How to Choose an Operating System for Digital Signage

Digital signage has come a long way in the past decade, from simple looping photo players to robust PC-based systems. Today, digital signage can reinvent spaces with dynamic video content, interactivity, audience analytics, and wider multimedia experiences. To make the most of your digital signage, you will need the right operating system. If you are looking into digital signage for the first time, this choice can be as confusing as it is crucial. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of the most common operating systems you can use with Bluefin's selection of all-in-one LCD screens.

BrightSign

BrightSign is the leader in digital signage media players, offering a dedicated digital signage ecosystem that comes ready out of the box. BrightSign offers free software to design dynamic, scheduled, and interactive presentations using images, videos, web elements, and a few of their own built-in features like live text and scrolling tickers. This do-it-yourself method allows even amateur designers to quickly create and manage their own content over a local network, or through the cloud with an optional subscription, or take advantage of a number of CMS partners.

Unlike other operating systems on this list, BrightSign only runs their own software or partnered software. This makes BrightSign a highly secure platform prized by government applications and other high-security environments.

Windows

It should come as no surprise that Windows is a dominant force in digital signage. After all, Windows is the most commonly used PC operating system globally, and most software is made for Windows. The most common flavor of Windows for digital signage is LTSC (Long-Term Service Contract), a version which holds back feature updates unless your administrator purposefully installs them. This eliminates the risk of a new Windows feature breaking your application, while still allowing important security updates to install.

Windows is also more often available on high-performance x86 processors, such as those made by Intel, allowing you to drive more work-intensive content such as 3D graphics rendering, or running additional management and analytics programs in the background without impacting your signage.

While Windows is very powerful, it is also not a dedicated solution for digital signage, and you will need to choose a CMS application to manage your device.

Linux

Perhaps best known as the leading operating system for servers, as well as programming hobbyists and open-source enthusiasts, Linux has become a growing presence in both personal computing and digital signage. Linux is a free, open-source operating system that comes in a wide variety of distros such as Ubuntu, Mint and Debian. Distros are essentially pre-packed desktops with their own user interfaces, programs, and other features to suit your preferences. Linux also provides an incredible amount of control, allowing savvy developers to completely customize how their device works with no proprietary limitations or undesired updates.

Like Windows, you will likely need to find additional CMS software for managing your device as digital signage. Luckily, CMS companies like Uniguest have begun developing on Linux, taking advantage of its low price-point and stability.

Spinetix

Rather than simply installing as an application on-top of Windows or Linux, Spinetix offers a lightweight OS designed specifically for digital signage. Spinetix is made for Intel devices, and avoids the issues of remaining compatible and up-to-date with generic desktops. The Spinetix Digital Signage OS (DSOS) comes with access to the ARYA CMS, allowing you to get started right away, and includes a high degree of support for developing HTML5 applications for independent software vendors. If you do encounter an issue, Spinetix DSOS is backed by the support of their dedicated engineering team to get you back up and running.

ChromeOS

Originally designed for Chromebook laptops, Google's flagship operating system has expanded outward into digital signage. ChromeOS is lightweight, compatible with Linux applications, and available for Intel hardware through ChromeOS Flex. Google touts ChromeOS for its reliability and reduced downtime caused by errors and crashes, and devices can even be monitored through the Google Admin console. Best of all, ChromeOS was designed to run web-based applications, which makes it a perfect fit for popular HTML-based content management solutions such as Appspace and Signagelive.

Android

Yes, even the same Android that powers your smartphone can be used for digital signage. Android for digital signage typically runs on ARM processors such as the RK3399, commonly used in devices such as smart-TVs, which provide adequate performance at an agreeable price-point. Due to the ease of app development for Android, many CMS providers offer software ready-to-install for Android devices, with companies like Esper.io able to take full device control, provide robust monitoring, and even install new apps remotely.

Conclusion

Choosing the best operating system for your digital signage depends on your specific requirements for performance, security, and flexibility. Whether it's the high-security environment of BrightSign, the performance capabilities of Windows, the customization freedom of Linux, or the versatility of Spinetix, Chrome OS and Android, each OS has unique strengths that can cater to different needs. By understanding these options, you can make an informed decision that will enhance the effectiveness and impact of your digital signage.