Welcome to Image Base International, LLC, a Real-time Digital Communication Company

FAQs on Digital Signage

What are the components I'll need to create digital signage?
What is digital media and what type of media can I use?
Can I manage the broadcasting of information myself? What kind of computer knowledge do I need?
Can IBI supply us with content for our screens?
Do I need training on the iScreen software?
Is it possible to have several remote screens managed from one central location?
Will I have to communicate the same information on all screens or can I customize information for each individual screen?
I'd like to create a list of approved users on the iScreen system to limit access to it. Can I do this with iScreen?
What Internet connection do I need to have in order for the system to function?
What do I need to install iScreen?
What kind of computer do I need?
How do I choose the right screen?
What is meant by screen resolution and why should I care?
What media can I use?
What is Flash?
Can I create my own material to display on the screens or do I need to hire a professional?

What are the components I'll need to create digital signage?

You will need digital media + iScreen software + Playback computer + Screen(s).

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What is digital media and what type of media can I use?

Digital media refers to sound, pictures and text available in a digital format. This includes photos from your digital camera, assets from your website, digital video, Flash and many other options. If you do not possess any digital media, we can help you develop custom targeted professional media. Thanks to the use of a TV card, you can also broadcast televised images on your iScreens.

Can I manage the broadcasting of information myself? What kind of computer knowledge do I need?

Thanks to its ease of use, our iScreen software will allow you to be totally autonomous in the management of the image and information displayed. The software incorporates a media planning tool that allows you to program in advance or in real-time the content displayed on all your screens.

Can IBI supply us with content for our screens?

We will provide you with any kind of content you may need, including videos, Internet resources (weather report, traffic report, movie information, news, TV programs, clips, etc.). We can also develop custom content for your specific broadcast/communication needs.

Do I need training on the iScreen software?

Our iScreen software has been developed with our customers in mind. Its simplicity and extreme user-friendliness enables us to train you on the full software in only half a day.

Is it possible to have several remote screens managed from one central location?

That is the beauty of iScreen: thanks to its connection to the Internet using wireless technology, iScreen will allow you to remotely manage your screens on one or several sites located anywhere in the world, all in real-time.

Will I have to communicate the same information on all screens or can I customize information for each individual screen?

The strength of iScreen is its flexibility. You can choose to broadcast the same information on all screens or you can customize your information per each individual screen.

I'd like to create a list of approved users on the iScreen system to limit access to it. Can I do this with iScreen?

You will be able to create a list of "administrators" that will have access to the system. You can also grant access to specific screens in specific locations. Each administrator will be given an access code that you can manage at will.

What Internet connection do I need to have in order for the system to function?

An ADSL connection is ideal to operate iScreen and will allow you to broadcast information in real-time with optimal speed and quality.

What do I need to install iScreen?

You will need electric wiring, a network adaptor, an RJ45 cable and a WiFi connection or ADSL Internet connection. You will however always be available to assist you to set up your system.

What kind of computer do I need?

The computer system requirements for running iScreen are:

The computer must be a PC-based system
The computer must have
- Intel Pention 4 1.5 GHz or higher
- Windows XP Home edition or professional or Windows 2000
- 256 MB RAM or higher of memory
- VGA graphics capabilities

How do I choose the right screen?

Our team will help you determine what type of screens fits best your needs. However, below are a few guidelines:

1 - LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

Advantages

Disadvantages

Screen burn-in:
LCDs have almost no static screen burn-in factors to worry about.

Computer use:
LCDs are extremely effective if you are displaying static images from a computer. They display full color detail, no flicker and no screen burn-in

Longevity:
LCD manufacturers claim an LCD will last between 50,000 and 75,000 hours. Since LCD pictures are produced by a backlight passing through the liquid crystal to produce light and color, the LCD will last as long as the backlight. Should the backlight burn, it can be replaced. LCD is then recommended for applications running 24/7.

Altitude:
LCDs are the choice for any display that will be used at altitudes over 6500 feet. Plasma screen displays are created by a glass envelope containing gases. The thinner air at high altitudes allows the gases the expand, increasing stress on the glass envelope. This increases the amount of power needed to run and cool the plasma screen, resulting in buzzing or louder fan noise.

Brightness:
LCDs produce very bright images due to high peak intensity. They are great for environments that are brightly lit, such as a trade show floor or a store.

