Monthly Archives: December 2016

Goodbye 2016

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my consulting and training customers.  There is nothing I find more rewarding than finding solutions to your tech problems, and helping you get the most out of your software investment.  My goal is to stay on top of new digital signage technologies so I can keep you all better informed.

Also sending a big “Thank You” to my main technology partner, Navori.  I couldn’t do this without your ongoing support!

Looking forward to the new year, especially with Navori‘s upcoming QL 2.0 software release and the recent launch of Seenspire‘s new Social Media Wall.  2017 is shaping up to be another busy year.  Stay tuned for more digital signage tips and news as the year progresses.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Please note: I am taking some time off for the Holidays and I will return on January 3rd, 2017.

Android Media Players for use with Navori QL

Navori QL is a versatile, scalable and highly reliable digital signage software platform that has been around for many years.  The software has a large user base that just keeps growing.  One of the many reasons behind the software’s popularity is its ability to manage many types of hardware devices.

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Navori QL supports Windows PCs, Android devices (media players and tablets), plus a select range of System on Chip based Smart TVs.

Most multimedia capable PCs will work fine with the company’s QL Player software and there are many industrial-grade PCs on the market that Navori has certified.  However, it’s more difficult to pick an “off the shelf” Android media player due to the glut of cheap offshore products that are more suited for consumer applications.  These products are fine playing Netflix for a few hours but they aren’t really built for 24/7 use.

While it’s increasingly easy to order a couple of Android media players off Amazon for less than $100 a pop.  Here are some arguments against it.

  • Most consumer-grade Android media player are built for casual, home use.  They can’t dissipate heat as well as products engineered for constant playback so they eventually overheat and you get random crashes, followed by total hardware failure.  If you have one of these devices hooked up to your TV at home, just try to touch it after binge-watching some shows on Netflix.  You’ll see what I mean.
  • The components inside the media players can change randomly from one product run to the next.  Processors, memory and other components get swapped out all the time.  You never really know what’s inside the device and this can result in instability and ongoing technical support calls.
  • Consumer-grade media players are often shipped out with extra apps that chew up precious storage space on the device’s internal memory.  Some of these apps also run in background consuming resources which makes the device more prone to crashing.  Content may not always play as expected, leading to more support calls.
  • The Android setup on consumer-grade media isn’t optimized for digital signage.  For example, you may need to disable the bottom screen menu with a third party app or install other apps to make the device behave like a digital signage player.

Remember that Android was developed originally as a mobile operating system.  It was meant to run smartphones and tablets.  Eventually consumer media players came out with other devices but at it’s core, Android is still optimized for mobile computing.  When you purchase Android media players, you get a device that is essentially a tablet without a display, and there is some work involved to make the device behave differently.  Some features need to be disabled or tweaked.  In many cases, older Android versions are preferable for better stability and compatibility.  Devices meant to play Netflix at home don’t benefit from this customization.

Some folks think it’s no big deal.  After all, they’re just hanging a couple of screens to show a restaurant menu or a few ads.  Well… here’s the thing.  It’s not a problem until you’ve spent a couple of hours on the phone trying to debug a technical problem while your screens are down.  Blank displays don’t help sell anything, and your time is better spent doing more important things.

In my opinion, there is no excuse not to buy the most reliable device to play your digital signage content.  Paying less for a cheap Android media player is a false saving, because it will cost you in wasted time and frustration over time.  The device will fail.  It’s just a matter of when.

Navori’s own solution

2016-02-04_14-29-50Navori offers it’s own ruggedized media player.  It’s called the QL Stix 3500.  The device comes in a “stick” form factor and is ready to use right out of the box.  It can play ultra HD (4K) content and supports interactivity.  It has built-in WiFi and supports wired network connections.  The device also features an aluminum case which acts as a heat sink to ensure a reliable operation.  There are multiple USB ports so it’s easy to connect and power the device directly from the TV.  The unit features a SD memory slot

Other brand name Android Media Players

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The MINIX brand is well known in the consumer and commercial markets.  MINIX worked with Navori to develop Android media players specifically for digital signage use.  There are now thousands of these players out in the field and the products have proven to be reliable and suitable for digital signage use.

When contacting MINIX, be sure to mention you intend to use the hardware with the Navori QL software so that you get the right device.  You can only order Navori specific units from the MINIX online store or through authorized digital signage resellers.  Don’t just order any MINIX media players off Amazon or other e-commerce sites because those devices will lack specific Android customization that make them suitable for use with Navori QL Player software.

MINIX media players offer a smooth content playback in a small, “puck” format.  They are easily hidden behind a display and are easy to connect via multiple USB ports.  A power brick is also included in the box.

I have had the chance to use both QL Stix 3500 and MINIX devices and I recommend both types of devices for digital signage installations running on the Navori QL digital signage software platform.