Christie® leaves Digital Signage Expo® (DSE) on a high note, with a Silver Apex award under Business, Industry and Government category for its digital signage display of Christie® MicroTiles® in the company’s new West Wing building expansion. The iconic display in its Kitchener, Ontario corporate office intersects technology, architecture and artistic design. Working with Arsenal Media, SRM Architects and rp Visual Solutions, it features sophisticated architectural integration and a unique technology solution to drive the 70Mpx creative canvas created for the company’s Artist-In-Residence Programme and other content development partners.

“Each year, DSE award winners reveal what’s current and evolving in digital signage and mobile media development, deployment and content creation,� stated Sean James, vice president of Managed Services, at Christie. He adds, “To create custom digital signage installations and content that engage consumers and visitors means working collaboratively with experts in various fields who use today’s advanced technology. Christie congratulates all partners in integration, installation, content and architectural design who received 2013 DSE Apex and Content awards.�

At the DSE awards ceremonies on February 27, several Christie products were featured in partners’ winning entries. The Apex awards honor innovation in the development and deployment of technology in the global digital out-of-home networks (DOOH) industry, while the Content awards honor innovative and compelling content created for digital signage in the DOOH networks.

Including Christie’s Silver Apex award for the company’s lobby digital signage, partners collectively took home 10 awards in four categories which included Christie visual display products. The categories were Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, Business, Industry & Government, Retail, and Education & Healthcare.

GOLD APEX AWARDS – Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
Westfield San Francisco Centre for its “Under the Dome� architectural projection mapping experience created by Obscura Digital, using Christie Roadster S+20K DLP® projectors.

San Francisco Public Utility Commission, for the “Digital Arts Panorama� designed by Obscura Digital, using a Christie® MicroTiles® video wall that stretches 58 feet long and sits atop a superstructure pedestal custom fabricated by rp Visual Solutions. Nathan Houchin, technical director at Obscura Digital commented, “We chose Christie MicroTiles because we didn’t want to sacrifice resolution or be concerned about off-axis viewing and serviceability.�

GOLD APEX AWARDS – Education and Healthcare
University of Waterloo Stratford Campus and its massive three-storey (6.5 feet wide by 30 feet high) Christie MicroTiles’ installation, the tallest in the world, was a collaboration amongst Christie’s Research and Innovation team, Westbury National Show Systems Ltd., and rp Visual Solutions. Christie’s visual technology displays are playing a role in the University’s mission to intersect technology, business and art.

Arsenal Media received a Bronze Apex award for its Fountain of Content, a custom-built structure featuring Christie MicroTiles, LCD, LED, Christie projectors (3D projection mapping) and accessories to control the show and an interactive sensor camera for creating visual effects. And, under the Retail category, Rose & Thistle Media received a Bronze Apex award for its unique holographic window display coined “Inverse Parallax.� As technical supplier, Christie worked with Rose & Thistle Media, Westbury National Show Systems and Dynamix Professional Video Systems to realize Holt Renfrew’s 175th anniversary celebration in Toronto, which featured 700 Christie MicroTiles, Christie HD10K-M projectors and Christie Roadster HD20K-J projectors.

Content Creation Award Winners
The Content Awards, which honor innovative and compelling content created for digital signage in the DOOH networks, were presented to winners in 10 different categories from a field of 70 entrants. Christie’s partner Arsenal Media received a Bronze content award for Christie’s West Wing MicroTiles display, a gold for the Fountain of Content, a silver for Wilfrid Laurier’s 100th anniversary MicroTiles display and a Bronze award for The Discovery Wall, developed with Christie for the American Association of Museums (AAM) showcasing Christie MicroTiles as a digital platform and featuring flash-based content that actively enables users to engage in a multi-zone experience. Obscura Digital won silver for the content on the San Francisco Public Utility Commission’s Digital Arts Panorama display and Rose & Thistle Media won a Gold Content award for the Holt Renfrew 175th anniversary event.

Download The Book of Shapes. Discover how Christie MicroTiles are being used as visual building blocks in engaging, eye-catching displays all over the world.

Students “Break Out of the Box� Thanks to Christie MicroTiles’ Flexibility And High Brightness at New LeRoy Neiman Center

As a college of art and design, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) knows how important aesthetics are, which is why they chose Christie® MicroTiles® as the basis for the video wall in its new LeRoy Neiman Center, the school’s first student hub. Featuring 16-foot tall windows on both sides of the building, the LeRoy Neiman Center offers Chicago Loop visitors a clear view from the street of what is inside.

