Author: LG

Crestron is the global leader in automated and integrated control systems that create a flawless workflow between AV equipment, environment accessories and IT technologies. Their global certification program is turnkey at the engineering level, allowing certified manufacturing partners to natively connect, communicate and monitor from one central location. This means any PC or mobile device connected to the Cloud can control Crestron Connected^® certified lighting, climate, cameras, shades/blinds, speakers and LG professional displays, automatically.

And when the goal is to display image quality as good as the source, Crestron partners with LG – choosing LG UHD displays.

In virtually any industry or business type, using the Intel^® Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) slot, LG UHD premium displays instantly transform into Crestron DM NVX™ endpoints to deliver flawless 4K video and audio over 1Gb IP networks with virtually no latency. Simply combine LG professional displays with the DM NVX D80 IoAV Network AV OPS Decoder.

Crestron’s all-new Pixel Perfect Processing technology makes DM NVX the only AV solution that delivers a virtually perfect image every time. Now the finest detail can be revealed in the densest image. This is technology so advanced, it would be difficult to tell the difference between DM NVX and direct source.

To take full advantage of Crestron’s DM NVX technology capabilities, LG UHD displays offer a group of features making them the ideal solution.

For optimum image quality, LG’s In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel technology delivers a true 178-degree wide angle of view, providing rich, clear content with virtually no distortion. IPS is a major advantage especially in large meetings where numerous attendees are seated off-axis to the screen.

The displays’ intelligent remote monitoring can email notifications to users if there is a problem, such as tilting of the display from external impact, so users can correct the problem ASAP.

Built-in Quad-Core System-on-Chip (SoC) and LG’s webOS Signage platform can execute several tasks at once while providing smooth content playback without the need for a media player. The webOS Signage platform enhances user convenience with an intuitive GUI and simple app development tools, and easily supports connections with external sensors such as GPIO, NFC/RFID, temperature sensors, etc., via USB plug-in.

Today’s working environments typically deploy a fleet of PCs, each containing a hard drive, memory, sometimes video cards and more importantly either a Windows or Mac OS X operating system. The very nature of this setup introduces vulnerabilities in security with risk of hacking or device theft, plus ongoing management and maintenance requirements for both software and hardware, and generally high power consumption. Chasing problems from PC to PC is both inefficient and frustrating. Isolated issues can quickly pile up while company personnel sit and wait to get back to work.

Today, deploying Zero Client devices throughout the company can virtually eliminate security problems, most hardware problems and maintenance issues. A Zero Client contains no hard drive, no moving parts and no operating system—it is a simple, secure, stateless endpoint that gets everything it, and you, need from the cloud. LG Zero Client cloud endpoints connect to a server in the cloud (self-hosted or a subscription service), such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or VMware^®, to deploy desktop functions from the cloud.

To the end user the Zero Client experience looks and functions nearly identically to that of a PC, because a Zero Client will typically bring up a windows session. But Zero Clients have many advantages over traditional PCs, laptops and tablets, especially with security. Security pervades all vertical market sectors, each of which has compliance and regulatory issues to contend with. This is the reason federal government, healthcare institutions, financial services, education, and others favor Zero Client devices. There is nothing installed on a local drive—customer data and other sensitive information are all stored in the cloud. Should the device be stolen, the only loss is the cost of the hardware.

LG Zero Clients run on PC-over-IP (PCoIP^®). LG Zero Client cloud endpoints use a Teradici^® processor and Teradici management software and support the PCoIP protocol in VMware View, Teradici CAS, Azure Support and Amazon WorkSpaces.

PCoIP is a patented remote display protocol developed by Teradici that renders encrypted pixels (not data) to the endpoint. Simply connect a CAT 5 cable, power cable, keyboard and mouse to the Zero Client. Easy to deploy, manage and operate, Zero Clients decode PCoIP transmissions and output pixels on the screen without transmitting the data. PCoIP delivers the most accurate and distortion-free experience regardless of network conditions.

PCoIP benefits

• Customers choose PCoIP solutions for lossless reproduction, color accuracy and the highest level of security
• Specifically designed to deliver interactive applications
• Users enjoy a secure, rich virtual computing experience
• Simplifies the provisioning and management of computing services
• Powers next generation local, remote and mobile work styles
• Allows IT departments to deliver a secure, right-sized computing experience to everyone

Routine service and maintenance costs are greatly reduced, as with no moving parts there is little that can break. Zero Clients run cooler than PCs and use less energy. In most cases, electricity consumption typically plummets from a PC’s 150 watts down to 30 watts or less with a Zero Client. Operating systems, software and apps are installed and updated by the IT administrator from a central location, and IT always knows exactly what is on their network.

