CORNERING CONTENT QUALITY
So screen media networks keep moving forward. It was evident early in 2007 that larger companies were coming to the UK party. Now we are seeing a big push into Europe from such US organisations as Broadsign, the Canadian Omnivex and the Israeli Cnario, all with the promise of greater things from each's own technology and software development.

Software is developing apace, with smart content management solutions for owner user applications. There is also SaaS, Software as a Service, raising its head with huge benefits in offering the best in applications ability and system performance whilst operating from the realms of non-user ownership. That means all the benefits of using the software with none of the disadvantages of ownership, especially costly upgrades, with in essence pay per use offering huge viability.

On the hardware front we are seeing stunning developments in standard definition and more so in HD: the likes of PSCo's Infinite Plasma bezel-less screens that brilliantly join for larger screen arrays. There's also Mentor and its developments with NEC and Iiyama for touchscreen interactivity. And don't forget, in the horses for courses swing of things, powerful projectors delivering stunning displays on projection screens.

So, we have the technology even better and more capable, widening the options almost daily. All we have to do is get the content right. We are certainly seeing stunning displays out there from those that know the way forward. We are still seeing a lot of dross from those that have made the investment but hold back, perhaps on cost, from doing content the right way which is developing it for our medium and not adapting it from another.

With the advent of network measurement, delivering data on who is watching, maybe the truth will out and great content from great screens set in the right places will finally become the prime consideration!

John Taylor
Editor