Christie MicroTiles at School of the Art Institue of Chicago

With such a large audience passing by throughout the day, SAIC wanted a video display that could be reconfigured into new and intriguing shapes, “catching their eyes� and captivating them with an endless collection of innovative, multimedia designs.

“Unlike bulky video monitors and flat panels with thick bezels, Christie MicroTiles are modular products that blend nearly seamlessly with one another, providing artists with a digital canvas of almost limitless shapes for their work,� said SAIC director of media services, Craig Downs.

“Exploration is one of the school’s core values,� Downs continued. “And with Christie MicroTiles, our students can push the edges of ordinary artistic expectations, as they are no longer restricted to a rectangle or single screen. Working with MicroTiles as a video installation medium literally takes the concepts outside of the box.�

Christie MicroTiles maintain their clarity and brightness even in the most demanding of indoor ambient light environments. With a much wider color palette than conventional LCD and plasma displays, Christie MicroTiles display pure, saturated, accurate colors. This color reproduction ability combined with their superfine resolution, high pixel density and high contrast ratio results in stunning image quality from practically any angle and even up close, making them an ideal display for public spaces.

Christie MicroTiles Inspire New Age Art

With a new architectural environment to call its own and 25 Christie MicroTiles at their disposal, SAIC opened the floor to faculty and students, asking them for designs that would speak to the public and inform them of what the school is and what it does.

Taking advantage of the MicroTiles’ potential for reinterpreting the concept of time and space, instructor Lee Blalock developed a design that broke the first artistic display into three segments, with each array telling its own story – a work made solely with Christie MicroTiles in mind.

“Lee’s piece, ‘Remote,’ really stood out in the selection process, as she clearly realized that Christie MicroTiles are not like other video displays and thought differently about the presentation right from the start,� said Downs. “Breaking away from a linear approach, she focused on depth perception and space, counting on the flexibility of the MicroTiles to play out her work exactly as she envisioned it.�

“The first piece that ran on the MicroTiles illustrated the next frontier of video art, showing students, and faculty alike, new possibilities in delivering digital images, most of which wouldn’t be feasible without this versatile technology from Christie,� added Michael Ryan, director of exhibition curricula and director of the student union gallery at SAIC. “The MicroTiles are a great teaching tool because they challenge the way we normally think about videos and allow our students to expand their skills even more.�

With a team of AV installers arranging the MicroTiles to fit the artist’s vision, SAIC treats the technology as its own exhibition space – putting no restrictions on proposals that embody a freestanding sculptural piece or are part of a window display, as the first two installations did.

“If it is physically possible, technically possible, and we have the space for it, we will try anything,� said Downs. “That is a luxury only Christie can offer with its MicroTiles. They are easy to configure and prove to be cost-effective in their ability to reinvent a display time and again.�

CASIO REVOLUTIONIZES STOREFRONT ADVERTISING WITH NEW DIGITAL SIGNAGE
BUSINESS AT DSE 2013

Casio Signage Drives Business and
Offers Infinite Applications

 

LAS VEGAS, NV (FEBRUARY 27, 2013) — Coming off the cusp of a successful Consumer Electronics Show, Casio America, Inc. is pleased to showcase its new digital signage business with its ground-breaking approach to storefront advertising at the Digital Signage Expo. As the hero application of Casio’s new digital signage business, Casio Signage takes a revolutionary new approach by leveraging optimum advertising tools and cloud services to attract new customers and increase repeat business. Casio Signage will be exhibited in Casio’s booth (#147) at the Digital Signage Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 27-28, 2013.

“Storefront advertising must be attractive, interesting and versatile in order to entice consumers to enter an establishment,� said Shigenori Itoh, Chairman and CEO of Casio America, Inc. “Casio Signage offers retailers and business owners a unique way to make consumers feel welcome, while delivering relevant content in a personal manner. We have no doubt that Casio Signage will
set a new standard for storefront advertising and change the industry as a whole.�

Casio Signage is a cutting-edge storefront advertising tool with the ability to captivate passers-by with a realistic-looking character that talks to them. Using a custom designed screen shaped like a character, content is created to match the characteristics needed to bring people into a store. The character’s appearance and voice can be easily changed to keep customers from losing interest and increase store traffic. Casio Signage is compact and requires no installation work, making it easy to place nearly anywhere. It also offers multilingual support or multifunctional options creating a fully customizable system with content that is most relevant for the customer base.

Together with innovative cloud services such as the distribution of digital coupons, stores with Casio Signage will enjoy an edge
over the competition.

Main Features of Casio Signage

• Realistic images help captivate passers-by and attract new customers – The screen itself is shaped like a character or person, and speaks to visitors to get their attention and invite them in.

