IP Communications

Creating the industry's first integrated platform for digital signage, enterprise TV, and desktop video applications, Cisco (News - Alert) has unveiled technology advancements for the Cisco Digital Media System (DMS) that will help organizations enhance their customers' experiences, facilitate learning and improve employee productivity. The new announcements include a number of major advancements, including a new Cisco Digital Media Player 4400G, increased functionality for the company's existing digital signage, desktop video applications and an interactive application, called Enterprise TV.

 

The Cisco Digital Media Player (DMP) 4400G is an IP-based hardware endpoint that enables digital signage and Enterprise TV. This has the ability to play high-definition live and on-demand video, motion graphics, web, and dynamic content on digital displays. The DMP 4400G includes new hardware options of up to 4 gigabytes of local storage and support for MPEG-4/H.264 and Adobe Flash 9.

 

Cisco Enterprise TV (ETV) is a new interactive digital media application, with which the companies can provide on-demand video and broadcast live TV channels over an Internet Protocol (IP) network to digital displays. Users can use a remote control to access simple, intuitive on-screen menus and program guides. Enterprise TV uses the same hardware and management platform as Cisco Digital Signage.

 

Cisco DMS 5.0 delivers support for advanced digital signage content such as Flash 9 video, scrolling tickers and emergency notifications. Cisco DMS 5.0 includes new content-level viewing security options, the ability to share content and embed videos into web pages or other applications, detailed usage reporting, video portal support for non-English languages and closed captioning. Cisco Desktop Video gives users access to live webcasts on the desktop and on-demand videos.

 

The customers of Cisco Wide-Area Application Services (WAAS) can use their existing wide-area network (WAN) optimization solution with DMS 5.0 to offer digital media to branches, stores and other remote locations worldwide without making additional infrastructure investments.

 

“As businesses rapidly expand the use of video in key business processes, they are looking to simplify its management, consolidate the deployment of video applications, increase sales and reduce operating costs,” said Thomas Wyatt, senior director and general manager, Cisco's Digital Media Systems business unit. “With the innovative advancements we're introducing today, the Cisco Digital Media System is the first solution in the industry to deliver a comprehensive suite of digital signage, Enterprise TV and desktop video applications, all managed from a single platform for the creation, management and access of compelling digital media over the network.”