BrightSign announced today that a total of 72 BrightSign solid-state digital media controllers are being used by Ripley Entertainment, Inc. to deliver compelling exhibit displays in 6 of its Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museums. Now in its 60th year of operation, Ripley is the number one small tourist attractions company in the world.

The museums include the recently reopened San Francisco Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, where 25 new BrightSign digital media controllers were added as part of a $5 million renovation. Used to make the exhibits more entertaining and more informative for visitors of all ages, BrightSign HD210 and HD410 players deliver looping HD video displays while HD810s provide playback for interactive displays. BrightSign digital media controllers are complete, end-to-end signage solutions that include the hardware, software and networking support. Featuring a solid-state platform, BrightSign players provide Ripley museums with the reliability they need to run their displays 24/7 because there are no moving parts to fail. They’re also more affordable, since they don’t require a PC to deliver crisp, HD playback.

“Reliability and playback of the highest quality were key factors in selecting BrightSign, but we also needed a solution that was easy to install and easy to use,” said Louis Aguila, IT analyst at Ripley Entertainment. The BrightSign controllers are compact, plug-and-play devices that can be quickly and conveniently hidden directly behind the displays. And, with the BrightAuthor software that comes with each player, we can create presentations fast and easy without writing code. The software even bundles together all the necessary content and playlist files it needs for playback so it can be dropped onto an SD card for immediate playback or shipped to one of our museums.”

BrightSign’s BrightAuthor software also meets Ripley’s requirements for easily creating interactive exhibit displays with unique triggers for display playback and LED lighting controls. BrightSign’s built-in General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) port allows Ripley’s to incorporate button controls, levers and motion sensors to engage their visitors with the interactive exhibits, while the USB port allows for support of more traditional interactivity such as touch screens and mice. For a Magic Genie exhibit, Ripley’s employs a capacitive touch technology connected to BrightSign’s GPIO port. With this capability, visitors can rub one of three genie lamps to trigger different video playback and hope that their wish comes true. In another exhibit, a model of the Space Shuttle Challenger made from 600,000 matchsticks uses BrightSign HD810 units with GPIO button touch points to trigger video playback describing different aspects of this amazing creation.

The flexibility of the BrightSign digital controllers enables Ripley Entertainment to use them for a wide range of applications. In addition to the BrightSign-driven synchronized video walls in the San Francisco Ripley’s Believe It or Not!’s entrance, there are new video and image-zoned displays explaining the unique features about exhibits throughout the museum. Other exhibits include a moving sightseeing train exhibit that uses BrightSign’s synchronization capabilities to make visitors feel as though they’re riding the train and looking through the windows to see the passing landscape.

One of the more unique visual art displays at the San Francisco museum is a larger than life kaleidoscope. Using a ceiling mounted projector and huge mirrors, BrightSign drives the mosaic video playback of colorful, video patterns projected on the walls and mirrors. The effect is like walking through a kaleidoscope maze as it creates an optical illusion of an enclosed room and conceals the pathway for visitors who must find their way to the next area.

Other Ripley locations where BrightSign players have been installed to deliver huge, multi-screened video walls and fun-filled interactive exhibits include the Gatlinburg, TN Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where a total of 29 BrightSign solid-state displays have been deployed. Ripley museums in El Paso, TX; Ocean City, MD; Myrtle Beach, SC and Surfers Paradise, Australia have also been enhanced with BrightSign controllers, and another 25 BrightSign players are scheduled for the Hollywood, CA Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum later this year. Availability, Pricing

BrightSign all-in-one video players and kiosk controllers are available from the BrightSign Store with prices ranging from US$284.99 for the HD110 digital sign player and US$649.99 for the HD1010 network-enabled interactive digital sign and kiosk controller.

BrightAuthor 2.0 software, the central interface for BrightSign single-site and networked digital signage displays, is included free of charge to all BrightSign customers and runs on a standard Windows PC running XP or Vista and Windows 7.

Supported by BrightSign’s network-enabled HD210 and HD1010 high-definition digital sign controllers, BrightSign Network runs on a standard Windows PC running XP or Vista and Windows 7 systems. Subscriptions are available for US$99 per year per sign. BrightSign customers can request a free 30-day trial of BrightSign Network by visiting: http://www.brightsign.biz/products/brightsign_network_manager.php

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com), keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand, is a global leader in location-based entertainment, entertaining more than 13 million annually at its 80- plus attractions in 11 countries. In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in 42 countries. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.