• Content is easily updated to increase store traffic  – Retailers simply provide Casio with a still image and text. Casio then animates the image and adds the voice. No video production is required for stores. This process makes it easy to edit the animation for future use.

• Compact size that can fit almost anywhere – It features a small 18â€� x 21.10â€� footprint. No installation work is required.

• Multilingual support – Available languages include English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and more. Customers can select the language they want to hear.

• Cloud services are available for unique retail promotions – Casio can provide cloud services such as digital coupons for customers with smartphones.

• Long-lasting light source – The originally developed Laser-LED Hybrid Light Source by Casio delivers approximately 20,000 hours of life.

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About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution� through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

CASIO SHOWCASES UNIQUE SIGNAGE SOLUTIONS AT DSE 2013 

Projector Stacking System and YA-S10 Converter System Offer Innovative Technology
with An Overall Lower Cost of Ownership

LAS VEGAS, NV (FEBRUARY 27, 2013) — Casio America Inc. , a leader in the digital projection industry, is proud to introduce two new systems ideal for a variety of digital signage applications – the Projector Stacking System and the YA-S10 Converter System. Featuring Casio’s LampFree™ LASER & LED Hybrid Light Source, the Projector Stacking System is available in two different models, the XJ SK650 and the XJ-SK600. The YA-S10 Converter System features cutting edge technology that allows a single projector to display images on curved surfaces. Both systems will be exhibited in Casio’s booth (#147) at the Digital Signage Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 27-28, 2013.

“As a leading provider of digital projection technology, we are constantly developing new applications that address the changing needs of the digital projection/signage industry,� said Matt Mustachio, general manager of Casio’s Business Projector Division. “We are confident that our new Projector Stacking System and YA-S10 Converter System will increase efficiency and streamline costs for retailers and business owners alike, further raising industry standards and solidifying Casio’s presence as an industry leader.�

The Projector Stacking System, designed with two Casio projectors stacked on top of one another, projects two sharp, high-quality images, which the YA-S10 Converter System control box then merges into one screen. It is available in two different models; the XJ-SK650 and the XJ-SK600. The XJ-SK650 features double stacked Pro Series XJ-H2600 projectors and provides users with up to 6,500 lumens, while the XJ-SK600 features double stacked Signature Series XJ-M250 projectors and provides up to 6,000 lumens. Both of these models provide roughly twice the lumen output provided by a single projector.

The Projector Stacking System includes two (2) projectors, ceiling mount housing and the YA-S10 Converter System control box, which corrects and merges screen images. The system features high-precision correction and an interface that allows easy modifications using a remote control. The YA-S10 Converter System control box focuses on image alignment with each of the projectors in the Stacking System. When the YA-S10 Converter System correction box is connected, both projectors can also project high brightness images at any angle making the Projector Stacking System ideal for digital signage, sports bars, house of worship and many large venue applications.

When used separately Casio’s YA-S10 Converter System enables users to project images onto curved pillars, round areas, flat surfaces or any unique shape. The system is set up to adjust any image misalignment or distortion without the need for additional hardware. Using the YA-S10 Converter System with any Casio LampFree™ projector, images can be corrected for curved surfaces using free-form surface compensation with a lattice of up to 81 grid points for adjustments.

Both the Projector Stacking System and Convex System are powered by Casio’s state-of-the-art LASER & LED HYBRID Light Source, which provides Lamp-Free, eco-friendly data projection at a percentage of the cost of traditional projectors. Casio’s LASER & LED Hybrid Light Source combines blue laser light and a fluorescent element to generate a high output of green light. The green light, blue laser light, and the light emitted by a red LED are projected through a DLP® chip which, in turn, is passed through the projection lens to form an image. This technology achieves an increase in color spectrum compared with a mercury lamp, while lowering a projector’s total cost of ownership and maximizing investment. Since there is only minimal loss of brightness even during long-term use, it is ideal for those heavy-duty applications involving frequent use of projection such as retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, offices and other environments. With an estimated life span of 20,000 hours, both systems ensure low
maintenance and streamlined costs.

Casio’s new Projector Stacking System and YA-S10 Converter System are currently available for purchase. For additional information regarding Casio LampFree™ projectors, please visit www.casioprojector.com.

