How do I Install the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 On the SA2000?

Microsoft doesn't officially support .NET 3.5 SP1 yet on the Microsoft XP Embedded Standard Release (SP3) but here's a short guide that we have come up with that would allow you to remove the .NET Framework 2.0 (included module in XPE) and then install 3.5SP1. Please click on this link to find out more: http://www.signage.dtri.com/web/support/signage_appliance_text.html

Running Microsoft Powerpoint Content from the WebDT Content Manager

A lot of you have asked about using Microsoft Powerpoint Content on the WebDT Content Manager 3.0. Here is a short guide on what to look out for when programming the contents.

- Here I am using a screen shot captured on Microsoft Powerpoint 2007. It might look a little different on Powerpoint 2003 but the concept is the same.

- After you have programmed the ppt file, go "Slideshow" -> "Setup slide show" and make sure the "Browsed at a kiosk (full screen)" is checked.

- Also check the "use timing, if present" as well.

- Now go to the "Animation" tab and program your slide show as usual.

- Next, go to the "Design" tab and change the "Slide sized for" to the correct aspect ratio. Meaning if the zone on your template is programmed in the 16:9 aspect ratio then change this section to "16:9".

- If you need to embed external movie files, then read on, otherwise you can save the file and upload it to the multimedia section of WCM3.0 but make sure the .ppt/pptx/pps extension still stays on after the upload.

- For Powerpoint file with embedded object, please use only WMV or MPG-1 video file as other formats are not fully supported by the Microsoft Powerpoint viewer (as installed on the WebDT Player). Currently macros, programs, opening linked, other embedded video objects (other than WMV and MPG-1) as well as .eps, .pct, .emz, .cdr, .cgm, .wpg, .wmz are NOT supported. The example screenshot below shows an embedded "wmv" file.

- If you have embedded any objects into the ppt file proceed to "zip" up (.zip format) the multiple files from one folder into a single .zip file.

- Logon to WCM and proceed to upload the zip file under the "Multimedia" section.

- Click on the pptx or ppt entry file (See picture as indicated with a yellow bar below).

- You can now process the powerpoint file via WCM3.0

How Do I "Batch Register" all my WebDT Signage Appliances within a network?

Question: How Do I "Batch Register" all my WebDT Signage Appliances within a network?

We have been getting enquiries about large scale deployment of WebDT and how best to "register" all the Signage Appliances without having to hook up a mouse and keyboard to each unit once they are installed in the field. Well, WebDT actually has a tool called the "Batch Register Tool" (Simple as it is) that allows administrators or field service agents (via his/her laptop connected to the Signage network) to simply register all these appliances without going to each player individually.

Step 1: Install the WebDT Signage Tools Package (inclusive of Batch Register Tool and Offline Deployment Tool) on a notebook PC (typically this is the PC which the field service agent would be using). The WebDT Signage Tools can also be found on the local SA1000/2000/3000 DT Research folder (Start -> All Programs -> DT Research -> WebDT Signage Tools -> Batch Register)




Step 2: Once installed and running, the tool should then automatically "Scan" your primary network connection subnet (where the laptop or the Signage Appliance is connected to). Bear in mind that this tool cannot be used to register Signage Appliances that are outside of the local area network.

Step 3: Expand Publish Server and you should be able to see all the Signage Players currently running (either already registered or not). You can then click on the player to view more information about that player (see screen shot below).




Step 4: Select all the players which you would like to register to a particular server and then type in all required credentials (See picture below). Make sure the Publish Server URL is specified correctly with the full path such as http://signage.server.com:81/publish/



Step 5: Once successfully registered you should then be able to control the Signage Appliance from your WebDT Content Manager server. You can use the Batch Register Tool to change registration or even change the playername, etc.

How Do I Publish to 2 LCD Screens from one single WebDT SA2000?

There are 2 video output connections on the SA2000, one HDMI and one VGA. You could convert the HDMI connections into a DVI connector by simply buying the necessary video adapter if your LCD monitor doesn’t support HDMI input. Make the HDMI output on the SA2000 the primary video output and the VGA output the secondary output. By default when you utilize both the HDMI and VGA connections, you would see the same contents being "cloned" onto the second LCD screen. You could alternatively enable both LCDs to work as one giant screen; meaning you effectively "extend" the screen from LCD number 1 to LCD number 2.

Follow the instructions below to enable both screens to work with the SA2000 in the "extended" mode:

Note: This is assuming that you have the latest ATI Catalyst driver installed on your SA2000 (you need version 8.56xxx or above). If you have the SA2000 (95051) image you should already have the latest ATI driver. Also this is a temporary solution until the release of WCM3.2 which has special template builder which allows the user to create templates of any sizes.



Step 1: Configure the ATI Catalyst driver. (See picture)
Start by exiting the WebDT Player software screen by pressing control+shift+space at the same time. Then right click on the “Catalyst™ Control Center”



Step 2: Select Displays Manager -> Displays Properties (See picture).





Step 3: Right click on the “Right most” monitor and select “Stretch Main vertically onto Monitor”.

Step 4: Select Desktop area 2560x1024 (or anything less). You could go higher than 2560x1024 but certain video files will probably not play on the screen.

