BrightSign Basics

BrightSign Basics

source: Job van Nuenen, edited by Veerle en Simone  van Blackbox PT/IBB

This Bookstack is under construction, some information might be missing

Wat are BrightSigns?

BrightSigns are digital media players, that you can use to run multiple video's on multiple output displays, such as TV screens, PC monitors and Projectors. They are commonly used in multimedia artworks and presentations because:

• They do not require you to keep your laptop connected to the installation
• They are able to sync together, so you can run multiple video's on multiple displays, that are timed together to start and stop. 
• Available from rentals of HKU and are considered reliable for use during presentations and expo's.
• Unlike using Raspberry Pi's, you don't need to install the initial software of an PI to run it. But that does not mean a PI could not do the same job, research comparisons between the two and decide accordingly. 

Software

Resolution and Image

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqCeBQIl8yE

DezeSome tutorialNotes gaatabout use of BrightSigns at HKU

• BrightSigns used for syncing image need to be from the same type. You cannot connect a LS4 with a LS5 as far as we know. 
• BrightAuthor software used in 13BrightWalls minonly doorruns heton heleWindow. proces
heen.
• BrightAuthor:connected Prettyruns straightforward.on EenWindows paarand bijzonderheden:Mac, but cannot run multiple screens in sync! 



• If
  -you Jehave hebtone eenvideo ‘domme’image switchthat nodigyou omwant deto playersdivide metover elkaarmultiple tescreens, verbinden,you dushave geento modemmanually /cut routerup dieyour zelforiginal eenvideo netwerkin gaatdesired proberen aan te leggen.
  
  
  - Alle players moeten van hetzelfde type zijn! LS4 en LS5 door elkaar gebruiken kan zo te zien nietslices (niet geprobeerd)
  
  
  - De BrighAuthor authoringusing software voorsuch Brightwallsas draait alleen op Windows: https://www.brightsign.biz/resources/software-downloads/ De simpele author software (BA connected) is inmiddels wel Mac compatible, maar als je meerdere schermen sync wil laten lopen heb je de Windows versie nodig.
  
  
  - Als je één beeld wil verdelen over meerdere schermen deel je je video handmatig (bv inAdobe After Effects) opand inrender verschillendethese HDinto /separate HD/4k files.
  
  
  - De
files
• Files moetenneed gedecodeerdto wordenbe binnendecoded dewithin the specs vanof hetthe exacteexact BrightSign model: https://support.brightsign.biz/hc/en-us/articles/218065137-Supported-video-formats-and-codecs218065907-Which-factors-can-affect-synchronization.

BrightSigns not displaying any output! 

Screens that are connected to BrightSign players need to be able to handle the resolution of what the player wants to output. If you shoot a 4K video, but the monitor or projector that you are displaying your video on can only handle Full HD, the output of the BrightSign will automatically switch to 4K as well. 

This means the monitor will very most likely not display any image at all and turns black! It cannot display the 4K resolution given bij de media player, so it displays nothing. 

BrightSigns installations startup instruction for a BrightWall

1. When everything is connected in your setup,. make sure that the network switch you are using (in case of multiple media player setups) is switched on first. 
2. After the network switch is turned on, start the other BrightSign players one by one. 
3. Have patience, sometimes the media players will restart multiple times before they found each other.
4. During this resetting, the Monitor screens/Projectors might lose signal in the process. 
5. When media players have found each other and the programs are running, the video(s) will start playing. 

when in the author process within BrightAuthor you have selected the "Identity player during startup" option, the player will display a title screen with "Screen X"/name of your screen to determine which player it is connected to.