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About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets
calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution� through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

New SH940 Brings More Brightness, Simple Operation, and Lower Total Cost of Ownership for Large Venue Applications

IRVINE, Calif. — Feb. 28, 2013 — BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned provider of digital lifestyle innovations and global DLP(R) projector leader, today introduced the SH940, its latest high-brightness, large-venue projector. With native full HD 1080p resolution, the device offers flexible installation features, Hollywood Quality Video (HQV), and is specifically designed to bring exciting A/V experiences to large spaces at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). more

For the fourth consecutive summer Christie® 3-chip DLP® projectors will be lighting up Ottawa’s famed Parliament Hill with a rich and engaging display that attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually . The gripping narrative of Canadian history via the National Capital Commission’s sound and light show, “Mosaika – Canada Through the Eyes of Its People� begins July 10 and ends September 7 this year.

Accompanied by lights, a 5.1 surround system, and audio track produced by Groupe Phaneauf, the four Christie Roadster S+20K and five Christie Roadster HD18K projectors paint a video canvas onto the 472-feet long by 246-feet tall, six story high Parliament Building Centre Block including the iconic Peace Tower in the middle. One portion features a dramatic 3D segment where the entire structure appears to move in and out in 3D space.

A Journey in Three Acts
Act One explores Canadian landscapes and our founding peoples. The journey begins at Canada’s beautiful west coast, then soars eastward, over the Rocky Mountains, through the foothills and prairies, across the Great Lakes, down the St. Lawrence River, into the Atlantic Ocean, and then northeast to modern-day Newfoundland and Labrador. From here, the audience is taken north, passing ice floes and polar bears, into Canada’s Arctic region, where the aurora borealis dances in the velvety night sky. Along the way, the audience discovers the gorgeous mosaic of natural landscapes, flora and fauna that make up Canada’s diverse natural world.

Canada’s founding peoples are also introduced in Act One, and the storyline carries the audience beyond Canada’s Confederation in 1867. ‘Mosaika’ presents how multitudes of people, ideas and voices have combined in a great discussion to create this country.

Act Two presents Canadian achievements. It begins with the railroad — the great iron link that tied the country together and encouraged westward expansion and settlement. Other achievements are explored, in war and in peace, social achievements that helped to create Canada’s rights and freedoms, as well as Canadian achievements in the arts and culture. Great Canadians are encountered, including Agnes Macphail, Tommy Douglas, Terry Fox and many others.

Act Three is a discussion of Canadian values. In the third act of ‘Mosaika,’ Canadians from across the country are seen and heard, discussing what is important to them, what it means to be Canadian, and their hopes for the future. Their encouraging and inspirational words drive ‘Mosaika’ toward its emotional climax.

From History to Projection Mapping Reality with Christie Reliability
Jean-Marc Beauvalet, manager, technical services, National Capital Commission (NCC), said the NCC used two Christie projectors for the predecessor of the current show; however, ‘Mosaika’ was one of its first forays into multi-projector use and projection mapping.

“Because of our experience with them, we were fully confident using the Christie projectors for ‘Mosaika,’� said Beauvalet. “Christie has played an important role in helping us achieve our goals with this presentation – to reflect what Canada and its history are all about.�

“We had used Christie projectors before and were fully confident of their performance – and, as the projectors play such a crucial role, that made everything else easier to deal with. After Moment Factory – the show designer – did a full pixel mapping of the buildings, our biggest challenge was how to repeat the placement of these projectors to ensure a perfect performance every night. The solution they came up with for the projectors that stayed on the hill was to have the projectors on hydraulic lifts with repeatable heights; they have a sensor that stops them at 120 inches so every performance is exact.�

Not only the production itself but also the public and media reaction impresses the NCC.

“The projection mapping creates something magical that people aren’t expecting – they don’t expect to see their Parliament Building transformed into such beautiful colors and delightful imagery. People say, ‘this is incredible. I never thought I would see anything like this in my life.’ It’s an honor to see visitors and Canadians with smiling faces telling us how wonderful the show experience was,â€� Beauvalet concluded. “With the help of Christie, we have achieved our goal with this presentation – to instill a strong feeling of pride in our country and our capital with a one-of-a-kind free nightly show. I can say that Christie and its technology are extremely reliable. They deliver exactly what they say they will.â€�

“‘Mosaika’ is an extraordinary accomplishment that presents the history of Canada in a way that is entertaining, educational, and visually compelling,� said Kathryn Cress, vice president, global and corporate marketing, Christie. “We are very proud the National Capital Commission selected Christie projectors to be part of this exceptionally innovative and memorable event.�

Atlanta – Digital Signage Expo® (DSE), the world’s largest and longest running International Conference and Tradeshow dedicated exclusively to digital signage, interactive technology and digital out-of-home networks (DOOH), today announced the independently judged winners of its Apex & Content Awards for 2013 at its 4th Annual Awards Dinner Sponsored this year by the Digital Signage Federation.