LG is a leading manufacturer of Zero Clients, and offers the Tera2 V Series Cloud Box, and All-in-One Zero Client FHD (1920 x 1080) displays in 23” and 24” class. The displays feature six USB 2.0 ports, support a second monitor and contain built-in speakers. LG Zero Client displays feature IPS panels for optimum image quality with a true 178-degree wide viewing angle, and are TAA compliant. All LG Zero Clients include a free 3-year subscription to Teradici Desktop Access—all the elements administrators need to efficiently manage and maintain their PCoIP Zero Client deployment.

Thanksgiving was yesterday. But with digital signage it can be today, tomorrow, next week or anytime throughout the year. Because a major advantage of digital signage is that you can update content, modify it or create entirely new content quickly, and push it to your displays even quicker.

This means you can interrupt your regularly scheduled program at any time with messages of appreciation for your employees, customers, and anyone else that could use a smile on a given day. Run it for a while then pick up right where you left off.

Here are some ideas that can help you say thanks with digital signage and cultivate an attitude of gratitude throughout your organization. Not just because it’s that time of year, but because honest appreciation can go a long way.

Employee spotlight – Use digital signage content to thank employees for their hard work, either with company-wide congratulations, team messaging and group photos, or by highlighting specific employees whose accomplishments were stellar.

Accentuate the positive – Highlight company achievements, i.e., big sales, awards received, goals met, new business, special events, volunteer day activities, recent hires. Use photos and videos whenever possible.

Spread the joy – Encourage employees to share what they like most about the company or their job – post the comments on a screen in the lunch room or lounge area as a happy reminder of the positives of their work.

When customers/clients say thanks – Unless you’re a charity you might not get these too often (people are forgetful), but when you do, let them shine – customer accolades are a wonderful way to make your employees feel proud of their contributions.

Inspiration station – People love inspirational quotes because the quotes can connect with anyone. On social media, for example, inspiring quotes tend to be one of the most engaging types of content. Make it relevant, and combine the quotes with beautiful images to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Be social – Post your company’s social media feeds on your digital signage. It’s ideal for increasing employee engagement and keeping everyone in the know.

Give back – Thanksgiving Day takes a huge toll on local food pantries, and right after the holiday is a great time to help restock their shelves. Digital signage is so easy to work with that on Monday morning you could have an eye-catching message on your screens announcing a post-holiday food drive. Add photos of the donated food items as they accumulate.

Have fun – Want to have an enjoyable meeting? Get together and brainstorm ways to show appreciation on your digital signage. The power of sincere thanks cannot be overestimated. Nor can the power of the right content in the right place at the right time.

May you always have plenty to be thankful for, and the digital signage to show it.

It was an amazing display of collaboration. And it changed the face of automated technology with one of the largest and most impactful integrations of digital signage ever: over 10,000 LG commercial displays combined with SAVI Canvas software in more than 50 Topgolf venues.

Topgolf venues feature high-tech gaming, climate-controlled hitting bays, a chef-driven menu, hand-crafted cocktails, music, corporate and social event spaces, and more. Topgolf venues entertain more than 20 million guests annually at nearly 60 locations across the U.S. and internationally.

To offer guests the ultimate sports and entertainment experience across all venues, Topgolf wanted to enhance its technology platform by transitioning from consumer televisions to durable, reliable commercial displays. The goal was to create a customizable display solution with a longer shelf life and an exceptional warranty. The displays would need to accurately and clearly present rich colors and vivid details, while splitting the screen into three sections to accommodate varying content from different sources. And the displays would need to seamlessly connect to one another for quick and easy management from a central location.

Topgolf enlisted AV control software leader SAVI Controls and commercial display technology leader LG Business Solutions USA, along with Topgolf’s longtime systems integrator Diem Digital, to create a solution called SAVI Canvas. This software was developed by SAVI Controls to run exclusively on LG’s webOS Signage platform.

SAVI Canvas combined with LG webOS Signage enables Topgolf to control, manage and deliver content to displays at each venue from their central headquarters in Dallas – all over a single network cable. This solution also meets Topgolf’s need for a tri-pane display feature, giving Topgolf the flexibility to display broadcast and satellite programs, Topgolf TV, marketing messaging, and custom content from its gaming systems, within the tri-pane solution on a single portrait display. All of which further elevates the guest experience.

Diem Digital specifically selected LG’s 55-inch 55SM5KE hybrid outdoor displays for their reliability, picture quality and customizability. Connectivity is simple with a power cable and a CAT 5 connection in the back. Because the displays are in an outdoor environment, SAVI developed new custom mounts and protective shroud enclosures which LG certified for warranty purposes, providing Topgolf improved ongoing service and support for the display hardware. All displays are monitored by a CMS app for display health status at the Dallas headquarters.

