DIGITAL RECALL www.digitalrecall.com.

au SYSTEM OVERVIEW, HARDWARE SPECIFICATION & CONNECTIVITY GUIDELINES

Please read this advice in conjunction with the Digital Recall Manager Users Manual and the Player Users Manual

Contents
1. 2. System Overview & Diagram - IMPORTANT .............................................................................................. 2 MANAGER PC - Specifications ................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Suggested Minimum Specs Manager PC: ............................................................................................. 2 3. PLAYER PC Specifications: ......................................................................................................................... 3 3.1 Suggested Minimum Specifications Player PC ...................................................................................... 3 4. 5. 6. Wireless or wired? ................................................................................................................................... 4 Connectivity between Manager PC & Player PCs ..................................................................................... 4 Connectivity between Player PC & Monitors ............................................................................................ 4 6.1 How far can the Monitor be from the Player PC?.................................................................................... 4 7. 8. Using an Audio Video Specialist- Contractor ............................................................................................. 5 Test Your Installation For Actual Performance. ......................................................................................... 5

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Digital Recall Pty Ltd. All/ any advice contained in this document and otherwise provided by us is done so without any warranty whatsoever, and on the basis that no liability whatsoever shall be incurred by Digital Recall as a result of any use of or reliance on such advice (in whole or in part).

DIGITAL RECALL www.digitalrecall.com.au SYSTEM OVERVIEW, HARDWARE SPECIFICATION & CONNECTIVITY GUIDELINES 1. System Overview & Diagram - IMPORTANT
The Manager PC may be connected to the Player PCs in one of 3 ways: 1. Manager & Player software are installed on the same PC (no connection). 2. Connection to Players by LAN. 3. Connection to Players by internet Using an FTP facility which is provided by your ISP for free. 4. Up to 999 Player PCs (Locations) can be connected. Each Player PC is a Location 5. Each Player PC can have multiple monitors attached to it, with each displaying its own content. Notes: Internet
Cat 5/ 6 to Internet source (or wireless) INTERNET By FTP. - Available for free from your ISP Cat 5/ 6 to Internet source (or wireless)

Notes: Connecting
Player PC to Monitors Monitor 1

Location 1 (Player PC)

(Up to 999 (Player PCs)

Manager PC
Monitor 2

Notes: LAN

See Connectivity between Player PC & Monitors below. Max 6 to 25 feet (2 to 8 meters): Use VGA, DVI or HDMI Cable. Up to 150 feet (45 meters): Use Video extenders with Cat5/ 5e/ Cat 6 cable. Further distances? Confirm with your local supplier/ specialist.

To send the same content to multiple monitors use a video splitter. To schedule different content on multiple monitors - you must have a multi-head graphics card installed and the Player PC must have suitable specifications.

2. MANAGER PC - Specifications
Any standard PC with Windows OS with XP(SP3), Vista or Windows 7 installed. Even if your existing Manager PC does not meet the suggested minimum requirements below you should try using your existing PC for this purpose BEFORE purchasing a new PC. It is probably fine.

2.1 Suggested Minimum Specs Manager PC:

Whilst a lower specification PC (such as ATOM) may be adequate for the Manager PC in your particular application, we suggest the following as a minimum. Processor - Intel Pentium dual core CPU), Memory (RAM) - 512 MB, Internal drive 40 GB, Graphics card An integrated graphics card. 10/100Mbit Ethernet network connection. Installed Software: (These are probably already installed on your PC). Please ensure that the following software is installed on your PC. These are needed to play various file formats: a Codec pack such as K-Lite is installed (Google download K-Lite Codec to download it). Page 2 of 5
Digital Recall Pty Ltd. All/ any advice contained in this document and otherwise provided by us is done so without any warranty whatsoever, and on the basis that no liability whatsoever shall be incurred by Digital Recall as a result of any use of or reliance on such advice (in whole or in part).

DIGITAL RECALL www.digitalrecall.com.au SYSTEM OVERVIEW, HARDWARE SPECIFICATION & CONNECTIVITY GUIDELINES
Apple QuickTime (Google download QuickTime please for the current download link) Windows Media Player (Google download Windows Media Player for the current download link)

3. PLAYER PC Specifications:
You require a Windows PC with Windows XP (SP3), Vista or Windows 7 installed. NOTE: we can only provide suggested minimum specifications below. HOWEVER, if your proposed installation will require your Player PC to do any of the following, you may need MORE than the minimum suggested below. Will you play heavy formats such as videos (.avi etc) for extended periods? Will you have more than 1 monitor attached to the Player PC with each playing its own content? Will you have more than 1 zone on the monitor? Will you be using the PowerPoint add-on, or TV etc? Will your monitors be more than a few feet away from the Player PC? The above are just an example of the issues that may result in much heavier demand being placed on your Player PC, and the requirement therefore for a higher powered CPU, more RAM, etc. You may want to discuss this with a Hardware professional in order to get the best advice. And then check that advice by Googling Trouble with (name of component - such as the suggested video card etc). You will see what issues have arisen for other users. Remember its always a good idea to test whatever PC you intend using for a few days, playing the content you intend playing It may be just fine, so its worth a try.