This year Gold, Silver and Bronze Apex Awards were presented to winners in 10 categories from a field of 90 entrants:

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
GOLD: Westfield San Francisco Centre, Nominated by Obscura Digital
SILVER: Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Nominated by Intermedia Touch Inc.
BRONZE: Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, Nominated by DRM
Productions Inc.

Business, Industry & Government
GOLD: San Francisco Public Utility Commission, Nominated by Obscura Digital
SILVER: Christie West Wing, Nominated by Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc.
BRONZE: Arsenal Media Fountain of Content, Nominated by Arsenal Media

Education & Healthcare
GOLD: University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, Nominated by Westbury
National Show Systems Ltd.
SILVER: Florida Hospital – Wesley Chapel, Nominated by Sound Stage Inc.
BRONZE:Saint Louis University, Nominated by NEC Display Solutions

Event Venues
GOLD: Antron Showroom, Nominated by Float4 Interactive
SILVER: Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Nominated by Gefen
BRONZE: University of Oregon, Nominated by Haivision

Food & Beverage
GOLD: Dee Daa Restaurants, Nominated by Arsenal Media
SILVER: Top of Waikiki Restaurant, Nominated by Pacific Digital Signs
BRONZE: Starbucks Coffee Co., Nominated by Starbucks Coffee Co.

Hospitality
GOLD: Swan & Dolphin Resort, Nominated by Xpodigital
SILVER: Tourisme Montérégie, Nominated by Arsenal Media
BRONZE: Wynn in Las Vegas, Nominated by JANUS Displays by Morrow
Technologies

Interactive Self-Service
GOLD: Pepsi, Nominated by Intel
SILVER: Telenet Mobile – SmartSpot – DOBIT, Nominated by Scala Inc.
BRONZE: Buffalo Wild Wings, Nominated by Wireless Ronin Technologies

Public Spaces
GOLD: Westfield Shopping Center, Nominated by Scala Inc.
SILVER: Samsung Galaxy S3 Turkey Launch Projection Mapping, Nominated by Dreambox Visual Communications
BRONZE: Clear Channel Spectacolor – Times Square, Nominated by Clear Channel
Spectacolor

Retail
GOLD: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Nominated by Build-A-Bear Workshop®
SILVER: Connections, Nominated by YCD Multimedia
BRONZE: Holt Renfrew Ltd., Nominated by Rose and Thistle Media

Transportation
GOLD: CBS Outdoor, Nominated by MRI (Manufacturing Resources
International)
SILVER: McCarran International Airport, Nominated by Four Winds Interactive
BRONZE: IGITerminal – 3 & 1 Airport,Delhi, Nominated by Times Innovative Media Ltd. (Times OOH)

The DSE 2013 Apex Award of the Year winner is:

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Nominated by Build-A-Bear Workshop®

This year Gold, Silver and Bronze Content Awards were presented to winners in 10 different categories from a field of 70 entrants:

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
GOLD: Second Story Interactive Studios, for content created for Vault of the
Secret Formula: Bubble-izer
SILVER: Intermedia Touch Inc., for content created for Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
BRONZE: Arsenal Media, for content created for Christie, The Discovery Wall

Business, Industry & Government
GOLD: Arsenal Media, for content created for The Fountain of Content
SILVER: Obscura Digital, for content created for Digital Arts Wall, San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission
BRONZE: Arsenal Media, for content created for Christie, Kitchener West Wing Lobby

Education & Healthcare
GOLD: Intermedia Touch Inc., for content created for Miami Children’s Hospital
SILVER: Arsenal Media, for content created for Wilfrid Laurier University, 100th Anniversary
BRONZE: Visix Inc., for content created for University of Iowa Interactive Wayfinding

Event Venues
GOLD: Oklahoma City Thunder, for content created for Chesapeake Arena
SILVER: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, for content created for MLSE Live
BRONZE: Insteo, for content created for Vitec Group

Food & Beverage
GOLD: Groupe Viva, for content created for Le 2 Pierrots
SILVER: Allure Global Solutions, for content created for Moe’s Southwest Grill – Digital Menu Boards
BRONZE: Arsenal Media & Jaime Burns, for content created for Dee Daa Restaurants

Hospitality
GOLD: Arsenal Media, for content created for The Tourisme Montérégie
Experiential Tower
SILVER: X20 Media, for content created for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
BRONZE: Swan & Dolphin Resort, for content created for “ELLA” RFID Reader Project

Multi-Platform
GOLD: Arsenal Media and Converse Marketing, for content created for
Caterpillar Global Mining,Touchpoint Digital Program
SILVER: Elevate Digital, for content created for Groupon
BRONZE: Intelligent Multimedia Ltd., for content created for IML Challenges

Public Spaces
GOLD: Pearl Media, for content created for Chevy Interactive 3D Projection
SILVER: Vanten K.K., for content created for Ganbatte 365
BRONZE: Monster Grupo Creativo S.A. de C.V., for content created for
Banamex S.A.