Since deploying the solution at more than 50 locations, Topgolf has seen significant benefits, heard positive feedback and achieved unprecedented innovation. The implementation of the LG displays and SAVI Canvas solution not only enabled Topgolf to manage displays remotely, but also significantly reduced the failure rate and replacement labor overhead of previous consumer displays.

Read a detailed Topgolf case study here.

Thin Client endpoints deliver the performance a demanding workforce requires, along with the simplified management and built-in security ITDMs crave. They can be used with various operating systems like Windows and Linux to take advantage of whatever situation the business would like, and can be a business’s ‘window to the cloud’ to help achieve the most ROI with the lowest TCO. Let’s look at why Thin Clients might be right for you.

1) Tailored for demanding environments – Thin Clients are designed for wherever security, manageability and a streamlined user experience are crucial factors for success. Whether deployed in data-heavy healthcare and finance contexts or cost-sensitive higher education settings, Thin Clients have the inherent security to protect valuable data and simplified, centralized management to minimize potential downtime.

2) Inherent endpoint security – Thin Clients keep threats from malware and viruses at bay by preventing direct access to the data center, minimizing potential downtime due to compromising attacks and keeping work schedules on track.

3) Useful connectivity options – Thin Clients provide more ways to connect, with a wide array of ports to meet any team’s work needs or preferences, including HDMI, fast-charging USB Type-C™, Ethernet and more.

4) Stylish, differentiated form factors – The LG Thin Client portfolio embraces high quality and sharp design. And with a lineup ranging from ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight MIL-STD-810G laptops to the 38-inch class Curved UltraWideÔ All-In-One (AIO) monitor to the flexible, most compact box form, they can optimize almost any work environment.

5) Versatile deployment options – The Thin Client portfolio streamlines any IT infrastructure, no matter the scale or need. Most come equipped for 2K–4K dual-monitor resolutions, letting users take full advantage of multi-functional daisy chain configurations. From refitting the common desktop to keeping a mobile workforce connected, Thin Clients can simplify the workday.

6) High-performance display quality – LG Thin Clients support graphics-intensive applications with ease, with wider screen sizes to accommodate expanded levels of multitasking and IPS screen technology for crisp, clear images with vivid colors from virtually any viewing angle.

7) Easy on the budget – Already less expensive to deploy, integrate and manage, Thin Clients go even further by consuming less energy than traditional desktop PC setups, thanks to a minimal design and long product lifecycle.

8) Low-noise environments – LG Thin Clients are built with fanless designs that don’t add distracting office noise.

9) Fewer replaceable parts – Built with fewer breakable parts that could require maintenance or replacement over time, Thin Clients have extended product life and no fear of the obsolescence common to most IT fleets.

LG Thin Client endpoints are efficient, versatile, secure and cost-effective in virtually every deployment, and can help your company get the most from your cloud infrastructure.

 

There’s always a tremendous amount of fan excitement in Toronto’s Maple Leaf Square before and during hockey games; and in Jurassic Park, home to Raptors fans during basketball games. The public square has a capacity of 5,000 people, and hosts pre-game gatherings and outdoor viewings of games like season openers and playoffs for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors.

Games going on inside the arena are displayed live on the outdoor screen for public viewing, and fans have been known to line up the night before in eager anticipation.

So, when you’ve got 5,000 energized fans outside wanting a great view of the big game inside, what’s the best way to accommodate them?

The solution is a massive new LG outdoor Direct View LED (DVLED) display. It’s now part of Maple Leaf Square, and it replaces a previous, smaller screen.

According to rAVe [PUBS], “Giving Toronto sports fans a superior viewing experience in Maple Leaf Square adjacent to the Scotiabank Arena, the new 2,200-square-foot LG DVLED display is 37 percent larger than the previous screen. The installation of the new 62-by-35-foot screen marks the expanded partnership between MLSE and LG, which have a shared mindset of elevating every game for fans. LG Electronics Canada is the exclusive Consumer Electronics Partner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors.”

rAVe adds, “The LG DVLED screen (with a 6mm pixel pitch) consists of 1,269 modules housed in 168 cabinets that make up the single screen. Each cabinet is equipped with an IP-66 rating to ensure the highest level of protection and performance in any weather, and each module features a premium-tier chipset that provides rich, saturated colors and a high level of brightness to ensure quality display even in direct sunlight.”

