USER GUIDE BrightAuthor software version: 3.0 BrightSign, LLC. 16795 Lark Ave., Suite 200 Los Gatos, CA 95032 | 408-852-9263 | www.brightsign.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 – Getting Started ................................................................................................. 1 What is BrightAuthor?, What kind of pressentations can I create? ........................................ 1 What type of screen layouts can I use?, Step 1: Get the hardware you need ....................... 2 Step 2: Install the BrightAuthor software, Step 3: Launch BrightAuthor.................................
Chapter 3 – Creating Presentations ................................................................................. 20 Creating a full-screen presentation ...................................................................................... 20 Creating a multi-zone presentation ...................................................................................... 22 Adding RSS, Text, and Media RSS Feeds ..........................................................................
Chapter 6 – Publishing Presentations ............................................................................. 63 Publishing with Local Storage .............................................................................................. 63 Publishing with BrightSign Network ..................................................................................... 66 Publishing with Simple File Networking ...............................................................................
Viewing your library .............................................................................................................. 94 Viewing dynamic playlists .................................................................................................... 95 Using advanced tools ........................................................................................................... 96 Chapter 9 – Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................
CHAPTER 1 - GETTING STARTED What is BrightAuthor? BrightAuthor is a software application that helps you create presentations for your digital sign or kiosk. You can play your BrightAuthor presentations on BrightSign models: HD110, HD120, HD210, HD210w, HD220, HD410, HD810, HD1010, HD1010w, HD1020, and TD1012.
What type of screen layouts can I use? You can choose from a variety of ready-to-use layout templates or create your own template. Layout templates fall into two basic categories: • • Full Screen: A slide show of media that occupies the full screen. Multi-Zone: A presentation with different types of content in separate regions of the screen. The screen can include one video or background image zone, and multiple Clock, Text, Ticker, and Image zones.
• • HD210 and HD210w HD410 • • • HD810 HD1010 and HD1010w TD1012 Any of the following models with firmware version 4.0.
• Touch screen equipped with a touch controller that supports the standard HID specification. For a list of all supported touch controllers, see the following link: http://support.brightsign.biz/entries/262256-whattouchscreenscan-i-use-with-the-brightsign.
2. (Optional) If prompted, sign in to BrightSign Network (account required). See Publishing with BrightSign Network. Step 4: Set up your BrightSign unit 1. Depending on how you want to publish your presentations, create the appropriate setup files for your BrightSign units. 2. Insert the SD card or USB flash drive that contains the setup files into the BrightSign. 3. Connect your BrightSign to a display.
Images files - For still images, use BMP, PNG, or JPEG files. The maximum supported resolution is 1920x1080. Step 6: Create your presentations Now you’re ready to start using BrightAuthor to create presentations. Just add your content and follow the directions in the next chapter of this guide to create your presentations. Step 7: Publish your presentations After creating presentations, use the publishing feature to deliver them to your BrightSign units. See Publishing Presentations for details.
CHAPTER 2 – SETTING UP UNITS Before you can create and publish presentations for your BrightSign units, you must first set up the players. How you set up your units will depend on how you want to publish presentations to the players. If you’re using BrightSign Network, Local Networking, or Simple File Networking to publish your presentations, you must set up your BrightSign units by adding them to your network.
a. Enter a Name and Description for this unit. b. Select whether you want to append the unit ID to the name or use only the name. 3.
• • Time zone: Select the time zone where the unit is located. Time server: Select the clock for this unit. • IP address: Indicate whether the IP address is auto-generated or static. If you’re using a static IP address, enter the parameters in the fields below. • Use proxy: Check the checkbox if you want to use a proxy server. Type the address and port number in the fields below.
• Group: Use the dropdown list to select a group for the unit. Groups allow you to publish presentation schedules to multiple units simultaneously. See Managing groups and Publishing with BrightSign Network for details. • • • Network connection frequency: Set how often you want the unit to check the server for updates. Limit content downloads: Set a time frame during which downloads can take place.
