Video Morning Announcements

How To Use Video to Build School Community

You aren’t still reading your school morning announcements over a tiny public address system designed in the 1960s, are you?

Delivering live video morning announcements (news) school-wide – in the building and remote – is not only amazingly easy, it’s a great way to engage students, boost morale, and build a sense of community.

Setting Up Your "Studio"

You’ll need a place to record your morning announcements, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive broadcast studio. Most schools use a library “reading room,” classroom, storage room, or other suitable location.

And in the age of COVID, of course your broadcasting team can all be virtual.

Morning Announcement Video Broadcast Equipment List

Most schools have old AV equipment, but as the saying goes, “garbage in, garbage out.”

You’ll want to use the newest technology and electronics to get the best quality picture and ease of use. 

The equipment list is the same for remote broadcasting, although some elements will need to be replicated for each broadcaster or production contributor.

Camera

In the “studio,” use a modern camera with an HDMI output. 

For the remote broadcaster, this could be a smart phone, webcam, or any mobile device.

If you use two cameras, your second video input could also be the HDMI output of a computer, allowing you to switch to show a web page, image, Powerpoint presentation, video, or anything else on the presenter’s screen.

Lighting

Modern cameras will balance the light automatically, so you don’t need exotic lighting systems.

However bright and even lighting will improve the quality of the video and look more professional. Consider an inexpensive LED lighting system for your studio. An LED light ring is perfect for remote broadcasting.

Microphone

You can use the microphone that’s built into the camera, but for best results a “newscaster”
should have a desk or wireless lavalier microphone.

If more than one person will be speaking, consider using multiple microphones connected to an inexpensive audio mixer.

Many webcasters also use the microphones in headsets or the one in the webcam. Accessories like wind screens and pop filters deliver cleaner sound and reduce background noises.

Green Screen

A green screen allows you to put images or videos behind the people on camera. To use this feature, you’ll need a green screen, which could be as simple as painting a wall green, hanging a green blanket, or using a commercial green screen setup.

Video Encoders

Once you have your inputs of camera, mic, and presentation device, and an appropriate broadcasting space, you need an encoder and a video server.

What’s an encoder and how do you pick one?

Simply put, an encoder compresses and transforms the video into a stream.  The stream runs over the school IP network to a server.  The server sends the live or recorded stream to whatever device requests it.

VIDEO MORNING ANNOUNCEMENT KITS
ARE IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP

Learn More

Example Shopping List

Canon XA10 HD
Professional Camcorder

• 1/3” CMOS Sensor
• Native 1920 x 1080
• 24Mbps AVCHD Recording
• 60i, PF30, PF24, Native 24p
• 64GB Internal Flash Drive
• 10x HD Zoom Lens
• Dual SD Memory Card Slots
• 3.5” Touch Panel LCD Screen
• Dual XLR Inputs w/Detachable Handle
• Waveform Monitor, Peaking, Zebra 70/100
• Built-in Microphone, supports external mic

Magnus VT-3000 Tripod
with Fluid Head and Dolly

• Supports 6.6 lb (3 kg)
• 65mm Ball Diameter
• Quick-Release Plate
• Fixed Counterbalance
• Separate Pan/Tilt Locks
• 2 Stage Leg Design
• Mid Level Spreader
• Adjustable Wheel Base
• Independent Wheel Locks
• 31” Doorway Width

Microphone Kit

• Shure SM58
• XLR Cable & Boom Mic Stand
• 20’ cable
• Desk Stand
• Bescor LED-200K Twin 300W Kit
• Two LED Light Panels & Stands
• 304 5mm LEDs Per Panel
• 300W Equivalent Output Per Panel
• 5500K Color Temperature
• 15-100% Brightness Dimmer
• Two Soft White Diffusers
• Two Orange Correction Filters
• Stands Feature 74” Max Height
• HDMI Cable, 15 foot
• HDMI Mini Adapter

Making Students the Stars

For your daily morning broadcasts, be sure to make your students the “stars.” Student participation keeps students interested and helps to build and reinforce the school community. Students love it and their confidence and skills grow with practice.