Fans and visitors alike have a whole lot to love. See the new LG Outdoor DVLED in action:

To address the ever-growing need for more effective business communication and information sharing, Cisco and LG are offering an expanded range of outstanding solutions for video conferencing, content delivery and presentations. These technology pairings ensure the user experience is simple, straightforward, eye-catching and engaging every time. Support is coordinated, consistent and available globally from Cisco and LG.

Cisco video conferencing solutions coupled with LG commercial displays create premium, turnkey collaboration systems scalable for small to large business environments.

The entry-level Cisco Webex Room Kit Mini video conferencing package includes camera, codec, speaker and microphones integrated into a single device for small groups of up to 5 people. Further video conferencing packages include the Webex Room Kit, Webex Room Kit Plus and Webex Room Kit Pro, to accommodate larger and deeper rooms of up to 14 people with enhanced features, flexibility and control. All products offer sophisticated camera technologies that bring speaker-tracking capabilities to every room.

System features include remote management for greater convenience and control, adaptive audio input for incoming calls, low latency detection to eliminate echo or lip sync issues, auto system and display standby mode, automatic integration and no-touch setup.

When coupled with Cisco-compatible LG displays, these kits offer outstanding, crystal-clear conferencing. Display offerings include a wide selection of series and sizes, and the visual connection is second to none. LG’s IPS panels provide true-to-life colors, deep black levels and rich color saturation for amazing contrast and color detail at virtually any viewing angle. So everyone in the meeting has the best seat in the house.

Cisco-compatible LG displays include the FHD SM5KE, SM5KD, SM5KC, SM5D and SM5C Series; 4K UHD UH5E, UH5C, UM3E, UM3C Series and LS95D; UHD Ultra Stretch BH7D; and Touch Screen TR3E and TC3D Series and TR3D Interactive Digital Boards in FHD or UHD, depending on size.

While health club memberships are at an all-time high, intense competition within the industry means fitness centers must constantly review and upgrade the experience they provide to their members. Operators should be keenly focused on seeking new ways to keep members coming back, as a “two percent increase in customer retention has the same effect as decreasing costs by 10 percent.”¹

In addition to physical gym space, fitness centers must also compete with workout apps and live online fitness classes. Digital signage can provide a more exciting and engaging on-site experience than these competing technologies and ensure optimum results in communication, advertising and entertainment. What’s more, today’s advanced digital signage solutions offer something for virtually every area of the facility: we have a new Fitness Lookbook that will show you what’s possible.

There’s plenty of effective content for digital signage in fitness centers, too. Here’s a short summary.

Outdoor – Get noticed by displaying branding, advertising and digital mosaics to stand out and attract interest from a distance.

Reception Area – Display club services and membership information, provide self-check-in and promote supplements, protein powders, clothing and more for purchase.

Throughout the Facility – Provide wayfinding, studio or spa schedules and digital bulletin board messages. Interactive touch-screen digital signage can engage members even further, and Beacon technology can display targeted information and offers.

Workout Areas – Display class schedules. Provide an exciting, physically competitive environment with inspirational videos, virtual group fitness classes or individual workout instruction.

Lounge Areas – Digital signage makes great menu boards, and content can be updated or changed in real time from a central location or remotely. Promote your healthy food and drink options and display class schedules.

Entertainment – Commercial-grade TVs are a must for health clubs. They are durable, designed for extended use, and provide the content flexibility, high picture quality and wide viewing angles required for fitness centers.

Whatever the need, we can help. LG commercial displays can be a powerful visual strategy for keeping fitness center members engaged, informed and coming back.

Have a Look – For your inspiration, our new detailed Fitness Lookbook can help you visualize digital signage applications for your facility.

 

*1 https://www.skyword.com/contentstandard/creativity/building-customer-loyalty-through-the-art-of-storytelling/

Last week we gave you the rundown on Pro:Centric^® and Pro:Centric Direct television content management systems, and how they can help hotels provide an innovative in-room experience via interactive solutions for guests.

The Pro:Centric Direct platform is available on LG Smart Hospitality TVs. One such TV is the new UT670H Series, a cost-effective Internet Protocol television (IPTV) solution with webOS 4.5, available in the most hotel-requested sizes of 43, 49 and 55 inches. UT670H Series Smart TVs offer Ultra HD resolution, which is four times higher than that of Full HD, and provides a more realistic and immersive television viewing experience. UHD’s 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution creates outstanding images with incredibly vivid detail.

LG UT670H Series TVs elevate the in-room entertainment experience and increase convenience through implementation of high-end technology.