Important: Do not remove the SD card or flash drive from the player. Adding BrightSigns to your Local Network With local networking, the setup files provide details about where presentations are stored and whether logging options are enabled. 1. In the BrightAuthor menu bar, click Tools > Setup BrightSign Unit. 2. Under Name Specification, do the following: a. Enter a Name and Description for this unit. b. Select whether you want to append the unit ID to the name or use only the name. 3.
The Firmware Update window is divided by BrightSign model. In the section that corresponds to your BrightSign unit, select a firmware version or Do not update, and then click OK.
5. Under Unit Configuration, click Networked with Local File Networking, and then specify the following: • (Optional) Enable diagnostic web server: Check the checkbox to enable the diagnostic web server. You can include a username and password in the text fields below for added security. • (Optional) Enable local web server: Check the checkbox to enable the local web server. You can include a username and password in the text fields below for added security. 6.
• • Time zone: Select the time zone where the unit is located. Time server: Select the clock for this unit.
• IP address: Indicate whether the IP address is auto-generated or static. If you’re using a static IP address, enter the parameters in the fields below. • Use proxy: Check the checkbox if you want to use a proxy server. Type the address and port number in the fields below. • Wired/Wireless: Indicate whether the network is wired or wireless and enter the SSID and Security key if the network is secured. 4.
Important: The URL for the web folder must be identical to the web folder URL you enter when publishing presentations. See Publishing with Simple File Networking for details. • Network connection frequency: Set how often you want the unit to check the server for updates. • Limit content downloads: Set a time frame during which downloads can take place. 6.
Setting up BrightSigns for standalone use Standalone players are not connected to a network and must be updated manually. To change presentations/schedules, you must remove the storage card (or USB flash drive), update it on your computer, and reinsert it into the player.
Updating standalone units is the only case in which you should remove the storage card after setting up the unit. If your player has a USB flash drive slot, it is recommended that you use an SD card when setting up the unit, and keep it in the player as the internal storage. You can update the content on the SD card via a USB flash drive. See Publishing with Local Storage for details.
The Firmware Update window is divided by BrightSign model. In the section that corresponds to your BrightSign unit, select a firmware version or Do not update, and then click OK. 5. Under Unit Configuration, click Networked with Local File Networking, and then specify the following: • (Optional) Enable diagnostic web server: Check the checkbox to enable the diagnostic web server. You can include a username and password in the text fields below for added security.
CHAPTER 3 – CREATING PRESENTATIONS Creating a full-screen presentation In a full-screen presentation, your images or videos occupy the entire screen. 1. Create a new presentation project: a. Double-click the BrightAuthor icon on your desktop. b. Click File > New Presentation TIP: If you don’t see New Presentation under File, make sure you have the Edit, Publish, or Manage tab selected in the upper-left portion of the screen. c.
2. Click the Full screen template, and then click Choose. 3. Add media to your Library: a. In the left portion of the screen, under the File tab, click Browse. b. Navigate to the folder where your content is stored. c. Click OK. Note: If you have a lot of large files in your content folder, it may take a while for the thumbnail images to appear. 4. Add media files to your presentation by dragging files from the Media Library folders to the playlist area.
b. To edit settings for multiple items, press Ctrl+Click to select the items in the playlist area. On the menu bar, click Edit > Selected Items, and then choose the settings you want to apply to the selected items. 7. On the menu bar, click File > Save… to store your presentation. Note: Make sure you have the Edit tab selected in the upper-left portion of the screen. To save the presentation with a different name or in a different folder, select File > Save… As.
Images zone, a Video Only zone, or a Background Image zone. You cannot have more than one of these zone types in the same presentation. 1. Create a new presentation project: a. Double-click the BrightAuthor icon on your desktop. b. Click File > New Presentation Tip: If you don’t see New Presentation under File, make sure you have the Edit, Publish, or Manage tab selected in the upper-left portion of the screen. c. In the New Project window, enter a name for the presentation in the Save as field. d.
b. Under the File tab, drag items from the Media Library folders to the playlist area. Click Browse to change the Media Library folder.
