State-of-the-art analysis: Video-monitors

The monitors that we encountered at Medeltidsmuseét were quite simple in design. They consisted of a monitor (varying size) placed in a faded metallic-grey housing with one well visible button at the front. The monitor was usually in close connection to a showcase or another point of interest. If you pushed the button it played a video. Either with or without sound with no chance to pause or rewind.
  These monitors didn’t seem to be aimed at a specific target group. Their position and shape seem to suggest that instead it turns to those who have a deep interest, and want to get additional information regarding the specific showcase.

At Medeltidsmuseet

 Some pros and cons regarding our target group.
Pros:

• Easy to use/understand.
• Easy access to information
• Less straining than reading.

Cons:

• Difficult to hear if a lot of people, or not close enough
• If no sound - difficult to comprehend what they were watching.
• Some of the monitors were very small which will strain their eyes.
• Position was too low (or screen not angled) which resulted in the listener having to bend down in order to see the video.

The usage varied. Mostly it seemed to be people who took their time to read the information or study the show-case. But also people who seemed "less interested" pushed the button. One important thing I noticed was that a large part of those who pushed the button didn't stay to watch the full length of the video.
  Sometimes the monitor was placed between two show-cases, this is where another minus became evident. Since there was no information on the monitor itself (eg label stating what it will show) it was difficult to know which one it was relaying information about.
  So in short, if we were to make theses monitors better toward our target group first or all the screen would have to be larger and angled, (or placed in higher position) so as not to strain their backs. Secondly the sound could maybe be connected to separate headphones so that it would be easy to hear the information. Finally, if the videos are complements to the text it’s important that there is no duplicate information, or that the video is too long, else the visitor might lose interest.