• Playlists List

    In the “Playlists” section, you can manage your Playlists, which can include Images, Videos, Audio Files and Web Pages.

    The Playlists listing provides the following columns:

    (Please note that if you are accessing Xandadeck from a mobile device, some columns may not be visible to save space.)

    • “Name” is the name of the playlist, which you set. This is used to identify the playlist, and it is shown in playlist lists in other sections.
    • “Description” is a description of the playlist, which you set. This usually includes more details on the playlist, any notes you want to save, etc. This can also be blank.
    • “Last Changed” is the date and time the playlist was last modified.
    • “Media Types” shows icons depending on the different types of media the playlist includes:
    • Picture Icon: the playlist includes Images
    • Filmstrip Icon: the playlist includes Videos
    • World Icon: the playlist includes Web Pages
    • Speaker Icon: the playlist includes Audio files
    • “Actions” shows 3 buttons:
    • A light blue edit button, with which you can edit the details of the playlist or change it.
    • A dark blue duplicate button, with which you can copy the playlist.
    • A red trash button, with which you can permanently delete the playlist. No media is deleted, only the playlist entry. IMPORTANT: If you delete an entry, it will be automatically removed from anywhere it is currently used! Make sure you do not need it!

    Additionally, the Playlists listing has the standard controls all listings have:

    • The “Show X Playlists” dropdown menu allows you to determine the number of playlists you want to be shown in the listing. You can set it to any of 10, 25, 50 and 100 records.
    • The “Search” field allows you to search for an playlist. The “Search” looks into all texts of the listing, including “Name”, “Description” and “Last Changed” columns.
    • The “Refresh” button (located discreetly at the top-right corner of the listing) allows you to refresh the listing to make sure it is up to date. You will rarely use this function, as all data is automatically refreshed every time you open this page.
    • In the bottom part of the page, you will find information for the total number of playlists (“Showing X to Y of Z entries”), as well as controls for navigating to the next or previous batch of playlists.

    Finally, at the bottom of the page, the “+ Add Playlist” button allows you to create a new Playlist.

  • Adding a Video

    Using the “+ Add Video/YouTube/PowerPoint” button, you can upload a Video or existing YouTube Video to Xandadeck. 

    When you click the “+ Add Video/YouTube/PowerPoint button, you are requested to provide the following:

    • “Name” is the name of the video, which you set. This is used to identify the Video, and it is shown in video lists in other sections. Make sure it is something short but identifiable.
    • “Description” is a description of the video, which you set. This usually includes more details on the video, any notes you want to save, etc. This field is optional.
    • if you select the “From file” option, then you select the video file from your computer to be uploaded. Xandadeck supports all popular video formats and codecs.
    • if you select the “From YouTube” option, then you provide the link for the YouTube video you want to use. Just visit YouTube and copy the address of the video you want from the address bar. Then paste it into the field.

    Fill out the above fields and click the “Save” button to upload the file.

    IMPORTANT: If you use a video file, the file upload and re-coding will take some time. You can continue to work while the file is being uploaded and re-coding. If the upload have not finished or it fails during upload or re-coding, you will not be able to apply the changes you make.

  • Adding an Image

    Using the “+ Add Image” button, you can upload an Image to Xandadeck.

    When you click the “+ Add Image” button, you are requested to provide the following:

    • “Name” is the name of the image, which you set. This is used to identify the Image, and it is shown in image lists in other sections. Make sure it is something short but identifiable.
    • “Description” is a description of the image, which you set. This usually includes more details on the image, any notes you want to save, etc. This field is optional.
    • File Upload field, where you select the image file from your computer to be uploaded. Xandadeck supports all popular image formats, including JPEG, PNG and GIF.

    Fill out the above fields and click the “Save” button to upload the file.

    IMPORTANT: The file upload may take some time. You can continue to work while the file is being uploaded. If the upload have not finished or it fails, you will not be able to apply changes you make.

  • Web Pages List

    In the “Web Pages” section, you can add and manage Web Pages that can be opened on Xandadeck monitors. Web Pages are always loaded dynamically on monitors, so no uploading or downloading happens. Just like if you opened a browser window.

    The Web Pages listing provides the following columns:

    (Please note that if you are accessing Xandadeck from a mobile device, some columns may be not be visible to save space.)

