Digicom Technology News

Read the following six interesting points on features you get in true commercial displays from manucturers like Samsung, Sony, and NEC, that you won’t get on consumer models, even from reputable manufacturers.

 1. Commercial displays have advanced cooling mechanisms that permit screens to run 24/7/365 without overheating.

2. Advanced anti-burn-in technology on commercial plasmas provide added peace of mind when your screens are on day and night, especially if you’re displaying artwork or digital signage content that doesn’t change frequently.

3. Commercial flatscreens are designed hang in portrait or landscape mode and still operate properly without overheating or other issues. This is great for areas where space is tight, for digital signage applications or to fit your techorating requirements, so the flatscreens can truly blend in to the architecture of your space.

4. A commercial display offers easier control with RS232 capabilities, which permits you to control multiple displays on one control system and also offers daisy-chaining capabilities. A multitude of connectivity options, including Ethernet, HDMI, HDMI-2 and DVI-D makes it easier to ensure that all the components on your network will work together.

5. Commercial HDTVs are optimized not just for television broadcast but digital signage or boardroom applications. Refresh rates and the color spectrum is tailored to a variety of input devices to show PowerPoint, slideshow photos, digital signage content and more. Not all consumer flat panel displays are optimized to display content from a PC or Mac. A commercial display will also give you more options to change display settings based on your inputs and the type of content you’re displaying.

6. Most importantly, commercial displays typically come with a 2- to 3-year manufacturers’ warranty and possibly even an extended service contract. When you’re running a nightclub, restaurant, sports bar, or a store, you can’t afford downtime. When you buy a commercial HDTV display, you’ll get the service you need as a business owner, and representatives who understand the importance of rock-solid operations. If you put residential displays purchased in a retail store or warehouse club in your commercial hospitality venue, it voids the manufacturer’s warranty and if something goes wrong, you’re not covered. Now that $500 screen doesn’t sound like such a good value for a venue owner, does it?

If you would like more information on commercial displays please visit our website or contact us on 01 4600022 / info@digicom.ie

Digicom were approached by Enterprise Ireland's magazine "Technology Ireland" to contribute to an article to highlight trends within the Video Conferencing market in Ireland. The article is of benefit to companies seeking to deploy video conferencing and details what they should consider. Peter Fox, Digicom's Business Development Director gives insights into what is happening on this front and provides useful advice for those considering video conferencing.

Peter Fox, Business Development Director

The strong growth potential of this market which is emphasised in the article comes as no surprise given the savings that video conferencing can provide. As of late, a number of factors have seen the popularity of video conferencing skyrocket such as extreme weather conditions, rising transport costs, downtime involved with travelling and improvements in technology.

Below is an extract from the article:

"According to Digicom Sales Director Peter Fox, Irish companies are deploying larger managed private networks and factoring the requirement for high definition video when considering bandwidth requirements. Video is still primarily used in intranet [internal company network] architecture. If connectivity is made outside the private network, companies are deploying firewall traversal components in order to overcome security concerns.
He describes bandwidth and interoperability as the key issues affecting uptake. The cheaper the connectivity, the more we will buy and the more video we use, the more we will need. remote connectivity to video conferencing acts as a complement to the service. Service providers like Skype need to create a secure video portal to allow their traffic to interface through video conferencing gateways. This would allow delegates to connect remotely to room systems from home or anywhere else.
Any business that requires face to face meetings can leverage video conferencing facilities says Fox, who explains that a good quality system can be installed for around €10,000. Some clients are taking advantage of managed service options, paying for service and support on a quarterly basis. In the case there is no upfront capital expenditure for the client and the service provider takes responsibility for the equipment for the duration of its life cycle.
He describes video conferencing equipment as robust - manufacturers typically support service of the equipment for between three and five years and up to seven years depending on the equipment. Of course, the hardware can operate long after its service life has expired. High definition has improved the experience - the more cameras and large format LCD displays you can use in the one room, the more immersive the experience. This, combined with the factors outlined above , encourages Fox to suggest that while you can never beat eyeball to eyeball conversations, video conferencing can reduce them.
What is most important for a business considering video conferencing is the environment in which it wishes to conduct the calls. Rooms with as much artificial light as possible work best. Calls with more than six delegates at one site can become less interactive. Rooms with glass and plastered ceilings or with little soft furnishing can be acoustically challenging. Most of all, seamless connectivity to the destination really completes the experience".

If you would like more information on video conferencing please click here, or contact us on 01 4600022 or email info@digicom.ie

Available on Android and Apple platforms, Polycom's RealPresence Mobile is for business professionals who want to extend their enterprise video collaboration capabilities beyond the office and conference room to their mobile devices. RealPresence Mobile is an easy-to-use video app that provides premium quality audio, video and content sharing. Cloud-based deployment gives users access to enterprise directories at the swipe-of-a finger. Users simply highlight a name, connect, then communicate.



Features and Benefits:

• Connect face-to-face from wherever you are, any time, through WiFi or 3/4G networks. Note: Polycom recommends WiFi for optimal visual experience
• Realize true enterprise mobile video through brilliant visual and audio quality – see every detail, hear every nuance and share HD visual content with other standards-based devices
• Dual signaling protocol, H.323 and SIP maximizes connectivity across platforms Simple and easy-to-use application provides instant, one-touch connections into the enterprise video-enabled network 
• Polycom RealPresence Platform is the most scalable, secure, reliable, interoperable and comprehensive software infrastructure for universal video collaboration
• Free yourself from the office and conference room with the ability to meet anywhere. 
• Stay connected with people and content with a single communication stream from your tablet or smartphone. 
• Eliminate barriers to productivity and open new opportunities for immersive teamwork. 
• Take charge of your work and life balance by taking video conferencing wherever you go.

Here at Digicom, we are big advocates of the app.