• To select a series of adjacent media files, press Shift+Click as you select the files. • To select a group of non-adjacent files, press Ctrl+Click as you select the files. • To set the order in which the files play, drag them to the Playlist area in the proper order. You can change the order of files already in the playlist by clicking a file and dragging it to a new position. • To refresh the Media Library folders, click the refresh icon (next to the Browse button).
9. (Optional) Set zone properties. See Setting zone properties for details. 10. On the menu bar, click File > Save… to store your presentation. Note: Make sure you have the Edit tab selected in the upper-left portion of the screen. To save the presentation with a different name or in a different folder, select File > Save… As. To export the presentation and associated content, select File > Export…. Adding RSS, Text, and Media RSS Feeds Networked BrightSigns can include RSS feeds.
Adding Live Video and SignChannel BrightSigns HD810, HD1010, and HD1010w support Live Videos. All networked players support SignChannel content. For SignChannel, a subscription is required. See www.signchannel.com for details. Live Video – Select a Video or Images, or Video only zone. Under the Other tab, drag the Live Video icon to the playlist area. To edit the video volume and time on screen, double-click the thumbnail in the playlist area. When prompted, make the desired edits.
6. You will be prompted to save the playlist. Click Yes. The Save As window will open. Type a name for your playlist and click Save. The Save Complete window will open. Click OK. The playlist will now upload onto the BrightSign Network. Click OK. Now, all presentations that contain the Dynamic Playlist will automatically receive the new content.
To make your presentation interactive, complete the following steps: 1. Open a presentation project. If you haven’t already created a presentation, see Creating Presentations for details. 2. Add files to your Media Library by clicking the Browse button and selecting a folder that contains the files you want to include in your presentation. 3. Click a zone you want to make interactive. Note: multi-zone presentations can include both non-interactive and interactive zones. 4. Make the zone interactive.
d. Repeat steps a – c to define the remaining interactive events.
Subsequent interactive events can start with any item and correspond to any other item in the playlist. For example, you can set the first interaction to display an image when the user presses button 1 from the Home screen. By defining a new event with the same event icon, you can set a second interaction to display another media file when the user presses button 1 again.
Make sure your defined events work in a loop. In the above screenshot, a user can transition from the Home Screen to the other images by pressing button 1 or button 2. After a set period of time (indicated by the timeout events), the presentation will return to the Home Screen. Multiple interactive events can be utilized to transition from state to state. You can also apply events to multiple items. Click and drag in the playlist area to create a selection box.
The Event window that opens when double-clicking a created event icon is the same window that automatically opens when you drag an event icon from the Events tab. The window always presents options specific to the type of interactive event chosen. However, every Event window displays the following options: • • Transition to new state: Use the dropdown list to specify which file in the playlist will be the next state.
Here, you can view/change the State name and Current file. Use the dropdown list beside Select different file to swap the file with another in the playlist area. This is convenient for keeping the interactive events you have defined with the original file. Replacing media files can also be done under File > Replace Media Files. See Creating Presentations for details. Use the dropdown list beside Transition to create a special transition effect when the file appears on the display.
Event Icon Description Sets the action that occurs when a specific GPIO button/input is pressed or activated. By default, the playlist toolbar includes several GPIO buttons which you can use to define interactions. Sets the action that occurs when a specific BP900 or BP200 button is pressed. There are six icons: BP900A, BP900B, BP900C, BP200A, BP200B, and BP200C. See BP900 and BP200 Button Boards for details. Synchronizes content with another BrightSign on the same network.
Event Icon Description Sets the action that occurs when the user touches the specified rectangular area on a touchscreen. To define the area, drag the Rectangular Touch icon onto the current state. When the Add Touch Event window opens, drag the box to resize the touch area (or enter the exact Size and Position). To add additional touch regions to the selected item, click Add Touch Region, and define the parameters, and then click OK.
Event Icon Description Synchronizes content in another zone. To define the link, drag the Link Zones icon onto the current state. When the Link Zones Event window opens, enter the trigger in the Specify link keyword field, and then click OK. Note: the same event/trigger must be defined for each transition you want synchronized. Performs commands at specific times during video playback. To define the commands and times, drag the Video Time Code icon onto the current state (video file).
