When planning your digital signage strategy, one of the most fundamental decisions you’ll face is choosing your hardware. Both System-on-Chip (SoC) displays and external media players have their strengths, and understanding when to use each can make the difference between a successful deployment and costly headaches down the road.
The good news? You don’t have to pick a side and stick with it forever. Modern content management systems support both hardware approaches, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best for each specific use case.
Understanding Your Options
What Is an External Media Player?
An external media player is a computing device that connects to your display to power your digital signage content. Media players range from simple, Android-based devices to robust, PC-based systems, depending on your performance requirements. This is a good option when you already have screens you want to use for digital signage content.
What Is a System-on-Chip (SoC) Display?
A system-on-chip display integrates all the computing power necessary for digital signage directly into the screen itself. SoC is a powerful multi-core processor mounted inside the enclosure of commercial-grade displays, replacing the traditional playback device and its cables. Think of it as a smart TV specifically designed for commercial use—everything you need to display content is built right in.
Debunking the SoC Limitations Myth
Early SoC displays earned a reputation for being underpowered and inflexible. While this was true in the early days, modern SoC technology has evolved significantly. Thanks to more powerful processors, most content will run smoothly with minimal issues. Today’s SoC displays can handle everyday digital signage needs, including playlists, basic video playback, static content, and even some dynamic updates.
However, for the most demanding applications—such as high-resolution 4K-8K video, complex multi-zone layouts, real-time data integrations, video walls, or command center displays—external media players still hold the performance advantage.
Side-by-Side Comparison: SoC vs. Media Players
| Setup & Deployment | Simple installation with fewer cables and devices; easier rollout across multiple locations | More complex wiring and setup; requires additional hardware mounting |
| Cost | Lower long-term total cost of ownership; no external player expense; reduced energy consumption | Lower upfront display cost, but additional expense for player hardware and higher energy usage |
| Performance | Good for standard signage, menus, and schedules; may struggle with demanding graphics or interactive content | High performance capabilities; supports demanding graphics, AI applications, live data feeds, and interactive experiences |
| Software & CMS | Often includes built-in CMS capabilities; potential for vendor lock-in with proprietary systems | Maximum flexibility—works with wide variety of software and CMS solutions |
| Maintenance | Fewer components than a traditional digital signage network, which reduces the number of failure points; easier remote updates | Media player can be swapped or upgraded without replacing the entire display |
| Energy Efficiency | Typically uses less electricity (single device) | Higher energy consumption running two devices simultaneously |
| Aesthetics & Space | Clean, uncluttered appearance with no external hardware visible | External player can create mounting challenges and visual clutter |
| Flexibility & Ports | Limited ports and expandability options | More ports and expansion capabilities for peripherals like cameras, sensors, and other devices |
| Upgradability | Must replace entire display if performance requirements change | Can upgrade or replace just the media player as needs evolve |
| Best Use Cases | Retail menus, promotional displays, corporate communications, airport information—large rollouts with frequent content updates | Complex signage applications, interactive kiosks, data-driven dashboards, AI-powered content, advanced graphics requirements |
Selecting the Right Hardware for Your Organization’s Needs
The choice between SoC and external media players should be driven by your specific requirements, not arbitrary preferences.
When SoC Displays Excel
SoC displays are ideal for straightforward digital signage applications where simplicity and cost-effectiveness take priority:
- Schools and Universities: Digital bulletin boards, event schedules, and wayfinding
- Corporate Lobbies: Welcome messages, company news, and visitor information
- Retail Environments: Menu boards, promotional content, and pricing displays
- Employee Communications: Internal announcements, safety information, and corporate updates
- Quick-Service Restaurants: Digital menu boards with occasional updates
These environments benefit from the streamlined deployment, lower maintenance requirements, and energy efficiency of SoC displays.
When External Media Players Make Sense
External media players become essential for high-demand digital signage environments:
- Command Centers: Mission-critical displays requiring maximum reliability and performance
- Data-Driven Signage: Real-time dashboards, live feeds, and dynamic content integration
- Video Walls: Multi-display configurations requiring synchronized playback
- Interactive Kiosks: Touch-enabled applications with complex user interactions
- Immersive Experiences: High-resolution content, advanced graphics, and AI-powered personalization
External media players handle more demanding content better than SoC displays. Whether it’s ultra-high-definition videos or interactive experiences, external players keep things running smoothly.
Total Cost of Ownership Considerations
While SoC displays typically have higher upfront costs, they often deliver better long-term value through reduced energy consumption, simplified maintenance, and fewer hardware components to manage. External media players may be less expensive initially, but they require additional power, cooling, and maintenance over time.
For large-scale deployments, the simplified installation and reduced ongoing support requirements of SoC displays can result in significant operational savings. However, if your content requirements demand the performance capabilities of external players, the additional costs are often justified by improved reliability and user experience.
The Flexibility Advantage
One of the biggest advantages of working with a hardware-agnostic content management system is avoiding the trap of choosing the “wrong” hardware path. Your digital signage needs will likely evolve over time, and having a platform that supports both SoC displays and external media players means you can adapt your hardware strategy as requirements change.
This flexibility is particularly valuable for organizations with diverse signage needs. You might use SoC displays for straightforward informational content in lobbies while deploying external media players for interactive kiosks or data-rich displays in operations centers.
Making Your Decision
Consider these key questions when evaluating SoC versus external media players:
- What type of content will you display? Simple, static content favors SoC; high-resolution, interactive content needs external players.
- How many locations are you deploying to? Large-scale rollouts benefit from SoC simplicity; smaller, specialized deployments can handle external player setups.
- What’s your maintenance capacity? Limited IT resources favor SoC reliability; dedicated support teams can manage external player complexity.
- How important is future upgradability? If you anticipate changing requirements, external players offer more flexibility.
- What’s your total cost of ownership budget? Factor in energy, maintenance, and replacement costs beyond initial hardware prices.
The Bottom Line
There’s no universal right answer to the SoC versus external media player debate. The best choice depends entirely on the application, deployment scale, and operational constraints your organization is working with.
The smartest approach is working with a platform that supports both hardware strategies, giving you the freedom to choose the right tool for each specific job—and the flexibility to evolve your hardware strategy as your needs change.
Ready to explore your digital signage hardware options? Learn more about how Korbyt can work with your digital signage network—whether you run SoC displays, external media players, or both. Our hardware-agnostic platform ensures you’re never locked into a single approach, giving you the flexibility to adapt as your needs evolve.
