Glossary A–ZLetter M
Media player
The media player is the small computer or app behind the screen that loads and plays content.
Without it, a screen only shows whatever arrives at its input.
The player can be built into the display, attached to the screen as a separate box or stick, or be an existing PC. It fetches content and the schedule from the management system, stores them on the device, follows the schedule and reports its status and plays back. Players based on Android, Windows or a browser are common.
When choosing, performance figures matter less than these questions: does the player run the planned formats smoothly, including 4K and several zones? How long will it receive security updates? Can it be restarted and switched on and off remotely? Does it start up again by itself after a power cut? Operators should also check whether the chosen management system supports the player.