Camera, Mic & Tripod Setup Instructions

1. Mount camera on tripod; connect camera to power supply (charger)
2. Mount microphone on stand; connect microphone to cable; cable to camera (if not using camera internal mic)
3. Mount lights on stands; connect to AC power using provided adapters.
4. Connect HDMI adapter and cable to camera; connect to Captiva HDMI input (Spirit, Rover, Streamsie, MCE, Mantis)
5. You May Also Need
   • Power cord extension; power strip for lights, camera power supply
   • SDHC Memory Card (Class 10 UHS-1) for camera recording

Your Live Morning Announcements Broadcast

A morning announcement program is usually about 10 minutes long. It typically starts with a pre-recorded introduction, a pre-recorded Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence.  The camera switches to the newscasters who read the news, weather, and talk about special events. Sometimes there are guests, such as a local or national celebrity, teacher, or other person of interest. The program often ends with a pre-recorded segment.

Pre-Recorded Segments

Before you begin broadcasting live morning announcements, create a video called “Pledge of Allegiance.” You can record this in your new studio, but you may wish to use a video editor and create a video with professional polish.

For example, your video might start with a picture of your school and play dramatic music. The video might then ask students to “Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance,” followed by a reading of the pledge accompanied by a video of a waving flag. The video might then show interesting shots of your school set to dramatic music, followed by an announcement saying, “And now, here is today’s news.” 

You might want to make another video to end your broadcast, perhaps with music and a credit roll.

Both the intro and exit video clips are available on your software encoder. In our Streamsie Pro they are accessed as “File as Input.”

Live Streaming vs. Recording

Your streaming software, or hardware encoder should let you stream, record, and do both simultaneously.

Broadcasting your morning video announcement in real-time can be exhilarating for students, but may not be the best option for your school. Although your newscast is streamed at a scheduled time, you can record your live broadcast to a video hosting server, like DEVOS, or with your software encoder to a local file.

Whether you broadcast in real-time or stream pre-recorded clips at the scheduled time, recording your content is always recommended. The recording is available as video-on-demand for anyone with the link, and to be shared on social media platforms and professional news organizations for the wider community.

Delivering the Video Morning Annoucements

Now that you’ve created your announcement, you need a way for people to watch it.

TVs, Devices & Digital Signage

Most modern classrooms are equipped with a computer attached to a projector or “smart board” capable of displaying video.

For classrooms still using TVs, the live video can be selected via a remote to a Roku-type set top box connected to the TV.

Alternatively, the TV can have a USB “stick” that receives the video from the server. With DiscoverVideo’s DEVOS system, TVs with SignSticks can display digital signage. The signage is interrupted to display the morning announcement, and returns to their normal display when the announcements are over.

Of course, individuals can watch from any computer or mobile device with just a web address, in or out of school.

When you use Discover Video to deliver morning announcements, you can also use the system to stream conventional TV channels to classrooms, boardrooms, and desktops, eliminating legacy “CCATV” systems.

Putting Your School Announcements Together

When ready to start your broadcast, press the Stream button in your software or hardware encoder. Select your introduction “Pledge of Allegiance” video. When that is complete, switch to show your camera video.

As the newscast progresses, you may switch to other video sources, change templates, add titles or overlays, etc. When the newscast is over, select the pre-recorded ending video, and when the broadcast is complete, simply stop streaming.

With a DiscoverVideo DEVOS streaming and video on demand platform, your broadcast is automatically recorded and uploaded to the server.

Parental Engagement

Allowing parents and extended family to “tune in” from home, at their workplace, and on their mobile devices enhances parental engagement by keeping them informed of their child’s school life. A personal login allows videos to be served over the public Internet, while protecting children’s privacy.  

