BrightSign Player Quickstart

Owned by BrightSign TechDocs
Last updated: Feb 20, 2024Version comment
7 min read

Introduction

This guide walks through the various available methods of using BrightAuthor:connected to set up a BrightSign player.

After the player is setup, the BrightAuthor:connected Publishing Quickstart is recommended to learn how to create a simple presentation and to publish that presentation to a player for display.

What You Will Need

  • BrightSign player

  • microSD card or other storage device (a microSD card will be assumed for this guide)

BrightSign Players lack onboard storage and require a separate storage device such as a microSD card. USB drives are also supported including thumb drives, external hard drives, and external SSDs (solid-state drives). In addition, many BrightSign players also support internal SSDs in the common M.2 form factor.

Aside from streamed content and live video feeds, content is played from the storage device. Most users prefer microSD cards as these are affordable, readily available, and insert neatly (no dangling cables to worry about) into the player’s microSD card slot. Due to the continuous usage many players experience, the use of BrightSign-qualified microSD cards is recommended (more info here). If multiple storage devices are attached, the priority order will be USB storage, then microSD card, then M.2.

  • Mac or PC

  • Display

  • HDMI® cable (connects the player to the display)

  • For Standalone Setup only: a microSD or TransFlash (TF) card adapter (computers with SD card readers typically require an adapter to access microSD or TF cards)

Additional requirement details can be found here.

Setup Configurations

Players can be set up in the following configurations: Standalone, Local Network, Web Folder, and BSN.cloud.

  • Standalone

    • Content is manually published to a storage device

    • The storage device is manually connected/inserted into each player

    • Network connection not required

    • Free

  • Local Network

    • The authoring software is used to publish content and content updates to the player(s) over the local network

    • Local network connection required

    • Free

  • Web Folder

    • Content resides on a web server which the player(s) download to their storage

    • Players periodically check the web server for content updates; when new content is detected, the content is automatically published to the player(s)

    • Network connection between player and web server required

    • Free (hosting charges may be required)

  • BSN.cloud

    • Content is stored, published, and managed via BSN.cloud

    • Internet connection required

    • Subscription-based with free trial

Configurations involving the legacy BrightSignNetwork.com are not covered in this guide.

Prepare the microSD card by erasing its contents. Cards must be formatted as exFAT (recommended) or FAT32. If unsure of the format, reformat the card using DiskUtility on Mac or File Explorer on Windows (right-click on the drive representing the card and click “Format…”).

Download, install, and launch the BrightAuthor:connected app on your Mac or PC.

  1. The BrightAuthor:connected Dashboard screen should appear as shown below indicating that you are not connected to BSN.cloud. If you wish to use BSN.cloud, refer to the BSN.cloud setup.

  2. From the Admin tab, select Player Setup.

Standalone Setup

Setup in BrightAuthor:connected

After selecting Setup in the Admin tab:

  1. Enter the Player Name and Player Description.

  2. Set your Time Zone. The player should be connected to the internet to set the time correctly, but the time can be set manually as well. See this page for more information.

  3. Select an Idle Screen Color. The default is black but it is helpful to select an alternate color to readily identify when the display is idling as opposed to powered off.

  4. For Publishing Mode, select Standalone.

  5. Select Save Setup and save to a blank microSD card. Save the files to the top/root level of the card; do not save to a sub-folder. A message may appear indicating that your OS should be up to date. Select OK.

Player setup

  • Insert the microSD card into the player.

  • Power up the player.

  • Upon bootup, the player should display a message on the screen indicating that Standalone setup is in progress. Do not unplug the player.

  • When complete, the player will display a message indicating that setup is complete.

The player is now ready to be published to. Refer to the BrightAuthor:connected Publishing Quickstart to publish a presentation to a Standalone player.

Local Network Setup

Setup in BrightAuthor:connected

After selecting Setup in the Admin tab:

  1. Enter the Player Name and Player Description.

  2. Set your Time Zone.

  3. Select an Idle Screen Color. The default is black but it is helpful to select an alternate color to readily identify when the display is idling as opposed to powered off.

  4. For Publishing Mode, select Local Network.

  5. If not checked, select Enable Local Web Server.

  6. Select Save Setup and save to a blank microSD card. Save the files to the top/root level of the card; do not save to a sub-folder. A message may appear indicating that your OS should be up to date. Select OK.

Player Setup

  • Insert the µSD card into the player.

  • Power up the player.

  • Upon bootup, the player should display a message indicating that the Local Network setup is in progress. Do not unplug the player.

  • When complete, the player will display a message indicating that setup is complete. The message will also show the player’s IP address; take note of this as it may be required for publishing. If an IP address is not showing, check that the player is properly connected to the network. Unless wireless access was set up, the network connection will typically be via an Ethernet cable from the player to a router.

The player is now ready to be published to. Refer to the BrightAuthor:connected Publishing Quickstart to publish a presentation for a Local Network configured player.

 

Web Folder Setup

Setup in BrightAuthor:connected

After selecting Setup in the Admin tab:

  1. Enter the Player Name and Player Description.

  2. Set your Time Zone.

  3. Select an Idle Screen Color. The default is black but it is helpful to select an alternate color to readily identify when the display is idling as opposed to powered off.

  4. For Publishing Mode, select Web Folder.

    1. Enter URL for Web Folder. This is the web accessible folder where the presentation resides.

    2. Optional: if authentication is desired, enter the User Name and Password.

  5. Select Save Setup and save to a blank microSD card. Save the files to the top/root level of the card; do not save to a sub-folder. A message may appear indicating that your OS should be up to date. Select OK.

Player Setup

  • Insert the microSD card into the player.

  • Power up the player.

  • Upon bootup, the player should display a message indicating that Web Folder setup is in progress. Do not unplug the player.

  • When complete, the player will display a message indicating that setup is complete.

If a presentation has already been published to the Web Folder, then the presentation should begin playing. To publish a presentation to the Web Folder, refer to the BrightAuthor:connected Publishing Quickstart.

BSN.cloud Setup