Display Express Control Systems

Web-Driven Display Control over RF

Network Displays over RF

What do stadiums, arenas, casinos, entertainment venues, as well as civic, church and corporate video systems around the country share in common? The sites have many displays, TVs, and video projectors already connected together over the RF coax cable system. To create an integrated display control system, one could run new Ethernet or control wires to all the sets - but that's an extremely expensive proposition. With Display Express, you have all the benefits of Web-driven Ethernet control, but uses the control wire that's already there - the existing RF cable.

In IT terms, Display Express is the control layer of broadband RF. The system inserts a small control signal between channels 4 and 5, combined and carried throughout the system with the rest of the TV channels. The technology will not interfere with other TV channels, and can be carried to thousands of displays via coax cable and fiber.

Design and Install Using Three Components

The system architecture is simple, employing three types of system components. Read our Display Express Integration Tips publication for a proven process for system installation.

Display Express - delivers Web browser-based control pages that can be accessed anywhere over your network. Compatible with IE, Firefox, Opera, and Safari browsers, Web control is available from iPhones or other Internet-enabled phones.
- Display Express PC - rack-mount PC that resides in the RF Head End
- User PC - with installed Display Express software
- Windows Server - software operates from network Windows server
ICC-HE or ICE-HE Head End. Inserts RS-232 commands from Display Express into the RF system at 74.7 MHz, in between channels 4 and 5. The ICE-HE Ethernet Head End can communicate with Display Express over IP, required when Display Express is installed on a server.
RF Controllers. Only Display Express offers open-architecture control for a wide variety of makes and models. Typical controllers include:
- ICC1-232 RS-232 Display Controller. Use with RS-232 controlled displays with integral HDTV tuners, including LG, Revolution HD, NEC Museo, and others.
- ICC1-IR IR Display Controller. While RS-232 control is the best solution, this controller can integrate existing TVs, and consumer IR-driven displays. Displays without discrete power commands will need an optional power current sensor.
- ICC2-ATSC HDTV Tuner/Controller. Use with flat-panel monitors and video projectors. Provides integrated RS-232 control and HDMI/Component/RGB HD video and audio.

There are also special-purpose controllers, including:

ICC1-PRZ Smart TV Controller for legacy Philips, RCA, and Zenith TVs and displays
ICC1-ZS2 LG/Zenith Smart Card. Inserts into LG and Zenith Smart Displays.
ICC2-VDC integrated tuner/controllers for monitors and projectors in analog-only RF systems

In short, Display Express systems can integrate virtually any make and model of display, TV, and projector through the RF coax.

Saving Energy and Resources

By automatically managing power consumption, our Display Express control system helps architects and builders obtain LEED* certification for their buildings. “While LEED has yet to add official points for savings in AV operation, applicants can claim innovative points for managing display power. Display Express turns displays off at night, on weekend or whenever the AV equipment is not working and saves about 6 megawatts every month for 50 displays.

Rather than installing new copper wiring for large-scale display networks, Contemporary Research integrates displays over existing coax RF cables, avoiding waste and lowering the cost for HD video and control distribution.

Proven Sucess

The technology in Display Express systems has been in continuous use in major sports, worship, college, K-12 schools, and civic sites across the country. Many are now in their second generation, and have upgraded to many different makes and models of TVs and displays. Click to download one of our Sucess Stories below:

Our list of installations include:

Wachovia Center (Philadelphia 76'ers)
AT&T Center (San Antonio Spurs)
Jacksonville Arena
Louisiana SuperDome
Safeco Field (Seattle Mariners)
John Paul Jones Arena (University of Virginia)
Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino
Willow Creek Community Church

Many Solutions

The Display Express through-the-RF technology is easy to install, easy to use, and answers the need for many facility-wide display control applications:

Sports Venues - Display control and management for new sites, migration from old TV network to new flat-panel systems. We've updated our own systems, as well as obsolete Philips Smart TV sites.
Corporations - Display Express controls displays and TVs across the campus, tuning some displays to digital signage channels, others news broadcasts, scheduling power, and triggering emergency and weather alerts.
Worship Centers - Worship can be heavenly, but managing all those displays facility-wide - not so much. Display Express makes it all happen with a click of a Web button.
Schools - Several districts use our interactive ABC-Net software to share media, perform video paging, broadcast live video, and schedule TV power and channel operation.
Prisons - Prisoners can view TV, but Display Express controls what channels they watch, and when.