3 alternative ways to broadcast signage content on your displays with MagicINFO

When beginning a digital signage project it is very important to think about how the content created will reach your intended devices and hence, your target audience. Depending on which signage solution you opt for, here are many different ways to display content. For instance, if you're working with MagicINFO, creating content through the Web Author and publishing it is the easiest way to do so. However, today we're going to talk about 3 other ways in which you can get the content on your display and why you should consider doing so.

For more information about Samsung digital signage hardware, check out our expert guide where we cover everything you need to know about working with Samsung hardware and MagicINFO. 

Here's what we'll cover in our blog:

• Stream your IPTV directly on the SOC
• Connect a tuner to HDMI 
• Using the channels in MagicINFO

Stream your IPTV directly on the SOC 

The first alternative way to broadcast content that we'll talk about is streaming through the IPTV directly on the SOC (System on a Chip). IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television and it is a service that allows you to transmit television programs and other video content by using the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) suite. IPTV is different from other forms of broadcasting such as cable or satellite because it uses the internet to deliver linear TV programs, live TV, or on-demand content. 

Why should you use IPTV?

Suppose your goal with digital signage is to boost your's company's internal communication. By using a combination of broadcast TV and digital signage, you can display corporate messages, dynamic media, and data from both local and internet sources. This will enable your employees to get the information they want when they need it, leading to a more efficient way of working. 

This was also the goal that one of our clients, ODRU, had. The organization was looking to make essential information available to its employees while not distracting them. You can read more about how MagicINFO helped ODRU achieve its goals on our website. We have other MagicINFO case studies available that can inspire you to think of your business goals and understand the capabilities of MagicINFO as a signage solution. 

Connecting a tuner to the HDMI 

The second alternative way to broadcast TV on your digital signage display is by connecting an external tuner to the HDMI source.  If you're using MagicINFO, this will be quite easy as MagicINFO does allow you to switch between sources effortlessly. This way you can determine when you’d like to watch TV and when you’d like to show the MagicINFO content. Let’s say you want to show the TV during lunchtime and the internal communication at all other moments. This can be scheduled thanks to the WebAuthor so that the source changes will happen automatically. You can here decide to have the TV running on full screen, or PiP (picture in picture).

There are many compatible tuners that work with Samsung displays and MagicINFO. It is important to note that the displays already come with the digital tuner upon purchase so there is no need for a setup box. However, you can also use Amazon firestick, Android TV, and many others.

Why should you use the tuner option? 

As was explained in the section above, the tuner allows you to receive signals on your displays, which you can convert into a PiP. This feature can be quite useful if you're looking to show two different pieces of content at the same time. For example, let's say your goal with digital signage and MagicINFO is to target audiences swiftly and efficiently. Your displays could show information about each of your services or products, while simultaneously showing a video/ picture explaining what the service/product does. This will grab the attention of your potential customers more than if you merely stick to the list. 

Using different channels in MagicINFO 

The third alternative way to use MagicINFO for steaming content is via the channel options. After creating specific playlists in MagicINFO, you can create different channels and schedule each playlist to the corresponding channel. We have a YouTube video explaining how to use channels step-by-step. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel if you haven't already done so. We regularly upload content showing you how different features and add-ons are available with the MagicINFO line-up work.

Why should you use different channels? 

Depending on your goals with digital signage, you might want to consider using different channels to display your content. For instance, if you're working in the QSR business, you might be looking to display different messages based on the time zone. For this you can create different channels, allowing you to narrowcast your message to different customers based on where the target audience is located. You can show the breakfast menu on channel 1 and the dinner menu on channel 2. You can also have a third channel in which you can broadcast content that can be seen by both audiences. You can schedule up to 99 different channels, think about all the possibilities!

You have reached the end of today's blog, in which you learned three different ways to have your content shown on the displays. Whether you'd like to use IPTV, an external tuner, or the MagicINFO channel option, you can always contact us for more details. By scheduling a meeting with one of our experts, we can help you level up your business and achieve your digital signage goals.