 

Video Communicates Best

Nothing communicates better than video; live or recorded, school morning announcements engage students and staff alike.  With a streaming video platform and tools like the ones from DiscoverVideo, video school news, and more, can be affordable and easy. 

VIDEO MORNING ANNOUNCEMENT KITS
ARE IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP

Learn More

Video School News Resources

• Learn More About our School Video News Kit
• Green Screen tricks and trips using OBS
• Streamsie® Software Encoder
  A DiscoverVideo app for smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs for live streaming and recording. It can be used with any camera with our Captiva® Razor USB Converter. Free Download for PC, Mac and iPHone.
• OBS
  Open Broadcaster Software is an open-source software encoder. Free download for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• OBS Plugin
  For DEVOS clients who want to use OBS and easily integrate with our service.
• Rover
  A lightweight mobile streaming system that incorporates the Streamsie Pro encoder onto a powerful laptop computer. 
• Scorpion IPTV Encoder 
  Our Multi-Channel Encoder lets you deliver multiple video sources from one encoding platform. Ideal for internal cable TV distribution or 24×7 webcasting.
• Mantis® Encoder
  A self-contained universal HD encoder for live HD streaming from multiple cameras and video inputs.
• Spider Encoder
  “Video production in a box,” Spider supports multichannel inputs and switches display templates without software.
• DEVOS Streaming Platform & VoD Hosting
  A live streaming and video on demand hosting platform to manage and deliver all your video content. Available on premises or as cloud service.
• Set Top Box
  A simple appliance to allow any TV to connect to the network’s private IPTV and stream in-school content and traditional TV programming.
• SignStick ® 
  This USB media player turns any TV into digital signage
• All DiscoverVideo Products

About DiscoverVideo

DiscoverVideo is a US-based leading software, hardware, and services provider for streaming live and on-demand video, presentations, and digital signage. We focus on the enterprise where network citizenship and security are crucial. We support a complete video ecosystem to stream, record, connect, manage, and deliver to any device anywhere.  Our customers are schools, colleges, corporations, hospitals, and local, state, and federal governments.

The post How To Do Live Video Morning Announcements appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

July 5, Wallingford CT — DiscoverVideo announces the capability of the DEVOS Enterprise Video System to support closed captions in multiple languages. When alternate language captions are added, the viewer may select the desired closed caption language.

Uploaded Video Text Tracks of (VTT files) in English, Spanish, French, German, or Arabic are available to the viewer in playback.

Closed captioning benefits more than the hearing impaired. This new feature allows viewing content in native languages, promotes learning of multiple languages, is helpful in noisy and quiet environments, and can make non-native content understandable.

The DEVOS platform is designed to distribute live video streams, function as a video on demand server, deliver unlimited digital signage, and send priority video alerts throughout buildings and across communities.

“DEVOS is being used in thousands of K12 schools, state and local government, and in corporations”, said DiscoverVideo CEO, Rich Mavrogeanes. “Scheduled and centralized IP control of Epson projectors, as well as TVs and other devices, saves energy and makes the technology director’s job much easier.”

K-12 Streaming Solutions

K-12 Streaming Video System | DEVOS | Video School News Kit | Enterprise IPTV | Video On Demand | LearningPath | Digital Signage | Priority Alert 

About Discover Video, LLC

DiscoverVideo is a leading software, hardware, and services provider that empowers customers with the ability to broadcast and deliver live and on-demand video, presentations, and digital signage to employees, students, or the general public. We focus on the enterprise where network citizenship and security are crucial. We support all five screens and we provide a complete ecosystem. Our customers include educational institutions, schools, corporations, and local, state, and federal governments.

The post Closed Caption Languages Added to DEVOS appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

The post YouTube vs Enterprise Video Server appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

WALLINGFORD, CT – Streaming solutions company, DiscoverVideo, recently added adaptive bit rate streaming (ABR) to DEVOS, it’s signature enterprise video management platform.