About BrightSign
A division of Roku, Inc. and based in Saratoga, California, BrightSign develops products and software for digital signage. BrightSign solid-state digital sign controllers set new standards for both stand-alone and networked digital signage applications with their superior video quality, reliability, affordability, ease of use and interactivity. Online information about BrightSign units is available at www.brightsign.biz. For sales inquiries, please contact sales [at] brightsign.biz or call 408-852-9263 in the USA and +44-1223- 911842 internationally.

Source: BrightSign

Stand 12F84, Integrated Systems Europe, 2-4th February 2010, RAI Amsterdam, NL BrightSign Controllers Take the Complexity Out of France’s Largest Retail Digital Signage Network 1,500 BrightSign Players Drive Over 3,000 Displays in 80 FNAC Stores.

BrightSign announced today that 1,500 BrightSign networked sign controllers have been installed at 80 FNAC retail stores throughout France. FNAC is an international entertainment retail chain and the one of the largest retailers of its kind in France. With the BrightSign players driving more than 3,000 FNAC displays, BrightSign plays a key role in the largest retail digital signage network in France. FNAC wanted full HD video and image-quality digital sign displays installed across all 80 retail stores in France for in-store promotions including ticket sales, TV sales and other products. The company also wanted the displays managed on a digital signage network to provide simple, easy updates on a daily basis. TMM Communication was selected for the project because they differentiated their proposal by offering BrightSign players with a solid-state platform. The solid-state design provides higher reliability, supports networking for remote updates and is significantly more affordable than PC-based solutions, both on unit pricing and network service pricing. In addition, TMM offered to develop a unique software interface. “With its extremely reliable and feature-rich solid-state media players, BrightSign has reached a milestone in the digital signage industry as it allows system integrators to offer powerful and cost -effective digital sign solutions to retailers like never before.” says Michel Baronnier, CEO of TMM Communication. The 1,500 BrightSign players that drive more than 3,000 digital displays in 80 stores are all networked and managed from FNAC’s head office using BrightSign Network and the interface software TMM specifically designed for FNAC. BrightSign Network is an all-inclusive networking solution based on xml technology. The technology allows skilled software developers to easily connect to BrightSign’s hosted network service to provide value-added features like the interface TMM developed for FNAC. The interface, which simplifies presentation creation and content updates, interfaces with the BrightSign Network service to ensure smooth updates without having to access all of the management features. Unique Retail Digital Signage Applications Each FNAC store has three specific digital sign programmes that run at full-screen and play video mixed with still images. The first is a television display. This digital sign programme utilises a single BrightSign HD1010 player to run the same HD presentation/content displayed on about 80 Televisions that are for sale which allows the customer to compare each TV on an equal basis. The second digital sign programme is a ticketing display: This is comprised of multiple large portrait displays mounted as a large video wall and run by BrightSign HD210 players. It displays promotions for upcoming concerts and other events, a calendar of events and pricing. The third programme is an implementation of POP Displays. These displays are found next to store shelves and promote store wide savings/promotions, and each is run by a BrightSign HD210 player. TMM is continuing with a number of projects for the retailer. At the completion of the project, 2,000-3,000 BrightSign units will have been installed in FNAC stores, including outlets outside of France. Availability BrightSign video players and kiosk controllers are available from the BrightSign Store: http://store.brightsign.biz/Store-W1.aspx

About TMM Communication

Established in 1992, TMM has played a pioneering role in digital signage, contributing directly to the establishment of this market in France. Now, with a track record of more than 13,000 screens installed at over 1,800 sites, TMM can justifiably claim to be one of the most experienced players in this sector. Global experience of project issues, allied with expertise in the latest technology, enables TMM to offer solutions that last: innovative solutions today that will become standards tomorrow. TMM builds its know-how into every element of a project, ensuring the maximum reliability and performance for customers. To facilitate this, TMM operates its own internal research & development department, alongside editorial and graphics studios. More information on TMM can be found at http://www.tmmcom.fr/

About FNAC

A subsidiary of the PPR Group, FNAC is a leading retailer of  cultural products and electronic products such as books, CDs, computing, audio, video and photographic equipment as well as entertainment ticket sales. With 80 stores serving 2.2 million members, FNAC is one of the largest retailers of its kind in France. The company has also expanded internationally into Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece and Brazil providing an additional membership of 1.1 million customers. The company website, www.fnac.com, receives an average of 650,000 visitors daily.

