In an earlier blog this year, Almo ProAV’s John Wills reviewed NEC’s recent announcement to incorporate the popular Raspberry Pi (RPi) computer with selected new V-Series and P-Series panels.
The addition of RPi continues NEC’s open platform philosophy utilizing OPS slots that provides the bridge for a variety of computers and digital signage OPS-compliant solutions. Now with the addition of low-cost RPi, software application developers and digital signage content creators have a flexible and scalable platform to choose from.
So, in a sense, NEC created something akin to a Food Network for digital signage content and IoT applications. The vision is for Developer “Chefs” everywhere to take their RPi creations from the kitchens to the marketplace tables.
Fast forward to today, the V-Series and P-Series 40-to-80-inch panels with the internal bay to insert the RPi components are now shipping. NEC’s RPi Compute Module Kit (RPi3CM-IF) accessory is shipping as well.
Make note, NEC has modified the standard RPi Compute 3 module, increasing the internal memory to 16GB. This better suits more intensive operation in digital signage applications. Everything you need hardware-wise is in the kit for the low, low price of just $132 (ESP retail).
So, the Developer Chefs are busy with their recipes and I’m looking to get a taste of their RPi creations. Not only are we moving ahead with our Almo Content Service partners busy adapting the current HTML5-based digital signage recipes to RPi but they’re mixing some new ones as well. By year-end 2017, we plan to have a menu of low-cost, easy to install RPi selections to meet the creative demands of integrators.
Another exciting development is how other content “Chef” houses are entering the marketplace with their recipes and creations. We’ve been contacted by numerous content houses who embrace RPi as their platform — a powerful, low-cost platform that allows them to bring their recipes to the digital signage table. They want to know more about NEC’s panels that, in a sense, are the beautiful plates to make their appetizing creations sparkle for wanting customers.
Stay tuned the Almo ProAV Installments Blog for an update about the growing menu of RPi selections on the Almo digital signage menu.
