This week’s Digital Signage Expo 2013 has a wealth of digital signage surprises—and that’s just from Sony Electronics. The company just announced the expanded Prodokol digital media platform and a few other interesting digital signage goodies.
The new version of Prodokol includes Prodokol Enterprise, Prodokol Kollage and Prodokol Snap solutions. At the show, Sony has a custom touchscreen application on hand to show attendees what the Prodokol suite can do.
Prodokol is a scalable platform with Prodokol LOGIK, a content management and scheduling application designed to simplify the content workflow process and eliminate the need for complex playlists. Instead, users just tag content using metadata and playback criteria. From there, LOGIK can determined the proper playback destination(s).
“LOGIK can efficiently manage thousands of content files for reliable playback with just a couple clicks of a mouse,” says Kris Konrath, marketing director for Sony’s Convergent Media Systems. “The power of LOGIK combined with the scalability of the Prodokol Enterprise platform is what differentiates it from other ‘Enterprise’ offerings.”
Sony has also introduced Prodokol Kollage, a hosted digital signage solution. This option is designed to offer expanded content distribution capabilities, all while users manage the content locally via a simple web interface.
Prodokol Snap, on the other hand, is a self-managed solution. It also features technology from SpinetiX, which is bringing its Elementi software to the U.S. market.
Sony also unveiled a prototype HTML5 Bravia and an Android-based solution. The HTML5 display doesn’t need a media player or set-top box, streaming the content from an HTTP server via Ethernet or WiFi. Featuring a 1920-by-1080 resolution, this option supports all HTML content, including HD video, audio and 3D (via WebGL). The content can then be controlled via an HTTP control server and the TV remote.
The company’s Android-based solution does use a media player and WiDi, allowing users to reach customer at the point of purchase. Displays can then be placed on a tabletop or integrated into the store.
Last, but certainly not least, Sony has announced seven “Simple Signage Solution” digital signage bundles. Available in various sizes, these solutions work with a Hyper Media Player (HMP) that has different user-friendly templates and management software. That player is the HMP-200. It has a drag-and-drop interface, so even beginner users can add real-time weather, traffic and news feeds. Other features include 8GB of internal solid state storage, a 1080p HD playout, and options for RSS feeds, widgets, animations, and instant messaging.
The HMP-200 and all of Sony’s Simple Signage Solution bundles are available now.
