The Samsung Digital Signage Hardware Expert Guide

Digital signage projects are really not that different from any project. We, at MagicInfo Services by ScreenCom have written quite a lot about how to successfully introduce digital signage into your business. It all starts with getting buy-in from your team in order to receive the right support. You can use the article linked above to think about all the different aspects of such a project from creating your business plan to assembling the dream team. 

Digital signage player or system on a chip?- the benefits of a built-in player

Depending on which hardware solution you will opt for your signage project, you might need to purchase an external player or not. The biggest advantage of Samsung hardware is that you don't need an external player as their hardware comes with a built-in player that works on an SoC (System on a Chip). Opting for this can save you quite a lot of money, especially if your installation requires a high number of displays. For example, if your installation has more than 100 screens you can save approximately 25% of your budget. 

Another really good reason why go for a built-in player is that it looks more aesthetically pleasing to the eye since you'll get rid of all those annoying cables that can make the installation look quite messy. 

S player

Samsung's hardware can be used in combination with the following player types: S player, I player, and W player. Arguably, the most popular option is the S player, more specifically, the S6 player, which can be found in many different displays. Moreover, this player is compatible with older versions of MagicINFO such as version 7. However, as newer technology is released, the player versions receive important updates, allowing you to schedule and display content at an even faster rate. With the release of the 9th version, MagicINFO offers complete compatibility with the S10 and I player devices, further expanding its range of supported hardware.

I player & W player 

In some cases, you may prefer to use an external player, like a Windows computer, to display content. The I player enables you to do this and provides faster content display compared to the integrated S player, as it has higher RAM storage. For a detailed comparison between the I and S player types, refer to this blog. Alternatively, you can check out this other blog to compare the S6 and S10 player types. A small note that needs to be made is that consumer line displays are not compatible with MagicINFO and the SBB player, only with the I player.

For step-by-step instructions on how to install and create content for the I player you can watch the YouTube video below. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, MagicInfo Services, if you haven't already done so. We regularly upload content showing how to use MagicINFO to make the most out of your digital signage projects.

Upon the release of the 8th version of MagicINFO, Samsung launched new functionalities such as the W player, that can be used to create more dynamic content. Below you can find more information about the features of the W player. 

Considering the physical environment: indoor/outdoor signage

An important thing to keep in mind when designing your digital signage project is whether your displays will be located indoors or outdoors. This is because digital signage indoor and outdoor displays cater to different environments and usage requirements.

Indoor displays, such as those from Samsung's Smart Signage lineup, are designed with high-resolution screens, energy-efficient technology, and robust builds to provide clear and vibrant visuals in controlled environments like retail stores, restaurants, and corporate settings. On the other hand, Samsung's outdoor displays are built to withstand a variety of weather conditions, featuring weather-resistant designs and higher brightness levels to ensure visibility even in direct sunlight. These outdoor displays are ideal for applications like outdoor advertising, public transit information, and event promotions.

Once you have the digital signage installation ready, you might fall into the trap of thinking the job is over. It's really not. Someone in the team should be assigned to constantly monitor the installation, making sure the content runs smoothly according to the set schedule, and there are no strange errors. Ideally, this person has enough technical knowledge and can handle all sorts of errors that might occur. Below we'll share some useful tips hardware optimization tips. 

Routine maintenance tips

The first tip, and the most important one is to always make sure there is content shown on the displays. You can set your own default content thus avoiding the scenario where your displays will be showing the MagicINFO logo instead of something you created yourself. 

Furthermore, if the screens are located in a place where the internet connection is not stable, you can make use of the advanced backup play option. This feature allows you to set a display as a backup screen or main screen depending on the importance of the content. Previously, the backup screen automatically plays a vital content item if the content source of the main screen encounters any issues such as an error or no signal. With this Advanced Backup Play feature, the backup screen can not only play the main content but also play its original content (toggle) depending on the settings. So when one display has an error, the display set as a backup will take over the information that was shown on the displays with an error. 

Another very important tip is to monitor your installation to avoid having black screens at your location. You have to be sure that your displays are all switched on and online. When you log in to MagicINFO you can find an overview of your devices but also the dashboard provides a report with the device status. Because you have to log in first, set up a notification email so you get notified if a screen has been switched off. This will help you monitor your devices proactively which helps you to anticipate errors quicker. 

Finally, it's worth mentioning that, while creating content through the Web Author and publishing it is the easiest way to display content, there are other alternatives. You can read about 3 other ways to broadcast signage content on your displays with MagicINFO in this blog post. Learn how to stream your IPTV directly on the SOC, how to connect a tuner to HDMI, and how to use the channels option in MagicINFO.