Adaptive Bit Rate automatically adapts a received stream to current network conditions, delivering at a low, medium, or higher rate, depending on the ability of a viewer’s device.

ABR improves the view experience by reducing instances of “buffering, please wait.” It temporarily lowers the video quality as needed but keeps the audio quality. ABR applies to both live streams and to Video-on-Demand (VoD) files.

For live streams, ABR feature within DEVOS enables an encoder to deliver a primary high-speed stream and secondary lower-speed stream to the server. The DEVOS server then creates a special manifest file that informs the player that multiple rates and resolutions are available. For VoD, ABR processes a video file into multiple bit rates, with each rate represented by multiple file chunks. When called for playback, the player selects the stream that is best for then-current network conditions.

“Waiting for video to load, like in the middle of a test, presentation, or engrossing content, can have a major negative effect on the viewer’s experience,” said DiscoverVideo’s CEO, Rich Mavrogeanes. “The higher the stakes, the more important adjustable bit rate streaming is to your video system. Netflix and Hulu have it, so why shouldn’t your organization?”

The DEVOS 4.9.7 update is available to new and current service subscribers.

About Discover Video, LLC

DiscoverVideo is a leading streaming video software, hardware, and services provider. Their products empower customers to broadcast and deliver live and on-demand video, presentations, and digital signage to employees, students, or the general public. We focus on the enterprise where network citizenship and security are crucial. We support all five screens and provide a complete video ecosystem. Our customers include educational institutions, schools, corporations, and local, state, and federal governments.

The post Adaptive Bit Rate Added to DEVOS appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

Using a Roku-style USB “stick” or digital media player is the simplest way to get video to stream to a TV monitor. The price of these appliances is relatively inexpensive ($30 – $100). You can connect with or without wires and use a remote or app to control programming.

It’s a great solution for streaming TV and movies or using monitors for digital signage for few individual units.

Controlling Your Digital Displays

Imagine you have a school campus with a monitor in every classroom, and anywhere that people hang out. You need the morning video news broadcast everywhere, lunch menus in the cafeteria, building directories by the entrances and elevators, and special programming in common areas.

Roku uses DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology that enables sharing of content between devices connected over a local network.

However, on a building, campus, or district-wide scale, media management can get unwieldy. And as a consumer device, anyone with a remote or an app on their phone can control a Roku box. That’s great for your home, but maybe not so great for your office, school, or business.

In a situation where you have more than a few monitors to control, a proper enterprise-level video server is recommended.

With a video server you can control the content, and the power, of all of these screens, by location and time of day, from a simple web portal. The only such option we know of, that works with Roku, is our own DEVOS Enterprise Video System.

Roku with DEVOS vs SignStick with DEVOS

Let’s say you have, or will get Roku boxes, and you get a DEVOS video server to get more out of your digital display system.

You can display a live stream, video on demand, PowerPoint slides, and RSS feeds. As you can see from the chart below, your media management is better, but it’s still not the best option.

But when you use SignSticks instead of Roku boxes with our DEVOS server, there are a few more capabilities that make creating and managing your display content even easier.

These features include complete ethernet interface and use of all the digital signage templates. You have centralized control in the DEVOS web portal of all of your devices and playlists. The SignStick can also display Google Slides, web pages, and emergency text and video messages, where the Roku interface cannot.

In short, the power of the SignStick lies in it’s native connection to a DEVOS Enterprise Video Server. Whether cloud, on premise, or hybrid system, it’s value shows with the simplification of your digital signage and video distribution system.

DEVOS Digital Signage Bundles Include…

• White glove support and training
• Software updates
• Bigger packages available with more savings

More Than Signage

The fact that you can stream, store, and serve hundreds of hours of video, may be secondary to your digital signage goals. However, DEVOS clients are pleasantly surprised by the incredible resource available to them as a result of their initial investment.

Read More About How SignStick® Makes Digital Signage Easy or Learn More About DEVOS EVS.

