Digital Signage Template (Standard 8)

  • Article

7/8/2014

Review the description and functionality provided in the Digital Signage Template in Windows Embedded 8 Standard (Standard 8).

This template provides a starting point to create digital signs that allow you to connect with customers through engaging multimedia experiences. OEMs and ISVs can optimize their media player device for a particular application or end user to have more control over the final device image and functionality.

Windows Embedded 8 Standard (Standard 8) includes Windows 8 OS features and support for third-party applications and for the Kinect for Windows runtime in-box. Using Kinect for Windows sensors and SDK, you can create digital media players, digital displays, airport departure and arrival displays, large digital billboards, stage backdrops for performing artists, and so forth.

With this template, you can build devices that can connect seamlessly to Windows products, control the security and policy compliance of digital signs in all corporate locations, and potentially reduce deployment time and thus the total cost of ownership (TCO) over the project lifecycle for your digital signage implementation.

This template provides functionality that allows the administrator, IT pro, or end user to do the following:

Run applications:

  • Use a standard programming interface so that applications can use devices that have sensor and location devices, which enable the system and applications to react to changes in ambient light, motion, human proximity, and location.
  • Enable the system to subscribe for and publish messages while devices are within range.
  • Use Windows 8 apps.

Manage security:

  • Use BitLocker encryption to help secure storage identity. It helps protect documents and passwords by encrypting the entire drive that the system and data reside on.
  • Use biometrics, including the Windows Biometric Framework and Biometric Service. This includes the Control Panel item and supporting functionality for setting biometric devices on a system.
  • Configure firewall settings.
  • Use Windows Defender.
  • Use Encrypted File System (EFS) to protect encrypted data. Individuals or programs that do not possess the appropriate cryptographic key cannot read the encrypted data.
  • Use AppLocker to prevent users from executing unwanted and unknown applications within an organization's network while providing security, compliance, and operational benefits.

Monitor and manage devices:

  • Use Unified Write Filter (UWF), which combines the functionality of Enhanced Write Filter (EWF), File-Based Write Filter (FBWF), and Registry Filter, to manage disk protection settings and protect your storage media.
  • Add components that verify and remediate a device’s health and enforce network access or communication on corporate networks that use Network Access Protection (NAP).
  • Use PowerShell, the task automation framework that enables administrators to perform administrative tasks on local and remote devices. PowerShell consists of a command-line shell and associated scripting language.
  • Use a suite of diagnostic tools to identify issues with disk, display, memory, and performance.

Service devices:

  • Use Windows Update to install updates to the devices either manually at a command prompt or using a script. This is helpful when Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is not available.
  • Manage the system through System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), a remote client management suite.

Collaborate:

  • Use enterprise resources such as shared files and network printers.
  • Configure the device to subscribe for and publish messages while devices are within range.

Provide a good end-user experience:

  • Choose a Windows 8 user interface.
  • Use the Windows 8 Shell that includes the Start screen and Touch support.
  • Use a tap gesture to establish a connection between peer applications on separate devices.
  • Use Internet Explorer 10 for a Windows 8 web browsing experience.
  • Use Windows Media Player 12 for an enhanced multimedia experience.
  • Improve accessibility by magnifying or increasing the contrast on the screen, narrating text, or using an on-screen keyboard.
  • Control which pop-up windows are displayed on the screen and automatically handle pop-up windows by taking a default action.
  • Block each of the edge gestures (left, right, bottom, top, and each corner) individually.
  • Suppress undesirable key presses or key combinations on physical keyboards and on-screen keyboards, even if the location of suppressed keys has changed on the keyboard layout.
  • Create devices that provide rich end-user experiences when the user adds the Kinect for Windows runtime and sensor technology.

Name

Digital Signage Template

Category

Templates

Supported Architecture

x86, x64

Settings

None.

Dependencies for x86-Based Devices

When you include this module in your image, any modules that are required are automatically added to your image. To add specific functionality, you can add optional modules.

Required Modules

Requires all of the following:

Dependencies for x64-Based Devices

When you include this module in your image, any modules that are required are automatically added to your image. To add specific functionality, you can add optional modules.

Required Modules

Requires all of the following:

Common Uses

The following example shows how to create an operating system for a digital sign device.

To create an operating system for a digital signage device

  1. In Image Builder Wizard (IBW), select Digital Signage Device.

  2. Make the following changes to the image:

    1. Select the appropriate language, time, and currency format.

    2. Select the appropriate keyboard or input method to install on the image.

  3. Resolve the dependencies.

  4. Use IBW to create the image.

  5. Use an unattended installation to deploy the Standard 8 image to the digital signage device.

  6. Install a proprietary application or third-party application to the device, and verify that it is working properly.

  7. Use sysprep to modify certain settings to prevent users from changing system settings.

  8. Use Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) to capture the image, and then deploy it onto other devices.

Notes

This template does not support Turn Windows features on or off in the Get Programs section of Control Panel.

See Also

Other Resources

Templates Technical Reference