The Modern Way: Digital Media Players for Advertising

I'm one of those people that cable companies really don't like. Like many others are doing these days, I ditched standard cable and started getting my television through other means. At first, I didn't think I was going to last a month without three hundred channels, but two years later I think I'm doing all right. One of the ways that I'm able to keep up with the current shows without having cable is through the internet and a digital media player, which has a bunch of streaming video apps on there that I can use to watch just about anything that I want (not everything, but I'll take what I can get). So it's safe to say that I'm a big fan of the media drive, and it holds a place of pride right next to my television.

Digital media drives have more uses than just streaming movies onto your home television, however. One of the most distinctive ways that they can be used, and the way that appeals most to businesses, is by attaching the drive to a flat screen television to create a digital poster. These displays can then be used to broadcast upcoming events, keep customers informed of operating hours, sale events, and so much more. So, let's talk about why businesses like these digital signs so much.

When you've got your company's information being broadcast on a large flat panel television that's been elevated on a stand a good five to six feet in the air, high visibility is a given. It's a lot harder to ignore something that's placed directly in your line of sight. The constantly moving and constantly changing pictures and videos that a digital media drive can give you are another way to grab attention from potential customers. Because let's face it - people like to stop and watch appealing videos. Movement is eye-catching. With a media drive you can program the video to play on a loop, or create a slideshow of specific pictures and images. Finally, keeping your information updated with a digital media drive is incredibly easy. Because it's all done digitally, you don't have to worry about running out to the print shop when it comes time to create a new advertisement (or if there's an accidental typo on the posting that needs to be fixed right away). When looking into purchasing a media drive make sure it's a plug-and-play model because those offer some of the easiest file uploading possible. With a plug-and-play drive all of the changes can be made on your office computer and then uploaded to the media player by plugging in a thumb drive.

Thanks to these quick updating and high visibility capabilities, digital posters are a great way to get attention even in busy areas. You could easily put them in a mall, on display in the front of a store to let customers know about what clearance sales are going on. Or how about in a bank, where they can keep a stock ticker scrolling while flashing the current interest rates? Even places like schools could use digital signage to broadcast the times of class schedules, study halls, varsity games, and more.

If you're thinking about purchasing a digital poster display, I'd advise you to try and find one of the package kits online. These kits will have everything you need to start advertising or broadcasting with it. What do you receive in a kit? Most often you'll get: a large sized, flat panel, commercial grade television screen (over 30" wide), a separate digital media drive, HDMI cable, and a floor stand or wall mount for the screen. Smaller models are also available if you're looking for a digital poster that will work on a counter or a table top. These models are a bit more unique than the usual ones in the kits. On these styles, the plug-and-play drive is built directly into the television rather than being offered as a separate box. This will help to save space on the counter top, and also cut down on all of the wires and cables that are running about. These smaller screens also have the benefit of being more affordable than the full packages as well.

Which brings me to the point that I know is always right up there in peoples' minds: the price. I will be honest with you: if you're looking to create a digital poster display from scratch with the screen, stands, and drive it's not going to be cheap. You will save money in the long run as it will be a lot easier and cheaper for you to create and replace your signs and postings on the computer than at the print shop. Consider the digital signage solution an investment that is able to last your company for years, especially since it is a highly effective and highly noticeable way of catching the attention of potential customers and other guests. However, if you already own the television and the mount, you can easily create your own digital poster display with an external media drive. The media drive alone costs far less than the complete kits. There's a wide selection of media drive options on the market as well, each featuring different options and apps (if there are internet capabilities built into the drive) that could help enhance any promotional showcase.

As a digital media player owner myself I know quite well all of the things these distinctive little boxes can do for a residential setting. I can stream videos, upload pictures and .MPEG or .AVI files, even play games on there. When they're used in a business or professional location to showcase the latest and greatest products, keep them informed about sales, or even to provide directions around a campus? Chances are these digital media drives will really shine then.

Elizabeth L. Iacono is an employee at George Patton Associates, Inc., in the marketing department. To view the products mentioned in this article, please visit DigitalPosterFrames.com.

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