Media List – By default, each time an item transitions to a Media List, the next file in the list will play and exit the list after a timeout (images) or when the file finishes playing (video and audio). Alternatively, you can set the list to shuffle files or cycle through every file in the list before exiting and transitioning to the next state.
After setting your zone to Interactive and dragging a Media List icon into the playlist area, the List window will automatically open. Here, you can set the following parameters for your List: • • • Media list name: Create a unique name for the list. Set as initial state: Check this checkbox to make the list your Home Screen. Advance to next item on media end event: Check this checkbox to set the list to cycle to the next file in the list after a timeout or media end event.
Play File – Play Files also combine files into a list you can view in one window (or as one thumbnail in the playlist area). However, Play Files function quite differently. They allow transitions to specific files within the group. In addition, any type of interactive event can cause a transition to a Media List. Play Files on the other hand, can only be transitioned to via input from BP900/BP200, UDP, Serial, Keyboard, or USB. Although, any type of event can transition out of Play File and to a new state.
After setting your zone to Interactive and dragging a Play File icon to the playlist area, the Play File window will automatically open. Here, you can set the following parameters for your List: • • State name: Create a unique name for the Play File. This name will show up in the thumbnail in the playlist area. Transition (Image Play Files only): Use the dropdown list to create a special effect when a user transitions to an item in the Play File list.
Mode (if applicable) properly outlined. For a detailed explanation on importing a table for a Play File state, read the article on our website: http://brightsign.zendesk.com/entries/21135706-how-do-i-create-and-import-a-table-for-aplay-file. • Commands: Add commands to your Play File here. See Adding Commands for details. Click OK when you are finished. Adding Live Text and Interactive Menus These two features allow you to customize content for more engaging presentations.
• Position: Adjust the position of your text fields. X corresponds to the position of the text on a horizontal axis. Y corresponds to the position on a vertical axis. Note: Input numbers in the Size and Position fields for more precise results. Alternatively, you can click and drag the text fields in the preview to adjust size/position.
• Offset next: Check this checkbox to automatically set a position for subsequent text items (in relation to the most recent text item). Input the distance for the next text item in the X and Y fields. • Text type: Use the dropdown list to select Fixed Text, System Variable, Live Text Data, Media Counter, or User Variable. o Fixed text: Select this option if you want to type your own text. A text field will appear below Text Type where you can type your customized text.
Note: BrightAuthor 2.5 and earlier versions required a Background Text Color for each text field. Now, you can use the checkbox beside Background Text Color to decide whether you want to include a Background Text Color. If you choose to include one, the Transparency setting will become enabled and you can edit the Transparency of the Background Text Color. If you choose not to include a Background Text color, the letters/numbers of the text fields will appear directly over the background image.
Live Text Images: If you want to use a still image behind your Live Text, you should add the Live Text to an Images zone. Complete the following steps for each zone you want to contain Live Text: a. Select an Images zone. Make the zone Interactive. Drag the Live Text icon from the Other tab. b. In the Add Live Text window, type a State name and then click Browse beside Background Image. Locate and select your desired background image file. c. Click Add Text Item.
h. Click Set Text Parameters and edit text parameters as desired. See Setting zone properties for details on each parameter. Click OK when finished. i. Repeat steps f – h for each text field. j. When all text fields are in place, click Clear beside Background Image. k. Click OK. Clearing the Background Image removes the image from the Image zone. The text fields will appear directly over the video.
when a user presses “U” on a keyboard, the cursor will move up along the menu items. You don’t need to define every possible action. You can simply leave the dropdown list on the default None.
experience between the user and menu, it might be best to define each possible action. Below are the actions available for defining in the Navigation section: • Up, Down, Left, Right: These are the primary actions a user will perform to navigate from one menu item to the next. • • Enter: With this button, a user can select a menu item and transition to a state associated with that menu item.
