Last year, when Taiwan-based AU Optronics (AUO), a global display panel manufacturer, strategically acquired New York-based ComQi, a global end-to-end digital signage software provider, it planned to create a one-stop digital signage solution by integrating hardware, software and services. AUO manufactures flat panel displays in a full range of sizes for all types of applications.

This year, ComQi and its parent company AUO have teamed up with Intel to offer a new all-in-one digital signage solution featuring a swappable Intel® Smart Display Module (Intel® SDM). ComQi has chosen to use the larger Intel® SDM-L for its players in order to support 24/7 commercial-grade displays as opposed to the smaller credit card-sized Intel® SDM-S.

ComQi is offering a standard digital signage solution in a 43-inch or 55-inch screen size that comes pre-integrated with the Intel® SDM. ComQi is also offering a video wall solution comprised of either 46-inch or 55-inch panel sizes pre-loaded with a more powerful version of the Intel® SDM with an Intel Core i7 inside. The Intel® SDM players run on the Ubuntu Linux operating system and are installed with ComQi’s EnGage™ content management platform for digital signage and interactive retailing.

The Intel® SDM offers an alternative to address some of the limitations found with media players and system on a chip (SoC) technologies for digital signage displays. The Intel® SDM specification and architecture was introduced in 2017 and is much smaller than Intel’s original Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) for plug-in computing modules.

One of the limitations addressed is that the typical smart digital signage display with SoC technology uses a proprietary operating system which will only work with the manufacturer’s proprietary digital signage software. The Intel® SDM can run multiple operating systems like Linux, Windows or Android thereby eliminating this limitation.

Another benefit with the Intel® SDM player is realized when it comes time for upgrades or repairs. Instead of taking the whole display down in those instances, the Intel® SDM can simply be swapped out because they easily dock in and out of a slot in the displays.

PMA Research, the experts on large-format display sell-through data, reported that in March 2019 unit volume of displays built with SoC computing architecture continued to grow with a 43% year-over-year increase through the North American Pro A/V sales channel.