    • “Name” is the name of the web page, which you set. This is used to identify the Image, and it is shown in web page lists in other sections.
    • “Description” is a description of the web page, which you set. This usually includes more details on the web page, any notes you want to save, etc. This can also be blank.
    • “Created” is the date and time the web page entry was last changed (not when the web page itself has changed, simply when this entry in Xandadeck has changed). If you change any details of the web page entry, this field will be updated to show when the last change took place.
    • “Address” shows the address (URL) of the web page that you have specified.
    • “Preview” shows a screenshot of the web page, taken when you created or changed the entry. If you click on the thumbnail, a pop-up will open the web page you have specified.
    • “Actions” shows 3 buttons:
    • A light blue edit button, with which you can edit the details of the web page or change the web page address.
    • A dark blue duplicate button, with which you can copy the web page. 
    • A red trash button, with which you can permanently delete the web page entry. IMPORTANT: If you delete an entry, it will be automatically removed from anywhere it is currently used! Make sure you do not need it!

    Additionally, the Web Pages listing has the standard controls all listings have:

    • The “Show X Web-pages” dropdown menu allows you to determine the number of web pages entries you want to be shown in the listing. You can set it to any of 10, 25, 50 and 100 records.
    • The “Search” field allows you to search for a web pages entry. The “Search” looks into all texts of the listing, including “Name”, “Description”, “Created” and “Address” columns.
    • The “Refresh” button (located discreetly at the top-right corner of the listing) allows you to refresh the listing to make sure it is up to date. You will rarely use this function, as all data is automatically refreshed every time you open this page.
    • In the bottom part of the page, you will find information for the total number of web pages entries (“Showing X to Y of Z entries”), as well as controls for navigating to the next or previous batch of web pages entries.

    Finally, at the bottom of the page, the “+ Add Web Page” button allows you to create a new web page entry in Xandadeck.

  • Videos List

    In the “Videos” section, you can upload and manage your Videos. Your video files are uploaded to Xandadeck and then are made available to your monitors, or you can use YouTube videos by proving their link.

    The Videos listing provides the following columns:

    (Please note that if you are accessing Xandadeck from a mobile device, some columns may not be visible to save space.)

    • “Name” is the name of the video, which you set. This is used to identify the video, and it is shown in video lists in other sections. If the video is from YouTube, the YouTube logo is displayed right next to the Name of the video.
    • “Description” is a description of the video, which you set. This usually includes more details on the video, any notes you want to save, etc. This can also be blank.
    • “Uploaded” is the date and time the video was last uploaded. If you update the video with a different file or a different YouTube URL, this field will be updated to show when the last video file/URL change took place.
    • “Preview” shows a thumbnail of the video. If you click on the thumbnail, a pop-up will show you the video you uploaded in low resolution. If it is a YouTube video, then the YouTube player is shown.
    • “Actions” shows 3 buttons:
    • A blue edit button, with which you can edit the details of the video or change it.
    • A dark blue duplicate button, with which you can copy the video.
    • A red trash button, with which you can permanently delete the video. Keep in mind that Xandadeck cannot delete videos from YouTube. IMPORTANT: If you delete an entry, it will be automatically removed from anywhere it is currently used! Make sure you do not need it!

    Additionally, the Videos listing has the standard controls all listings have:

    • The “Show X Videos” dropdown menu allows you to determine the number of videos you want to be shown in the listing. You can set it to any of 10, 25, 50 and 100 records.
    • The “Search” field allows you to search for an video. The “Search” looks into all texts of the listing, including “Name”, “Description” and “Uploaded” columns.
    • The “Refresh” button (located discreetly at the top-right corner of the listing) allows you to refresh the listing to make sure it is up to date. You will rarely use this function, as all data is automatically refreshed every time you open this page.
    • In the bottom part of the page, you will find information for the total number of videos (“Showing X to Y of Z entries”), as well as controls for navigating to the next or previous batch of videos..

    Finally, at the bottom of the page, the two “+ Add Video/YouTube/PowerPoint” button allows you to add a video to Xandadeck.

  • Images List

    In the “Images” section, you can upload and manage your Images. Your images are uploaded to Xandadeck and then are made available to your monitors.

    The Images listing provides the following columns:

    (Please note that if you are accessing Xandadeck from a mobile device, some columns may not be visible to save space.)