• Position: Adjust the position of your Menu item by inputting specific numbers.
position of the Menu item on a horizontal axis. The Y field corresponds to the position of the Menu item on a vertical axis. Alternatively, you can click the Active Image in the preview image, and drag it to the desired position. The Inactive Image will appear in the same spot when the Menu Item is not selected. • Offset next: Check this checkbox to specify a Position for subsequent Menu Items in relation to the previous one. Input the data in the X and Y fields.
• Transition to new state: Here, a dropdown list contains all the media files previously placed in the playlist area of your zone. Select a file to allow the user to transition to that state after pressing Enter. • Return to prior state: If you select this option, the presentation will display the previous state when a user presses Enter. • Remain on current state: If you select this option, the state will not change when a user presses Enter.
• Create a User Defined Event: Click Add User Event. When prompted, type a unique name for your User Defined Event. Click Add Event and use the dropdown list to select an interactive event. Repeat for each event you want included in the User Defined Event. Click OK when you are finished. • Edit a User Defined Event: Click the appropriate name from the list in the Manage User Events window. Make the desired changes in the User Event window.
Adding Event Handlers There are a variety of cases in which you might want your presentation to sit at a blank screen. The Event Handler fills this role as an empty place holder in your presentation.
Adding Commands To add extended functions to your presentations, you can add commands to your playlist. Commands can help control displays and devices (Display On, GPIO On, etc.) or perform additional actions when interactive events are performed (Pause Video, Set Volume, etc.). You can add commands in three distinct ways. If you add a command to the interactive event, the command will be performed when that event occurs.
• BP900A, BP900B, BP900C - Set output: Turns on and off different LED lights; sets LED lights to slow, medium, or fast blink when a button is pressed on the BP900 button board(s). • BP200A, BP200B, BP200C - Set output: Turns on and off different LED lights; sets LED lights to slow, medium, or fast blink when a button is pressed on the BP200 button board(s). • • • • • • • • • Set audio output: Specifies the type of audio you want to use for this item. Set volume: Specifies the volume level.
• • Disable monitor power save mode: Turns the motor's power saving mode off. BrightControl - Display on: Turns the display on. • • • • • • BrightControl - Display off: Turns the display off. BrightControl - Send Ascii string: Sends a CEC command. BrightControl - Philips set volume: Sets Philips TV volume. Pause: Pauses presentation playback for a specified number of milliseconds. Reboot: Restarts the BrightSign unit. Set variable: Sets a specified value for a previously created User variable.
CHAPTER 4 – THE TD1012 The TD1012 is a freestanding, all-inclusive, digital signage solution that you can easily place on tables, counters, or wherever signage is most needed. The TD1012’s high resolution screen and BrightSign unit are built into a durable steel casing and can be powered for approximately 12 hours by the rechargeable battery. Creating presentations for your TD1012 is fundamentally similar to creating presentations for any other BrightSign unit. See Creating Presentations for details.
Publishing and customizing TD1012 presentations is no different from other BrightSign units. See Publishing Presentations and Customizing Presentations for details.
CHAPTER 5 – BP900 AND BP200 BUTTON BOARDS The HD810, HD1010, and HD1010w units support BP900 and BP200 button pads via the USB ports. With an Expansion Module connected to your BrightSign, you can connect a second button pad via the extra USB port. To add a BP900 or BP200 event, complete the following steps: 1. Make the presentation interactive by clicking Interactive in the upper-right side of the playlist area. 2. Define the BP900 or BP200 interactive event: a.
• Press Continuous: Determine whether you want the user to continually press the button. Specify a repeat interval in the text field (in milliseconds). • Transition to new state: Click to specify which media file in your playlist will be the Next State when the specified button is pushed. • Return to prior state: Click to revert the presentation to the previous media file when the specified button is pushed.
line between the media files. Show label creates a label either to the Right or Bottom of the media file which indicates transitions from states. See Adding Commands for details on commands. d. Click OK. Repeat steps a – c to define the remaining button pad events.
