standard http) and raw sockets. In order to insure proper operation the SignagePlayer must be allowed to communicate with the hosted servers within the Digital Signage network.
The mediaBOX does not include an internal firewall and so no special configuration is required. However if your local area or corporate network does have a firewall, you will need to insure proper rules exist within your firewall to allow traffic originating from the mediaBOX to pass through.
The following are conditions which must exist on your network's firewall:
Source: mediaBOX IP address
Destinations:
master . signage . me
business . signage . me
Manage1 . signage . me
Manage2 . signage . me
Protocol: TCP/IP socket connection
Port: 80
Note that if you have a firewall with an existing port 80 rule, this may NOT be enough. The reason is that many firewalls will only allow HTTP traffic. However, the mediaBOX communicates using a persistent TCP/IP socket connection. You may need to add a rule in your gateway / router to specifically allow connection oriented traffic over port 80 (not just HTTP
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What is the SignageController software and do you need it ?
SignageController is a small software utility which is installed on the same machine that runs a desktop version of SignagePlayer.
The software is FREE and its job is to continue and monitor the status of SignagePlayer (essentially keeps the player healthy). If for some reason SignagePayer crashes or becomes unstable, SignageController will restart it to ensure continued uninterrupted playing of your presentation.
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How can I disable the Adobe AIR software auto updates which Adobe releases ?
Simply download and install the following software in your SignagePlayer PC. Once installed, run it and configure it for "No Auto Update".
http://airdownload.adobe.com/air/applications/SettingsManager/SettingsManager.air
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How do I reset SignagePlayer settings (clears user name and password as well) ?
1. Close the SignagePlayer
2. In Windows:
Delete the following directories:
C:\Documents and Settings\USER_NAME\Application Data\SignagePlayer.*
Replace USER_NAME with your logged in user name.
In Ubuntu Linux:
rm -f -r /home/root/.appdata/SignagePlayer.*
3. Restart the SignagePlayer
4. Re-register with your new user email and password
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Components
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Can I connect external DVD, Satellite TV, Cable box or other input devices ?
Our system supports most capture devices, tuner cards and web cameras. We recommend using a USB device such as the TV Plus from Kworld or One Touch from Diamond (See below ).
You can connect any external device from S-Video to RCA, Cable TV and Satellite box using our capture device components. Simply assign your component into a screen division and you are ready to show live TV within your signage presentation.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815260006&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Video+Devices+++TV+Tuners-_-Kworld+Computer+Co.+Ltd-_-15260006
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815306013&Tpk=one%20touch%20diamon
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Why is my input device blurry or squished (seeing interlace) ?
To remove the interlace (to deinterlace) you must set the width and height of the screen division where the capture component resides to match the input resolution.
For example, for most DVD and other sources use a width and height that is a multiplier of 1.5. So try and set screen division to 720x480 and put the capture component inside that area to de-interlace.
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Do you support RSS, Weather, Stock, Podcasts ?
We support all common RSS feeds. We provide the editor tool so you may completely customize the look of any really simple syndication.
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What are shared resources ?
Shared resources are sorts of our own Digital Signage social network. It allows you to mark resources as public and make them available to the community to all users. Of course you may also use shared resources from the community for your own presneation. Resources include videos, animation, vectors, bitmaps and more.
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Can I add my own custom web components to my signage presentation ?
Our AIRPlayer system supports the HTML component. This allows you to develop any component using your favorite web technology (cgi, php, Tcl, etc..). Once you post your developed application online (you host it) you can link to it from within signage studio using our HTML components. Simply point to your URL and your custom application will load into the AIRPlayer signage presentation (the WBEPlayer does not support the HTML component).
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Can I develop my own SignagePlayer side custom components?
Yes, MediaSignage supports custom Modules which may be developed in Flash CS4 or Adobe Flex. Be sure to view our online Support video tutorials on this subject.
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Reseller and white label
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Who can become a reseller / white label ?
Anyone can become a reseller and affiliate partner of MediaSignage Inc. No obligation, no contract and no hidden fees. In fact you can open a reseller account right now. Start using the white label features and generate repeat income. It’s that easy.
Click here below to open a reseller account:
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When can I expect to start receiving income ?
As soon as we exit beta release which is due around 3rd quarter of 2009 we will begin charging for our services (of course single license will still be free). Once we start receiving payments for your referred customers, we will reimburse you with the calculated monthly income as posted here:
http://www.mediasignage.com/html/reseller.html
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If I use the white label, wouldn’t my users come directly to MediaSignage ?
MediaSignage has gone to great lengths to insure we are well hidden from white labeled sites. We use a 3rd domain named ( www . signage . me ) to mask ourselves. In fact, our application, tutorials and XML traffic is all passed through this intermediate domain to prevent anyone from associating MediaSignage Inc with your white labeled product.
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Can I charge my own prices ?
You can charge any price you see fit for your solution and services provided. MediaSignage is just a piece of the puzzle in your Digital Signage solution.
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Why are the MediaSignage prices so low ?
Our solution is all about providing affordable digital signage software as services.
MediaSignage was created to provide a superior digital signage product to everyone. It is a core, fundamental ingredient of our business model. We profit by volume; selling a tool that anyone and everyone can use.
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