As a commercial brand looking to start using digital signages, the major components that you will need to invest in are: digital signage displays, digital signage software, and digital signage players. However, with so many digital signage technology products available, selecting the best signage media player for your company can be a difficult task especially if you have no idea how much digital signage costs.
Best Digital Signage Players
If you wonder what a digital signage player is; simply put, a digital signage media player is a hardware/software component connected or already embedded within a display screen that feeds rich media content to the screen. This player processes and beams images, videos, presentations, or interactive contents onto the display signage screens and handles the scheduling, playback, and other complex processes depending on the type of media to be displayed.
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In recent times, cloud-based digital signage solutions that do not require media players have been integrated with the Android OS and apps that handle the media processing. When choosing a digital signage player, you should always consider one that is compatible with the existing operating system and ensure that it can process the type of content you wish to display. Hence, we will discuss the best signage media player hardware solutions on the market to take away the painstaking research off your hands.
1. ViewSonic 4K Ultra HD NMP520-W
The ViewSonic NMP520-W is a powerful network media player that delivers media content in a stunning Ultra HD 4K quality, with extreme reliability for use on large frame displays. It is built with the latest Rockchip RK3368 Octa Core Cortex-A53 64-bit SoC and runs on the Android 8.1 OS with a 16GB eMMC built-in memory. Designed in a slim and compact size, the ViewSonic NMP520-W still offers full connectivity options and compatibility with HDMI 2.0 ports, USB 2.0, Wired and Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, SD Card reader for expanding memory, and Variable Audio outputs.
Technical Specifications
| Processor Type | Rockchip RK3368 Octa-Core Cortex-A53 64-bit 1.5 GHz |
| Operating System | Android 8.1 |
| Graphics Chipset | PowerVR SGX6110 GPU (Supports H.265 4K@60fps) |
| Memory | 2GB DDR3L SDRAM |
| Network | Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Storage | 16GB eMMC |
| Connectivity | HDMI (1), Ethernet RJ45 (1), USB Type-A (3), SD Card (1) |
| Power | 12V DC ; 2A |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable and easy to set up | Might require higher maintenance costs |
| Compatible with standard digital signage software | Low computing power |
| Ideal for use on large format displays and can process all media content | May not be ideal for large network or complex use |
Price
The ViewSonic NMP520-W is currently priced at $190 on Amazon.
2. Vivitek NovoDS 4K
Vivitek’s NovoDS4K digital signage player is a high-end model designed for high-performance enterprises. Despite having a minimalistic design, it is rich in features and is reliable to output 4K video on large format displays. The NovoDS4k is equipped with HDMI-in, RS232, Power over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and 1Gbps LAN connectivity, making it a compelling hardware solution for commercial-purpose digital signage media players. The device is powered by NovoDS Studio 3.0, allowing users to create playlists and schedule content however they prefer.
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Compatible with Windows OS 7 or higher, Mac OS 10.7 or higher |
| Resolution | Up to 3840 x 2160 (16:9, UltraHD 4K) |
| Storage | Internal – 32 GB , External – microSD Card (Up to 32 GB) & USB Flash Drive slots |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 Type A (x 2), HDMI Output & Input, Audio Output/Input Jack, microSD Card Slot, RJ45 with PoE, RS-232, DC Power Jack |
| Network | WiFi: 802.11 ac (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz), Ethernet: 1Gbps |
| Power | 100 ~ 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, DC output: 5V@2A, Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af standard) |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unrivaled flexibility and extensibility | Not easy to set up on large complex networks |
| Supports Cloud computing and is ideal for large networks | Expensive to set up and manage on large networks |
Price
The Vivitek NovoDS4K is currently priced at $527 on Amazon.
3. Samsung S-Box SNOW-JMU Signage Player
The S-Box Snow-JMU signage player is an amazing product from South Korean electronics heavyweight Samsung. The Snow-JMU is built to deliver outstanding quality content and offer graphic enhancement features. The device is ideal for indoor Direct-View LED cabinets and can be used for any business or commercial purpose. It is equipped with a fast processor that helps with image enhancements and has versatile connectivity options.
