This page describes the process for installing Broadsign Control Player on Windows.
Compatible Windows Versions
Broadsign Control Player is compatible with the following versions of Windows (
- Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
- Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
- Microsoft Windows 8 Pro
- Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise
- Windows 8.1 Pro
- Windows 8.1 Enterprise
- Microsoft Windows 10
Tip: See Lifecycle FAQ - Windows for official supported Windows versions.
Notes
Note: You require OpenGL 2.0 and higher to use Broadsign Control Player, no matter the version of Broadsign Control.
Note: Broadsign Control Player is also compatible with the “Home” versions of Windows; however, please make sure you are compliant with Microsoft’s licensing terms when using these operating systems for commercial purposes.
Note: The default browser for Broadsign Control Player installed on Windows OS is Internet Explorer (or "Edge" for Windows 10). You have the option of selecting Chromium. If you do, users will be able to see web content when the browser is in offline mode. For more information, see The HTML Tab.
Note: As of v11.1.0, Broadsign updated the version of Chromium we use with Broadsign Control Player. If you are updating to Broadsign Control v11.1.0 from v10.3.0-v11.0.0, and use Chromium, you will need to create a new configuration profile for v11.1.0.
Each system that will be used as a player needs to have a few changes made to its BIOS. To enter your system's BIOS press the Del key during boot up (it may also be the F1, F10 or another key depending on your system’s BIOS manufacturer).
The BIOS settings that need to be configured are:
- Select Allow power on after power fail (in case of a power failure).
- Select the hard drive as the first boot device (to increase security and decrease boot time).
- In the power savings settings, configure the BIOS such that the computer and screen never go into sleep mode.
- Set the system so that it halts on no errors (so that it doesn't require a keyboard connected to boot).
It is important that the correct device drivers be installed so that the system runs as expected. These will be on a CD supplied with your machine. If you experience problems, refer to the motherboard’s instruction manual to find out which drivers you need.
Service Packs and updates should be applied from: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/.
Windows sometimes needs to apply updates to its own updates, therefore it is necessary to return to the update site after a reboot to check that there are no extra updates available.
Control Panel Settings
- Create an administrator user. Make sure not to use the name “bsp”; it is reserved for use by Broadsign. The administrator user will be used to perform the necessary configuration changes to your system. Do not forget to add a password to this user and to make sure Windows does not automatically login as this administrator.
- Select the connection that the player uses to connect to the network and verify its settings (if your network uses DHCP it should be set to obtain an IP automatically, otherwise it should be set as per your network’s requirements).
- Set the regional timezone. The system’s time zone can be set in one of two ways; either through the system itself or managed remotely using Broadsign Control Administrator.
- If the system’s timezone is known at the time it is being configured and will not change, its time zone can be set directly at the system level.
- If the system’s timezone is unknown or may change in the future, the system’s timezone should be set to a UTC time zone. The recommended UTC time zone to select is Casablanca time (GMT).
- In either case, to ensure that the system’s date and time stay synchronized, it should be configured to synchronize itself with a time server.
- Set the resolution to the desired level (dependent on the screen that will be connected). If the desired resolution is not present you will need to go to the Advanced button, select the “adapter” tab, and then select “list all modes”. This should allow you to select your desired resolution.
Third-Party Plug-ins
To allow certain types of media to play, it is necessary to install plug-ins available from the Internet.
To allow HTML content display, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or 8 should be installed. To prevent pop-up messages during the player’s operation about suspicious websites, phishing filters should be disabled.
Note: You must have a Broadsign Community account to download the installers. If you do not have one, please contact your sales representative. Also, you must have administrator privileges to install the player.
Installing Broadsign Control Player on Windows
Note: You must have administrator privileges to install the player.
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- After clicking the installer, you must agree to the terms listed within before you can proceed with the installation process.
- Avoid changing the installation path unless absolutely necessary. Click Next.
- Wait for the installation process to complete and click Finish.
If an install of Vista is made over a prior XP or Linux install of Broadsign Control Player, the player may need to be re-registered if it has more than one network interface.
Important Files and Directories
| File or Directory | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| documents directory | C:\ProgramData\BroadSign\bsp\share\bsp\documents | This directory contains all the media files that will play on Broadsign Control Player. It is managed by the disk monitor. |
| bsp.db | C:\ProgramData\BroadSign\bsp\share\bsp | Database file that contains various data used by Broadsign Control Player, for example, incidents, statistics, etc. |
Time Zone
Broadsign Control can support players in any time zone. The player's timezone can be configured via Broadsign Control Administrator and all timestamps are converted to UTC for statistics. If there is localized content to be played, then using a local timezone for the player will allow
If a change is made to the Operating System's time zone, the player needs to be restarted to use the new settings.
Dedicated Windows Player
Designating your system as a dedicated Broadsign Control Player will configure your system to run the player application automatically upon reboot without the need to manually log in. See Step 5: Dedicate Broadsign Control Player on Windows.
Non-dedicated Players
A system that is not dedicated will not automatically start Broadsign Control Player when the system boots up. In this case, a user will need to launch the executable to start the player. Therefore, it is recommended that production systems be installed as dedicated players.
Third-Party Applications
If third-party applications need to be started upon login to work concurrently with the player, the system cannot be set up as a dedicated player. Third-party applications (for example a wireless modem dialer) are typically set up to start in the All Programs > Startup folder; however, when a system is dedicated the player will start up using its own Windows user and will not access the same folder.
Note: Should your deployment require automatic start up of a player alongside other applications, copy the player shortcut found in All Programs > Broadsign into the All Programs > Startup folder.
Designating a system as a dedicated player is as simple as executing the “Dedicate Broadsign Control Player” script from the Start Menu.
To Dedicate a Player:
- Go to: Start > All Programs > BroadSign > Broadsign Control Player > Dedicate Broadsign Control Player.
Note: When dedicating a player you should use Administrative privileges.
- Once the script has successfully executed, a notification will appear stating that the player has successfully been dedicated.
- When a system is a dedicated player, a “bsp” user is created that will automatically log in and start the player application upon boot up. As soon as Broadsign Control Player is exited, the “bsp” user will log out and you will be presented with the Windows Login screen.
- The “bsp” user will always initiate a logoff of the BSP session when a remote session is initiated.
To Undedicate a Player:
If you no longer desire the “bsp” user to automatically login and launch the player, you have the option of undedicating the player. This is done by executing the “Undedicate Broadsign Control Player” script from the Start Menu.
Go to: Start > All Programs > BroadSign > Broadsign Control Player > Undedicate Broadsign Control Player
Note: When undedicating a player you should use Administrative privileges.
Activity Detection:
When in dedicated mode, Broadsign Control Player is automatically checked periodically to ensure it is active and responsive. If the player becomes unresponsive, it will be stopped and restarted to ensure continued playback.
When installing Broadsign Control Player on Windows, if you want to use Chromium, you will need to keep the following in mind:
Note: As of Broadsign Control v12.1, we support Chromium version 59+.
Note: As of Broadsign Control v11.1, Chromium will not work on WinXP (though it will work on v11.0 and earlier). If you try to use Chromium on WinXP (Broadsign Control v11.1+), you will receive the following error message: "[2018-08-01T15:29:51](message) Frame [YourFrameID]. Could not play ad copy id [YourAdCopyID]. Could not find an appropriate codec."
