May 11, 2006 With very large flat panel display systems getting cheaper by the day, the capabilities, cost-effectiveness and downright firepower of digital signage is beginning to make a lot of sense as this marketplace unfolds. Yesterday Hong Kong-based 1-2-1VIEW Corporation announced a new wireless media player with some very useful features. The M210 relays content and display management information wirelessly and plays back video content stored in its built-in hard disk. It enables location owners and operators to deploy a full digital signage system to pinpoint audiences with targeted content such as advertising and promotions, without the hassles of wiring or laying cables – ideal for shopping centres, temporary show installations, or reconfigurable systems for department stores. Based on open standards and flexible IPTV technology, the M210 is built on a consumer electronics platform as opposed to commonly used PC technology, offering a very competitive price/performance ratio compared to other media players.
Powered by a Linux operating system and supporting most file formats, including MPEG-4 and H.264, the M210 is designed to run 24/7, 365 days a year. It is fanless, has low power consumption and a small footprint of 22 x 15 x 7 cm. The player is equipped with a 2.5” hard disk and a CF slot enabling manual updates whenever remote access is not available. Featuring a serial port for screen control, the M210 can also control screen functions such as switching on/off, brightness, volume and others, which makes it cost effective and convenient to operate. The M210 seamlessly integrates with 1-2-1VIEWTM’s custom designed web-based management software which makes the remote scheduling of content and monitoring of players easy and convenient from a central server location. It also offers an ideal solution for mobile and/or temporary applications where laying Ethernet cables is not feasible, such as buses and taxis, or exhibitions and one-off events. The M210 can also be part of a wired network.
