“Digital signs”, “digital signage”, “electronic signs”, or a “digital display”: these all describe the same thing, a screen that plays content you can change remotely, instead of a fixed poster. If you were searching for any of these terms, you are in the right place. Here is what it is, what it is for, and what you need to start.
Digital signs vs digital signage: any difference?
None, they are synonyms. The wording varies by trade and country, but the idea is the same: a screen linked to software that sends it photos, videos, menus or information, on a loop, updated remotely. People also say “electronic signage” or “digital display”. The basics are covered in what is digital signage.
What are digital signs used for?
Anywhere a poster grows stale: in a window (promos, new arrivals), at reception (welcome, wayfinding), in a room (menu, atmosphere), in an office (figures, internal comms), or outdoors. Motion catches the eye, and content changes in seconds by time of day or season.
What hardware do digital signs need?
Any screen with a browser: smart TV, Android box, tablet, PC or Raspberry Pi. You open the player address, enter a code, it plays. For a totem or kiosk, see digital totems; for outdoors, outdoor digital signage.
Many words for the same thing
Depending on the trade, the country or habit, you meet many terms for this same remotely-controlled screen:
- Digital signage — the most common English term;
- Digital signs, digital display, electronic signage;
- Affichage dynamique, écran dynamique, affichage numérique — in French;
- and by form: totem, bulletin board, menu board, video wall.
The word changes, the principle does not: one piece of content, one screen, one remote update.
Dynamic vs static: what it changes in practice
A poster is decided once, printed, stuck up, then goes invisible. A digital sign rotates several messages, switches to video, adapts to the time of day and is fixed in two clicks if something changes (a price, a stock-out, an opening time). Over a year, that means less printing, fewer trips, and communication that stays alive.
How much does it cost?
Software ranges from free to around €20 per screen per month. MisterSignage offers 1 screen free for life, then from €6/screen/month, with no proprietary hardware. See pricing and the comparison. To pick the tool, how to choose digital signage software. Common cases: the digital menu board and the digital bulletin board.