Page 1 V1.1.2...
Page 3 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Federal Communications Commission and Industry Canada Radio Frequency Interference Statements This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
Page 4 NOM Statement Instrucciones de Seguridad (Normas Oficiales Mexicanas Electrical Safety Statement) 1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leidas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado. 2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura. 3.
Page 5 Content Commander User Guide Trademarks Used in this Manual Black Box and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks of BB Technologies, Inc. Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the trademark owners.
Page 7: Table Of Contents
Content Commander User Guide Table of Contents 1. Welcome to Black Box Digital Signage 1.1 Overview 1.1.1 Standalone Display 1.1.2 Multiple Displays 1.1.3 Multiple Channels 1.2 Terms You Need to Know 1.3 Logging On 1.4 Using the Web Interface 2.
Page 8 3.2.2 Video Changing File/Folder References 3.2.3 Text Files Changing File/Folder References 3.2.4 Images and Photos Changing File/Folder References 3.2.5 Audio Changing File/Folder References 3.2.6 Presentations 3.2.7 HTML Web Pages Changing File/Folder References 3.2.8 Adobe Flash 3.2.9 Folder Play 3.3 Media from External Sources 3.3.1 TV 3.3.2 Radio 3.3.3 Live Video...
Page 9 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 4.2.1 Designing Interactive Layouts 4.2.2 General Purpose Input/Output 4.2.3 Touch Screens 4.2.4 Click On Touch 4.3 Using the RS-232 Interface Port 4.4 Displaying Part of a Movie or Web Page 4.5 Changing the Screen Background 5.
Page 10 9. Setup 9.1 Help and User Options 9.2 System Setup 9.2.1 Users 9.2.2 Date & Time 9.2.3 Network 9.2.4 TV & Radio 9.2.5 HTTP Proxy 9.2.6 Security – General Settings 9.2.7 Security – Advanced LDAP Settings 9.2.8 Player Local Information 9.2.9 Reporting 9.2.10 Feature Keys 9.3 Player Setup...
Page 11 Part I Welcome to Black Box Digital Signage...
Page 13: Welcome To Black Box Digital Signage
Adobe Reader search facility. If you are new to Black Box digital signage, you will find it helpful to read the Overview for an introduction to the fundamental concepts and components involved.
Page 14: Standalone Display
Player – Player is the generic term for the appliance that runs the screen. Specifically, the player is the Black Box iCOMPEL. The player has to be physically attached to the screen.
Page 15: Multiple Displays
Although some player models can perform this role, in our context the publisher is specifically the Black Box iCOMPEL Content Commander. Channel – A Channel refers to both the content it contains and its originating publisher. The Channel Name (in this case 'Channel 1') identifies the channel and is often just the name of the publisher.
Page 16 1. Welcome to Black Box Digital Signage The following diagram shows how the individual network features we have discussed so far combine to provide a network infrastructure of multiple displays and multiple channels. You might conceive of this as a multisite business with sites in...
Page 17: Terms You Need To Know
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide This is not to say the iCC alone can provide everything required for more specialist configurations. You may need to add a Channel Content Server (CCS) to assist content processing if you have specific network topology requirements (see Channel Content Servers for more details).
Page 18: Logging On
1. Welcome to Black Box Digital Signage full-screen zone behind the others showing a background color or image. Zones Zones are rectangular areas, each of which can display various forms of content (known as media items). You can design layouts with any number of zones, of any size, in any location, either separate or overlapping. You specify which zones display which media types (for example, one for a promotional video, one for scrolling text, another for your organization's name or logo, and so on).
Page 19: Using The Web Interface
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Important: If you use form-based authentication, you will need to provide a valid SSL certificate (as described below). It is possible to access the iCC without a valid certificate, but your browser will at first block you and warn that the connection is untrustworthy or that there is a problem with security.
Page 20 1. Welcome to Black Box Digital Signage The Home Page This is the first page you see after logging onto the iCC. At its heart is this view of the current state of the iCC, showing a summary of its operational status: That summary is made up of Status Bars.
Page 21 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide In general, opening a status bar provides you with additional information about the subject area, with a selection of buttons to take you to the relevant pages in the user interface. For example, opening the System status bar reveals details about the iCC system state: Most pertinently for your use of the iCC, opening the Channels status bar reveals a summary of the channels you have published:...
Page 22 1. Welcome to Black Box Digital Signage The menu bar offers these top-level options (you may see fewer options depending on your configuration): The relevant explanatory sections describe those options in detail. You can also change how you interact with the menu bar on the Help >...