Sharpness:
LCDs images are very sharp at the native resolution of the panel. The native resolution is the fixed resolution set at the time of manufacture and cannot be changed.

Resolution:
LCD panels have a fixed resolution set at the time of manufacture that cannot be changed. Images set at a resolution other than the native resolution may require rescaling and/or resizing. This can result in significant image degradation, particularly for fine graphics and text.

Video Playback:
LCDs have limitations when showing fast moving images, including the possibility of the "trailer" effect. Also, LCDs are inferior to plasma when displaying images with high contrast levels, color saturation, and brightness.

Viewing angle :
LCD has restricted viewing angles. Viewing angles will affect the colors and brightness shown.

Black level and contrast:
LCDs have difficulty producing black and very dark grays. This can affect the overall image quality, particularly in dark or dimly lit environments.

Cost:
LCDs may be more costly initially than other options.

Size:
Generally not available in sizes as large as plasma screens.

2 -Plasma Screen

Advantages

Disadvantages

Video Playback :
Plasma screens display excellent performance in the areas of fast moving images, or images with high color and/or high contrast. There are significant differences between brands for plasma screens, so be sure to compare them side by side when getting ready to purchase.

Viewing Angle :
Plasma screens typically boast a 160-degree viewing angle. A backlit LCD screen will not compete with plasma screens when it comes to different viewing angles.

Contrast/Color Saturation :
Plasma technology has come a long way in producing higher contrast images. The superior display of true blacks gives plasma a definite edge over LCD.

Cost:
Although both Plasm and LCD panels are difficult and costly to produce in large panels, plasma has the advantage in the 60" to 63" range. While still expensive, these large panels operate reliably. Overall, plasma still holds the lower cost advantage, and will probably continue to do so for at least the next couple of years.

Screen burn-in:
Static image burn-in is a significant factor to consider when considering plasma technology. An image will begin to burn-in within a short period of time, sometimes as little as 15 minutes. While a burn-in may be able to be "washed out" using gray images or continual, full color pictures over a long period of time, plasma's propensity for burn-in is a factor when considering a purchase.

Longevity:
Manufacturers place a life of 25,000 to 30,000 hours on a plasma screen. Once the screen is burned out, the entire unit must be replaced. If considering a 24/7 display, an LCD screen may be a better choice, depending on the intended program content.

Computer Use :
Static images are an issue for plasma screens, not only for screen burn-in, but aliasing on lower resolution panels when displaying text. Video images generally are good, but may flicker depending on the panel quality and resolution displayed.

Altitude:
Plasma screens display signs of stress at altitude over 6500 feet, including distinctly audible buzzing and fan noise.

Power Consumption:
Plasma screens consume considerably more power and generate more heat than LCDs.

What is meant by screen resolution and why should I care?

Also referred to as "pixel count", resolution refers to the number of unique elements, or pixels, used to display an image. Generally speaking, the higher the screen resolution, the smoother and better quality the image. Also, the higher the cost.
Most panels range in resolution from 853 x 480 (standard), 1024 x 768 (HDTV resolution), 1365 x 768.

What media can I use?

iScreen support most files commonly used by web developers to create digital messaging, including the following:
- Windows Media
- MPEG-1, MPEG-2
- AVI
- Quicktime
- DivX (.avi with codec loaded)
- Image files (.jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .bmp, .png)
- URLs (Web-based content)
- Flash (.swf)

What is Flash?

Flash is a graphics and animation software, developed by Macromedia, that uses low to moderate amounts of bandwith to create movies that will run properly if used on the Web, or small amounts of space on a CD. Flash is vector-based, which means it will resize/rescale easily. It also supports bitmaps and video clips. IBI design services can create Flash content for you. Contact us for quotes or more information.

Can I create my own material to display on the screens or do I need to hire a professional?

You can, indeed, create your own content for iScreen, depending on your objectives, level of experience and enthusiasm. You may however want to turn to us to help create your messaging as the quality of your products is an important factor to strenghten your brand.
There are many reasons to have us handle your design needs:
1. Technical expertise: by hiring a webmaster or web designer, you can turn your energies to decisions about the messaging itself, rather than figure out the technicalities of how to get that message into a computer appropriate format.
2. Creativity: Sometimes two (or more) heads really are better than one! It is helpful and productive to brainstorm about ideas and the best ways to convey your important information. Our team of design professionals always work together to achieve the best results.