Step 5: Now you can design the content to fill up the whole 2560x1024 zone or create several smaller zones to fill up the entire screen.

Step 6: Since the 2 screens share the full resolution you had selected equally, when you design a template that looks like the following, the left zone contents would then appear entirely on LCD number 1 and the right zone contents would then appear entirely on LCD number 2.

Accuweather Flash App Integration with WCM3.0

If you are thinking about adding AccuWeather's Real Time Update Flash Application to WCM3.0 (and WCM2.3), please contact us for a comprehensive PDF documentation on how to get this done. Contact signagesupport@dtri.com for a free PDF guide.

What's the best way to "Publish" a Kiosk Application through WCM3.0?

In actual deployment of kiosk applications. Having each player link back to Web URLs to retrieve websites is generally not a good idea. You should think about “modifying” existing websites into something that would suit the local kiosk environment better. In particular, pay close attention to user-ability issues such as making sure the touch buttons are visible and huge enough, fonts are large enough to read based on LCD sizes, etc.

With that said, the best way to deploy a kiosk app is to design the whole html site into a locally reference-able web application.

The advantages of going with this method is:

1. The whole website sits on the WebDT Signage Player/Appliance (once it’s re-distributed by WCM via the playlists and schedules) so unstable internet connection won’t affect user interaction on the screens.
2. You don’t get “page not found” nor “file not found” issues which is likely to happen by directly referencing remote URL sites.
3. This “local” html site can still reference external web links via XML or URL on a as needed basis.

Step 1: zip up the entire html site (make sure each url link is referenced locally and based on relative link as opposed to absolute links).

Step 2: Upload entire zip into multimedia folder.

Step 3: design your template and incorporate the web.zip application.

Does The SA2000 work with the new "Stretch" LCDs from LG such as the M3800S-BN?

The answer is Yes!



These LCD specs can be downloaded from: http://www.lgcommercial.com/stretch/




Step 1: Design the template in WCM3.0 with the correct zone size (See picture below)

The LG M3800S-BN supports 1366x398 natively so select the 1366x768 template and create a zone that takes up the upper portion of the screen. This zone should have the following size: 1366x398.

Step 2: Connect the SA2000 HDMI output (you need to get an HDMI to DVI convertor) to the DVI input on the LG Stretch LCD.

Step 3: Boot up the SA2000 and exit the WebDT Player software. Proceed by launching the ATI Catalyst driver screen (Right click on the desktop screen and select Catalyst Control Center). Go to Displays Manager -> Display Options and make sure the desktop area is either set to 1360x768 or 1366x768 (For the main monitor).

Step 4: Toggle the OSD Menu on the LG Display and set the resolution to either 1366x768 or 1360x768. Set it to "Full" mode first so that you can see the whole screen and perform all necessary actions such as registering the player, copying the Start WebDT Signage Player Icon and creating a shotcut on the screen, etc.

Step 5: Now you can design the content to fill up the whole 1366x398 zone or create several smaller zones to fill up the entire screen.


If you have questions on how to get all this to work, please email signagesupport@dtri.com for more help.

Mark your Calender for Intel Embedded eVent, Internet (September 15, 2009 / Retail & Transactions Solutions Hall)

The networked world is growing at a tremendous pace. In just six years, it’s expected that 15 Billion intelligent devices will be connected to the internet. And, with your imagination and hard work, Intel can be a part of many of the devices that will revolutionize the way we work, talk, play and move. So, Intel is hosting the virtual tradeshow, the Intel Embedded eVent, and wants you to join! It’s a one day event that will showcase Intel technologies and our customers’ innovation in intelligent, connected devices.

The WebDT team will be participating in the virtual chat session. Mark your calender and join us for this growing event.

DT Research at Computex Taipei 2009

MS1600 in action

WebDT SA3000 Signage Appliance

Thank you for visiting the booth. See you next year!

Digital Signage Expo (DSE) Essen Europe 2009

Thank you all for visiting our booth at the DSE Essen Early May 2009!

WebDT MS1600 Multi Screen Appliance powers multiple screens for digital signage applications

The WebDT MS1600 Multi Screen Appliance powers multiple screens for digital signage applications. Featuring the powerful and energy-efficient Intel® Quad Core™ processor, the MS1600 includes the latest graphics technology with up to 16 DVI connectors for high-quality video and optimal display experience. Combined with the industry-leading WebDT Content Manager Software, one MS1600 is capable of driving dynamic content on up to 16 screens, while communicating with the server for continuous updates. These screens can be configured into one large video wall or they can be spread out to serve separate areas. Each screen has the ability to deliver up to 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution on each screen.

Features:
1. Drives up to 16 screens; Full HD content supported on each screen.

2. Supports up to 7680 x 4320 Super Hi-Vision resolution, 16 times thepixel resolution of existing Full HD digital signage.

3. Up to 16 different zones of content for each display wall.

4. Content flexibility for image, flash and many multimedia file formats; stretched across multiple screens or played on a single screen.

5. Intuitive remote management with WebDT Content Manager software;manage up to 16 zones.

For more information: http://signage.dtri.com/web/products/multi_screen_appliance/ms1600/features.html