What hardware is recommended for Scala Designer or Player?

Build VS Buy (updated 20 July 2010)

Does it make sense to build a custom hardware solution or to buy a pre-packaged commercial system from a reputable vendor?

Please contact your Scala reseller about our ready-made hardware configurations from a variety of Hardware Partners listed here.

When making your decision on what hardware to use for a Scala deployment, please consider:

• Rule #1: Determine your content requirements.  Is this something as simple as a gate information display at an airport, or perhaps a basic digital menu board, or is the content likely to push things to the limit with multiple zones, H.264 and 1080p content?  Your content needs will always drive your technology choices.  

• Don't choose your hardware without first considering your content strategy.
  

• Often times the technical guys will want to pick the cheapest player, yet the creative guys design very high end content.  You'll need to get both of those guys in the same room to come up with the right compromise for your application.
  

• You have limited space.  Perhaps an integrated display is the best solution, making each screen IP addressable and eliminating the need for expensive video extender boxes and a rack of equipment somewhere in a closet. 

•  One of the most important considerations when running Scala is picking a good graphics card and a good memory subsystem.  A cheaper and slower speed dual core CPU with dual bank memory and a graphics adapter from nVidia or ATI will outperform a single core CPU at higher speeds with only one DIMM and lower end motherboard graphics.
• Last but not least.... Re-read rule #1.
  

Here are some examples of low, mid and high end Scala Certified PC based players available from our hardware partners.

(If you need appliance based players (in HD, SD or Photo Frame) please go here.)

Low End Players with XP Pro with Embedded Rights Restrictions

Seneca Data i330
(Dual-Core Intel Atom 330 CPU with nVidia ION GeForce 9300M)
http://www.senecadata.com/scala

LANNER LEC-7900

 (Core2Duo CPU with NVIDIA Geforce9100M IGP--can be considered "Low-Mid-Range")

TECHNOVARE NV-ION

(Dual-Core Intel Atom 330 CPU with GeForce 9300M)

Mini-ITX Motherboards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500035
ZOTAC GF9300-G-E LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9300 HDMI Mini ITX Intel
Very flexible to take just about any price point in CPU.

Jetway NC81
http://www.jetway.com.tw/jw/ipcboard_view.asp?productid=515&proname=nc81-lf

You may also wish to pick an iBase MI-952, MI-932 or MI-930E

Low End Systems with Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (FKA XPe):

 Seneca Data i330
(Dual-Core Intel Atom 330 CPU with nVidia ION GeForce 9300M)
http://www.senecadata.com/scala

NEXCOM NDiS 162

(This unit is "Very Low End"--Menu-Board-Only--Sempron 3100+ CPU with ATi RS690E--single channel RAM)

TECHNOVARE NV-ION

(Dual-Core Intel Atom 330 CPU with GeForce 9300M)

Mid Range Players with XP Pro with Embedded Rights Restrictions

EQUUSCS DP55WB--IMAGE ALSO HAS CONTENT MANAGER PRE-LOADED!

(Core i5  Socket 1156, PCIeX16gen2 Graphics Slot, DDR3 memory--this unit can be mid-range or high end depending on graphics card and CPU option)

AOpen DE7000

(Core 2 Duo with nVidia ION GeForce 9300)

iBASE MI952

(Dual-Core Athlon with ATi RS780E IGP)

NEXCOM NDiS 163

Mid Rangle Players with Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (FKA XPe):

NEXCOM NDiS 540

(Dual-Core Athlon, ATi RS690E+ATi RADEON HD2400E -- this is a "Quad-Output" machine that has two graphics adapters--it can only function as a Scala Player in Dual-Output Mode -- unless you use Full Screen Borderless Window mode!!!)

High End Players with XP Pro with Embedded Rights Restrictions:

EQUUSCS DP55WG--IMAGE ALSO HAS CONTENT MANAGER PRE-LOADED! 

(ATX Motherboad with either Core i5 or Core i7 Socket 1156 CPU, DDR3 RAM, PCIeX16gen2 Graphics Slot, LSI MegaRAID optional--configurable from ATX Mid-Tower to 19" 4U Rack Mount)

iBASE SI28

(Dual-Core AthlonII, ATi RS780E IGP, ATi E4690MXM--this is a quad-output Player that makes a well performing Dual-Output Player and a very poor 4-ouput Player because it needs to be configured into "Borderless Window on the Desktop Mode" for that to function!)  Very quiet and powerful two channel player.  Really nice.

NEXCOM NDiS541

(Dual-Core AthlonII or Quad-Core PhenomIIx4, RS780E, ATI E2400--this is a quad-output Player that makes a well performing Dual-Ouput Player and a very poor 4-output Player because it needs to be configured into "Borderless Window on the Desktop Mode" for 4-OUT to function!)

We may update this list from time to time, so please check with your Scala Certified Partner to discuss your Content Requirements (Rule #1) for picking the right Scala Certified Hardware for your deployment.

Best Regards,

Scala Technical Support