| Signage appliances run XPe |
Jun. 20, 2008
 DT Research has announced three "signage appliances" designed to run the company's digital signage software using Windows XP Embedded (XPe). The SA1000, SA1004, and SA2000 have flash storage or hard disk drives, up to five video outputs, aluminum cases, and fanless operation, according to the company.
The SA1000, SA1004, and SA2000 all run DT Research's WebDT Signage System, developed with the assistance of embedded software specialist Bsquare. The System allows the use of existing programming as content for digital signs or kiosks, according to the companies.
One component of the system is WebDT Content Manager, web-based server software that is said to provide central management of the company's hardware products -- dubbed "media players." Messages are assembled, scheduled, and delivered for dynamic playback over one or more displays using standard file formats and protocols, according to the company.
The second component, WebDT Device Manager, is described as a tool for remotely managing networked WebDT hardware clients. It uses a web browser as a front end to a SQL database management system, and is designed to inventory, organize, control, and update an ensemble of devices, no matter where they are located. For more information on the software, see our earlier coverage, here.
As to the hardware, the SA1000, 1004, and SA2000 have different speeds and feeds, but they're all embedded computers designed to run XPe from flash memory or a hard disk drive. Common elements include fanless operation and heat-sink-equipped aluminum cases.
SA 1000
The SA1000, shown below, uses an unspecified 1.5GHz x86 processor -- from Via, perhaps? -- plus either 512GB or 1GB of memory. Mass storage comes courtesy of flash sized from 1GB to 8GB, or a hard disk drive.
 
DT Research's SA1000
(Click either side to enlarge)
The SA1000 has an 802.11b/g wireless LAN adaptor, and it supports a single, DVI-interfaced display. It also accepts external video inputs via S-Video and composite connectors. Other ports include audio mic and line in, line out, four USB ports, and 10/100 Ethernet.
Features and specifications listed by DT Research for the SA1000 include:- Processor -- 1.5GHz x86
- Memory -- 512MB or 1GB or RAM
- Storage -- 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB of flash, or hard disk drive
- Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet and 802.11a/b/g WLAN adaptor
- Video output:
- 1 x DVI
- up to 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Video input:
- Other I/O:
- 4 x USB
- audio mic/line in, line out
- Dimensions -- 5.5 x 5.1 x 1.7 inches
- Weight without HDD -- 1.2 pounds
- Operating temperature -- 0 to 40 deg. C
SA 1004
The SA1004 (below) uses the same unspecified 1.5GHz processor, but here RAM is pumped up to 1GB, and flash comes in 4GB to 16GB quantities. The device accepts no external video inputs, but offers a staggering range of video outputs: a single VGA port, plus four different HDMI ports. Each of these is capable of conveying a different image, making it easy to set up a video wall, says DT Research.
 
DT Research's SA1004
(Click either side to enlarge)
Again, the SA1004 has a 10/100 Ethernet port, four USB ports, and a wireless LAN adapter. Unlike the SA1000, it also comes with four optional serial ports.
Features and specifications listed by DT Research for the SA1004 include:- Processor -- 1.5GHz x86
- Memory -- 1GB of RAM
- Storage -- 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of flash, or hard disk drive
- Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet and 802.11a/b/g WLAN adaptor
- Video output:
- 1 x VGA, up to 1920 x 1080
- 4 x HDMI, up to 1920 x 1200 pixels apiece
- Other I/O:
- 4 x USB
- 4 x RS232 (optional)
- audio mic/line in, line out
- Dimensions -- 7 x 5 x 2.7 inches
- Weight without HDD -- 3 pounds
- Operating temperature -- 0 to 40 deg. C
SA 2000
Finally, the SA2000 (below) offers the most processing power of the three-devices, but an in-between level of expansion. Namely, it includes either 1.6GHz or 2GHz AMD Sempron procesors, coupled with either 1GB or 2GB of RAM. Customers can choose from 4GB to 16GB of flash, or a hard disk drive.
 
DT Research's SA2000
(Click either side to enlarge)
In addition to the 10/100 Ethernet port and WiFi adapter found on the other two devices, the SA2000 has an S-Video input. With two USB ports, it also sports both VGA and HDMI video outputs, though DT Research did not specify whether these can show differing images.
Features and specifications listed by DT Research for the SA2000 include:- Processor -- 1.6GHz or 2.0GHz AMD Sempron
- Memory -- 1GB or 2GB RAM
- Storage -- 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of flash, or hard disk drive
- Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet and 802.11a/b/g WLAN adaptor
- Video output:
- 1 x VGA
- 1 x HDMI
- up to 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Video input -- S-Video
- Other I/O:
- 2 x USB
- audio mic/line in, line out
- Dimensions -- 6.5 x 5.5 x 2 inches
- Weight without HDD -- 2.3 pounds
- Operating temperature -- 0 to 40 deg. C
The SA1000, SA1004, and SA2000 will be available in July, according to DT Research. Pricing is said to start at $999.
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