CHAPTER 6 – PUBLISHING PRESENTATIONS After you create and save a presentation, you’re ready to publish it to your BrightSign. There are four ways to publish a presentation: • • • • Local Storage BrightSign Network Local Networking Simple File Networking The method you use to publish should depend on several factors such as: whether your player is networked, what kind of network you have access to, and how many players you have.
c. Under Presentations, click Browse to navigate to and select the folder where your presentations are stored. 3. Create schedules for each presentation you want to publish: a. b. c. d. From the list under Presentations, select a presentation. Drag the presentation to a time slot during which you want it to play. Click and drag the selection handles to adjust playing time within one day. If you want the presentation to be a recurring event, double-click the highlighted presentation name in the calendar.
4. (Optional) Specify debugging, logging, and firmware preferences: a. Under Debugging, use the checkboxes to enable/disable serial debugging and system log debugging. b. Click Specify Logging and use the checkboxes in the Logging window to enable/disable playback, event, and diagnostic logging.
c. Click Specify Firmware Update and indicate whether you want to update the firmware and to which version. The Firmware Update window is divided by BrightSign generation. In the section that corresponds to your BrightSign unit, select a firmware version or Do not update, and then click OK. 5. Publish the presentation to your storage device: a. Insert a storage device into your computer (SD card or USB flash drive). b.
Publishing with BrightSign Network sends presentations and schedules to groups instead of players. Groups can contain any number of players and you can move BrightSigns from one group to another at any point. See Managing your Network for details.
1. 2. 3. 4. In BrightAuthor, sign into BrightSign network by clicking Tools > Sign in to BrightSign network Open the presentation you want to publish by clicking File > Open presentation. Click Upload to network (in the upper-right portion of the screen) to upload the presentation to the server. Specify which group you want to publish to: a. Click the Publish tab in the upper-left portion of the screen. b. Click BrightSign Network (above the calendar). c.
• Range of recurrence: Use the calendar beside Start to specify the first day you want the presentation to play. If you want the event to stop recurring at some point, click End by and use the calendar to specify the date. If you don’t want it to stop, click No end date. e. Click OK. The adjustments made will be represented in the calendar. f. If prompted, indicate whether you want to replace the existing schedule and then click OK. g. Repeat steps b – e for each presentation you want to schedule. 6.
b. Drag the presentation to a time slot during which you want it to play. c. Click and drag the selection handles to adjust playing time within one day.
d. If you want the presentation to be a recurring event, double-click the highlighted presentation name in the calendar. In the Schedule Presentation window, set the following parameters: • • • Presentation: Specify which presentation you want to schedule. Active all day, every day: Check this checkbox if you want the presentation to play 24 hours a day. Event time: Specify the time during the day when you want the presentation to play by using the dropdown lists beside Start and End.
• (Optional) Connect to server: Use the dropdown list to specify how often you want the player to connect to the server. • (Optional) Limit content downloads: Click Yes or No to determine whether you want to place a time limit on downloads. If you click Yes, use the dropdown lists beside Start of range and End of range to specify the times during the day when content can download.
c. (Optional) Under Logging, check any of the following checkboxes to enable the corresponding logs and specify upload settings: • Enable playback logging: Creates logs that specify when a playlist was used. • Enable event logging: Creates logs that specify when events were triggered. • Enable diagnostic logging: Creates logs that provide troubleshooting information. • On startup: Uploads log files each time you start the unit. • At specific time each day: Uploads log files daily, at the specified time.
You can simply select a BrightSign unit on BrightAuthor and publish a presentation directly to it, sending updates immediately.
1. In BrightAuthor, save the presentations you want to publish by clicking File > Save… As 2. Add the presentations you want to publish: a. Click the Publish tab in the upper-left side of the screen. b. Click Local Network (above the Calendar). c. Under Presentations, click Browse to navigate to and select the folder where your presentations are stored. 3. Create schedules for each presentation you want to publish: a. b. c. d. From the list under Presentations, select a presentation.
specify the date. If you don’t want it to stop, click No end date. e. Click OK. The adjustments made will be represented in the calendar. f. If prompted, indicate whether you want to replace the existing schedule and then click OK. g. Repeat steps b – e for each presentation you want to schedule. 4. (Optional) Specify debugging and firmware preferences: a. Under Debugging, use the checkboxes to enable/disable serial debugging and system log debugging. b.
