TV SETUP
Although we may not be able to be on-site, we can certainly assist you through this page or through email or phone! Since our JB Digital Kiosk solutions consists of a small computer and its power adapter, perhaps you can use some additional assistance in getting all the other components together, let's make it work:
TV
No, we don't provide the TV. Our recommendation is that the TV needs to be big enough for the distance you wish to cover, in other words, it has to be easy for people to see the information.
For example, if the TV will be on a hallway, perhaps a 42 inch TV would do. If the location will be a warehouse, perhaps a 75 inch TV would be best, you get the point.
The TV does not need to have any special features other than an HDMI port to connect to the JB Digital Kiosk. The TV does not need to have a network port or WiFi built-in.
TV Mounting Bracket
Unfortunately we cannot help place the TV on the wall, but we can give a few pointers:
Make sure the bracket itself is rated for more than what the TV weights. Make sure the bracket is secured to the studs and not just to the dry wall or sheet rock, it needs to be securely attached for safety, in particular of children.
The ideal height of the TV on the wall depends on the viewing distance, the longer the viewing distance the higher the TV can be on the wall, but that also depends on visibility as well; for instance, if the TV is in a small room, the height of the TV (center of TV), could be at around six feet.
Make sure there's a power outlet, preferably behind the TV, or near by. Although the kiosk will function through WiFi, a wired connection, namely Ethernet or RJ45 wall jack around the TV is recommended for added stability.
Another thing to keep in mind is the location of the Kiosk, if keeping cables out of sight is important, attaching a small shelf behind the TV would be ideal to hold the Kiosk, this shelf can be close to the network jack and the power jack, this way the only thing that's visible is the TV, no cables.
HDMI Cable
You will need a Display Port to HDMI video cable, here's a link to get the cable from Amazon or to see what it should look like, keep in mind that it is unidirectional, meaning the signal only travels from the Display Port end to the HDMI end.
Ethernet or Network Cable
Ethernet or Network Cable (same thing for practicality); you'll need one that will reach the nearest network jack (RJ45 jack), the cable itself should be standard (straight through), most are. It does not need to be POE.
Keyboard / Mouse
In order to keep it simple, we recommend a wireless keyboard/mouse combo (as in one piece), many times the location where the TV is placed may not be suitable for a regular keyboard and a mouse.
We recommend you get a wireless keybard with built-in mouse for ease of use, here's the Amazon link:
Battery Backup
Or a surge protector is recommended.
Which brings us to the point that there might be instances in which the Kiosk device may need to be rebooted, if this is the case and the Kiosk device is not physically reachable, consider buying a wireless power switch, there's a link:
Since the battery backup is expected to always be on, you would connect the Wireless Power Switch to the battery backup or surge protector and the Kiosk device to the Wireless Power Switch.
Our Kiosk device is configured to always be on, so in the case of power loss, the kiosk will automatically come on upon power restore, therefore facilitating the rebooting process.
Network Connection
You will need a network connection that has internet access, the kiosk will need to access the internet not only to reach the dashboards you've created, but also to process the URLs on the kiosk, since it connects to our server.
A key element of a network connection is the speed, one of the best ways to make sure the speed is optimal, is to open up the dashboard on your computer, in other words, get the URL that points to your dashboard and load it on a browser on your computer, if the loading time is acceptable, proceed to ask your IT person to verify if the connection speed of the kiosk is the same as your computer's.
If you happen to be the IT person, you can measure the speed on your computer by going to https://speedof.me and click on Start Test and do the same for the network connection the kiosk uses, then compare speeds.
It is recommended to have at a minimum the following speeds:
For download ............... 20Mbps or more
For uploads .................. 5Mbps or more
Latency ........................ 40ms or less
If the minimums above are not me, consider upgrading your ISP connection.
What do I do upon Kiosk arrival?
Once your Kiosk arrives, connect it to the TV.
Also connect keyboard/mouse, power adapter and network cable, then turn it on. A network/internet connection is required depending on the kiosk solution, the Restaurant Linear kiosk requires an internet jack.
You will be prompted for WiFi credentials (depending on the kiosk solution), once the Kiosk authenticates, which may take a few seconds, it will begin displaying the URL pages you've created. If you have connected a network cable, you won't be prompted for credentials; in the event of the WiFi not working, the Kiosk will try to connect through a network cable connection, even if you already have supplied WiFi credentials.
If something does not seem right, or you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us, we'll be glad to help.
So where can I make dashboards?
Please checkout our CONTENT link to learn about the different options and online services for your dashboards. We also offer customized slideshows for products, menus, etc.
Feel free to reach out to us, let us know your project, perhaps we can help it come to fruition, thanks for stopping by!
Other things to consider - Tips:
It is better to use an ethernet connection to display your URLs than wireless, but if you have to use wireless, make sure there's good signal where the thinclient will be, avoid concrete or metal walls between the thinclient and the wireless access point. Let us know in advanced if your kiosk requires wireless.
Sometimes even though there's a network cable available for the thinclient, this cable may be using a wireless signal from building to building, this is something you may need to explore if your connection continues being slow.
It is recommended to have a wireless keyboard in particular if the thinclient device will be up in a place where is hard to reach, the keyboard can then be placed inside a drawer at a person's level.
If you're buying a TV, make sure it has an HDMI port, wireless capability on the TV is not needed since the thinclient will be connecting to the wireless access point.
If you're thinking about submitting multiple URL requests per month, consider either having the thinclient reachable or the power adapter, so that you may turn it off and back on after updates have been made.
You may also want to install a battery backup if you want your data to continue displaying, but keep in mind that other devices like the wireless access point, switch and router may also need to be on a battery backup in order for the data to keep flowing.
At the very least, consider installing a surge protector to prevent damage to the TV and the thinclient, should lighting strikes or there's a power surge.
Verify your TV's sleeping mode has been disabled, it may also be called Standby mode.