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Windows or Linux: Which is better for digital signage?
Miscellaneous FAQ Solution #1, Linux Version (last modified 05/14/2004):
Linux has grown significantly in popularity in recent years, especially when it comes to embedded applications. Some consumer electronics companies have also started using Linux such as TiVo, with their personal video recorder. And it is sometimes believed that Windows is not a stable operating system -- and in many home PCs, we agree. But due to the fact that the sound and video drivers mature faster on Windows due to the gaming industry, we are able to build more stable digital signage players on the Windows platform.
Our players last for years in 24/7 operation. In the end, it's performance and stability that count.
This is not a justification for Windows. We actually prefer Windows as a digital signage platform, and continue to monitor Linux as a potential viable platform. Today however, the needs of our Customers persuade us towards Windows. Here's why.
The stability of an operating system is only as good as the drivers and application being run. You can write a "leaky" (eats memory until it crashes) on ANY operating system, Linux or Windows. The trick is to understand and test, which drivers are good, and which drivers are bad.
Linux is an Open Source project. As such, the device drivers that tend be rigorously tested over time are only those that are widely used, and of interest to the Linux developer community. Unfortunately, this doesn't include the high performance 3D graphics and sound drivers critical to stable large-scale digital signage deployments. The gaming community by contrast drives high performance drivers on the Windows platform, and this is exactly what's required for digital signage. Consequently, it is very possible to configure a Windows digital signage player that is MORE stable than its Linux counterpart. And because we give away much of the player configuration business to our Value Added Resellers and Business Partners, we must go with what is in their best interest as well. Investigate, and you will probably find that if you buy your digital signage solution from a Linux shop, they will insist on configuring the PC themselves.
We, on the other hand, base our systems on Windows: Win2K, Windows XP, or the newest "XP embedded" operating system from Microsoft. XP embedded allows us to "cherry pick" just those things that we need to make Scala work well, and leave out the extra things in a standard OS that we don't need. We've worked with partners including NEC, Panasonic, Equus, Fujitsu-Siemens and others in making pre-configured systems that just work. Plug in it, and after a simple setup procedure, you're ready to roll. We've done the hard work for you, so you can focus on developing the best digital signage network possible.
So for us, the stability argument favors Windows. What about cost?
While it is true that a Windows license adds some cost to a digital signage player, it also includes the licenses to use Microsoft video CODECs. This gives you the ability to play WMV (Windows Media Video) and WMA (Windows Media Audio). For a Linux player to legitimately play MPEG2, they must pay the per unit license fee, bringing the price back up. So Linux is not necessarily a more stable choice, nor is every software component free.
At Scala, we pride ourselves on our legendary 24/7 operation. We have a simple motto, "Players should play"! With more digital signage deployments than all of our competitors combined (except for the DVD player -- but that's another article!), we've learned quite a lot about how to make a stable system for digital signage.
So, don't make the operating system into your main criteria. Look for an experienced company with a popular platform widely supported and known to work. Join the satisfied Scala users around the world who are using the digital signage solution rigorously tested by time with a track record of success.
Regards,
Scala Technical Support