Page 23 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Generic Features: Command Buttons Some commands are common across different iCC pages. The user interface provides command buttons for these. To execute the command, click the button. The label on the button describes the command, such as...
Page 25 Part II Creating Digital Signage...
Page 27: Creating Digital Signage
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Creating Digital Signage This section describes how to create your digital signs. If you are new to the iCC see Terms You Need to Know before you begin. Click on the links below for more information on: Using Schedules Using Layouts Using Zones...
Page 28: Creating A Schedule
2. Creating Digital Signage To create a new schedule, click the Add Schedule tab. 2.1.1 Creating a Schedule To display content on your player units, you need to create at least one channel with its associated schedule. You add schedule entries to a schedule to fine tune how the player runs it. To create a new schedule: 1.
Page 29 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Switching audio on or off. Performing Advance To commands. Whenever you create a new schedule, the iCC automatically includes a Default Schedule Entry. The default schedule entry has no start and end time and defines the default states when no other entry is active. Schedule entries allow you to direct your player to perform simple or highly sophisticated sequences of actions.
Page 30 2. Creating Digital Signage The second schedule entry causes the player to turn the screen on and play the Car Showroom layout: The third schedule entry causes the player to change to the Retail layout for 10 minutes every hour: To create a new schedule entry, click the Add Schedule Entry tab, complete the following details, and click the button: From...
Page 31: Overriding The Schedule
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Ad hoc This is only enabled when you have added ad hoc schedule items to the iCC (see Managing Ad Hoc Pages for details). Check the User can override From, On and Repeat settings using Ad hoc Schedule Item box to allow ad hoc users to alter those time settings.
Page 32: Manage Layout Page
2. Creating Digital Signage 2.2.1 Manage Layout Page The Layouts > Manage Layouts page shows all the layouts available on this iCC. For each layout, the iCC displays: A diagram of the layout's zones. The name and description of the layout. If applicable, the names of the schedules and channels that use the layout.
Page 33: Editing A Layout
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 6. Add and set the properties for the zones you require. 7. When done, click You can return to and edit your layout whenever you wish. 2.2.3 Editing a Layout To edit a layout, click its name on the Layouts menu or on the Layouts > Manage Layouts page. The edit layout page has these tabs: Zones –...
Page 34: Using Zones
2. Creating Digital Signage No default action – The layout does not respond to the interaction. Advance to a rendezvous point – Specify the rendezvous point and the zone from the drop-down menus. For a touch screen event, you can also choose whether this is on press or release and can configure an on-click sound. Change to layout –...
Page 35 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide The Zones tab provides the graphical editor that you use to adjust the position and size of each zone in your layout: By default, the editor displays the layout at 75% of the currently defined screen resolution (not the monitor of your PC). You can change this by using the drop-down list at the top of the page.
Page 36: Editing A Zone
2. Creating Digital Signage You can also right-click a zone to open a context menu containing common functions: When you have finished making changes to your zones, click the button. This offers these options: – Simply saves your layout changes. –...
Page 37: Editing A Zone's Properties
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Change the zone order by dragging-and-dropping the icon. This is the zone order in layers (for example, moving the 'Background' image to the back of the layout). Close the Select Zone list by clicking its button again or clicking elsewhere on the page. 2.3.3 Editing a Zone's Properties Click the button to open its dialog:...
Page 38: Using Playlists
2. Creating Digital Signage 2.4 Using Playlists A playlist is a sequence of media items that you choose for display in a zone. Each zone has its own playlist and runs independently of other playlists. A soundtrack also has its own playlist. Playlists play their content in a continuous loop.
Page 39 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide – Edit the item's properties. Time Validity View The Time Validity View can be accessed from any playlist view by clicking the button. In this view you are given an easy to read representation of when the items in the selected playlist will play within a 7 day period.
Page 40 2. Creating Digital Signage The view options are: 6 Playlist Item This column shows all of the playlist items that you currently have in your playlist, along with the related media icon. These can be filtered using the filter shown in point 1. 7 Time Block This colored block represents a block of time when this playlist item will play.
Page 41 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide As shown in the screenshot below, you are able to hover over each row of the table to show an edit button in column 1. Clicking this button will then allow you to edit the currently highlighted playlist item. Conditional Play View The Conditional Play View can be accessed from any playlist view by clicking the button.
Page 42: Adding Media Item Files To A Playlist
2. Creating Digital Signage 3 PLI Value Filter You can use the filter field to filter PLI Values in the first column. The filter is case insensitive and supports accented characters. As you start typing, the PLI Values will start filtering automatically. 4 Pagination You can use the pagination controls to display more or less PLI values at the same time and to navigate through the ones that are not displayed yet.
