What Is Multi-Room HDMI?
Multicasting HDMI from a content player or any other AV source allows the distribution of video and audio to any screen on a signage network. A single transmitter can deliver multimedia to hundreds of displays with no need to run dedicated video links
from a back room to displays in lobbies, a POS, airports or any venue. By adding or combining AV or KVM extension and switching solutions, USB extenders and the right networking equipment, users can take advantage of an almost endless number of configurations
for their applications, including touch-interactive signage and wayfinding displays in retail, healthcare, education, public offices and more.
Type of Digital Signage Solutions
Digital Signage Servers
Network-based, dedicated digital signage servers enable users to control content on multiple screens from a central, remote location. This allows you to control content in real time and to include instant-messaging capabilities. Content, playlists and
scheduling can be controlled remotely, accessing the servers IP address through a browser. Some systems also give the administrator the ability to turn screens on and off remotely. With a dedicated video server residing on the same network, live camera
feeds, video streams and stored video content can be added easily.
Digital Signage Software
Digital signage software solutions, also called digital signage publishers, are ideal when there is a need to have extended control of the way content is displayed on screens. For example, this is great for setups that require interactive, local input
(such as touch, RFID, contact closure) or real-time response to data conditions. Software-enabled digital signage allows you to create multiple content zones on the screen and easily schedule content for each zone. Additionally, it has override content
features for interrupting routine content streaming with emergency alerts programmed from a remote location. For some solutions, digital signage software solutions are combined with either dedicated servers or digital signage hardware.
Digital Signage Hardware
Hardware-based digital signage solutions use AV transmitter and receiver units to extend and switch audio, video and USB signals between multiple sources (e.g. content players) and displays over dedicated network cabling or IP. By connecting multiple
senders and receivers over a Gigabit network, an AV matrix setup can be created that allows the sharing of content from each source on each of the connected screens. For simpler setups, a single pair of transmitters and receivers can establish a simple
point-to-point (P2P) connection over CAT5e/6 cable. A content source in this scenario can be a COTS PC, with minimal hardware requirements that include sufficient processing speeds and storage capacity.
Black Box's MediaCento™ Video-over-IP solution enables you to multicast HDMI video and audio to up to 256 screens on a single Ethernet network, making it the perfect solution for distributing high-resolution digital signage content including up
to 4K video and digital audio. Visit our product page to find out more.
Digital Signage Pricing
Digital signage prices are variable and depend on each project's setup and requirements. Generally speaking, there are four major categories digital signage pricing falls into. Understanding these categories will help you select the most appropriate system
to support your objectives, application and budget:
- Ultra-affordable: Single-screen, single-zone, single-room display
- Moderate: Multiple-screen, multiple-zone, multiple-room display, same content on all screens
- Moderate with TV capability: Multiple-screen, multiple-zone, multiple-room display with live TV - same content on all screens
- Advanced: Multiple-screen, multiple-zone, multiple-room display with extensive functionality, such as individual screen messaging (may or may not include live TV tuner capability)