Advantech, the leading embedded platform and integration services provider, announces the introduction of ARK-DS303—a cost-effective Digital signage platform powered by the Intel® Atom™ processor N270, positioned at the value segment market with affordable pricing. ARK-DS303 maximizes price/performance with the optional HD decoder module to support 1080p full HD. The compact fanless rugged design has 1GB DDR2 memory and160 GB hard disc drive pre-installed and easy installation is provided via the optional VESA mounting bracket.

Value Platform with Affordable Pricing

Advantech ARK-DS303 is a low-cost, compact, energy-saving, fanless, digital signage media player that uses Intel’s 945GSE chipset with Intel Atom processor N270. ARK-DS303 can support 720p high-definition video playback via its MPEG-2 decoder integrated into the 945GSE chipset—all at a respectable low power consumption level of around 7 Watts. For applications that require full HD 1080p video playback, an optionalBroadcom HD accelerator can be further integrated with ARK-DS303 via the miniPCIe slot. ARK-DS303 can support dual content output via the HDMI and VGA ports, and there are sufficient I/O interface including four USB 2.0, and one COM port for adequate peripheral connectivity.

Easy integration and Installation

ARK-DS303 is a complete system with 1 GB DDR2 memory and 160 GB hard disc drive pre-installed; with a barebone option also available. Antenna connectors for WLAN and WAN (GSM/HSPDA) are reserved. For signage applications, having the flexibility to integrate TV programs to provide real-time news or entertainment is crucial. To answer this demand, ARK-DS303 can have an additional TV tuner module attached on the side; while the on-board miniPCIe slot can be reserved for either an HD decoding module or a WLAN module. The VESA mounting bracket for ARK-DS303 allows for easy installation to attach ARK-DS303 discretely behind an LCD display.

Flexible with customized BIOS design

Unlike consumer-grade, off-the-shelf, thin-client products, Advantech ARK-DS303 comes with specific BIOS settings for digital signage applications, such as system Wake-on-LAN and Power On after Power Failuresetting. The embedded watchdog timer allows for near 100% uptime, and the EWF function can help the system recover from fatal errors or system crashes. For more information please contact your local Advantech sales representative, or visit us at our website.http://www.advantech.com/applied-computing-systems/digital_signage/

ARK-DS303

-  Intel® Atom™ processor N270 1.6 GHz and system controller hub 945GSE

-  Supports HD up to 720P; optional support up to 1080P with add-on HD decoding module

-  Dual display of HDMI and VGA

-  Built-in Mini PCIe slot for easy expansion e.g. WiFi

- Supports 4 x USB 2.0 (Internal 2 x USB 2.0), 1 x COM

- Supports VESA mounting