The post Roku vs. SignStick® for Digital Signage appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

The post Intelligent Stream Recorder Feature appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

There are two categories of video encoders: File Encoders and Streaming Encoders.

File Encoders

File Encoders seek to make a compressed video file that can be delivered from physical media or over a network.  A file encoder uses a uncompressed video file as an input and produces a compressed video file.  When a file is processed, File Encoders can analyze the entire input file, frame-by-frame, and use multi-pass techniques to produce an output that is highly optimized.  They can use time to apply various pre-processing “tricks” (such as noise reduction, color optimization, deinterlacing, etc.) to ensure the output is as good as possible.  These encoders are often less than real time, where it takes longer than 1 hour to process a 1-hour video.

File encoders are typically included in video authoring/editing tools, such as Final Cut, Vegas, Media Studio, and Premier, and are invoked when you select “Render” or “Save-As”.

A file encoder is what is used by Hollywood studios to make DVDs and BluRay disks, and by NetFlix and similar providers to create files at various bit rates and resolutions.

Stream Encoders

Stream encoders seek to make a compressed video stream that can be delivered live over a network.  A stream encoder uses a live video input, such as a HDMI or SDI feed.  Because a live encoder must produce the compressed video immediately, there is little opportunity for quality improvement.  That is, multi-pass encoding techniques are not possible.

Live encoders may try to improve quality by conducting deinterlacing and some noise reduction of the input, but generally the quality of the output is more reliant on the quality of the input and the compressing technique (i.e. the quality of the H264 encoder itself and the settings used).  Stream Encoders may also record, where the live stream is saved locally.  The quality of the recording can be excellent, but would not be as good as those produced by a File Encoder which can perform quality improvement “tricks”.  For most use cases, the difference may not be visible, especially when the Stream Encoder can record at different settings then used for live streaming. Unlike a File Encoder, rate control is more important.  For a file, during periods of high motion you can maintain quality by increasing the bit rate.  But for a streaming encoder that is trying to maintain  a constant bit rate, you have to apply backpressure to the encoder and there are many techniques for this.  So a Stream Encoder is more complex.  To answer the question “Which produces a quality video?”, the answer would have to be a File Encoder.  To answer the question “Which produces a better stream?”, the answer is only a stream encoder.

A stream encoder is what is used by live services such as Sling and similar “Live TV” providers, often at various bit rates. All DiscoverVideo encoders are stream encoders.

Compression

You will want to use H.264 video compression (A.K.A. MPEG-4 Part 10).  Next-generation compression H.265 does not provide much improvement for streaming at the bit rates of interest for most people (at very high data rates and for commercial producers it has real value).  While other codecs have their advantages, H.264 is supported on virtually all platforms (browsers, mobile devices, set top boxes, Roku receivers, Samsung TV’s, etc.).

Like anything else, you can have poor H.264 and good H.264.  What makes it good?  Well, it’s a bit technical, but comparing things like rate control, motion estimation, and processing requirements will give you a good idea of the encoder quality.  A compressed video of a non-moving image will look pretty much the same from virtually any encoder.  But at any given bit rate, and with the “knobs” twisted to the right values, the differences begin to appear.  How blocky is the video? How much CPU is needed?  Simply put, not all H.264 video encoders are created equal.

Hardware Appliance vs. Software

Back in 1997 I founded a company to create the world’s first video appliance.  It used MPEG-1 and delivered live video over ATM and Ethernet/IP.  It was a great success and was followed by MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Windows Media, and H.264 appliances, launching a whole new industry.  Today there are many video appliances.  However, the motivation for hardware-based vs. software-based encoders has changed.

It was almost laughable to expect a circa 1997 x286-based CPU running Windows 95 to be a reliable platform for video streaming.  Machines in those days could barely play a video, let alone create one.  When 3rd party cards began to appear the PC could actually do some useful video things. But not for long before the infamous blue-screen-of-death would appear.  An appliance, however, is engineered specifically for video encoding.  Using dedicated chipsets, it can be made to be reliable, compact, and purposeful.  It does not relay on a general-purpose CPU for encoding, but uses video compression chips and optimized D/A input devices.

