Ultra-thin digital signage player platform comes with processors ranging from fanless Intel Atom N2600 all the way to quad-core 3rd gen Intel Core i7
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Digital signage players are essentially specialized computers that display customized information in a variety of settings and locations. That includes locations where there's little room for the player, and sometimes it's desirable to mount the player on the back of a display without adding to the size and bulk of the installation. That's especially the case with the latest ultra-thin displays where it makes no sense to pay extra for a low profile solution just to have that low profile compromised with a bulky player. As a result, there is an increasing number of compact and super-compact digital signage players on the market, and a compelling example is the DS-060 Series Ultra-Slim Digital Signage Platform from Advantech. How compact is it? The image below says it all.

In terms of dimensional specs, the DS-060 Series has a footprint of 7.1. x 7.5 inches, and it's just three quarters of an inch thick. That's smaller than the first-gen Apple TV. It's light, too, weighing in at 1.9 pounds. That's not much more than a consumer tablet, even though the DS-060 is an industrial-grade platform with very solid aluminum/steel construction.

Despite its amazingly small size and weight, the DS-060 is a robust professional platform. It can drive two displays simultaneously. It has four USB ports. There are separate microphone and line-out audio ports. There's an RJ45 gigabit LAN jack.

The DS-060 Series, which was first introduced by Advantech in September 2013, actually includes five separate models. The differentiation is primarily in the processor department where customers have their choice of distinctly different performance, power and features characteristics.

• DS-060 — if an application requires maximum processing power, the DS-060 model comes with a 45-watt Intel 3rd generation Core i7 quad-core processor with 6MB of smart cache, and brimming with Intel Advanced Technologies (such as vPro, Identity Protection and AES new instructions, VT-x, etc.).

• DS-061 — if an application requires all of Intel's high-end features, but the primary emphasis is on low power, the DS-061 fits the bill with a dual-core 17-watt ultra-low power 3rd generation Core i7-3517UE processor. Note that both the DS-060 and DS-061 benefit from a number of graphics technologies included in those two processors' Intel HD Graphics 4000.

• DS-062 — if cost is an issue, but a customer still wants to take advantage of subset of full Core processor technology, the DS-062 offers a cost-efficient solution with its Celeron B810E CPU. Do not confuse new Celeron chips with older and much less capable generations. Today's Celerons are essentially basic versions of Core i3 processors, and capable of very good performance.

• DS-063 — if even a Celeron-based unit is overkill for an application, the DS-063 comes with a dual-core Intel Atom D2550. Intel created this chip for low-end desktop applications. It's competent enough, but though it's a good step down from even the Celeron version, its 10 watt thermal design power means it needs a fan, just like the much higher -power members of the DS-060 platform.

• DS-065 — if silent, fanless operation is desired, the dual-core Intel Atom N2600-based version fits the bill. The N2600's minuscule 3.5 watt thermal design power makes the DS-065 the clear choice for applications with modest graphics requirements. And do note that the N2600 is one of the best overall Atom processors, as evidenced by its widespread use in mobile tablets and devices.

Apart from the very significant performance differential between a basic Atom processor and a high-end quad-core i7, there are a couple of other differences worth considering. First, if USB 3.0 is required, the Atom-based versions are out. Second, and this may or may not make a difference, but the two Atom-based units have VGA and HDMI ports, whereas the three higher-end versions have VGA and DisplayPort. Advantech offers DisplayPort-to-HDMI converters, and, unlike HDMI, DisplayPort can connect, via adapter, to devices other than just DVI.

Also note that the three higher-end models come with the 64-bit version of Windows Embedded Standard 7, whereas the Atom-based models use the 32-bit version. That also may or may not make a difference, depending on the application. Further note that Atom units max out at 2GB and 4GB of RAM, whereas the higher-end units support up to 8GB.

For mass storage, the DS-060 platform uses an internal SATA II hard disk or solid state disk with a maximum height of 7mm. Our review unit came with a 250GB Seagate Momentus Thin (see datasheet). Installing or replacing an HD or SSD is very simple—you simply undo four screws, take the top cover off, and insert or replace the disk.