CHAPTER 7 – CUSTOMIZING PRESENTATIONS This chapter will teach you all the different ways you can customize your presentations. Setting zone properties Whether you’re creating a single zone or a multi-zone presentation, you can customize the settings for each zone. 1. Open a presentation project by clicking File > Open Presentation. 2. Below Zone in the upper-left portion of the screen, click the zone whose properties you want to change. 3. Click Zone Properties.
• • Scale to fill and crop: Scales the image to completely fill the zone while maintaining the aspect ratio. Scale to fill: Scales the image to fill the zone without maintaining the aspect ratio. Initial volume (Video): Set the initial volume for video files (0-100). Initial volume (Audio): Set the initial volume for audio files (0-100). Live video: Set attributes for live video feeds. Use the dropdown lists to select the Input and Video Standard types.
Number of lines: Set the number of lines of text in the Ticker zone. Time to display each line: Set how long each line displays in the Ticker zone (in seconds). Rotation: Use the dropdown list to select the angle of text in the Ticker zone. Alignment: Use the dropdown list to set whether text is left aligned, right aligned, or centered in the Ticker zone. Text appearance: Set whether text is animated or static in the Ticker zone.
• Video Only zone: View mode, audio settings, image mode, initial volume (video), initial volume (audio), and live video. • • • Images zone: Image mode. Audio Only zone: Audio settings, initial volume (audio) Ticker zone: Number of lines, time to display each line, rotation, alignment, text appearance, foreground text color, background text color, transparency, font, background bitmap, and safe text region.
• Add a zone by clicking Add zone, typing a Zone name, selecting the Zone type, and then clicking OK.
• Make two or more zones the same size by pressing Ctrl+Click to select the zones you want to resize. On the menu bar, click Format > Make same size and select a resize option. • Align two or more zones by pressing Ctrl+Click to select the zones you want to align. On the menu bar, click Format > Align and then select an alignment option. • Center or more zones by pressing Ctrl+Click to select the zones you want to center.
• Connector type: Use the dropdown list to indicate the type of connector you are using for your display (HDMI, VGA, or Component). • • Screen resolution: Use the dropdown list to set a resolution supported by your display. RSS update frequency: Use the dropdown list to how often you want the BrightSign to check for RSS feed updates. • • Background screen color: Click Choose to select a background color that appears behind your zones.
• UDP: The UDP destination address (type below Specific IP Address in dotted quad form, or click All devices on the local subnet), and the UDP Destination and Receiver ports. • Touch: Click a Cursor option to set whether the cursor is always hidden, always visible, or present only if there is more than one touch region on the screen (auto display cursor). Check the Flip coordinates checkbox to reverse the coordinates of the check screen.
9. Click the Autorun tab and click Standard Autorun or Select custom Autorun to specify a different autorun file for the presentation. Click Browse to navigate to and select the autorun file. 9. Click the Image Cache tab. Here, a list of all media files in your playlist is displayed. Check the checkboxes to store certain files in an image cache for faster loading. 10. Click the Variables tab to create User variables and enable Media Counters.
bytes (comma separated), Synchronize, Send Zone Message, Link Zones, GPIO On, GPIO Off, GPIO Set State, BrightControl – Send Ascii String, BrightControl – Philips Set Volume, Pause. For example, if you add a Set Volume command to your presentation and use a static value like 50, the volume will always be set to 50 when the command occurs.
To create a User variable, click the Add Variable button in the Variables tab. In the Add User Variable window, type a name and default value for your variable. Whenever variables are reset (via the Reset Variables command), the variable will return to this default value. To edit a previously created User variable, type a new name or default value in the Variables tab. To delete a User variable, click the X beside the appropriate variable. 11.
