Open Forum

Hello all,

We have used "digital repeaters" in our exhibits for years, namely the inexpensive Digital View Viewstream 100 digital media players.  The image resolution is only 780X480, which has served well so far but now we're producing new videos in 1080 HD, and we're looking to upgrade our media players. 

We need units that will allow multiple video files to be selected by pushing a button (visitor chooses from variety of videos in two languages), are HD compatible, AND are fairly inexpensive.  What are y'all using?

Thanks,

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Curtis Morris
Exhibits Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Springdale AR
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Curtis,

I've used the Digital View playback units you're familiar with as well as some of their other models. However, I find the BrightSign players to be more stable, better for programming with greater interface options and better support. BrightSign customer service has been quite good for me and very responsive. I can't report the same for DV - even resulting in substantial downtime and ultimately DV just giving up on getting an under warranty system working. 

Costs are comparable. You're welcome to contact me if you have questions. 

Regards, Seth

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Seth Frankel
Principal, Studio Tectonic
Boulder, Colorado USA
seth@studiotectonic.com
www.studiotectonic.com
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Curtis,

    We also use the Brightsign Players.  Overall they work well and I haven't had a lot of issues with them.  I do have a Planetarium kiosk that I think is too much for the player.  It's technically 5 interactives in one so it's doing audio and video.  We are moving over to MAC based xStand kiosk software but this is going to be a trial period to see if it works for us.  It'll allow us to be more versatile with our kiosks.  I'm not a big MAC fan but I'm willing to give it a chance to see if it works.  For simplicity sake if you are just wanting a touch screen with buttons or physical buttons I'd recommend the Brightsign units.

Thanks,

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Alan Byler
Media Specialist
State Museum of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg PA
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Hi Curtis,

I would have to agree with everyone else about the Brightsign players. We have been using them for the last 5 years and they have held up well for us.

Regards,

Joel

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Joel Marquart
Exhibit Operations Lead Technician
The Franklin Institute
Philadelphia PA
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Hi Curtis,

I have ended up replacing almost all DigiView players after only a short time, so I'm not a fan.   The three main product manufacturers that I use/integrate are Technovision, Alcorn McBride and BrightSign; all depending upon the application. 
Please feel free to contact me directly and I can give you the benefits and drawbacks of each of those. 
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Alan Eidson
Interpretive Filmmaker / Interactive Designer

Alan@EidsonStudios.com.

501-681-6770

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Hello, Curtis.

Take a look at the BrightSign players.  They are very easy to use, cost effective, support HD video and can be easily made interactive using their BrightAuthor software.  Good luck!

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Kevin Heyer
Vice President, Sales
C.D. Meyer, Inc./point2explore
Fairfield NJ
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Thanks for all the suggestions and offers of support!

I'll look into all the recommended solutions, but BrightSign will get my undivided attention.  As for those who offered further help, don't be surprised if you hear from me after I dive into this thing and get lost....

I appreciate your help,

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Curtis Morris
Exhibits Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Springdale AR
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Brightsign players are the way to go.  They have a lot of flexibility, You can create physical button push or touch screen button push you can even create simple games.  You can also link several of them linked together to make a giant screen.

They also work with motion sensors which is nice so you don't have them playing all the time or in our case we are going to use a motion sensor to raise the volume then lower the volume when nobody is around. 

Brightsign players are expensive so I only use them when I need user interaction, for simple looping videos I use Android PC's which cost about $75.00 and with a few free apps you can have HD 1080p video looping player for under $100.00.  I have a few in place and running without issue, I have one Android PC that has been in service since 2013, and just keeps running.  Again these are only for simple looping videos. You can use HTML 5 to create interactive videos I have not tried it with these unites but have built out an interactive with touch interaction, zooming effects and video.  For these interactives I used a 10.5 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab-S tablets.

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Raymond Stivala
Manager of Web/Multimedia Development
The Newark Museum
Newark NJ
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Hello!

Being a Technician - I prefer the BrightSigns.  Initially they were very hard to work with especially since the manual wasn't complete, and they initially had an issue with their power supplies.  With all those kinks worked out they're a much better product.  From a technical standpoint and from "keeping the exhibit up and running as long as possible" I would rely heavily on these players.  Why?  It's much easier and quicker and almost anyone can swap out one of these players, the card or even the power supply, cables, etc. if something goes wrong with 'the exhibit.'  With almost anything else... Unless you have a 'pc' (or what ever you're using) pre-configured and ready to go - then it (repair/replacement/etc.) can be a time consuming and possibly costly (in more ways than one) endeavor!

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Randolph Tirazona
Exhibit Electronics Technician since Dec 1st, 2005
California Science Center
Los Angeles CA
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Thanks again, y'all are great.

One more thing, as a corollary to the original question--what types of screens are you using to view these videos on?  We've used the gamut from digital picture frames to cheap TV's, but have settled on computer monitors.  This is for one major reason--they are smart enough to turn "on" when the power supply is switched on.

I've had one great suggestion to use Samsung business digital signage units (thanks Alan!) but I'd like to see what everybody is using.  I appreciate all the responses, please keep 'em coming. 

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Curtis Morris
Exhibits Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Springdale AR
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