I do mostly IT work anymore, but I had one of my IT clients ask if I could help him at his small ice cream shop with a digital menu system. I'm looking for some ideas from the community outside of my thoughts of a PC with a multi-monitor video card.

We will be using LCD TV's (unless computer monitors would be better) and originally he was thinking 4 monitors, 2 on each side using one for the food menu and the second one for the ice cream menu. I figure I could do this fairly easily with a PC with dual outputs, and split the signal with output 1 being food divided to 2 displays and output 2 divided to the other 2 displays. A simple powerpoint slide show on each output. He would like to have a fifth monitor mounted in the middle that could run ads (specials, new products).

Anyone have any suggestions as to software or other solutions? Looking for something less expensive than the digital signage hardware and servers I have come across so far.

Thanks.

You could use a computer with multiple outputs, creating a video for the video presentation (even if the images are stationary, the duration can be set by you or the programmer) or you could use something like the LG displays that use proprietary software, loaded onto a memory stick when it's time to show what the user wants. The LG aren't terribly expensive- a lot cheaper than a dedicated device. Not sure at this point if the image can be rotated, or not.

The LG's are great. We have put a few in and they are pretty slick. You can set up power on and off timers per day. YOu can also use their software to go through like 50 templates. It's very customizable and gives you the wow factor. Talk to your LG rep and he should be abel to get you a sample of the software. My rep gave me a 32" to show to a car dealer and we ended up putting some of their info into the EZSign software, and we blew their minds...sold two 55" Ezsigns.

Mike