Exhibitions Technology Standards

Owned by Adrian Kingston
Last updated: 25 May 2018 by Rainer Spittel (Unlicensed)
5 min read

Last updated: 7 December 2017
Source document: http://poumataaho.boh.tepapa.govt.nz/otcs/llisapi.dll/overview/3909117

 

Visual Displays

Visual Display technology in the Museum’s exhibit spaces is designed by the Technology Solutions team in conjunction with the Museum’s exhibition and spatial designers. The visual display technology systems are managed by the Technology Solutions team.

Size and Resolution Guide

As a general rule patrons should be viewing a visual display from a distance of between one a five times the height of the display (for a landscape display). This general rule fits into the ANSI/InfoComm standard for visual displays (ANSI/INFOCOMM V202.01:2016 Display Image Size for 2D Content in Audiovisual Systems). This is however just a general guide and the size of visual displays are designed in a matter that reflects the nature of the overall exhibition design experience. 

Full HD (1920 x 1080p) is our standard for resolutions for visual displays. However where the patron is viewing the display closer than one time the height of the display then 4K resolution should be used, including the use of touch tables. This rule should also be adapted and followed for non-standard and customized visual displays.


Media Playback Based Interactives

Media-based interactive hardware in the Museum’s exhibit spaces is managed and maintained by the Museum’s Technology Solutions Team. The museum uses Brightsign media players, the BrightAuthor production application as well as the Brightsign network product as our media playback system.

Content that is produced to run on this platform should use the standard BrightAuthor programming language(s). HTML5 content may be played inside a BrightAuthor presentation.

The Brightsign system is managed and maintained remotely by the in-house Technology Solutions team.

Video standards

  • HD – 1920 x 1080p 50/25fps (landscape) or 1080 x 1920p (Portrait) Data rate: 15Mbs/sec. Codec: H.264. File extension .mp4
  • 4k Video Codec: 4K video must be encoded as a H.265 (HEVC) file; it cannot be encoded as H.264. Resolution: The maximum supported resolution is 3840x2160x60p or 4096x2160x60p, Display dependent.
  • Colour Depth: 4K video can be encoded at 4:2:0 subsampling with 8 bits (Main Profile) or 10 bits (Main 10 Profile) of depth.
  • Container Format: The following container formats are supported: .ts, .mov, .mp4, .mkv, .webm. Note:BrightSign players support .webm video with Vorbis audio only. The Opus audio codec is not supported.
    Bitrate: For 4K videos, we recommend a constant bit rate (CBR) between 30 and 40 Mbps. Note that the second video decoder can simultaneously support a 1080p video at up to 40 Mbps.
  • Audio Support: AAC audio (CBR/VBR) up to 288Kbps

Audio standards

  • Audio Peak Levels: Peak audio levels may not rise above -2 dBTP (-2 dbFS) at any point.
  • Audio loudness: The audio loudness of a clip will be -24 LKFS.
  • Levels and Loudness are to be measured using a loudness meter that is compliant with ITU-R BS.1770-2 or 1770-3.
  • AAC audio in H.264 Video (CBR only;no VBR support)
  • MP3 audio files as stereo or mono at a 48 kHz or 44 kHz sampling rate (MPEG1/MPE2 Video)
  • WAV audio files as stereo or mono (32-bit/96kHz output is supported on all models except the HDx20, HDx10, and AU320) 
  • Dolby Digital (AC3) 5.1 audio in an MPEG2 or MOV video.

Subtitling

  • Subtitles to be provided in .srt format, or XML export from Premiere/Final cut or similar.

Automated start up and shut down

  • The automation and remote management of visual displays and media players is managed by Te Papa’s remote management and control ecosystem.


Application Based Interactives

Computer-based interactive hardware in the Museum’s exhibit spaces is managed and maintained by the Museum’s Technology Solutions Team. The Museum currently houses all computer hardware running exhibit interactives in a controlled facility, separated physically from monitors and touchscreens on the Museum floor. 

Exhibit computers are either restarted daily (typically) or run continuously 365 days a year, depending on their application. All software developed for exhibit display must be configured to enable stand-alone startup and remote management without manual steps required to configure operation.

The current standard operating system for exhibit computers is Windows 10. Exhibit computers will be configured to automatically start the interactive application after the operating system has loaded.

The only external dependency a computer based interactive relies on is power. Network is an optional resource and the interactive shall provide a non-network mode which switches over to a non-network mode automatically if the resource is not available.

Network is a shared resource in the museum space and need to be discussed with the Museum's Technology Solutions team.

Each interactive in an open location needs to fit into the overarching audio and visual experience. The soundscape for example needs to fit into the Te Papa exhibition experience.

Computer Hardware

  • PC (Personal Computer) to be used as a preference (but not necessarily exclusively).
  • Solid State hard drives and components to be utilised.
  • Mini/ NUC style PC’s preferred
  • Higher specified machines to be used for applications requiring more computing power.
  • All in one style computers are to be avoided.
  • Windows 10 – and upgradeable/ integrated to the latest Windows Operating Systems.

Peripheral hardware

  • Use of commercial grade hardware – 16/7 operation.
  • Use of stock off the shelf hardware is preferable with built in tolerances for connecting components.
  • Components must comply with AS/NZS electrical standards.
  • Electrical components meet UE compliance with all power supplies being voltage sensing 110V to 230V.
  • Electronic components should be specified to accept a power hard start and shutdown.
  • Computer based interactives must start up automatically, no mouse or key prompts to run the programs on start up.
  • Programing source files must be provided to Te Papa at the point of hand over.
  • Wiring diagrams for components must be produced by a certified and qualified person.
  • All electrical equipment and power supplies must be compliant with the Electrical (Safety) Regulations. And tested to AS/NZS 3760 standard.
  • Components should be interchangeable where practical and modular.

Software

  • Preferable open technology platforms are used for solution development.
  • Software updates of the Interactive can be managed via Te Papa's management system.
  • Solutions to follow Te Papa’s IT security and vulnerability upgrade policies.


Build Environment principles and guidelines for digital components of the exhibition

The preferred build environment is the latest version of Windows 10, with Input or output devices that have Windows 10 device drivers, and languages, libraries, or frameworks that are Windows 10 compatible.

However, digital applications will be required to be maintainable and upgradable to new hardware and operating systems if/when hardware, driver, and operating systems require replacing or upgrading, which is expected to be required every 2-to-3 years.

Te Papa has a management ecosystem to remotely manage machines, interactives applications, or content within applications, interactive applications are required to be built to be able to be accessed remotely via our management system.

Start-up / close-down

The computer, operating system and applications must be configured to start up and close down automatically in a professional and appropriate manner.

Robustness

Applications must be designed and configured to run in an 18/7 (18 hours a day, 7 days a week) environment.