Because the UT670H Series supports the Pro:Centric Direct platform, it offers customizable tools for LG’s Systems Integrator partners to create interactive applications that enable delivery of a wide range of unique solutions tailored to both hotel management and guest needs. Guests can locate and enjoy available TV channels or access a wide range of over-the-top (OTT) smart apps, check on the daily weather, review available hotel amenities and more – all from the comfort of their room.

Value-added features include voice recognition, allowing users to easily control the TV. The TV series also supports SmartShare, Screen Share, Pro:Idiom^® and Bluetooth Sound Sync.

SmartShare allows guests to share content between compatible devices more easily and quickly by showcasing all the device’s audio, video and photo content in simple menus on the screen. ScreenShare connects a smartphone or a laptop PC to the TV via a Wi-Fi Direct connection. The TV will display the device’s screen, and guests can share their content and memories together. Pro:Idiom digital rights management (DRM) technology provides access to premium content to help assure rapid and broad deployment of HDTV and other high-value digital content. Bluetooth Sound Sync enables guests to listen to music on a mobile device through the TV speakers via Bluetooth connection, supporting Android (above v4.4 KitKat) / iOS-based mobile devices.

Hospitality features also include Software-enabled Access Point (SoftAP) and embedded Broadband Local Area Network (b-LAN). SoftAP is a “virtual” Wi-Fi feature that uses software to create a wireless hotspot. The current version supports Bridge Mode, which enables network managers to control connected devices. For properties with SONIFI, embedded b-LAN allows pay-per-view (PPV) and video on demand (VOD) support without the need for a set-top box.

Setting up UT670H Series hospitality TVs is simple with EzManager, a convenient installation function that helps to set up Pro:Centric TV settings automatically without extra effort of configuration.

Hoteliers can enhance their guests’ in-room television experience with LG’s Pro:Centric^® television content management system that creates an innovative in-room experience via interactive solutions for guests. Designed with simple and intuitive editing tools and pre-designed templates, the intuitive Pro:Centric interface handles guest requests such as housekeeping and laundry services in a personalized manner. For the hotelier, Pro:Centric offers efficient content production and management while maximizing on-site advertising effectiveness to boost the hotel’s image.

Pro:Centric can act as an in-room concierge, giving guests the ability to see hotel amenities such as restaurants, bars, spa services, fitness and business centers, and more, via billboards presented on their in-room TV. The hotel property can customize and update these billboards as required to promote whatever businesses and services will benefit them and their guests. Pro:Centric also enables guests to access their favorite streaming services and smart TV applications such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Showtime, Crackle, HBO GO, Amazon Prime Video, or they can select their favorite TV show or movie from the electronic programming guide. In addition, guests can pair their mobile devices with the TV for screen sharing and playing audio files. These personal experiences with the hotel can contribute to guest loyalty with customers that have unique, positive stories to share.

Pro:Centric Direct, LG’s fully customizable HTML application environment, is available on LG more advanced hospitality TVs. Pro:Centric Direct features an innovative authoring tool using drag-and-drop widgets and enables over-the-top (OTT) Internet video streaming and casting services. Pro:Centric Direct also supports IP networks for two-way communications, enabling interactive services to be offered to guests such as room service ordering, spa service booking, concierge requests, portfolio review and checkout, all from the TV. In addition, ticker messaging and individual or group messages can be sent to the guest’s TV, all within a fully-customized, hotel-branded user experience.

When guests benefit, hotels benefit. By providing a simple means to access hotel services and amenities, Pro:Centric Direct promotes a consistent revenue stream for the hotel property. This cost-effective delivery of uniform services and features across both RF (radio frequency) and IP (Internet protocol) based networks eliminates the need for additional hardware such as a set-top box in the room.

With LG Pro:Centric hospitality TVs, installation and maintenance are both simple and efficient when using LG’s Pro:Centric server installed at the hotel’s head end equipment room. LG provides the necessary tools and technical training to third-party installers and integrators, so that they have the skills to directly support the hotel property. Hundreds of TVs can be quickly installed and configured in a matter of days, and post-installation changes and maintenance can be made remotely via the server and sent to the TVs automatically, without inconveniencing hotel staff or guests.

LG’s Pro:Centric application environment provides extended customizable tools including HTML5, Java, and Flash. With these tools, LG Systems Integrator Partners can optimize the full range of LG hospitality TVs and develop their own enhanced services. This increased control and customization provides premium hotel services to guests without the need for a set-top box. For hotels looking to retrofit their existing legacy TVs rather than purchase new TVs, LG’s Pro:Centric-enabled set top box provides all the same tools and benefits without the need to replace recently purchased TVs.

As hotels host an increasing percentage of digital savvy, device-enabled guests, LG Pro:Centric-powered products and user environments can provide a personalized, home-like experience that’s good for guests and good for business.