    • “Name” is the name of the image, which you set. This is used to identify the Image, and it is shown in image lists in other sections.
    • “Description” is a description of the image, which you set. This usually includes more details on the image, any notes you want to save, etc. This can also be blank.
    • “Uploaded” is the date and time the image was last uploaded. If you update the image with a different file, this field will be updated to show when the last upload took place.
    • “Preview” shows a thumbnail of the image. If you click on the thumbnail, a pop-up will show you the image you uploaded in full resolution.
    • “Actions” shows 3 buttons:
    • A blue edit button, with which you can edit the details of the image or change it.
    • A dark blue duplicate button, with which you can copy the image.
    • A red trash button, with which you can permanently delete the image. IMPORTANT: If you delete an entry, it will be automatically removed from anywhere it is currently used! Make sure you do not need it!

    Additionally, the Images listing has the standard controls all listings have:

    • The “Show X images” dropdown menu allows you to determine the number of images you want to be shown in the listing. You can set it to any of 10, 25, 50 and 100 records.
    • The “Search” field allows you to search for an image. The “Search” looks into all texts of the listing, including “Name”, “Description” and “Uploaded” columns.
    • The “Refresh” button (located discreetly at the top-right corner of the listing) allows you to refresh the listing to make sure it is up to date. You will rarely use this function, as all data is automatically refreshed every time you open this page.
    • In the bottom part of the page, you will find information for the total number of images (“Showing X to Y of Z entries”), as well as controls for navigating to the next or previous batch of images.
    • Finally, at the bottom of the page, the “+ Add Image” button allows you to upload an image to Xandadeck.  
  • Dashboard Overview

    The Dashboard is where you can have an overview of your account and check that everything is running smoothly. The following basic info on your account is provided:

    • Changes pushed button (upper left corner of the Dashboard in the Xandadeck portal). If everything is ok with your account, this should be grey. If Xandadeck requires your attention, this button will become red.
    • “Online Monitors” gauge. This shows how many of your active monitors are currently online. Under normal conditions, this should always be at 100%.
    • “Subscription Capacity” gauge. This shows the current limit of your subscription, that is, the maximum active monitors you can have under your account. If this is under 100%, it means that you might have a larger subscription than required, so you should review your subscription.

    You also have the option to directly contact Xandadeck’s Support Team through the “Send us a message” form. We will respond as soon as possible!

    Finally, some shortcuts are provided at the lower part of the page to help you do things:

    • “Remember the basics” provides you with the basic flow you should follow to get going with Xandadeck. 
    • “Want to add new monitors?” shows your 3 options for connecting monitors to your account. In order for Xandadeck to be able to communicate with your monitors, a Player is required. Here are your options for getting Players:
    • You can subscribe to the Annual Plan for Xandadeck, and get our free Players (Xandabox) [highly recommended]
    • You can stay on the Free or Monthly Plan for Xandadeck, and buy the Xandabox you need for a fixed price.
    • Build your own Player by using a Raspberry Pi or standard PC hardware, using our software.
  • QSR + Digital Signage Displays = The Ultimate Happy Meal

    Walking into a quick-service restaurant these days often means seeing a row of digital signage displays behind the counter, as LCD screens rapidly replace static back-lit posters.
    With an estimated 50 to 70 percent of QSR sales occurring in the drive-thru, taking digital menu boards outdoors is the next logical evolution for the industry. A report by Futuresource Consulting in 2014 suggested that only 1 percent of the potential market for outdoor displays had so far been tapped.

    As a reminder of why the drive-thru is important, much of Australia’s eastern seaboard recently copped an unseasonal lashing from the weather gods. As the rain pelted down, the number of drive-thru QSR customers surged as they avoided the drenching that comes from the 100-meter parking lot dash.

    The drive-thru customer experience is all about speed and convenience. Having the right menu and message at the right time is important. In the past, business owners had two choices: Display all menu items — breakfast, lunch and dinner — on the one menu board all day long, or use two-sided menu boards that could be flipped during the day. Talk about overwhelming the customer.

    The National Restaurant Association’s 2015 Industry Forecast showed 41 percent of the critical 18- to 34-year-old target demographic says technology is an important factor when they choose a restaurant, and the next age bracket — 35 to 44 years — wasn’t far behind at 39 percent. The NRA’s research found that technology improves speed and convenience for consumers.The restaurant is filled with digital signage advertising machine – playing your product more able to attract your customers.