We have come a long way since the the first video appliance.  Today we have more computing power on our phones than the astronauts had to land on the moon.  Encoding video on a universal computer platform is today perfectly reasonable, and there are many software video encoders for Windows and Apple computers.  Software encoders can take advantage of Intel or Nvidia technologies to lower the CPU load and produce video of the same quality that used to be only the domain of video appliances.  Of course, a computer does not come with any video inputs…except for maybe a built-in webcam.  To bring in video sources, you need a USB device (RAZOR) or a capture card (Captiva).

All video encoders use software.  Many of the popular 3rd party encoders use the Windows operating system even though it is not exposed to the user.  Hardware-based encoders, however, use dedicated chips (DSPs) to perform the actual video encoding.  Using dedicated hardware in a multi-channel encoder allows high channel density and lower per-channel cost.  DV StreamEngine, for example, can encode up to 12 simultaneous video inputs and both stream and record the content in HD H.264.

How To Choose Video Encoders

• For occasional use (e.g. daily 30-minute broadcast), a desktop software video encoder is ideal, provided your computer has the horsepower necessary (think Core i7 class machine).
• Add the cost of your computer (e.g. $1000) to the cost of the software plus the cost of the capture device (USB or PCIe card), and you may find that using a PC as a dedicated video encoder is more expensive than an appliance.
• Use a video encoder appliance for continuous streaming, as is done for IPTV applications.
• Use a video encoder appliance to get an “Easy Button”, and when the size and complexity of a PC is simply not warranted.
• For 360-degree video, use a dedicated 360-degree camera that has built-in streaming and file encoders.

DiscoverVideo Video Encoder Selection Guide

As I mentioned, DiscoverVideo makes several streaming video encoders, and this comparison guide should help with your tool selection.

Still Need Help?

If you’ve read this all the way through and would like further guidance for your business, school or offices, please get in touch with me, Rich Mavrogeanes at (203) 626-5267.

The post How to Choose Video Encoders appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

The post Prepare to Live Stream Graduation appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

Turn Any TV or Monitor into Digital Signage with SignStick®

As its name implies, SignStick® is a small “stick” device that plugs directly into any modern TV or monitor to display digital signage.

The SignStick connects to your network via WiFi or via the included Ethernet adapter.  You configure the SignStick with a server address and the code for a digital sign.

The SignStick then displays your signage, which you control from the server.  The server may be a DEVOS or DVExpress system on your premises or in the Cloud.  Or your server may be the inexpensive Arcus service.

Digital Signage Display Ideas

K-12

• Lunch menus
• Overflow for school graduations
• Open house information
• Educational TV
• Bus schedules and loading status
• Announcements and reminders

Higher Education

• Special events
• Sporting events
• Lecture capture
• Campus maps
• Dining menus
• Social feeds
• Visitor info

Business

• Conference schedules
• Special speakers and events
• Company announcements and news
• Industry news
• Social media feed
•  Awards and accomplishments
• Local weather
• Product display

Government and Healthcare

• Department locations
• Office hours
• Language translations
• Event streaming
• FAQ
• Holiday closings
• Community news
• Meeting schedules
• Public information

Benefits of SignStick Digital Signage

Simple to Use

The Discover Video digital signage system is easy for anyone to use. Just log in to the DEVOS system web portal and use the digital signage wizard. You can have a complete system up and running within minutes. Each system can support multiple sign creators, each controlling specific signs.

Flexible

Create digital signs using any combination of content sources, create custom displays, or use the included templates. Select your choice of server, player type, and display device. Anyone that can create a Google slide or PowerPoint can create a digital sign. Changes are reflected automatically.  Mix your slides with live and on-demand video, images, and web pages in the system. Schedule content for specific times and locations. 

