BrightSign OS

Description

BrightSign are professional network media players that support HTML5/JavaScript and other web technologies. A BrightSign player can be embedded into a panel and delivered as an all-in-one unit.

Supported Devices

BrightSign FW version	SmartPlayer Support
8.x.x	Yes
7.x.x	Yes
6.x.x	No
5.x.x	No

Important! BrightSign LS and HD series devices do not support simultaneous playback of two videos due to technical limitations. For more detailed compatibility information, visit the official BrightSign page. All modern devices come with firmware 8.x.x and are supported by SmartPlayer. The application can only be launched from a MicroSD card; it will not run from flash memory. It is recommended to use MicroSD cards, as they are protected from external factors (secured with a metal shield and screw) and are more compact, preventing accidental removal from the USB slot.

• Series 4: HD224, HD1024, HS124, HS144, LS424
• Series 3: HD223, HD1023, LS423, HO523

All players: https://www.brightsign.biz/downloads/overview
Comparison of all players: https://www.brightsign.biz/digital-signage-products/compare-models
Firmware: https://brightsign.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015198753-Previous-OS-and-Firmware-Releases
How to update firmware: https://support.brightsign.biz/hc/en-us/articles/218066817-How-do-I-update-the-OS-Firmware-on-a-BrightSign-player-

Initial Setup

Preparing the Device for Launch

To configure network parameters (Ethernet/WiFi/Modem) on the device, use BrightAuthor:connected. Available for download at https://www.brightsign.biz/digital-signage-products/software/brightauthorconnected. BrightAuthor:connected allows you to configure device parameters, including network settings. Network configuration depends on the connected network. Video tutorials: https://www.brightsign.biz/training-1/tutorial-videos
By default, access to the device (web interface):

• login: admin
• password: device serial number

Factory reset (Restoring to factory settings)

Sometimes you need to reset the device to factory settings:
1. Turn off the power
2. Hold down the reset and svc buttons
3. Turn on the power (plug in the adapter cable)
4. Wait until the Err LED starts flashing red, then release the buttons
5. Wait until the device completes operations; if HDMI is connected, a progress bar will be visible
Video tutorial: https://vimeo.com/351436006?embedded=true&source=video_title&owner=25098699

Firmware Update

Starting from client app version v1.3.0 and higher, during initial setup (before registration in the personal account), if the firmware is available on the SmartPlayer server for the configured device, the app will prompt to update it. Updating the firmware to the latest version is a good practice. How to check and update the current firmware: https://docs.brightsign.biz/display/DOC/Firmware+Installation+Instructions>

Preparing the MicroSD Card

1. How to choose a MicroSD card - https://brightsign.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/218065677-How-to-select-an-SD-card. Recommended MicroSD cards - https://www.brightsign.biz/digital-signage-products/accessories/MicroSD-cards
2. Format it to exFAT - https://brightsign.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041158914-How-do-I-format-or-erase-an-SD-card. The card size determines the available memory for SmartPlayer. After formatting, the MicroSD must be empty, without third-party files.
3. Place the SmartPlayer client app in the root of the formatted card. The final file structure is shown in the screenshot. Never modify files inside the sp_app or autorun.brs folders; this will cause malfunction or prevent launch. File operations within sp_app occur only via the SmartPlayer dashboard.

mini

4. Insert the MicroSD card into the device slot
5. Disconnect and reconnect power to reboot (the power button will not respond if the card was hot-inserted). The first boot takes 1–3 minutes (depending on the card).
6. If the device is online, a nine-digit registration code will appear.
7. Continue following the guide: http://wiki.smartplayer.org/index.php/Getting_started

Working with Audio (Volume)

BrightSign devices have no system-wide volume control. Volume is set per content item — video, audio, etc. SmartPlayer supports volume adjustment per content during broadcast creation, allowing playback at a specific volume level.

Current Version Limitations

• no proof-of-play statistics support (disabled)
• no 4K content support (plays in FullHD)
• BrightSign OS uses its own list of time zones with specific logic.

