Digital Menu Board Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Congratulations, and thank you for your subscription to the AutoNetTV Digital Menu Board program.  This document answers the most common questions we’ve gotten from our customers, so we’ve assembled them to make the process easier for you. 

 

 

1.Do you require a long-term contract?

A. No.  Our standard agreement requires no long-term commitment, and is paid month-to-month with no termination fees or penalties.  If, however, you want to save money on the up-front costs, then you can choose to sign up for a three year agreement.  The choice is yours. 

2.What equipment is included when I sign up?

A. You’ll receive one Digital Network Device (DND), the mini-computer used to play the content and receive updates and commands, and an HDMI cable to connect the DND to your TV for display.  The DND also includes a wireless antenna in case you are connecting to a Wi-Fi internet network.

3.Do I own the DND?   

A. Yes, it is yours – but when it is yours depends on the payment option you selected at sign up (with the Up-front Option you own it right away, with the Spread-out Option you own it at the end of the three year agreement).  If, for some unexpected reason (aliens invading the earth …) you decide to cancel your subscription to the AutoNetTV Digital Menu Board, then you can reuse the DND computer for any other purpose you may have in mind. 

4.What other equipment do I need to get?

A. If you don’t already have one, then you’ll need a wide-screen TV (LCD, Plasma, LED, etc.) with a 1080P resolution.  You’ll also need a way to connect the DND to your internet network, such as a router, and an Ethernet cable if you are NOT connecting wirelessly.

5.What TV size do you recommend? 

A. A 32” screen size is the bare minimum and 46” or greater is recommended.  The best size depends … a great industry standard for determining the screen size you’ll need is this: Multiply the # of feet away from the screen the average viewer will be, or for which you want them to see the content, by 8”.  For example, if the average customer will be on the other side of your service counter, and the counter is 6 feet away from the wall where you’ll hang your TV, then you multiply 6 feet by 8 inches … which is a 48” screen size.  Most screens don’t come in that size, so round up to a 50” screen.

6.What are the internet requirements?

A. A broadband internet connection (i.e. dedicated, such as DSL, Cable, Fiber, etc.; not dial-up) with minimum speed of 256 Kbps is required; 1 Mbps speed is recommended.  You must have your internet settings prior to finalizing the sign up process so we can pre-configure the DND for you.  The player will connect wired or wirelessly, although wired networks usually have better signal reliability.

7.What’s included in my subscription?

A. In addition to the DND mentioned above, your subscription includes access to the Digital Menu Board system for making changes to the screen, including uploading your own content, and usage of AutoNetTV’s current and regularly updated library of professional background designs, 3D animations, motion graphics, images and pre-loaded text for easy menu deployment.  In other words, you get: system access, bandwidth, software updates, and tons of awesome content.

8.How do I access the screen and make changes?

A. Easy, just login to your account by going to www.AutoNetTV.com/login in a web browser, from any location (at home, at work, or on vacation – yeah right …).  Once you login, you’ll see your available templates, saved menus, and those added into your current playlist.  Don’t worry if you can’t remember your password, we have a password reset/reminder tool on our login page.

9.What type of content do I get?

A. Only the best from AutoNetTV, of course.  3D animations, motion graphics, videos, background templates, product images, and pre-loaded sales text.  Basically everything you need to have the coolest looking and most effective menu board your customers have ever seen.  You don’t need to scour the internet or pay outside firms to get content – it’s all included.  Please Note – all of this standard content has no sound (see below).   

10.Can I add my own ads, logos, coupons and other things to the screen?

A. Yes, and please do!  We give you plenty of easy-to-use tools and templates designed with lots of places to customize the menu board with your branding and the products and services you offer.

11.Is there sound to the videos that play?

A. As opposed to our Lobby TV program – used for the area where customers sit and wait – the menu board is designed to hang on the wall near you, since you’re the pro who can discuss and explain the details of your services.  You don’t want the same repeating sounds to drive you crazy while you’re trying to talk with customers in person or on the phone.  Waiting area = sound; menu board = no sound.

12.What if I have problems with the equipment or system?

A. Just check out our support page on our website, send us an email, or give us a call.  We’ve created a User Guide and plenty of other tips/tools to help you get up and running, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.  If you feel we haven’t covered something, or you’d just prefer to reach a real human being, send us an email at support@autonettv.com or call 801-492-9900 (Monday thru Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, MST).

13.How long will it take to get the system once I sign up?

A. Your pre-configured DND will generally ship within two weeks of your order.  We allow this time so you have less hassle and can use our great product as close to out-of-the-box as possible.

14.How do I sign up?

A. On our website at www.AutoNetTV.com/Signup, or by calling us at 801-492-9900.  We can walk you through the information and complete the process in a matter of minutes.  Please remember to have all of your internet settings and information before you start the sign up process. 

15.What happens if my internet connection goes down?

A. No worries, the Digital Menu Board will still display your content.  The DND does not need a current internet connection to play on the TV.  But, it does need the connection to receive any changes or updates.  So, without current internet, the menu and player won’t be able to change.

16.How many DNDs do I need to get?

A. It depends on how many different programs you want displayed.  For many businesses the answer is only one.  For others with very large service areas, or those that wish to display different content on different screens (either apart from or next to each other), more than one DND may be needed.  It all depends on your business layout and marketing goals.  We’d be happy to help you with this decision; so, if you’re not sure, sign up by giving us a call at 801-492-9900.

17.How do I connect multiple TVs to the same DND?

A. The DND comes with 1 HDMI output port.  In order to connect multiple screens with the same player (all showing the same content), you will need an HDMI splitter or amplifier.  These usually split 1×2, 1×4, 1×6 or 1×8.  In other words, you plug one end of an HDMI cable into the DND, and the other end into the input port of an HDMI splitter.  Then, you’ll plug as many additional HDMI cables as needed or available from this device into your various TVs.  Each TV will then display the same content.  An internet search will show a lot of options for these devices, which generally cost between $80 and $500.  If you wish to have different content showing on different screens, then you’ll need to purchase an additional DND for each screen you want different.

18.What if my TV is far away from where I’ll put the DND? 

A. No problem, as long as you have cables long enough to connect the DND to the TV.  Long Ethernet (wired internet) cables are easy to find; and wireless comes standard on the DND.  But the HDMI cable, used for the video feed, is trickier.  Although HDMI provides the highest video resolution currently available, the recommended maximum length for HDMI cable is usually about 50 feet (depending on the specifications, quality and other features of the actual cable – such as a built-in equalizer).  Otherwise, reduction or complete loss of signal will result.  Generally, to have HDMI cable run longer than 50 feet requires additional devices.  The most common and readily accessible solutions are an HDMI signal booster (which boosts the signal over the long cable runs), or an extender that can extend the HDMI cable run length, and keep a strong effective signal in place. This device first boosts and then extends the signal down the length of the cable after the signal is received.  A newer solution that works great is an HDMI splitter amplifier over CAT5 or CAT6.  Basically, it converts the audio and video to Ethernet signals that travel over internet lines – which can easily run hundreds of feet.  Receivers are then used to convert the signal back to HDMI at the end of the run.