Compatible Digital Signage Screen options
- IW Series
- IF Series
- IE Series
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Titan OS 4.0 |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels (Ultra HD) |
| Connectivity | USB, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort |
| Power | 110-240VAC, 50/60 Hz |
Price
Samsung S-Box Signage player Snow-JMU is currently priced at $2,760.
4. Neumi Atom 4K
Neumi Atom 4K Ultra-HD media player is another digital signage hardware solution built with a minimalistic design but with powerful features and versatile compatibility. It is a wireless media player that processes Ultra-HD 4K videos, music playback, pictures, and other media content with amazing quality of up to 60fps. The Neumi Atom 4K wireless media player supports all media types and is the best option for memory expansion as it can be used with a 4TB hard drive. Additionally, the device supports analog AV output, which can connect it to an old TV or audio stereo system.
Technical Specifications
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels @60fps |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, HDMI |
| Supported file systems | FAT32, exFAT, NTFS |
| Memory | Expandable up to 4TB, supports microSD card up to 512GB. |
Price
The Neumitech Atom 4K wireless media player is currently priced at $49.99 and is available on Amazon.
5. Videotel VP90 4K
The Videotel VP90 4K is an industrial-grade digital signage media player. This device supports playback of content from a local source e.g., an SD Card or local USB flash storage, and allows streaming sources over a network. Its interactive features allow the user to integrate LED buttons, wave sensors, motion sensors, proximity sensors, and even barcode scanners. It is equipped with lifetime free cloud computing software for digital signage.
Technical Specifications
| Resolution | 4K, 2K, 480p/i, 576p/i, 720p/i, 1080p./i (p or i) |
| Network | 2GHz / 5GHz WiFi |
| Supported file systems | FAT, exFAT, FAT32 |
| Power | 100VAC-240VAC input / 5.5VDC (2.1A) |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for large networks and industrial use | Requires an expert to set up |
| Supports interactive devices | High maintenance costs |
Price
The Videotel VP90 4K industrial digital signage media player is currently priced at $448.
6. Amazon Fire Stick 4K
The Amazon Fire Stick 4K is a smart little device that you can plug directly into the TV’s HDMI port to use as a smart screen display. The smart stick device uses internet connections to access the Amazon store and other streaming channels and renders media contents up to 4K Ultra-HD quality. Built with a dual-core processor, 8GB storage, and VideoCore4 GPU, the Amazon Fire Stick series is arguably one of the cheapest digital signage media player solutions in the market.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable and easy to use | Does not support screen mirroring |
Fire Stick 4K Max vs. Fire Stick 4K: Differences
Both the Fire Stick 4K and the Fire Stick 4K max are similar in terms of features and functionality. However, one major advantage of the Fire Stick 4K Max is its performance and compatibility with the WiFi 6 router. The Fire Stick Max relatively beats the Fire Stick 4K in speed when used with a WiFi 6 router.
Price
The Amazon Fire Stick 4K is priced at $49.99, while the Fire Stick 4K Max is priced at $54.99.
7. Google Chromecast
Google’s Chromecast is a simple, smart dongle device similar to the Amazon Fire Stick. It uses Ethernet network connections to remotely receive and display media content instantly on the screen, making it an ideal option for digital signages. It supports HDR & HDR10 and displays content in 4K resolution with unmatched precision. The Google Chromecast is equipped with a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, and 8GB of memory storage.
Technical Specifications
| Resolution | Up to 4K Ultra-HD resolution |
| Network | Ethernet, WiFi |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, HDMI |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best for budget-friendly digital signage solutions | Chrome OS is not compatible with most digital signage software |
| Supports screen mirroring | Mainly suitable for basic video and image content |
Price
The Google Chromecast is currently priced at $29.99 on Google Store.
Conclusion
As a brand looking to set up digital signage or seeking better hardware options for your existing signages, these are the best digital signage media players you can choose from according to your requirements.
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purchase a digital signage media player called Neumi Atom 4K everything worked great however found out the unit itself heatsnup quite a bit after running for 15 minutes my concern of course would be electrictal fire any suggestions?