Specs and benchmarks	Advantech
Model	DS-062
Processor Type: Intel	Intel Celeron
Processor Model	3 B810E
CPU Speed	1.60GHz
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	35 watts
CPU Mark	1,100
2D Graphics Mark	220
Memory Mark	450
Disk Mark	753
3D Graphics Mark	164
Overall PassMark	579
CM ALU	17,624
CM FPU	15,277
CM MEM	20,467
CM HDD	11,199
CM GDI	7,254
CM D2D	1,595
CM OGL	2,731
Overall CrystalMark	76,147

The motherboard itself, essentially an embedded single board computer, measures 8.0 x 5.7 inches and includes the CF Card Type II slot. All I/O connectors are edge-mounted directly on the board, and all other expansion card slots are also directly on the board.

Accessing the sole memory slot and the unit's mini PCIe compartment is equally simple; each sits under a small metal door held in place with a single screw. Overall, the DC-060 platform is among the easiest to service, simplest to access electronic device we've seen in a long while.

Advantech doesn't generally like it when we show the inside of their carefully designed and crafted devices, and so we'll just describe it. Unlike many of Advantech's systems, the DS-060 platform is not based on a standard embedded motherboard (like a mini-ITX, or COM Express). Instead, it's a very clean square board specially designed for the platform, with a cut-out to accommodate the fan and heat exchanger.

Thermal management is up to the usual high Advantech standards, with copper pipes conducting the heat away from the processor and chipset. It's a thing of beauty.

This board is also highly optimized and specialized. Unlike general purpose motherboards that usually have numerous connectors for all sorts of extra functionality, the one in the DS-060 Series has nothing that's not needed and connected. The I/O along the front and back of the device is what you get. With the exception of the WiFi, WWAN, TV tuner, etc.) that can be added via the mini PCIe slot.

The table above shows the results of our usual benchmark suites for the DS-062. It would have been interesting to test all five versions, but units are in high demand, and we were lucky to get the one that made it to our lab. Based on our overall benchmarking experience, we estimate that the N2600-based unit might be about 30% slower overall, whereas the Core i7 versions might be two to three times faster. The type of disk used will also have a large impact.

Ruggedness and utilities

Status	Added 10/2013
Type	Ultra-slim digital signage platform
CPU Type	Mobile Intel Celeron B810E
Chipset	Intel QM77 Express
BIOS	AMI EFI 64 Mbit SPI
OS	Windows Embedded Standard 7, XP Pro, Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8 Pro (32- and 64-bit, depending on model and version)
API support	iManager, SUSIAccess and Embedded Software APIs
Memory	Max 8GB DDR3 or DDR3L 1333/1600MHz via 1 slot
Graphics Controller	Intel HD Graphics
VRAM	Unknown
Video-out	1 x DisplayPort, 1 x VGA (both max 1920 x 1080)
Dual display	Yes (DisplayPort and VGA)
LAN	Yes, (Intel 82579LM)
SATA	Yes, 1 x SATA II
IDE/EIDE	NA
SSD	via SATA
Expansion: PCI	1 x MiniPCIe
USB	2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0
Serial	1 x RS232
Audio	Yes
GPIO	No
Watchdog Timer	Yes, 1 (System reset, programmable 1 ~ 255 sec/min)
Size	180 mm x 190 x 19 mm (7.1" x 7.5 x 0.75")
Weight	1.9 lbs (870 grams)
Operating Temp.	With HD: 32° to 104°F, with SSD: 32° to 122°F
Price	According to Advantech Online store, a DS-061 (Core i7-3517UE, 4GB, 500GB HD) is under US$1,200
Web page	DS-060 Series page
Datasheet	DS-060 Series spec sheet

Advantech Corporation
13 Whatney
Irvine, CA 92618
Toll Free: 1-800-866-6008
Ph: 949-420-2500
Fax: 949-420-2501
ECGInfo@advantech.com
www.advantech.com

Advantech Co. Ltd.
No.1, Alley 20, Lane 26, Rueiguang Road
Neihu District, Taipei Taiwan 114, R.O.C.
Tel: 886-2-2792-7818
Fax: 886-2-2794-7301
www.advantech.com