The System has 3 hardware “parts”: (see also How it works)
MANAGER PC defines what you want to be displayed at each location.
PLAYER PC stores what is going to be displayed on the screen/s attached to it. Must be dedicated to this use only.
SCREENS (LCD or Plasma) which are attached to the Player PC
For Scenario 2, you may use the same PC as both Manager & Player. HOWEVER you will need to stop the Player running when using the Manager.
Hardware Specifications
MANAGER PC - any standard Windows XP PC with SP3 (minimum)
PLAYER PC - Minimum specs:
Minimum: Windows XP SP3; Intel Core 2 Duo; 512MB RAM; 40GB HDD; CD-ROM Drive; 10/100Mbit Ethernet network connection. (Whilst lower specification PC's may be adequate for your particular application, we suggest the above as a minimum)
Note: If you want:
to have more than 2 monitors attached to a Player PC, with each playing independent content, or
to play multiple "power hungry" content (such as .avi files etc) on each Monitor (by using the multiple zones on each monitor in which to display the content), then
you may need to consider using an Intel Core 2 Quad processor (or higher) and a suitable Graphics Card. An unsuitable or incorrect graphics card will affect your ability to play multiple content etc. (Go to FAQ and search "graphics" or "card")
Graphics Card: Any standard good quality 256-bit colour display card should be adequate. The number of independent screens (i.e. each showing its own content) you can attach to 1 PC will be dependent on the hardware used. For screens playing the same content use a splitter. The quality of your PC and Graphics card will largely determine the level of performance of your Players. We suggest that you purchase good quality hardware that is suitable for the purposes that you want to use it for. Ask your supplier of hardware to assist you in this regard, AND Google search his suggestions to ensure that there are no known "issues" with the suggested video card, or any conflicts with the motherboard on your proposed PC.
SCREENS – Preferably wide-screen Plasma or LCD screens.
CABLING FROM PLAYER PC TO SCREEN – DVI: Using copper cable the limits are approximately 9 meters. Repeater may be required for longer lengths.
VGA : Using high quality cables the max range is about 10 meters. VGA-Analogue repeater solutions permit 10's and 100's of meters of signal--at lower resolutions.
CAT 5: For long distances, use Cat 5 network cable with VGA to Cat-5 adapters at either end.
