CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[larryk]

I am looking for a gadget that will hook up to a tv that will store and play video. Sounds simple but here is what it also needs to do.
Play preferably HD
hook up to ethernet and be updatable so that we can update the video from a remote location
It needs to be stand alone and can be run and updated entirely from our office without the need for the owner to do anything other than turn it on in the morning and off at the end of the day.

They will be used to set up in retail stores to run a loop of promos and commercials I am also looking for lcd TV's about 32" in quantities of 100 units.

Inexpensive less than 500.00.

Any ideas?

Larry
mediabonecommunications.com

[Ben851]

You could get something like this:

http://www.pricebat.ca/D-LINK-DSM-320-Wireless-Media-Player-802-11G-10-100-MPEG1-2-4-Xvid-Quicktime.p_104987/

and have it point to a server somewhere that you can update via ethernet.. You could build a PC to handle the server side for $300 easy...

D-Link also sells an HD version of this but I can't seem to access it atm..

[larryk]

Thanks for that, I will look into what they have to offer. I hope to find something that has enough memory to be able to loop about a 50 minute video with out having to stream live. Then when updates are available the unit would download a new video loop from our server. If we have 100 stores running the video we will need to be able to update these all at once if possible from our server and with a secure line. We wouldn't want someone to look up at their local store to see porn coming out of the set.

Larry

[Nashou66]

I wonder if Apple Tv's would work and if they are updatable thru the internet, the you could use iTunes to put your video there and set the apple tv's to sync their content/Hard drive to the main iTunes. Not sure if that is possible via the internet. Plus they work with PC or Macs.

or you could set up a single video player at your location hooked up to a matrix box that distributes it to 100 Sling box's, each store owner would then have a computer with video out and connected to a tv, and just launch the slingplayer. But i assume you'd need a super duper fast uploading internet service at the servers location for all 100 sling boxes.

nashou

[ralpharch]

These refurb units are cheap ($79 each - add a hard drive if you don't want to sneaker net dvds to client - but probably easier and cheaper to send an image weekly that they burn) and will do what you want.


http://www.igsshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=163


"No remote required..." Any video data CD/DVD auto-playback mode
This default function is for any show-case display usage. Just power on and then insert video data disc. The repeat playback is started automatically. Affordable and comfortable for all floor manager. AVeL LinkPlayer "Kuro-Obi" model's exclusive function. And the "FAST" mode is added from the FW version 11-36-051215-02-IOD-XXX. If you want to play the videos recorded by JVC HD camera or transfered from DVHS tape, this mode will play your MPEG2TS file correctly. See more details.


IODATA has also come out with a new unit marketing in Japan - but the above looks fine for remote signage.

[ecrabb]

Larry,

There's an entire market product segment within the commercial A/V industry with a whole slew of products that should suit your needs: HD, remotely manageable/controllable/updatable, with the storage you require for 50 minutes and at a price point at or near what you specified.

I'll point out a few for you, but just google "digital signage media player" or call your call your local A/V supplier for more info. Since you're buying 100 of them, they should be able to put together a quantity pricing quote which would be far below prices you might see posted online.

Cisco Digital Media Player 4305G

FireCast Media Appliance

TSN-3 HD TV Networked Media Device

Funny, Popcorn Hour (popular in the home theater media playback market) even packages one of their products as a digital signage device...

Popcorn Hour S-210 Digital Signage System

I know there are also software-based solutions to load "digital signage" infrastructure on top of cheap PC-based hardware. That would be easy to build, even. You could take what would amount to a $300 or $400 SFF (small form factor) PC, load linux on it, set up an FTP server and VNC to remote in, and essentially load a file and just loop play it in VLC or WMP.

Call your A/V supplier and see what they can scrounge up for you!

SC

[larryk]

Thanks for the research all of you did for me, the popcorn hour unit looks like it may be the best option. I guess I was just not googling the right key words. Once we get one unit up and running for a sample, we are going after clients and more investors. I will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again.
Larry