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Can streme be deployed globally on internet enabled network?

Yes, with central administration, you can setup a global display signage network. The players can connect to this administration console or a FTP data server using Internet. This network is then controlled from one single location.

We are security conscious organization. How can we separate the streme network entirely from our corporate network?
Streme architecture implements security at various levels. For corporate organizations with extreme security concerns, setting up of an offline internet enabled network is recommended. This network is in no way connected to the corporate intranet. Content can be transferred from the corporate network to the streme administrator using a CD/DVD ROM.
Streme has options for any kind of security configuration within a corporate setup.

What changes do we have to do on our network for streme installations?

Virtually, no change needs to be done on the existing network. At most, certain rights need to be granted to allow FTP upload of information from the admin machine to the FTP Server.

Streme is an easy plug and play solution for corporate network managers.

What is the bandwidth requirement for Streme network?

The administration machine maintains information on content and schedules for all players. Players download data from admin machine or FTP Server periodically. Bandwidth is utilized only when content is uploaded and downloaded. There is no real-time bandwidth utilization. System administrators can restrict this bandwidth usage to ensure that these upload and download will not affect the network performance.

Typically, for most applications, streme can also work in bandwidths supported by dialup connections!

Streme has an option to connect to your cellular network to upload/download data. This is especially useful for remote deployments.

For IP camera applications, however, the bandwidth requirements are sizable and need to be at least 512 KBPS. Fast broadband connections are recommended for this purpose to optimize on the costs.

Different players can be connected on different networks. E.g some can be on dialup, others on internet broadband and the rest on the corporate intranet network.

Depending on the devices connected, content transfer and network options available, Niche will help you pick and choose the right network for deployment

Why are your players based on XP Technology and not LINUX?

Sound and video drivers mature faster on Windows due to the gaming industry; we are able to build more stable players on the Windows platform. Our players are designed to last for years in 24/7 operation. In the end, it's performance and stability that count.

Linux is an Open Source project. As such, the device drivers that tend be rigorously tested over time are only those that are widely used, and of interest to the Linux developer community. Unfortunately, this doesn't include the high performance 3D graphics and sound drivers critical to stable large-scale digital signage deployments. The gaming community by contrast drives high performance drivers on the Windows platform, and this is exactly what's required for digital signage. Consequently, it is very possible to configure a Windows digital signage player that is MORE stable than its Linux counterpart. And because we give away much of the player configuration business to our Value Added Resellers and Business Partners, we must go with what is in their best interest as well. Investigate, and you will probably find that if you buy your digital signage solution from a Linux shop, they will insist on configuring the PC themselves.

We, on the other hand, base our systems on "XP embedded" operating system from Microsoft. XP embedded allows us to "cherry pick" just those things that we need to make Streme work well, and leave out the extra things in a standard OS that we don't need. Plug in it, and after a simple setup procedure, you're ready to roll. We've done the hard work for you, so you can focus on developing the best digital signage network possible.

While it is true that a Windows license adds some cost to a digital signage player, it also includes the licenses to use Microsoft video CODECs. This gives you the ability to play WMV (Windows Media Video) and WMA (Windows Media Audio). For a Linux player to legitimately play MPEG2, they must pay the per unit license fee, bringing the price back up. So Linux is not necessarily a more stable choice, nor is every software component free.

Our Windows XP embedded players offer unparalleled stability and cost advantages.

Is the player able to connect to a Digital TV satellite input or a Digital Set top Box.

For both, the answer is yes. However, both systems come with their own tuner devices. The IR interface component of streme can be used to control and switch channels on these devices.

Whether Digital TV or Set Top Boxes or other Remote controller devices, Streme can interface with almost any and all devices.

What provision do I have to display the same content on multiple players. I don’t want to define schedules and layouts for each player separately. Also, when I change the master layout, I want all players to follow the same set of instructions automatically?

For a one time use, streme provides a provision to copy content and schedules from one player to another. For continuous use, streme has an option to define a player as clone of a primary player. In this case, all cloned players show the same content and are subject to the same rules. The primary and cloned displays now behave as a common group. This is especially useful for a customer; say a bank, which wants to display the same content across selected displays in specific branches.

Defining content for hundreds of displays is now very easy, just group them, define content and you are ready to go

What are the chances of a hacker gaining access to the player and defacing the content?

All content is identified with a tagged signature file. The signature file is encrypted with a hardware key supplied with the administration software. The key uses 128 bit encryption and is almost impossible to break in real time.

Content is checked on the fly with the key, non matching content is blocked from display and alert is sent by SMS/email to the administrator.

What prevents virus attacks on the players. How is the player updated with anti virus patches?

For internet enabled installations, players come built in with antivirus protection from Norton Antivirus. Content scanning is disabled, only virus like activity is monitored to ensure performance. Logs are sent back to the admin system for analysis on a regular basis and in exceptional conditions

What is the on site support required for the signage system.

The on site support requires a desktop engineer to ensure that the player is on the network. This can be verified by simply pinging the machine from any other machine on the network. (provided pinging is not prohibited locally).

In keeping its philosophy of working with partners, this support is provided by our Local IT partner who simply checks the player working, cables, local network. If necessary, the box is simply replaced, providing high uptime to the customer.

With ever increasing content, the local storage in the player will get filled. How does streme handle this.

Streme has an option to delete expired content. This ensures that schedules, content, layouts that are not needed, are automatically deleted after use. This conserves disk space. This is especially useful on players with limited flash drives of 1-4 GB.

You can now keep on scheduling and transferring the content without worrying that the disk will ever get full