Recommend...

This model is as you would expect a step up from the previous models. Side by side with the same content this one outshines the rest for playback quality and does not falter over long periods of time, able to cope with the demands of HD videos and processor hungry Flash, common place in our clients’ applications.
 
For inputs the usual 4 usb inputs 2 front and 2 back give ample input device space, the dual VGA output is helpful for clients wishing to harness the dual screen that Acquire can offer. There is the addition in this model of the HDMI input giving an extra additional HDMI to DVI connector shipped in the box for the growing HDMI monitors and applications.
 
Couple of points to note if moving from the previous models, the power supply connector is a different size and although there is the same space availability for an optional CD/DVD drive, the internal HDD/DVD Drive connector from previous models is not compatible with this model.
 
Conclusion: a great small form compact Digital Engine PC capable of playing the content we have come to expect from our digital signage application. You can rely on this to play the content you want to without having to scale back your quality and variety. The only drawback would be moving from previous models up to this one as some hardware aspects are not compatible, (Power Supply, internal connector). Other than that recommended purchase.

Since it is Atom based the build time is drastically reduced as is imaging with the introduction of the removable HDD/CF caddy which is to the front. This is great for allowing the HDD or Compact Flash to be removed imaged and replaced without opening up the entire Chassis.
 
There is no VGA on these although there is the DVI common to the earlier 945/965 models, there is dual serial COM ports giving access to more input scanners, barcode readers etc. Dual LAN which is unusual and the 4 USB ports are on the rear due to lack of space on the front which is fine since the front ones had a tendency to become awkwardly bent and even unplugged when realigning the chassis post working on the inside.
 
The playback is as you would expect from an Atom Based model. Forget about HD videos and processor hungry flash as this will not play any of that well enough that you would be happy with it on site. Non HD Videos and other lower intensity Flash will play happily as will text and images.
 
Conclusion: for clients who are not using many high processor intensive Flash or HD videos a good solution, good ventilation, smart design and well thought out options for the HDD and CF installation maintenance aspect. You can’t get the HDD or CF out without a screwdriver, but would advise care in installation location due to sticky fingers who think it would be smart to remove your HDD or CF while on site.
 
 

This model coped well with low end Flash files, static images and would work well with scrolling text on background and also low quality i.e. non HD videos.
 
The NDiS 120 is pitched perfectly at the entry level digital signage client who is looking for a good cost effective solution to play low-end Flash, static images and standard resolution videos that will provide a good return on your investment.
 
This is not the first time we have used an atom based unit in a small form or standard and you will be pleasantly surprised at how well the unit will perform, considering the cost.
 
Conclusion: for clients who are playing low-end flash, static images and/or standard res videos a good all rounder that will handle most applications and media that you would use in your digital signage scenario.

This unit has many extra options, the 2 com ports and the GPIO Terminal Port are all very useful for adding on your own input hardware such as scanners or other hardware mechanisms. Add to them the dual VGA/DVI and even HDMi output and also the 2 connectors for either WiFi or TV Tuner or both, make this a very versatile solution.
 
Our project was smooth and consistent across the range on the low end Flash, Jpegs and the lower quality videos as well, all played without complaining. The HD videos and processor intensive Flash did play better than that of the 120 but after a while even these began to look like they were getting tired.
 
All in all a good unit to work with and considerably better for the discerning client who has one or 2 high end intensive HD and Flash in their content.
 
Conclusion: for clients who are not using many high processor intensive Flash or HD videos a good solution, be mindful of its installation location and the flexibility of the extra com ports and others make it very good for a client with varied location applications 1 unit same image, different applications.

Like the Atom this is a nice looking box which will work well in most circumstances hidden or on display. We wouldn't expect more from this being at the top end and true to form it didn’t disappoint.
 
All our content including the HD videos and processor intensive flash played without any issues at all. One of our main things with this unit was the excitement of seeing a unit that has built in 4 display ability. Up until now we have used another manufacturer for full 4 screen Quad capable output and only then in full size PC applications.
 
Once we got into the unit and began working with the settings on the 2 graphics cards we were able to configure the screens to have 2 sets of 2 screens or a pair and 2 independent screens or all 4 independent of each other, all of which are useful depending on the application environment.
 
Conclusion: excellent unit well worth spending the extra to get the features and capability, with all digital signage if you have the HD content and you have a lot it is worth investing in the kit to play it on.
 
 

Easy to fit just like any other PCIe card into a standard or small form Tower PC. The card comes with an extra plate to firmly keep the card in place and you need it. When you have the cable plugged in just on its own without any monitors attached it really puts some stress on the connector.
 
There is a supplied connector from the card to the 4 available DVi connections (DVi to VGA Adapters were also supplied) these are all numbered which makes it a whole lot easier to work with in determining the layout of your screens.
 
We have used the card to display both full 4 screen 1 image and also used Acquire and set it up with a 3 screen split so that content is playing on one page of Acquire but looks like it is 3 screens and separate content playing in perfect synchronisation.
 
We found the desktop software easy to install and understand, you have so many options and configurations are all that you would ever need; resolution, orientation, vertical or horizontal spanning, rotation, independent, , clone and extended and all with between 1 and 4 monitors. We did have some fun getting the rotation right as we went from standard Landscape to portrait. If you can work out the standard windows Interface to set up dual monitors on a PC then you can work with this it is simple and intuitive.
 
Conclusion: if you need something that will give you true 4/8* monitor output and give you the flexibility on how you need it set up with all the options available to use with similar or different monitors then this is the only card to buy.
 
 

The PC uses a very small 4 Gb installation disk and utilises EWF* which is a feature of most embedded OS. This allows the installation to remain pretty much untouched as you would find from factory default settings, since the EWF Caches everything and when you restart deletes it all.
 
Great when you are working with small partitions or CF as they are notorious for short lifespan when used to write data to them. As you have less than 3 Gb available for your data, the main way of getting your content onto these units is to use either a USB Storage Device or an Ethernet connection and pull the data from a Network location.
 
This 2nd option is easier when you have multiple sites and cheaper to upgrade and work with content, for smaller more localised installations you may find the external USB Source easier to manage.
 
We have developed a simple 2 step process which requires some files to be copied to a USB pen drive and also very little user interaction or knowledge and can easily be done on site when installing the unit. There are files to be run, one will prepare the unit and the other will do the bulk of the installation work, once completed the preinstalled Digital Signage software will be removed and our Acquire Premier Player will be installed and ready for content.
 
See the PDF (Link to the PDF) for the full instructions and step by step process to work through. You will also need the necessary file as well which you can download here.