Appliance Center
When it comes to selecting a digital signage media player there are numerous choices. Prices range from $500 to $2,000 depending on the processing power and configuration of your system. We don't require any proprietary hardware to operate but we do provide the following guidance for system builders looking to create media players bundled with our web-based application.
Minimum specifications:
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2+ or Windows XP Embedded (we currently do NOT support Vista)
- Port 80 open (inbound and outbound) to the Internet
- DirectX 9.0c or higher
- Windows Media Player 11 or higher
- DivX Player 6.6 or higher
- Xvid Codec 1.0.2 or higher
- Latest version of Java JRE
- Latest version of Adobe Flash Player
Additional requirements for specific functionality:
- Port 5222 open (inbound and outbound) to the Internet for Alerts to work
- For sound we need an on-board or PCI or PCIe sound card
Basic applications
For simple installations running at resolutions less than 1360x768, utilizing limited amounts of live data content elements, static images, very basic animations with daily changes for simple text and other basic messages we would recommend an appliance with the following minimum specifications:
- Hard Drive: 10+ Gigabytes
- RAM: 1 GB+
- Video Card: Onboard 8 – 32 MB
- Processor: Celeron M, Celeron, Single Pentium, Single ATOM
- Network: 10/100 MBPS or Gigabit Ethernet
Due to the small disk space, this appliance should not run in situations where there will be multiple presentations running at different scheduled times on this one appliance. This appliances should not run presentations that have intense or multiple Flash files in them. Media files used in the presentation should never exceed 80% of the hard drive space on the appliance.
Intermediate applications
For most digital signage applications running at 1360x768 or 1920x1080 with a reasonable amount of video, Flash files, and other content running we would suggest the following minimum specifications:
- Hard Drive: 40+ Gigabytes
- RAM: 1 to 2 GB
- Video Card: Onboard 8 – 32 MB OR Add-on Graphics Card: 32-128 MB
- Processor: P4, Dual ATOM, Core 2 DUO
If you are going to do multiple displays with this appliance using multiple video outputs with an extended Windows desktop, it is not recommended that the presentation be Flash or media intensive with lower capacity video cards. This appliance should have no problem running single display presentations that have large scale or multiple flash files in them; however the quantity and resolution size of the flash file can effect the performance.
Advanced applications
For media intense environments or for configurations using dual or quad screens are going to be used we would recommend the following minimum specifications:
- Hard Drive: 120+ Gigabytes
- RAM: 2+ GB
- Video Card: Add-on Graphics Card: 128 MB – 1 GB
- Processor: Duo or Quad Pentium, Opteron
Optimizing Windows on your appliance and preparing your appliance for imaging
There are several Windows adjustments that we strongly recommend to optimize the performance of your appliance for digital signage applications. From hiding the task bar and shutting off screen savers to adjusting the BIOS so the PC restarts automatically on powerup, you can find all of our suggestions at Rise Digital Signage Appliance Optimization Checklist. Also included in this document are the directions to prepare your fine tuned appliance for imaging, so it can be mass produced.
If you would like to install the Rise Software onto a Samsung n series panel our suggested instructions can be found here.
Getting Started Guide
Here is a document you can include with your Appliance to provide your customers with simple directions for adding the appliance to their Rise account. In addition to a PDF, a Word version is available if you would like to customize. Download the PDF version here.
Download and install the Rise Player executable on the PC you will be designating as the Display Appliance. Click Here
Testing Appliances
All appliances should be tested to ensure they will be capable of playing content appropriately. Depending on the type of appliance you have: Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced, this will determine the type of content your appliance can play successfully.
A company has been set up in the Rise Display Network for you to log into with a generic username and password for a Display Administrator in that company. You can then add your appliance, and begin testing the different preloaded presentations to view how the appliance can handle the associated presentations. From the appliances performance, you will be able to define the type of application the appliance can be used for (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced).
The entire step by step process including how to monitor the performance of the appliance while presentations are running, is located here. If you would prefer a Microsoft Word document instead of a PDF, you can download that here
