9 trends from InfoComm 2012: From new display technologies, digital signage content and cloud services that you'll want to know about now.

of most businesses, which makes it easy to deploy enterprise-wide. However, both Linux and Android are making their way onto the scene. There are companies using Android as the OS. Android does have advantages for use in digital signage, the most obvious is the absence of licensing fees.It’s hard to imagine it ever replacing Windows, but there is a place for both.

Live Video Streaming

There is a growing demand for live video streaming to be added to digital signage content, for various applications. Live video streaming into a digital signage application is nothing new, but up until now it has been expensive and complicated. With low-cost dedicated encoders entering the market, and more sign players accepting H.264 signals, it is going to explode in the next few years. There are many applications for live streaming into digital signage, such as education, corporate and house of worship.Imagine running a sign program on the right and bottom of the screen, with a live video feed in the middle. Corporate videos, emergency announcements with live news feeds and worship services are a few applications that come to mind. The possibilities are endless, bound only by imagination.

Copyrighted Content and Digital Signage

The use of broadcast TV as content for digital signage is complicated because of copyright laws. There are two companies that have solutions for this application.

There are many applications for inserting live TV programming into digital signage. There is one problem with that.The only way to have done it is by streaming a broadcast feed through a digital sign player, which is considered a rebroadcast and is not allowed.One solution is the DirecTV Message Board. What it does is allow the user to add digital signage messaging onto the right side and bottom of the screen, with the live programming in the middle of the screen. This is done through a computer program offered by DirecTV to their subscribers. For a small monthly fee, subscribers can access their account and add this service.Their message is laid onto the already existing broadcast with a template provided by DirecTV. The initial deployment is being offered only to new subscribers and is limited to the healthcare industry. The company will add full scale deployment at a later date.

The other option is the LG EzSign TV. It has a built-in program that lays billboard-style copy inside the screen, along with the broadcast program. In sizes from 32 to 45 inches and it

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