Digital menu boards will change restaurant industry

Last Updated on Monday, 25 July 2011 08:26 Written by victorB Monday, 25 July 2011 08:26

Using Digital Signage In Restaurants

To begin I would like to state I am not stupid enough to believe the development of digital menu boards or digital signs are nearly as important as the development of computers. However, I do believe it is valid to make some comparisons.

If you are old enough to remember when personal computers first became available you know it took a long time for most people to start using them, even in business. In the beginning, we were told the primary benefit was to save time and reduce costs. What we later learned was they did not save time. Instead, they greatly increased our individual capability, capacity and quality of work. They allowed us to do much more, more quickly and more accurately. Computers allowed us to do many things we could not do without them. I delayed using them because it seemed like too much work to download the data and get the programs set up. Today, I don’t think we could survive without personal computers. Try taking them away and see what happens.

I can remember a few years ago when every executive had a secretary; now there are very few. As an example, it would take me all day working with my secretary and several other people to get a large proposal or important document composed, typed and ready to be delivered by overnight service to a customer. I can do the same thing today by myself, do it better and have it delivered in a matter of minutes.

Let’s compare personal computers to digital menu boards. Think about how much time and how many people it takes for a restaurant chain to make changes to the content in a traditional menu board system and have it displayed properly in the restaurants. It takes several weeks or a couple months. With digital menu boards it takes a matter of hours. One person can do it easily, better and the content is more effective. Consider how much more you can do with digital menu boards than with traditional boards. I won’t list them here, but the list is long. These are features you can compare with computers.

A true test of the value of a new technology is to see what would happen if you take it away after people have used it long enough to utilize its full capabilities and have them switch back to the old technology. Consider what would happen if you took away personal computers today. It would be a disaster. Although it would still be difficult to find someone utilizing the full capabilities of digital menu boards, how do you think they would react if they had to switch back to the old technology? Although I would say McDonald’s has not used its digital menu boards long enough to utilize their full capabilities, it is the best example I can think of. Ask its management how they would feel about replacing the digital boards in their McCafe units with the old menu board technology. It would be a huge problem.

I believe digital menu boards will eventually replace all the old boards, and many new capabilities will continue to be developed and utilized.

AV Services of VA is now a ZeeVee dealer. Distribute HD video over existing coax cabling – No new wires technology!!!

Last Updated on Thursday, 23 June 2011 11:48 Written by victorB Thursday, 19 May 2011 05:43

Applications: Digital Signage

 
Every ZvBox/player combo is distributed as a unique HDTV channel on the same COAX cable. At any display, just tune in the channel of the player you want to see.

Distribute VGA and HD Video for $0 per Display

Installing a player at each display in a digital signage system is equipment (and cost) overkill where multiple displays share the same messaging. A ZvBox lets one signage player feed an unlimited number of displays, with no set-top boxes required. It does so by converting the output of the player into an HD cable TV channel, and broadcasting it over existing coaxial wiring to all displays. To view the channel/player, simply tune it in at any display, using the display’s HDTV tuner.

Who’s Using ZvPro? Here are just a few.

Using ZvBoxes to send HD video and digital signage over existing coaxial cabling is an irresistible value; here are just a few well-known organizations using that value to their advantage:

ZvBox™ – Send HD Video Over Your Home’s Coax Wiring

NEW ZvBox^® 170

ZvBox^® 150

Based on the same technology used by TV stations and cable companies, ZvBox^® turns the output of a VGA or HD source into an HDTV cable channel and broadcasts it over coax cabling to all connected HDTVs. To view the HD source, simply tune in your new Zv channel at any of the HDTVs. Compatibility with existing coax cabling means ZvBox is ideal for retrofit applications.

Use a ZvBox to:

• Perform whole-house HD video distribution with no new wires!
• Connect a computer for unlimited Internet video on demand.
• Deliver digital signage in light commercial applications.

The Key Benefits of Coax:

• Coax already in place in vast majority of homes- reduces or eliminates the need to cut holes in walls or run new wires.
• Proven method: cable companies light up entire cities with coax
• Easy to deploy and expand coax systems using simple hand tools
• System parts (splitters, amps, etc.) inexpensive and widely available
• Connects to off-the-shelf HDTVs without additional set top boxes at each TV
• Handles up to 135 simultaneous channels

Wireless Networking on Steroids

Last Updated on Thursday, 23 June 2011 11:48 Written by victorB Thursday, 12 May 2011 02:33

New: Luxul Wi-Fi Range Extenders!

In wireless networking, maintaining a clear and far-reaching signal is an ongoing challenge. Luxul is the leader in engineering superior wireless signal propagation technologies to address these challenges. Av Services of VA is excited to announce the addition of Luxul Wireless products to our product offerings, including the Pro-WAV Wi-Fi Range Extenders.

Pro-WAV Systems combine the best of Luxul and other partner technologies to provide fully integrated 802.11 wireless solutions. Pro-WAV solutions include Hotspots, Base Stations, Backhaul Link Kits, Range Extender Kits, Bridge Kits and other integrated solutions designed to enhance the wireless experience. Engineered and packaged for ease of implementation and integration, Pro-WAV solutions provide better performance and signal stability for your wireless network with greater signal propagation through obstacles. Pro-WAV solutions are available for use in virtually any size indoor or outdoor installation.

Pro-WAV Systems and Kits combine the best of Luxul and other partner technologies to provide fully integrated 802.11 wireless solutions and function-specific kits. A Pro-WAV 100 can efficiently cover an area of 10,000 square feet or more, and a Pro-WAV 200 can efficiently cover an area of 30,000 to 50,000 square feet – while penetrating most typical home and office construction and providing increased performance over other wireless systems. This allows for a reduction in access points and a more reliable wireless network.

Maintaining a clear, consistent, and high performance signal is a challenge for any wireless application.  Luxul’s technologies have been successfully deployed in multiple applications and markets. From hotel chains and conference centers, to hospitals, warehouses, office buildings, and municipal governments around the globe, Luxul’s wireless signal technologies can be found in some of the most robust, stabile and efficient wireless networks in the world.

AV Services of VA can help you design and plan, purchase, and install and configure a Luxul wireless system that fits your needs and solves your wireless problems. Please call us for us more information or to set up an appointment with one of our Luxul experts.