About BrightSign

A division of Roku, Inc. and based in Saratoga , California , BrightSign develops products and software for digital signage. BrightSign solid-state digital sign controllers set new standards for both stand alone and networked digital signage applications with their superior video quality, reliability, affordability, ease of use and interactivity. Online information about BrightSign units is available at www.brightsign.biz

For sales inquiries, please contact sales [at] brightsign.biz or call +1 408-852-9263 in the USA and +44 1223 911842 internationally.
For European sales inquiries, please email Pierre Gillet: pgillet [at] roku.com.

Press Contact:
Peter van der Sluijs
Neesham Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180
Email: peterv [at] neesham.co.uk

Email :elaineh [at] neesham.co.uk

Source: BrightSign networks

BrightSign is introducing a brand-new release of its BrightAuthor software a central interface to create, publish and network digital signage displays. BrightAuthor 2.0 makes it easier than ever to create full screen and multi-zone playlists for looping displays, and to implement BrightSign features such as day-parting and simple networking.

Designed for either stand-alone or networked digital sign controllers, BrightAuthor 2.0 acts as the core for all BrightSign operations, supporting local-area networks, simple Internet content deployment and secure hosted content services as well as manual deployment using memory cards.

The free-of-charge BrightAuthor PC application includes preset multi-zone templates in addition to custom screen layouts, drag and drop playlist creation and a multitude of playback options including slide transitions and background images.

According to BrightSign CEO Jeff Hastings: BrightAuthor takes the guesswork out of creating and publishing presentations. Using intuitive templates and tools, customers can make their own presentations and be assured that the project will successfully run on their BrightSign units. What’s more we provide the software at no cost, unlike many of our competitors who make additional charges for authoring applications. This latest version 2.0 of BrightAuthor adds the facility to create interactive playlists using the graphical interface, eliminating the need to use text files and commands. It makes it simple to add triggers or buttons on touch screens, through which users can initiate the playback of image, video or sound content files within playlists. In addition to looping multi-zone playback, users can now create multi-zone presentations featuring interactivity.

Also added in the new release is support for BrightSign’s comprehensive subscription-based hosted networking solution, BrightSign Network. BrightSign Network is the all-inclusive networking solution for delivering remote content to one or one hundred units. High security and fail-safe features ensure minimum down-time, maximum dependability.

All the tools necessary to manage and maintain BrightSign Networks are available via a secure logon from the new BrightAuthor 2.0 PC interface. This enables users to create interactive presentations, send content updates remotely, schedule updates, manage multiple groups of displays, obtain reports and monitor network health in real-time – all from the same central application.

In addition, BrightAuthor 2.0 has added the ability to synchronise multi-screen displays via Ethernet connections, making it easy to create video wall applications.

There is also newly-available support for live video and networked content feeds such as SignChannel and RSS. Content authors can simply drag and drop these sources onto multi-zone, full-screen or interactive playlists, creating new possibilities for localisation and dynamic signage, for example including news, traffic and weather feeds.

BrightAuthor 2.0 is available to all BrightSign users and runs on standard Windows PCs under XP, Vista or Windows 7 operating systems. Presentations can be deployed to BrightSign HD110, HD210, HD410, HD810 or HD1010 players over a network or via either Secure Digital cards or USB memory sticks.

About BrightSign

BrightSign is a division of Roku, Inc. and based in Saratoga, California, BrightSign develops products and software for digital signage. BrightSign solid-state digital sign controllers set new standards for both standalone and networked digital signage applications with their superior video quality, reliability, affordability, ease of use and interactivity. More information is on the BrightSign web site: http://www.brightsign.biz.

For European sales inquiries, please email Pierre Gillet: pgillet [at] roku.com.

Press Contact:
Peter van der Sluijs
Neesham Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180
Email: peterv [at] neesham.co.uk

Source: BrightSign