  • The function of Outdoor lcd digital signage

    Digital signage is a part and parcel of the modern advertising. The sophisticated silver casting works as an interactive medium for the public since it showcases the multimedia content that needs mass attention. No one can negate the importance of digital signage for effective marketing. Serious business ventures use digital signage as their triumph card to outclass competitors. We take pride in announcing our unmatched service in the field of the LCD display. We master the industry norms thoroughly.

    Robust advertising via outdoor digital Signage

    From pixel range to physical makeup of the signage every bit count to make the marketing strategy successful. Researchers suggest that good visuals and aesthetics play a vital role in converting potential customers to actual customers. So, the vital statistics of screens definitely play an essential part. Panel brand, its display size coupled with display ratio, viewing angle and resolution are the core pillars of an extraordinary display. Further enhancements are done via viewing angle and adjusting contrast, color, and brightness. LED backlit is great for energy conservation. Since outdoor digital signage needs to be continually run energy efficient mechanism to run the digital signage is the foremost prerequisite.

    Effective operation

    Operation and execution of our digital signage are efficient and reliable. Offering connection to the network along with touch screen, infrared touch screen touch ways, and touch dots. Android 4.2 version is embedded that is upgradable. Power, voltage, and stability are other parameters that make this outdoor digital signage incredible and versatile product. Our product works well with the 3G/4G network.

    Weather resistant

    Our digital signage work equally well in extreme sunny, windy or rainy seasons. The surface comprises of aluminum alloy or tempered glass to instil more durability and resistance. The galvanized steel sheet measures 1.0-1.5mm in thickness.

    Customization

    We owe a list of loyal customers that prefer us for our customization expertise. Besides conventional white, silver or black colors we customize the digital signage in any color or theme our vendors demand. We also take immense care of packing by ensuring the product remains waterproof, dust-proof and anti-dazzle.

    Quality assurance

    Outdoor digital signage and all other products are duly certified in accordance with the protocols of CE, ROHS, FCC, ISO, and IP65.

    We require a small time span of 15-30 days to complete the delivery. We feel great to respond your queries so if any question pops in your mind feel free to contact us anytime.

  • Direct view LED Displays for Digital Signage: Pros & Cons

    You’ve got to know your screen tech if you want to deploy the right digital signage solution for your use-case. And all these options out there can easily confuse the best of us. But have no fear, we’re here to give you a crash-course on the most popular screens. Starting with direct view LED displays.

    Get the lowdown on direct view LED displays

    If you use digital signage, you need a screen to show off all your awesome content. And that screen’s got to pull its own weight and actually deliver on the image quality you need. Make no mistake, the type of screen tech you choose has a lot to do with how you want to display digital signage content. You can’t just pick any old screen and hope it works just as well for stadium-level setups and end of aisle signage. So where do direct view LED displays excel? It’s all about the tech details.

    All the tech explained

    Direct view LED displays run on tiny little powerhouses called light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each LED is a small semiconductor that takes the electricity running through the screen once it’s plugged in and transforms it into light. Additionally, each one contains a specific chemical compound that defines whether it’ll produce the blue, red or green colors you need for great images and videos.

    Why? Because you need one light-emitting diode of each color to create a full-color pixel. You know, those pesky little squares you see on screen that together make up the whole image. And when something goes wrong they go all blocky like you’re looking at a computer screen from the ‘80s. In fact, that’s exactly why you need to know precisely what kind of light-emitting diode tech you need for your digital signage. Because you want people to notice your attention-grabbing content, not your boxy pixels. And pixels are unquestionably important because red, blue and green make up the light-based primary colors human eye sensors pick up. And in turn, these three primary colors taken together allow the light-emitting diode to produce up to 281 trillion colors in each pixel. Talk about attention-grabbing eye-candy!

    Putting the direct in view LED displays

    Why are LED displays called direct view LED displays? And what does that have to do with image quality and use cases? Firstly, it’s got a lot to do with how LCD displays rely on light-emitting diodes for light (more on LCD displays in another post). In LCD screens two polarized glass panes trap liquid crystals that move when an electric current zaps through them. As the liquid crystals shift around, light passes through to form an image on screen. Secondly, LCD screens don’t generate their own light. And that’s exactly where light-emitting diodes step in. They provide the backlight in LCD displays that’s necessary to light up the image.

    Unlike with LCD displays, in direct view LED displays, it’s the light-emitting diodes themselves that formulate the image – no more playing second fiddle by serving as a plain old backlight. Light-emitting diodes get affixed to the panel and boom, images appear. So basically you’re “directly viewing” the image on screen because of the light-emitting diodes in direct-view LED displays – no liquid crystal or polarized glass necessary.

