Digital signage glossary for businesses
9 min read
When you start evaluating digital screens, acronyms and technical words pile up. This glossary explains them in plain language, with examples from restaurants, barbershops and stores in Colombia.
A
Digital signage terms starting with A.
- Android TV / Android box: a device that turns a regular TV into a smart screen. It is one of the cheapest ways to start with digital signage.
- API: an interface that lets two programs talk to each other. At Displei.co it is used to publish content from other systems.
- Self-service: a model where the business owner publishes and manages the screen without depending on a technician or designer.
C
Digital signage terms starting with C.
- Digital signboard: a screen that shows dynamic information instead of printed posters. Also called digital signage or digital screen.
- CMS (Content Management System): the software where content for the screens is created, organized and scheduled. It is also called a content manager or content administrator: these are synonyms for the same product. At Displei.co the CMS includes generative AI, so you describe the promotion and the platform designs the piece. See the full guide →
- Content loop: a sequence of pieces that repeat one after another on the screen until a new publish arrives.
D
Digital signage terms starting with D.
- DOOH (Digital Out of Home): digital outdoor advertising on third-party screens, such as billboards or malls. It is not the business's own digital signage.
- Display: a generic term for any screen that shows visual content.
- Responsive design: content that adapts to different screen sizes without distortion.
H
Digital signage terms starting with H.
- Hardware: the physical equipment digital signage needs: screen, player, cables and internet connection.
- HDMI: the cable that connects the player to the screen. It is the most common standard.
I
Digital signage terms starting with I.
- Generative AI: artificial intelligence that creates images or text from a description. At Displei.co it generates promotion designs for the screen.
- Interactive kiosk: a touchscreen that lets customers browse, order or look up information.
M
Digital signage terms starting with M.
- Digital menu: a menu shown on screen instead of printed. It updates in seconds from a phone.
- Mockup: a visual representation of how a design would look on a real screen, before publishing it.
P
Digital signage terms starting with P.
- Digital screen: any monitor, TV or tablet used to show dynamic commercial content.
- Playlist: an ordered list of content pieces that play on the screen.
- Player: the device or software that plays content on the screen. It can be an Android box, a smart TV or a tablet.
- Scheduling: the feature that defines what content shows and at what times or days.
R
Digital signage terms starting with R.
- ROI (Return on Investment): the return on an investment. In digital signage it is measured by time saved, higher average ticket, or lower printing costs.
- RSS / feed: a content source that updates automatically, such as news or social media.
S
Digital signage terms starting with S.
- Digital signage: the use of screens to show dynamic commercial content inside the business itself.
- SaaS (Software as a Service): software you pay for by subscription and use over the internet, like Displei.co.
- Smart TV: a television with its own operating system that lets you install apps and connect to the internet.
- Split screen: dividing the screen into several zones to show different content at the same time.
T
Digital signage terms starting with T.
- Template: a base design that is reused by changing only the text, prices and images.
- Dwell time: how long a piece stays visible on screen before moving to the next one.
U
Digital signage terms starting with U.
- USB: a drive used to update screens manually. It is the traditional alternative that connected digital signage replaces.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to know all these terms to use Displei.co?
- No. The platform is built so you can publish without technical knowledge. This glossary is useful if you are comparing vendors or reading quotes.
- What matters more: hardware or software?
- To get started, the software. A regular smart TV with Displei.co is already digital signage. Hardware can be upgraded later if you need more screens or quality.
- Where can I see real examples of these features?
- Book a live demo and we will show you scheduling, AI templates and remote publishing on a real screen.
Put these terms into practice in a demo
Book a 20-minute demo and we will show you how each concept works in practice, with your business and your promotions.
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