Single-Vendor Solution

Many digital signage solutions require several different vendors for hosting and hardware, which often cause compatibility issues. With one ecosystem, your service is trouble-free. 

Built-in Security

The DEVOS Signage System has a secure web portal for digital signage administrators. Sign creators must log in via password or Active Directory. An approval process can require that specific signs be approved before going live.

Affordable

Unlike with other digital signage systems, there is no additional charge for Discover Video’s digital signage capability. When you purchase a DiscoverVideo DEVOS media management system, you get unlimited digital signage for free! We offer server and media player packages for all commercial price points. 

On-Demand Messaging with Priority Alert

Use Priority Alert for emergencies and on-demand messaging. Push evacuation instructions or other important information that overrides the current content. Make one, some, or all your signs to change to display an emergency video, text, or web page.  And it doesn’t have to be an emergency. Use Priority Alert to display breaking news or live video morning broadcasts, time-sensitive reminders, and announcements.

Not A Flash or Web Player

SignStick plays your digital signage content directly without depending on browsers for display of video or images.

Cached Playout

SignStick automatically caches your video and images and intelligently manages storage.  The first cycle through your playlist, the content is played via streaming from the server. All subsequent playouts are from cache, unless you change something.  This arrangement means minimum bandwidth usage, and signs continue to play even without a network connection.

Tech Support

Most importantly, your employees are trained on the DEVOS system and cared for with white glove support via telephone and email.

Unlimited Unique Displays

Each SignStick displays the signage based on the code you entered.  All SignSticks can have the same code, or they can all be different.  The system places no limits on the number of variety of signs you may create.  Show the lunch menu in the cafeteria while others are showing your welcome or news signs.

The layout of the display is set by selecting simple templates on the server.  

• Full Screen video, images, web pages
• Side-by-Side video and images
• Video plus text and RSS feeds
• Google Slides & PowerPoint

Simply create a playlist of your content, select a template, and your signage is ready.  Change your playlist and templates at any time and the SignSticks will automatically update to your new settings.

Plug and Play Digital Signage

If you are looking for a quick and easy digital signage solution for your schools, business or organization, SignStick could be a really good fit.

Please contact me, Rich Mavrogeanes, for more information about this tiny yet mighty appliance, or check out the SignStick page.

The post SignStick® Makes Digital Signage Easy appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.

April 5, Wallingford CT — DiscoverVideo announces the capability of the DEVOS Enterprise Video System to control network-enabled Epson projectors via IP command. This new feature is ideal for schools with classroom projectors that need to simultaneously turn on for video morning announcements and off at the end of the day.

Other third-party products controlled over IP, such as televisions and other classroom electronics, can also be initiated on-demand or be scheduled to happen at specific times, or days of the week.

The DEVOS platform is designed to distribute live video streams, function as a video on demand server, deliver unlimited digital signage, and send priority video alerts throughout buildings and across communities.

“DEVOS is being used in thousands of K12 schools, state and local government, and in corporations”, said DiscoverVideo CEO, Rich Mavrogeanes. “Scheduled and centralized IP control of Epson projectors, as well as TVs and other devices, saves energy and makes the technology director’s job much easier.”

K-12 Streaming Solutions

K-12 Streaming Video System | DEVOS | Video School News Kit | Enterprise IPTV | Video On Demand | LearningPath | Digital Signage | Priority Alert 

About Discover Video, LLC

DiscoverVideo is a leading software, hardware, and services provider that empowers customers with the ability to broadcast and deliver live and on-demand video, presentations, and digital signage to employees, students, or the general public. We focus on the enterprise where network citizenship and security are crucial. We support all five screens and we provide a complete ecosystem. Our customers include educational institutions, schools, corporations, and local, state, and federal governments.

The post More Device Control Added to DEVOS appeared first on DiscoverVideo | Enterprise Video Solutions.