Read First
The material contained in this website is for informational purposes only. LobbyPOP finds the information described in this page to be accurate and reliable at the time of publication. No warranty, either actual or implied, exists for this material. No responsibility, either financial or otherwise, is pending for any consequences that occur from the use of this material; the consequences not covered include, but are not limited to, loss of profit, collateral damage, and physical loss. The brands referred to are trademarks of or registered trademarks of LobbyPOP, Sign Biz, Inc., School of Sign Arts, or the respective trademark owners. The use of brand or product names that are the property of other trademark owners is strictly for informational purposes only.

Please choose your FAQ from the categories below, or visit our FAQ forum for all discussions:

Formatting Images and Video for Templates
Since most content will be produced in widescreen video format, any still image or video footage you submit for use in your custom-designed template will need to fit the screen in proper aspect ratio, color mode, and file format. Our FAQ page outlines the most common file resolutions for your final product- whether for HD, SD, YouTube, Kiosk or other application. If you are unable to perform the necessary formatting of your images and/or video, we can provide that service for you at an additional fee.

• FAQ Digital Video Content Specs

Regarding size considerations, "safe zones" and more, please see our sticky FAQ on this subject for a very complete guide to resolutions, video images, and other important configurations.

Audio Mastering Information
Marketers and their consultants increasingly are rolling out digital signage networks in which audio is more than an afterthought. Customers judge businesses by both sight and sound. It’s a well known fact that the tempo of music can have a tremendous effect on human behavior. Bars increase sales by slowing the music tempo so customers will linger, and restaurants increase the tempo to turn tables faster during peak dining hours. Retailers focusing on "fashion forward" designs increase both tempo and volume for a more exciting environment.

The goal of mastering is to make the music sound good on a variety of systems and delivery media and to unify the program from beginning to end through careful quality control. Mastering a project from one studio and one set of sessions is straightforward because the masters will be on one format and the sound will be consistent from one piece to the next. Assembling compilations, on the other hand, makes interesting demands on the mastering engineer .All audio for our productions are produced in-house, including voice-over narration, as that is the only way we can ensure the quality and integrity of the final product. If you MUST create your own specific audio or music for your content, it will ONLY be accepted as follows: First Choice: 16-bit, 48Khz audio files in .WAV format. Second Choice: MP3 audio 128 Kbps, 48Khz minimum.

• FAQ Audio Content Specs

Please see our sticky FAQ on many other audio considerations, whether for music or voiceover elements.

Professional Voiceover Narration
Many people debate whether or not to use professional voiceover narration for their sign presentations, online media or e-learning projects. Some even debate having a voice over at all. If you are not sure the impact of voice and sound, try watching your next movie with the sound muted. The same people we hear in the movies, are also often hired to provide voiceover for commercials. They are hired for these voiceover projects not because they have an attractive face, but because they can act with their voice. Acting is a core component to professional narration and voiceover.

• FAQ Voiceover Narration

A good professional narrator and voiceover will convey your content in a way that is truly convincing.  Narration is a lot more than just making your production sound professional. Please see our sticky FAQ on many voiceover and other audio elements.

Displays, Media Players, Hardware
To a large extent, content is driven by both hardware and software availability. But the breakneck pace of advancement in digital technology has made it possible to do much more than ever before, using basic tools that businesses already rely on. Chief among these is Internet connectivity.

If you have questions about commercial display technology, media players, highly directional speakers, sound cones, motion detectors, cabling or other peripherals, you can ask the experts and review information from digital sign experts in our FAQ knowledgebase.

• FAQ Hardware Considerations

Please see our sticky FAQ on many hardware discussoins, whether for screens or other elements.

Software for Content Delivery
The first iteration of digital signage relied largely on videotapes or DVDs, manually shipped to each location and updated by “sneakernet.” This was the best that could be done at the time — and Wal-Mart TV has always been an example of how to thrive even with such a rigid structural limitation — but the emergence of IP as a de facto communication standard has made it possible, if not simple, to deliver rich content inexpensively to any number of remote locations. Manual or ‘sneakernet’ solutions could be viewed as the least expensive, but they bring hidden costs and more difficult deployment and support issues.

Perhaps it was a video of a certain NASCAR driver, talking about the importance of regular oil changes. Maybe it was an ad for a pickup truck featuring a popular country singer. Maybe it was an educational feature on synthetic lubricants and how they might cost more in the short term but pay for themselves within a certain period of time. On an interactive digital signage system, messages like these can be planned, scheduled, dayparted and targeted.

Whether you are new to this field and technology, or a professional who is looking for "what's new," this FAQ knowledgebase addresses types of delivery (browser based, cellular, cabled, wireless) as well as advanced features such as dayparting, zones, RSS feeds, Codecs, and more.

• FAQ for Software, SaaS, Codecs, Scheduling, Zones

Please see our sticky FAQ on many other content delivery considerations.

Digital Sign Certified Experts and LobbyPOP Pros- how to order
We welcome and support sign industry proessionals who choose to become knowledgeable in the exciting field of dynamic digital signage. If you have earned your DSCE credentials or are an authorized LobbyPOP Pro, you are eligible to purchase any of the content services, consulting, and will receive support for your activities in dynamic signage. An Authorization Code provides access to resellers for wholesale orders.

If you are not yet a certified Digital Sign Expert, we strongly encourage you to take the course. A full day curriculum, delivered "on demand" on your schedule is only $195. The DSCE training program offered through the School of Sign Arts enrollment will earn you not only the Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE) credentials recognized throughout the digital sign industry, but you also receive an exclusive 32-page reference PDF guide, "Making the Move to Dynamic Signage." This is an invaluable tool you will reference again and again, valued at over $45. On behalf of all professionals who are advancing the value proposition of digital signage, the School of Sign Arts will donate $5 of your enrollment fee to the American Sign Museum.

• FAQ for DSCE and LobbyPOP Pro Content Ordering

Please see our sticky FAQ for many other content ordering considerations.