Retail
GOLD: Rose and Thistle Media, for content created for Holt Renfrew Ltd.
SILVER: All Things Media LLC, for content created for Mercedes-Benz USA, AMG
Digital Signage
BRONZE: AKQA, for content created for RBS Group

Transportation
GOLD: Inwindow Outdoor, for content created for Beneful Virtual Dog
Park/Columbus Circle Interactive Wall

“The DSE 2013 Content Award of the Year winner is:

Inwindow Outdoor, for content created for Beneful Virtual Dog
Park/Columbus Circle Interactive
Chris Gibbs, President of Exponation, LLC, which produces Digital Signage Expo said, “Because innovation and creativity are essential to driving growth in our industry, it is our unique pleasure and privilege to be able to provide a forum that not only nurtures and recognizes these amazing leaps forward, but also one in which all of us can come together and truly appreciate the work that is being produced in our field worldwide. That is why we are pleased to present the 2013 winners who have distinguished themselves in this way.�

Mark your calendar now: Digital Signage Expo® 2014, co-located with the Interactive Technology Expo and Digital Content Show, is scheduled for February 11-13, 2014, with access to the Exhibit Hall February 12 & 13 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. To reserve exhibit space contact Jeanne Phillips, (770) 817-5903. Or, for more information, visit www.digitalsignageexpo.net. You can follow DSE on Twitter at DSExpo, or for all DSE 2014 updates, use #dse2014. For year-round news and information on digital signage, visit DSE’s new Digital Signage Connection web portal at www.digitalsignageconnection.com.

About the Independent Panel of Apex Award Judges
DSE’s Apex Awards were individually assessed and juried on the basis of originality and innovation by an independent panel of six industry journalists, all of whom have long reported on the digital signage sector, have published on the many facets of the industry, and are recognized as versant in current industry trends. Judges included:
• Ben Skidmore, Publisher, Digital Signage Solutions
• Lionel Tepper, Managing Director, ScreenMedia Daily
• Tom Leblanc, Editor-in-Chief, Commercial Integrator
• Mike Cearley, Senior Vice President & Partner, Global Social Strategy & Consumer Engagement, Fleishman-Hillard; Author & Publisher, 11th Screen
• Jeff Wooten, Editor, Sign Builder Illustrated
• Richard Lebovitz, Editorial Director, Digital Signage Expo

About the Independent Panel of Content Award Judges
DSE’s Content Awards were individually assessed and juried on the basis of originality in content applications developed specifically for digital signage by an independent panel of six industry professionals, all of whom have long worked in the digital signage sector and have developed hands-on expertise in many facets of the industry, Judges included:
• Nancy Hoffman, Client Relationship Lead, [ADi] Animation Dynamics Inc.
• Craig Huff, Graphic Design Manager, Bell Canada at Vancouver Convention Centre
• Maria Kozlova, Art Director, mkgrafix.com
• Anne White, Principal, Hypehouse
• Daniel Wilkins, SVP/Digital Out-of-Home, Wilkins Media Company
• Florian Vollmer, SVP Design, Design Principal, InReality, an Info Retail Company.

About Digital Signage Expo
Digital Signage Expo 2014, to be held February 11-13, 2014, with access to the Exhibit Hall February 12 & 13 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas USA, is the world’s largest and longest running conference and trade show exclusively dedicated to the digital signage, interactive technology and digital-out-of-home (DOOH) industries. Launched in 2004, DSE was the first event dedicated to the digital signage market and has been a significant contributor to the growth of this fast-paced industry. Professional end user attendance represents decision-makers from key industry categories such as retail, restaurant, healthcare, education, hospitality and transportation, as well as other key stakeholders, including advertising executives, brand marketers and systems integrators.

Over 200 exhibitors feature technology and services including hardware, software, network, delivery and content from around the globe. DSE also offers the largest and most diversified digital signage and digital out-of-home educational program anywhere in the world, with more than 150 educators and the largest variety of educational opportunities, including a live installation tour and structured curriculum leading to professional re-certification in eight educational tracks. The 2014 program will be comprised of 14 pre- and post-show educational events, 32 seminars, 40 targeted Industry Vertical Discussion Groups and 42 free workshops staged in three on-floor theaters.