When using the moment.JS library, it is not possible to set the exact time zone. The system selects based on time offset equivalence rather than name, thus choosing the first matching time zone found in moment.JS . More details: link

Manual Application Update

Starting from version v1.3.0 and higher, the client application is updated via the SmartPlayer server. This instruction is relevant only if you need to update from a version earlier than v1.3.0. For example, updating from v1.0.0 to v1.3.0. After v1.3.0, updates can be done remotely through the SmartPlayer server. 1. Disconnect power from the device and remove the MicroSD card
2. Rename the folder on the MicroSD from sp_app to sp_app_old
3. Delete the file autorun.brs
4. Extract the new version archive to the root of the MicroSD (you will see a new sp_app folder and updated autorun.brs)
5. Create a folder named cache inside sp_app
6. Create a folder named CONFIG inside sp_app/cache
7. Copy the file /sp_app_old/cache/CONFIG/device.txt to /sp_app/cache/CONFIG/device.txt
8. Delete the folder sp_app_old
9. Insert the MicroSD back into the device and power it on

Incorrect Resolution on Device Startup

If, when installing and starting the application, the image does not fill the screen or appears cropped, check the resolution settings in your device configuration. To do this, enable the Diagnostic Web Server in the device settings and verify or adjust the resolution as needed: Diagnostic Web Server Configuration

Playing Content in Synchronization Mode

Synchronization mode is the operating mode of devices within the SmartPlayer dashboard, where the content being played is synchronized across devices within a single broadcast.

Synchronization Mode

The "Synchronization" mode and the "Video Wall" mode do not work on devices running BrightSign OS.

Hardware Limitations of the Platform

BrightSign devices have the following hardware limitations:

1. No synchronization mode (this solution is under development).
2. Devices of the "LS" and "HD" series support playback of only one video at a time.
3. Streaming supports all stream formats.
4. Playback of 4K content (3840x2160 resolution) is supported only on later models (XT series). Other device lines automatically convert playback to Full HD (1920x1080 resolution).
5. Memory limitation: "HD" and "LS" models have 128 MB of RAM. Other series models are limited to 512 MB.
6. No remote display on/off control.
7. No brightness adjustment slider. Brightness must be set directly on the devices.
8. No remote control functionality.
9. No IPTV support.
10. Cannot connect through a proxy (this solution is under development).
11. By default, devices of the "XT", "4K", and "XD" series can support two active videos simultaneously. Devices of the "HD" and "LS" series can support only one active video at a time. More details at the link.

Using PDF as Content

To use a PDF file as content on the device, see the article at the link.

Support for Dual HDMI

Starting from version v1.10.17, support for two or more HDMI outputs has been added. The device must have two HDMI outputs (for example, XT2145). When the device starts, it will determine the best video mode for the connected screens via HDMI (if multiple HDMI outputs are present, all will be detected). The SmartPlayer application is rendered in logical coordinates.

• User (logical) coordinates — this is the coordinate system of the application interface. On 4K screens, when the full-resolution graphics mode is disabled, the engine renders in a “logical” space of 1920×1080, and the hardware scales the image up to physical 4K.
• Physical coordinates — these are the actual pixels of the panel/HDMI output. On 4K screens, this is a grid of 3840×2160 (or the actual EDID value). Any position/size in physical coordinates corresponds precisely to these pixels on the screen without additional scaling.

The logical coordinate mode affects only the units of measurement and how the UI is upscaled. Important: 4K video quality is not affected. 4K clips are displayed as true 4K — sharp and fullscreen. “Logical pixels” apply only to UI element positioning, not to the video itself. BrightSignOS does not provide an API to enable or disable the full-resolution graphics mode; third-party developers (relative to official solutions like BrightAuthor, etc.) are recommended to work in logical coordinates. How can I understand physical and logical coordinates?

• To display physical coordinates, run the DWS program on the Video tab. DWS in BrightSign stands for Diagnostic Web Server — the built-in web admin panel of the player, accessible via HTTP at its IP address (usually port 80). Through it, you can view logs, status, upload files to SD, reboot the device, and more.
• To display logical coordinates, run SmartPlayer and view the device card — it shows the width and height resolution you should work with. These values are set each time the player starts, meaning if one startup used a single HDMI and the next used two, the resolution values will change accordingly.

What resolution will SmartPlayer set by default? It depends on how many HDMI outputs are connected. Upon each startup, the application polls the active HDMI outputs and assigns each the best mode (https://docs.brightsign.biz/developers/videomodeconfiguration method getBestMode). The display must return correct EDID data; the default is 1920×1080. EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is a dataset transmitted by a monitor/TV/display to the source (player or PC) over the DDC (I²C within HDMI/DP/VGA) channel. Stored in the display’s ROM. Through EDID, the source learns:

• manufacturer/model, serial number, release date;
• supported video modes (resolutions and refresh rates: 1920×1080@60, 3840×2160@30/60, etc.);
• preferred (native) panel mode;
• color format and depth (RGB/YCbCr, 8/10/12-bit);
• audio capabilities (LPCM, AC-3, E-AC-3, DTS, etc.);
• additional features per CTA-861 standard (HDR10/HLG flags, 4:2:2/4:4:4, etc.).

Based on EDID, the source automatically selects a compatible output mode (i.e., getBestMode()). Manual “force resolution mode” is not supported. In most cases, when EDID data is correct, the desired result is achieved.