What's the main difference between CrownTV and Scala? +
CrownTV is a turnkey provider — one contract covers Samsung commercial displays, the CrownTV Dashboard CMS, a pre-configured media player, nationwide professional installation, and content design. Scala is software-only — you still source displays, hardware, and installation separately.
Is Scala cheaper than CrownTV? +
On software license alone, Scala is $49/month per screen — software-first, optional $500+ player, no displays or installation. CrownTV's CMS license is $29/month per screen. Once you add commercial displays, mounting, installer labor, and warranty into the Scala stack, the total cost of ownership typically lands at or above CrownTV's bundle — with multiple vendors and invoices instead of one.
Does Scala include hardware? +
No. Scala is software-only — you source commercial displays, a media player or Raspberry Pi, mounting hardware, and installation yourself. CrownTV bundles all of that under one quote: Samsung commercial displays, our media player, commercial mounts, and licensed installation, all coordinated by one account manager.
Can I move from Scala to CrownTV? +
Yes. CrownTV migrations are common. Your account manager runs a site survey, audits the existing Scala hardware (if any), recommends Samsung commercial replacements where needed, exports your content, rebuilds it inside the CrownTV Dashboard, and schedules nationwide install. Most single-location migrations land within 1–2 weeks of contract.
Which is better for multi-location: CrownTV or Scala? +
CrownTV. Multi-location rollouts need one party owning hardware procurement, install scheduling, content sync, and SLAs across every site. CrownTV provides exactly that — one PM, one contract, one invoice. Scala supplies software only — you stitch together hardware, installers, and content per site, which slows multi-site rollouts.
Does Scala install signage for me? +
No. Scala does not offer installation — you hire your own AV technicians or do it yourself. CrownTV operates a nationwide certified install crew (licensed and insured) that mounts displays, runs cables, configures the player, and tests playback before sign-off in all 50 states.
What's the Scala support SLA vs CrownTV's? +
Scala typically offers email/ticket — no dedicated account manager. CrownTV provides a 4-hour response SLA, 48-hour hardware replacement, and a dedicated account manager who knows your sites — so when a screen goes dark, one phone call resolves it instead of debugging across CMS vendor, hardware vendor, and installer separately.
Should I choose CrownTV over Scala for retail or restaurants? +
For most multi-store retail and restaurant operators, yes. CrownTV ships commercial-grade Samsung displays rated for 24/7 operation, certified install in 50 states, and content design support — operationally critical for customer-facing screens. Scala can work if you already have an AV partner and prefer software-only, but bundling typically wins on TCO and time-to-live.
When does Scala actually beat CrownTV? +
Single-screen DIY projects on the smallest possible budget. Internal/back-of-house displays where consumer hardware is acceptable If that's your situation, Scala is a defensible choice. CrownTV is built for businesses that want one provider owning hardware, software, install, and ongoing support — not for teams that want maximum vendor flexibility.
What hardware does CrownTV ship vs Scala? +
CrownTV ships Samsung commercial-grade displays (24/7 rated, 3-year onsite warranty), the CrownTV media player ($150 included in quote), and commercial mounts — all sized and pre-configured per location. Scala ships raspberry pi — no displays, no mounts, no installation.