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For more information, contact Communications Representative
Geri D. Wolff, Market Works International, Inc. (386) 447-0018

Network now live at auto dealerships in 42 states, delivering dynamic, targeted content to engage customers and influence sales

DENVER, February 27, 2013 — The Automotive Broadcasting Network (ABN) is several months into its large-scale, digital signage network rollout at auto dealerships across the United States. Harris Digital Out-Of-Home solutions serve as the core network architecture, with the company’s InfoCaster™ suite of hardware and software products supporting all dynamic content creation, network management and targeted media playout functions. Harris Digital Out-Of-Home is also providing on-site installation and managed services from its network operation center.

“We have more than 600 media players deployed, powering well over 1000 screens in 42 states,� said Jerry Daniels, president and CEO of Automotive Broadcasting Network. “And we are hearing plenty of success stories, from building positive customer relationships to driving transactions.�

Honda of Superstition Springs in Phoenix is one such story. Executive manager Christopher Zamora reports that sales are up since increasing his in-house advertising efforts. The ABN network delivers customized, targeted content to the dealership’s showroom, parts boutique and service areas. This includes digital menu boards in the parts and service departments that offer price lists and customer discounts, as well as other promotional content and TV entertainment delivered via ABN’s flagship Dealer TV programming.

“We spend between $75,000 and $100,000 a month on advertising, traditionally targeting television, radio, direct mail and other external methods,� said Zamora. “I thought it made sense to bring more of that in house and generate a response that we could measure. My philosophy is that the best customers to buy cars, services and parts are in your dealership already. We’ve had the screens up for four months, and we just had our best January on record.�

Zamora and Daniels both confirm that the InfoCaster-powered visual quality of the screens is a major benefit. Zamora comments on the “wow factor� of the dynamic, interactive content and how that translates to attracting viewers and influencing sales. Daniels adds that the flexible network management tools of InfoCaster have allowed ABN to completely transition from its long-time satellite delivery platform to multi-point Internet delivery, enhancing ABN’s ability to target custom content to different screens and locations.

“Dynamic content is an important term for us, as we provide all network content as part of our turnkey service,� said Daniels. “We work diligently to make the content we create visually appealing and effective for our dealers. Harris Digital Out-Of-Home and InfoCaster are very strong at delivering the broadcast-quality graphics you see on television. The look of our network is far more high-end than before.�

ABN launched its Dealer TV service in 2008 to enhance the automotive retail experience for customers and better control sales environments. Daniels adds that InfoCaster allows his creative staff to add multiple zones of graphics and animations for livelier screens, and has enabled ABN to integrate social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to engage dealerships and their customers.

“The ABN rollout exemplifies the power that out-of-home networks can offer to businesses that wish to communicate directly with their customers,� said Denise MacDonell, director and general manager, Harris Digital Out-Of-Home. “The ability to offer dynamic and targeted visual content across multiple digital displays brings the in-store experience to life for consumers, while giving businesses new opportunities to tell their stories and engage with their customers. We’re proud to collaborate with ABN as we roll out this turnkey service to more auto dealerships across the country.�

About Automotive Broadcasting Network
Founded by automotive retail professionals, the Automotive Broadcasting Network was formed to transform the experience customers have at retail automobile dealerships resulting in increased sales and customer retention. For additional information, visit www.ABNetwork.com.

About Harris Broadcast
Harris Broadcast develops uniquely integrated digital media solutions that streamline the entire content workflow from live production to transmission. The company’s tools and technologies fit seamlessly into any media operation, enabling customers to easily and profitably create compelling content for delivery over multiple distribution platforms. With a presence in key locations around the world, Harris Broadcast supports media customers in more than 130 countries. Additional information is available at www.harrisbroadcast.com.

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Video Wall Features Winch System for Vertical Movement

LAS VEGAS, FEBRUARY 27, 2013 — Adaptive Video Walls and Displays, a division of Adaptive Technologies Group and the premier provider of innovative wall-mountable, floor-standing, interlocking and flyable video wall frames for multiple LCD, LED and plasma monitors, demonstrates a flyable 3X2 Video Wall at Digital Signage Expo 2013 (Booth 1715).

This flyable video wall consists of six 46-inch NEC flat-screen LCD displays that are joined together and secured to a semi-automated winch system. Users can configure the video wall to exhibit one large image across all the displays or up to six different images. Raising and lowering video walls with a winch system turns conference rooms, command centers, retail environments, casinos, corporate training centers and other venues into multi-purpose facilities by allowing the user to better utilize these spaces.

