Screens that feature integrated media player devices have become the most popular solutions for large digital signage applications. These “System-on-Chip” screens are easy to install and are on average 30% less expensive than external media players. Samsung is the leader in the SoC screen segment and Samsung screens are supported in QL.
There are however some disadvantages to SoC screens. Take for instance the SoC screen’s integrated media player’s limited computing power. This can result in a 50% reduction in overall performance compared to more powerful external media player devices. It’s why many SoC screens have difficulty in resolving complex HTML5 content.
If an SoC screen ever fails, you need to send out the entire unit for repairs. This means uninstalling, packaging, and shipping the defective screen for service, which increases maintenance costs.
External media player devices tend to be much more powerful, offer more features, and deliver a better viewing experience than SoC screens. Case in point, QL Player software running on Navori Lab’s StiX 3700 or on a Windows 10 PC will perform 7 to 12 times better than a typical SoC screen. You also benefit from reduced downtime because the defective media player device can be swapped out on-site and screens can resume operations faster. Shipping costs are also lower, and servicing is easier since you don’t have to remove and ship out the entire screen.
You should also note that corporate IT departments are more comfortable using Windows 10 PCs as they tend to be widely used for business tasks. PCs offer significant advantages over SoC screens. They are easy to integrate into corporate networks and are easily upgradeable.
When you add a multi-screen video card to a Windows PC running QL Player software, you can drive and manage content across up to 16 Full HD screens. You can display perfectly synchronized content on any screen or play content that spans the entire surface without limits. For professional multi-screen installations, Navori Labs recommends the 64-Bit QL Player IPR software.
Windows PCs consume ten times more energy than a StiX 3700 device, so you should also factor when constructing your digital signage solutions.