Digital Signage to Shine at a Seminar During EDUCAUSE

This year’s EDUCAUSE conference will shed light on digital signage strategies during the seminar titled: Digital Signage in Higher Education.

The seminar will be an open discussion among attendees, and will focus on topics such as campus-wide digital signage services including participants, benefits, service architecture, financial models, security and strategies.

Some schools, like St. Xavier University (SXU), go with strategy while selecting its latest digital signage solution for its Gallery Lounge.

The university wanted something that displayed the its dedication to student learning and artwork, while also drawing in the curiosity of campus wanderers and visitors.

After lots of thinking, planning and designing, SXU opted for a puzzle-shaped video wall: a 98″ 4K touch display by Planar.

“We didn’t want to go with a standard gigantic 15×9 ratio,” says Michael Grimm, Associate Director of Production Services at SXU. “We wanted something that reflected our philosophy, so we wanted to create something that was sculptural, that was something interesting to look at, that it could stand on its own and display artwork.”

Video wall project features

• Provides a hands-on experience: has 32 simultaneous touch points, 500-nit brightness, and 2D and 3D viewing.

• Seamless: the 98″ diagonal provides a large touch surface area without the disruption of bezels.

• 4K resolution: highlights the details and clarity of images at varying distances.

• Lasting durability: Planar’s Extended Ruggedness and Optics optical bonding technology protects the solution once it is installed in high-traffic and long-term use environments.

• Energy efficient: the wall uses LED backlight technology and passive cooling to consume less than 0.5 watt of energy while in standby mode.

• Runs on a timed loop: students’ artwork is displayed for 10-15 minutes, then loops to other content. The loop and other mechanics are controlled in a rack behind the display room, and on a Mac Mini.

Aside from celebrating college students’ digital culture in higher education, Grimm says the video wall is used to showcase their artwork. He says SXU even has curricula and classes for students to design content for the wall.

“We created something that not only looks sculptural, but also integrates with our art and design department,” Grimm says. “They have art courses that are built around creating artwork for the display.”

Grimm also says the wall is a great addition to the university’s philosophy of integrating technology.

“We push that hybrid learning, which integrates technology and mobile devices, and learning on your own in a comfortable environment,” Grimm says. “On the other hand, we’re also pushing the boundaries of what the physical classroom can be. The people who want to come to the classroom maybe like that traditional style still or hybrid. We’re trying to make that environment, from a technology perspective, easy to use, more integrated and more comfortable.”

Why SXU Picked Planar

Grimm says Planar was a good fit for the project because of the monitor types they offered.

“It was Planar because the size and quality of their monitors worked well with the design we were looking for,” he says. “Their controllers for the monitors were easy to install, and they just run on a Mac Mini, which is in an adjacent room. It didn’t take them long to calibrate the monitors and make sure everything was lined up. It was pretty simple.”

SXU also went with Conference Technologies as an integrator for the project.

Sara Reasner, Marketing Communications Specialist for Conference Technologies says the university’s puzzle-shaped project was an interesting experience, especially during the actual install.

“It was the first time we had a configuration on a 45-degree angle because; it’s just not common,” she says. “Typically, we have displays that are level and plumb. The configuration at the 45-degree angle was new, but one that we were eager to meet along with the staff at Planar.”

Project challenges

Even though SXU’s mosaic video wall was installed and running within two days, two challenges arose:

Grimm says SXU’s greatest challenge was designing the structure of the video wall.

“I would say the biggest challenge was going and back and forth with the designs,” he says. “Figuring out how much in square inches we could use – that was probably one part of the challenge.”

Reasner says Conference Technologies’ highest hurdle was completing its work towards the end of the installation.

“The challenge was that we were at the late phase in the project,” she says. “There’s a little bit of a challenge getting in late in the game and making sure everything was best installed in that environment.”

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