“Adaptive Technologies Group is excited to demonstrate its flyable, retractable video wall capabilities at this year’s Digital Signage Expo,� says Paul Allen, president, Adaptive Technologies Group. “This 3X2 video wall is just one example of how our video walls put digital content anywhere and can help to transform any multi-purpose venue with just a click of a button. At Adaptive, we offer a full range of video wall framing solutions that can be customized according to size, configuration and monitor type, with a range of mounting options to fit any space’s unique requirements.�

Adaptive’s commitment to safety engineering is evident by its precision-machined connecting bars and compression locks that link its precisely dimensioned frames together into multiple tiers that support thousands of pounds of LCD monitors. Rigging beams provide rugged overhead load-rated lifting and suspensions for nearly any application.

In addition to the frames designed for use at Digital Signage Expo 2013, Adaptive Video Walls and Displays provides frames for a wide variety of other LCD and plasma models that are employed in many permanent, rental and staging applications around the world, including narrow bezel models produced by NEC, Sharp, LG, Orion, Samsung Panasonic and ViewSonic.

About Adaptive Technologies Group
Adaptive Technologies Group combines the talents and disciplines of Allen Products, ATM Fly-ware and Adaptive Video Walls and Displays, and offers state-of-the art rigging and mounting solutions for a range of audio and video applications. With its combined divisions, Adaptive is a full-service solution provider, by way of the design, development and manufacturing of professionally installed AV mounting and rigging equipment worldwide. Each brand offers its own standard and unique time-saving solutions, best safety practices and unlimited custom designs for any venue, size and application.

In addition to providing a wide selection of popular mounting and rigging solutions, Adaptive is a major resource for hundreds of commonly used and often hard to find rigging hardware and fastener items. Based in Signal Hill, California, all overhead products and parts are made and assembled in the USA. For more information, visit http://adapttechgroup.com.

MS1600X Powers Multiple Digital Signs with Dynamic Full High Definition

One Multi Screen Appliance Powers up to 16 Displays including Multi-Zone Management for Each Screen

Digital Signage Expo, Las Vegas & San Jose, CA – February 27, 2013 – DT Researchâ„¢, Inc., an industry leader in the development of information appliances for vertical markets, today announced the release of the MS1600X, a new signage appliance in the WebDT Signage System line, capable of powering content over up to 16 screens. The MS1600 Multi Screen Appliance enables powerful content streaming on anywhere from 2 to 16 displays, and offers content blending, or tiling, across screens. The MS1600X, along with WebDT Content Manager, provides a fully integrated system with 1080p over up to 16 screens and multi-zone management for up to 16 zones.

The MS1600X is powered by the IntelÃ’ Quad-Core i7 processor, and provides full HD (1080p) video quality to every screen. Running MicrosoftÃ’ WindowsÃ’ operating systems, the WebDT Multi Screen Appliance displays content files in native resolution, so images are sharp and true to original properties, even when presented on multiple displays or large screens, maintaining optimal picture quality.

The MS1600X is ideal for applications that require high-resolution on multiple screens including digital signage walls, menu boards, flight/transportation information, and creative display arrangements. The MS1600X enables dynamic digital signage deployments in spaces where multiple screens are indoors and viewed in shopping malls, entertainment venues, and airports.

Each of the screens powered by the MS1600X can be remotely managed with the WebDT Content Manager software, which is bundled with the appliance. This intuitive interface software is used for organizing, scheduling, and deploying content to the digital signage network. The WebDT Content Manager provides multiple zone support and planning for each display, so that a screen can be divided into up to 16 zones with different content in each zone. With WebDT Content Manager, all screens can show the same content, each screen can play different content, or content can be blended over several screens. The user-friendly WebDT Content Manager also allows users to create many combinations across multiple screens, such as four zones on two screens, two zones on five screens, and hundreds of other possible screen layouts.

The MS1600X Multi Screen Appliance brings top quality performance and is available now.

About DT Research

DT Research™ develops and manufactures web-enabled information appliances for vertical applications. The WebDT family of products is based on embedded computing platforms for secure, reliable, and cost-effective computing. WebDT products include digital signage solutions, wireless tablets, point-of-service handhelds, compact modular systems, and display-integrated information systems. These systems emphasize mobility, wireless connectivity and touch displays. Powered by Windows® Embedded and Windows XP operating systems, WebDT devices offer durability and ease in integration, leading to solutions that can be remotely managed with the comprehensive WebDT Content Manager and WebDT Device Manager software. For more information, visit www.signage.dtri.com

MS1600X Multi Screen Appliance

DT Research and WebDT are trademarks of DT Research, Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.