Using ePaper screens with zebrix

An e-paper screen (or electronic paper) is a display technology that mimics the appearance of ink on paper. Unlike LCD or OLED screens, it does not emit light directly but reflects ambient light, providing visual comfort close to reading on paper. Pixels are made of microcapsules containing electrically charged particles, which move to form text or images. Once the image is displayed, there is no further power consumption. This technology is mainly known through e-readers and electronic shelf labels in retail stores.

In digital signage, these screens are particularly well suited for environments where autonomy, readability, and energy efficiency are essential. They are used, for example, for menu boards, price displays, mandatory legal notices, shop window or outdoor displays, meeting room schedules, transportation signage (information, timetables), advertising, and more generally as a replacement for any paper-based display.

• Optimal readability: sharp display without glare, even in direct sunlight.
• Very low power consumption: only consumes power when updating content, enabling battery-powered operation.
• Autonomy and reliability: even without power, the image remains visible.
• Durability: no backlight, reduced heat, and long screen lifespan.
  

• Limited color display: colors are not as vivid as on a conventional screen or printed paper.
• Static display only: 30 to 40 seconds are required to render an image on the panel. No animated or video content possible.
• Higher purchase cost than a conventional screen or paper display, but much lower operating cost.
  

SAMSUNG, SHARP, and PHILIPS offer several ePaper screen models compatible with zebrix.

Please refer to the appropriate configuration guide for your screen brand:

• Comment installer zebrix sur un écran ePaper SAMSUNG ?
• Comment installer zebrix sur un écran ePaper PHILIPS (sous android) ?
• comment_deployer_un_ecran_eink_sharp_android_sous_zebrix

When the first ePaper screen is activated on your zebrix account, a new section will appear in the zebrix interface. ePaper screens will then appear in a separate list from conventional LCD screens.

Content can be assigned to an ePaper screen in the same way as a conventional screen:

• By using the “Choose content” button after selecting the target ePaper screen(s) (only images and pages will be available!)
• By creating a schedule

ePaper screens are designed to display static content that is updated occasionally (from a few times per hour to a few times per year). To maximize energy savings, the screen can remain in standby most of the time. This enables battery operation, with battery life depending on the frequency of updates.

On zebrix, you can choose to:

• Keep the screen awake permanently (default): this allows real-time updates of displayed content (with the 30 to 40 seconds rendering time). (not recommended for battery use)
• Set a wake-up interval: the screen will save energy and wake up according to the defined interval. A content change will therefore only be applied at the next wake-up. The interval should be adjusted on a “case by case” basis depending on needs.

This can be done from the “Eco-Solution” modal.

The interval can be set using the “horizontal slider”. By default, the connection with the screen is maintained permanently (no standby). The slider can be moved to the right to the desired wake-up interval value. The further right the slider is, the less often the screen will wake up and the less power it will consume. If this parameter is changed while the screen is in standby, the modification will only take effect at the next wake-up.

When power consumption needs to be optimized, for example when the screen runs on battery, it is possible to define time ranges for each day of the week during which this interval should apply. Outside these ranges, the screen will only wake up once per day (mandatory) as well as when schedules require it.

These wake-up ranges can be defined by checking the box provided for this purpose in the eco-solution modal:

If this parameter is changed while the screen is in standby, the modification will only take effect at the next wake-up.