    Direct view LED displays can either use discrete oval LEDs which are basically one single self-contained diode, or SMD LEDs. Surface Mounted Device LEDs contain 3 individual light-emitting diodes bunched together. Either way, it’s the light-emitting diodes that create the images you see on screen.

    But will your content display just as well on a direct view LED display as it does on your traditional LCD display? You’ll have to check out the pixel pitch.

    How does pixel pitch affect direct view LEDs?

    Basically, pixel pitch refers to the distance between each LED pixel. If there isn’t much space between light-emitting diode pixels, you’ve got more of them making up your direct view LED display. Also, the more LED pixels you’ve got (meaning there’s less space between them, increasing their density), the better your image resolution. Your images and videos will be clearer, crisper, more defined. In fact, if your pixel pitch is small (aka fine pitch), your viewers can step right up to the screen and see all the interesting little details in your videos and images. All because you’ve got a higher pixel density.

    However, if the space between pixels is larger (meaning there’s a higher pixel pitch and a lower pixel density on screen) you’ll get that blocky effect when watching the screen up close. Pixel pitch varies, going from 0.8mm to 10mm+, so you’ve got a wide range to work with.

    How does that affect you? It depends on how you want to use your direct view LED display. If you’re planning on setting up your screens indoors where people can get up close and personal with them, choose a smaller pixel pitch. You’ll want less distance between pixels in order to keep your videos and images crisp and sharp even if they walk right up to your screen. If your viewers will be farther away from your screens, a higher pixel pitch will do.

    In brief, your rule of thumb is the following. The closer people get to your screen, the smaller the pixel pitch should be to maintain a great image quality. Are you planning big installations, like outdoor billboards? Higher pixel pitch is exactly what you need. People won’t get close enough to notice those gaps between LED pixels.

    Why choose direct view LEDs for digital signage?

    Direct view LED displays offer many advantages. This technology means you get brighter, high-contrast images and videos compared to traditional LCD displays. And that’s so important for your digital signage. In fact, because of their extreme brightness, direct view LED displays work great in situations and places that are already very brightly lit. Offices, schools and shopping malls are just a few examples. In addition, these screens offer unparalleled color quality.

    Also, direct view LED displays give you seamless video walls. Why? Because they don’t need bezels (frames surrounding the screen) like LCD screens. So your installation looks sleek and professional. Indeed, if you have unusual specifications when it comes to screen size, direct view displays are your best bet. In fact, they come in all sizes, including huge screens for outdoor digital signage installations. If you require custom screen sizes, you’ll benefit from choosing direct view LED displays because of their flexibility.

    What use cases need direct view LED displays?

    Direct view LED displays work great for outdoor or larger installations. Because they’re extra-bright, colorful and come in all sizes, they beat LCD displays right out of the gate. The image quality’s tailored to use cases that target large numbers of viewers. If you need to set up screens in high traffic areas like shopping malls, airports, convention centers, universities and schools, direct view screens have been tried and tested. Planning a video wall or billboard somewhere huge, like sports arenas, school stadiums, cineplexes and entertainment centers? This type of screen tech won’t let you down.

    As direct view LED displays handle videos, images and tickers equally well for high-traffic areas, you won’t have any limitations when it comes to creating digital signage content. Plus, as you don’t need fine pitch displays since your viewers will see content from a distance, the price is most definitely right.

    Direct view LED displays in a nutshell

    There are many benefits to using direct view LED displays to show off your content. If your digital signage involves high traffic areas, video walls, large or customized screen sizes and people seeing your content from a distance, direct view LED displays get the most bang for your buck. In fact, these displays are a very popular choice when installing digital signage screens in busy places like schools, universities, airports, malls, convention centers and stadiums. You’ll get that image brightness and crispness you’ll need to attract and hold the attention of hundreds of people as they stream by. Plus, they’ll get all the information they expect from you, at a glance, with an excellent image quality to boot.

    Of course, you could always choose a fine pitch LED display for up-close indoor use. That would give you the same level of color, brightness and contrast from the light-emitting diode pixel technology. Even if people walk up and touch your screens. No limitations there if you trust a fine pitch display. But it could hit your wallet pretty hard if you haven’t budgeted for it. However, more and more manufacturers offer fine pitch displays, and it’s an option that’s definitely worth considering.