I'm not sure I'm asking in the right place, but we want to set up multiple displays in a Cafe, about 8 TVs/monitors and have them all display the menu digitally, controlled by one PC unit. Is this possible? what kind of displays will we need and what type of software? any advice at all would be helpful! EDIT: Thank you so much for all the awesome advice! I think we may go with USB/WIDI option.
Posted Nov 5, 2014, 12:20 AM UTC · edited
[deleted]
It might be a bit expensive for 8 but you could also try chromecasts (you can get them for around $38 each. Cast your menu from a chrome tab to each chromecast. After buying all the HDMI cables and running them around it might just be easier to use the chromecasts.
Cons:
More expensive than other methods?
Pros:
Wireless
If you have an issue the screen just displays lovely scenery rather than a BSOD or the desktop.
Look into the eyefinity capable video cards from ATI. You'll need two most likely so keep that in mind when building the pc. Also pay close attention to the port types. And active/passive display port adapters.
You might find something like this useful, though this one might be pricey
or, you know, spend $43 instead of $600. http://www.amazon.com/PORTTA-Amplified-Powered-Splitter-Distributor/dp/B002M6LC5W/ref=sr_1_1?s=audio-video-accessories&ie=UTF8&qid=1415151730&sr=1-1&keywords=hdmi+splitter+8+out
I may be reading this wrong but it looks like the one Sorasura linked is capable of displaying different images on each monitor simultaneously. Where that $43 one displays the same image on each monitor.
No, they're both splitters. Difference is that one is consumer grade, and one is commercial grade.
I did this with RaspberryPi's and a tad bit of python code.
Slapped a RPi on the back of each TV and a few usb-drives. The python code then detects the usb-drive name and auto full-screens the images from the drives.
All you need to do is prep the drives in advance and swap them out on date of deployment. No central controlling PC, mind you, but you still have control and it's cost-sensitive.
The ATI eyefinity (or similar cards are going to be your best bet). Since you say 8 monitors you could run two of these: Jaton Quad Video or AMD FirePro
Both are pretty reasonably priced and should be able to handle 4 semi static screens. You can pick what ever displays you want based on size needs, but I would suggest LED with hdmi port. LED is cheaper to power and usually doesn't burn-in as easily and getting a 10+ meter HDMI cord cost ~$25
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JATON Radeon HD 6570 Video-PX369-QUAD Video Card
Current $179.99 *Egg
High $404.99 Overstock.com (New)
Low $179.99 *Egg
What you're looking for is digital signage solution. Lookup Brightsign.