3.1 Suggested Minimum Specifications Player PC

Processor: Pentium Dual Core CPU, 2.60 GHz. Note: Whilst ATOM processors are often used, you should be aware that they are not designed for the demands of digital signage, especially where you will be playing videos etc for an extended period. Memory (RAM): 2 GB Internal Drive: 40 GB 10/100Mbit Ethernet network connection. Graphics: Many integrated graphics processors may be good enough for digital signage. If you intend having multiple monitors (with each playing independent content) you will need a multi head graphics card that is suitable for the PC and up to the task of what you want it to do. More processing power (of the CPU) results in more heat being generated. The Player PC therefore needs to have component parts which suit the task you want it to do. You should get assistance in selecting the appropriate Player PC configuration where you are going to display multiple zones on a monitor, or multiple monitors attached to a Player PC.

Installed Software: (These are probably already installed on your PC). Please ensure that the following software is installed on your PC. These are needed to play various file formats: a Codec pack such as KLite is installed (Google download K-Lite Codec to download it). Apple QuickTime (Google download QuickTime please for the current download link) Windows Media Player (Google download Windows Media Player for the current download link)

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Digital Recall Pty Ltd. All/ any advice contained in this document and otherwise provided by us is done so without any warranty whatsoever, and on the basis that no liability whatsoever shall be incurred by Digital Recall as a result of any use of or reliance on such advice (in whole or in part).

DIGITAL RECALL www.digitalrecall.com.au SYSTEM OVERVIEW, HARDWARE SPECIFICATION & CONNECTIVITY GUIDELINES 4. Wireless or wired?
As a general rule it is always preferred to use wired connectivity rather than wireless. Wired is more reliable & has negligible drop-out issues.

5. Connectivity between Manager PC & Player PCs

NOTE: a wired connection is always more reliable and preferred over wireless. SAME PC: Manager and Player are on the same PC No connection. See detailed information in the Digital Recall Manager Users Manual and the Player Users Manual. LAN: Manager PC & Player PC connect over a LAN o Youd use a LAN for example where the Manager PC and Player PC/s are in the same general area/ level of a building. o You may or may not be using a router for this - You will normally use a router where you are connecting The Manager PC to more than just 1 Player PC. o You will use a Local Area Network cable for this. o You set up a shared folder on the Manager PC which the Player PCs look at for updates etc. See detailed information in the Digital Recall Manager Users Manual and the Player Users Manual. o For general information regarding connecting computers by LAN Google How to connect computers using a LAN. INTERNET: Manager PC & Player PC connect over the Internet using an FTP o An Internet connection would be used where the Manager PC and Player PC/s are too far away from each other to use a LAN, or where its difficult to set up a LAN. This could be where Player PCs are in the same building (but too far for a LAN), or on the other side of the world. o The Manager & Player PCs should connect to the internet source by Cat 5/ 5e or Cat 6 cable. This is preferred to wireless. o You setup an FTP folder (provided by your ISP for free) by following the instructions Its easy. See detailed information in the Digital Recall Manager Users Manual and the Player Users Manual.

6. Connectivity between Player PC & Monitors

6.1 How far can the Monitor be from the Player PC?
A maximum of between 6 feet and 25 feet away (2 8 meters) from the Player PC using a VGA, DVI or HDMI cable o Why such a wide spread of a maximum distance (6 feet to 25 feet)? BECAUSE the specifications of the Player PC may result in different efficiency of sending the signal to the Monitor. Example: Using PC A, the signal reaching the monitor at 25 feet may be good, but using a lower powered PC, the signal may only go as far as 5 or 6 feet before not working as expected or at all. o Whats the difference between VGA, DVI and HDMI cable? See this article or Google it for more. VGA is the cheapest, and its analogue. However the quality of the image may not be noticeably different to DVI or HDMI unless the monitor is large. o DVI does not carry audio (HDMI does) Anywhere up to 150 feet (50 meters) for a DVI or HDMI source signal using a Video Extender over Cat 5, 5e or 6 cable. Page 4 of 5

Digital Recall Pty Ltd. All/ any advice contained in this document and otherwise provided by us is done so without any warranty whatsoever, and on the basis that no liability whatsoever shall be incurred by Digital Recall as a result of any use of or reliance on such advice (in whole or in part).

DIGITAL RECALL www.digitalrecall.com.au SYSTEM OVERVIEW, HARDWARE SPECIFICATION & CONNECTIVITY GUIDELINES
More than 150 feet (50 meters) may be possible using other Video extenders over Cat 5, 5e or 6. Talk to your local A/V expert to see what local products are available.

7. Using an Audio Video Specialist- Contractor

Depending on your level of expertise you should always consider employing the services of an experienced local a/v contractor to assist you select your hardware & set up your system.

8. Test Your Installation For Actual Performance.

Before going live you should ALWAYS test your installation for up to 7 days of use in similar conditions as you will be using it. This is because installations differ from each other in important respects , and what may be fine in one installation may not be suitable in another.

Contact us if you have any questions please. Michael Marcus CEO, Digital Recall The Worlds First Free Digital Signage Software E: Michael@digitalrecall.com.au, W: www.digitalrecall.com.au

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Digital Recall Pty Ltd. All/ any advice contained in this document and otherwise provided by us is done so without any warranty whatsoever, and on the basis that no liability whatsoever shall be incurred by Digital Recall as a result of any use of or reliance on such advice (in whole or in part).