New post
0

HD 210 implementation - several questions

Avatar
geekthing
None
Follow


My church is implementing a digital signage solution based on my recommendation to use a Brightsign HD 210 instead of a PC/DVD/flash drive source.
We had originally looked at the BrightSign as a Phase II of the project, but the cost was so reasonable that we are installing Phase II as Phase I.

Phase I will be a single 37" LCD connected to a BrightSign HD 210 via VGA cable, the BrightSign HD 210 will be accessed via our network, and our content will be created using Bright Author.

Have I got it right so far?

My first problem is that I sent two emails to <!-- e --><a href="mailto:sales@brightsign.biz">sales@brightsign.biz</a><!-- e --> inquiring about the mechanics of purchasing as a not-for-profit, and I received no response back either time. And every time I try to call the Sales Inquiries telephone number for the United States (1-408-852-9263) I get sent straight to voice mail and no reply...

So, how do I get BrightSign to respond?
And is this indicative of BrightSign support?

In the mean time, the lone 37" display (temporarily using a laptop running Powerpoint) has received such positive feedback that the church trustees have greenlighted Phase II, which is multiple displays strategically located displaying the same content.

So, now I am looking at splitting the VGA signal using a Tripp Lite 4 port VGA/SVGA/SXGA/UXGA/QXGA 450MHZ video splitter:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/4-PORT-SVGA-450MHZ-VIDEO-SPLITTER/dp/B0013BASJS/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1">http://www.amazon.com/4-PORT-SVGA-450MH ... _rhf_p_t_1</a><!-- m -->

One of the displays will be located about 175' from the others, so I'm thinking we'll extend the VGA signal over Cat 5 ethernet UTP cable using this Tripp Lite VGA Over CAT5 Extender:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Over-CAT5-Extender-Local-Remote/dp/B001U8UAB0/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1">http://www.amazon.com/Over-CAT5-Extende ... _rhf_p_t_1</a><!-- m -->

The rest of the displays will be located such that I could use 100' (or less) VGA cables if I locate the HD210 properly.

Am I all wet thinking that I can just split this signal as I would PC output and have it work well?

Is there other equipment that would work better, such as the Kramer VP-5T or VP-5THD, which has a built in VGA over UTP port?

I'm not opposed to buying a second HD 210 and installing it at the distant display, but I'd rather not buy an HD 210 for each of the displays if we don't have to.

Anyone have any experience with a similar installation, has this been tried and proven faulty or of a low quality?

TIA for you input.
Date Votes

2 comments

  • 0
    Avatar
    RokuLyndon


    For the sales inquiry, please send me an email at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:support@brightsign.biz">support@brightsign.biz</a><!-- e -->. I'll have someone call you back.



    My area of expertise is not in video distribution. But, you can split any signal, as many ways as you want, so long as the hardware you are using to distribute the signal does a good enough job. It's all about the external hardware you use.



    What you describe definitely makes sense. currently, for Brightauthor to communicate with your HD210, you'll need to set it up so that the HD210 connects to a shared folder on a webserver. Then, you can publish changes to the HD210 to that webserver and the brightsign will download the changes.



    If there isn't a webserver present, there's a very simple free one called HFS. It requires no installation or configuration. It's just ready to run. You could put it on the same system using BrightAuthor, and share a folder using this program and use that for network updates.



    We are working towards a better local network solution in Q1 of next year where the BrightAuthor can directly connect to devices on a local network, and put content directly on the units.
  • 0
    Avatar
    geekthing


    Thanks Lyndon. The email is on its' way.



    I guess I didn't realize that the HD 210 had to have a webserver present, but that shouldn't be a big deal, we run a Windows server on our intranet, I can always crank up IIS or Apache, or even this HFS solution.



    I would definitely be interested in the Q1 2010 local peer to peer solution, less headaches for me if they can talk directly to the HD 210.



    Thanks again.
Please sign in to leave a comment.