• Alignment: Use the dropdown list to set whether Live Text is left aligned, right aligned, or centered. • Foreground text color: Click Choose and select a color for Live Text (the letters). • Background text color: Use the checkbox to determine whether you want to include a background text color for text fields. Click Choose and set a default color for the backgrounds. • Transparency: Drag the bar to set a transparency setting for background text colors.
CHAPTER 8 – MANAGING YOUR NETWORK You can manage your BrightSign and Local networks through BrightAuthor. Permissions Administrators of BrightSign Network accounts can create separate accounts with access to their BrightSign Network. These accounts (called User Accounts) can be assigned to roles with various sets of permissions in both the web user interface and BrightAuthor.
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BrightSign Network – You can view the activity status of all units in your BrightSign Network, the groups to which units are assigned, the scheduled presentations for each group, the last connection time for each unit, and how often each unit is set to connect to the network. 1. 2. 3. 4. Sign in to BrightSign Network by clicking Tools > Sign in to BrightSign Network. Click the Manage tab. Click Status (below the Manage tab). Click the arrow beside a group to view its details.
Viewing presentations Viewing BrightSign Network presentations lets you see all presentations uploaded to the network, which groups they belong to, which presentations are active, and when they were last modified. 1. Sign in to BrightSign Network by clicking Tools > Sign in to BrightSign Network.
2. 3. 4. 5. Click the Manage tab. Click Presentations (below the Manage tab). Click the arrow beside a presentation to view which groups are currently using the presentation. (Optional) Sort the list of presentations by clicking the column you want to use as the sort criteria. For example, to sort by name, click the name column. Click again to switch between ascending and descending order.
Viewing your library Viewing your library lets you see all the content you’ve uploaded to your BrightSign Network.
1. Sign in to BrightSign Network by clicking Tools > Sign in to BrightSign Network. 2. Click the Manage tab. 3. Click Library (below the Manage tab). Here, all files uploaded to the network are displayed. Files with a green check mark are currently active. Do any of the following: • • Switch between thumbnail and list view: Click the icons in the upper-right portion of the screen. View item info: Right-click an item and click Info.
Using advanced tools Advanced tools let you remotely control units on your BrightSign Network, or set up a USB flash drive to retrieve device data and perform device actions. After setting up a USB flash drive, inserting it in a BrightSign will extract the specified data or perform the specified actions (e.g. reboot the player).
2. Click Tools > Advanced. 3. Click the Update Autorun tab. A list of all your groups is displayed here. Check the checkboxes and then click Update now to update the Autorun version for those groups. 4. Click the Unit Control tab. 5. In the Serial Number field, type the serial number of the unit you want to control. 6. Click the Action dropdown list to select the action you want to perform: • • Reboot unit: Restarts the BrightSign.
CHAPTER 9 – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS For additional Frequently Asked Questions, go to http://support.brightsign.biz/forums. Can I use BrightAuthor with the HD600 or HD2000? No. Currently, BrightAuthor only supports the HD110, HD120, HD210, HD210w, HD220, HD410, HD810, HD1010, HD1010w, HD1020, and TD1012. Can I open the autoplay.xml file using BrightAuthor? No. The autoplay.xml file generated when you publish a presentation is a playlist file.
If the folder you selected has a large number of images and videos, the Media Library may take a few minutes to update. Please be patient. Why can’t BrightAuthor locate my files when I try to publish my presentation? If you copy a presentation project from one computer to another, or move or rename files used in a BrightAuthor project, BrightAuthor cannot locate the files and you will receive an error message when you try to publish.
APPENDIX A – REMOTE CONTROL PROTOCOLS Complete the following steps to set up your BrightSign to communicate with a remote control: Create an interactive presentation (see Making a presentation interactive). 1. Define an interactive event with the Remote Input event. 2. In the Remote Input Event window, specify the remote input with any of the following remote control codes: WEST EAST NORTH SOUTH SEL EXIT PWR MENU SEARCH PLAY FF RW PAUSE ADD SHUFFLE REPEAT VOLUP VOLDWN BRIGHT 3.
