Network TV Running Slideshow

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TheRich

34 posts

Geek

#111494 5-Nov-2012 15:10

My office want to set up a couple of screens (42"+) running a slideshow. They are going to be about 50m apart and can be near network outlets. They want to update the images daily.
I know they could just use usb drives but they are a bit apart and I doubt whether the guys will want to walk down and update it every day. Are there TV's that can connect to a server for the source of images for a slide show?
I've had a bit of a look but its hard to find all the details I need so thought someone might have more experience with setting something like this up.

Thanks

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#712353 5-Nov-2012 15:29

Sounds like a pretty run of the mill request for most network TVs these days,

Just bowl along to you local TV store and ask them to show you a TV that will be able to play a slideshow off a network,

Although You might need to set the network server up with some sort of uPNP/DLNA software to serve the TVs

berry

61 posts

Master Geek

#712375 5-Nov-2012 15:53

Agree with wellygary. Our LG TV can do this and its about 18 months old, so I think it should be pretty straightforward on any of the smart tvs in the shops at the moment. Our LG tv came with some sort of media server software that is installed on one of our computers, it works fine over the wireless connection too.

TheRich

34 posts

Geek

#712382 5-Nov-2012 16:02

OK, So does it need a constant connection to the server or do some tv's have storage?
Did a quick google for DLNA. Seems like theres a few different bits of software that work for certain TV's.
Is a network port reasonable standard these days? Does 'Internet Ready' usually mean ethernet port?

gzt

17104 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#712392 5-Nov-2012 16:19

Media player is another way to go and depending on product may provide more flexibility than pure TV approach.

These guys might be worth a visit if it is a permanent feature: http://www.viewtv.co.nz/digital-signage-products.html

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#712438 5-Nov-2012 17:31

Using DLNA will still require the staff to walk down to the TV every day and much around with the remote / menu on the TV to get it up and running.
If you're going to do that, make it easy and organise a couple of USB sticks.

TheRich

34 posts

Geek

#712559 5-Nov-2012 20:29

hmmm so they don't generally have an option to auto start a DLNA program when the tv turns on? Is there any other kind of set up that uses a device as an hdmi input to run a slideshow? (Maybe like an apple TV, I don't know too much about these either)

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#712566 5-Nov-2012 20:39

I would just get any TV that is big enough. Don't worry what internet capabilities it has and just run a thin client behind it that runs a slideshow off a network folder.