PPDS, the global provider of Philips Professional Displays, has launched the new Philips Cast Server, a hotel TV solution designed to deliver seamless and secure casting and app streaming experiences for hoteliers and their guests.
The all-in-one Philips Cast Server brings a wealth of new capabilities for hotels of all sizes, delivering opportunities to create unique and fully tailored entertainment experiences built around the needs and requirements of individual guests.
Teased at ISE 2024, and compatible with Chromecast-built-in Philips MediaSuite and the recently launched Philips Hospitality TV 4500 Series, the Philips Cast Server has been developed using feedback from customers, hotel managers and guests. Small and lightweight, the single unit rack mounted device brings a new option for installations, integrating into a hotel’s existing IP network to deliver a secure and private connection, with full remote management access. Thus, it allows guests to simply access and cast their own content directly to their in room TVs.
Simple & Secure Casting + Analytics
Guests can pair their phone or other mobile device with the TV by scanning the QR code displayed on the TV screen, with no need to connect to an alternative WiFi network. Once the pairing process is successful, guests can instantly and securely cast content from their preferred accounts (including DAZN, Disney+, Prime, YouTube, and more) directly onto the TV.
Mirroring the experience of other Chromecast built-in Philips Professional TVs, using Philips Cast Server content can be cast and viewed within seconds of a guest entering the room, with TVs – even those in standby mode – responding and becoming active upon the universally recognized Chromecast symbol being tapped on their cast-enabled app.
Furthermore, Philips Cast Server offers hoteliers access to a fully GDPR compliant system, delivering relevant management statistics on the usage of cast applications (such as the popularity of YouTube, Prime, etc.) – with all personal data removed – helping to gain greater insight into user habits for any future decision making.
Personal Touch to TVs
The Philips Cast Server, a brand new, dedicated, and innovative hotel TV solution designed to deliver seamless and secure casting and app streaming experiences for hoteliers and their guests alike. Courtesy / PPDS
Adding a personal touch to TVs, the Philips Cast Server has been built around the benefits of PPDS’ exclusive professional grade CMND platform, offering hoteliers a range of on-screen customization opportunities, including tailored backgrounds (colors and images) to suit their company branding on the TV user interface.
Upon check in, the user interface for each TV can be set to the preferred language of guests, for more tailored, user friendly experiences.
License Plans
Available globally – including in EMEA, North America and Asia – the Philips Cast Server can be purchased on an initial five year, up-front license, extendable annually thereafter. License plans include small (up to 80 rooms), nedium (up to 150 rooms), large (up to 250 rooms), extra large (up to 350 rooms), and double extra large (up to 500 rooms), with opportunities to extend further on a project-by-project basis.
Jeroen Verhaeghe, global business development director for hospitality at PPDS, comments, “Expectations from hotel guests continue to evolve and, in an online world, satisfaction scores and reviews can play a vital role in the success of any hotel and whether rooms are full or remain vacant. The in room TV is playing an increasingly important role in achieving those all important positive guest experiences and reviews. Every hotel set up is different, and having the options for networking integrations enables more hotels and their guests to enjoy the benefits of our hospitality TVs. That is why we created the Philips Cast Server.”
Jan Van Hecke, global product manager for professional TV at PPDS, says,“As people continue to switch to sourcing their TV content from popular streaming platforms like Netflix* and Prime, it is vital hotels embrace that challenge and match those needs. But in doing so, the experience has to be seamless.”
He continues, “Philips Cast Server is so simple, anyone can use it. Open the camera, scan the QR code on your phone or tablet, and the pairing between TV and smart device is complete. Backed by the other features, including customization of screens, and advanced casting analytics, Philips Cast Server is another game changer for the hotel industry.”