Page 43: Changing File/Folder References
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Changing File/Folder References For file-based or folder play items, you can change the item that the player uses by following these steps: 1. Open the playlist page. 2. Click the item's button. 3. On the Media tab, click the button to the right of the media location description. The wording on the button varies according to the media type (for example, for an image file it is the button).
Page 44: Adding Folders To A Playlist
2. Creating Digital Signage 2.4.3 Adding Folders to a Playlist You can add a whole folder to a playlist. The player treats the folder as a single playlist item but plays the files within it individually. Before you add it, ensure that the folder contains the media items you want to use. To add a folder to a playlist, open the playlist page and follow these steps: 1.
Page 45 Part III Understanding Media Types...
Page 47: Understanding Media Types
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Understanding Media Types Your player units can display a great many types of digital content (also referred to as media). When creating a layout, you must specify the type of media each zone will display. This enables the zone to 'play' the media concerned.
Page 48: Newsfeeds
3. Understanding Media Types Additional notes: Supported Format Notes iCC text editorial formats The text editor offers formatting features (for example, use of bold, italic, font size, and color). 3.1.2 Newsfeeds You can display newsfeeds from external sources on the player. Broadcasters or news agencies (for example, the BBC or Reuters) provide newsfeeds containing headline news or sports reports.
Page 49: Clocks
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Authentication Select the required authentication style: No authentication required – The newsfeed does not require a username and password. Login with – The newsfeed requires a username and password. Enter them in the fields provided. Proxy Select the required proxy configuration: No proxy required –...
Page 50: Click The
3. Understanding Media Types Copy the table. Enter the name for the copy in the field and click the button. If you decide not to copy the table, click the button. Edit the table. To edit a table after creating it, follow the same steps as described next for setting up a new table.
Page 51: Items
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide not match the regular expression. Information about using regular expressions is readily available (for example, at http://www.regular-expressions.info/). 3.1.5 RS-232 Items You can add an RS-232 output item to a playlist. When the item is reached in a playlist, the player sends a character string to an external device through its RS-232 port (for example, to switch on a light at the start of the day).
Page 52: Uploading Content Files
3. Understanding Media Types List – Displays all the files and folders in the current location. Navigate – Move between folders (click on a folder name or on a link in the Folder field to open it). Act – Delete, move, and rename files and folders and also copy files. Click the button next to a folder to take these actions: –...
Page 53 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Using the Upload Files Tab: You use both the Files & Folders and playlist Upload Files tabs in the same way: 1. Navigate to the folder where you want to add the file. 2. Click the Upload Files tab. 3.
Page 54: Video
3. Understanding Media Types You cannot move files from one folder to another using FTP. Instead, download the file to your PC and then upload it to the other iCC folder. Alternatively, move files using the Media > Files & Folders page. Using Drag and Drop: Some browsers allow you to drag files off of your PC desktop and drop them directly into a playlist or a folder on the iCC.
Page 55: Changing File/Folder References
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide To help you identify a particular video, the iCC displays a thumbnail image from it. That appears in the Filename column of the Files & Folders display (and in the Media column when you add the video to the playlist). The iCC displays the icon if it cannot render a thumbnail.
Page 56: Text Files
3. Understanding Media Types 3.2.3 Text Files You can display text files on the player. (You can also display text you enter directly: see Text for more details.) Zone player type to enable: Text. Playlist tab containing the item: Files & Folders. Additional notes: Supported Format Notes...
Page 57: Changing File/Folder References
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Supported Format Notes Can look very grainy. Only supports 256 colors but does support transparency. The player does not support animated GIFs. To use an animated GIF, first embed it into an HTML page. Large file size but no loss of quality. Changing File/Folder References For file-based or folder play items, you can change the item that the player uses by following these steps: 1.
Page 58: Changing File/Folder References
3. Understanding Media Types Changing File/Folder References For file-based or folder play items, you can change the item that the player uses by following these steps: 1. Open the playlist page. 2. Click the item's button. 3. On the Media tab, click the button to the right of the media location description. The wording on the button varies according to the media type (for example, for an image file it is the button).
Page 59: Html Web Pages
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide There are also third-party products specifically for converting PowerPoint 2010 presentations to video. Other products are more general screen capture applications, which can be useful if you want to include mouse movement or provide a voice-over.
Page 60: Adobe Flash
3. Understanding Media Types 3.2.8 Adobe Flash You can display Adobe Flash files with the player. Note: Complex Adobe Flash files may not run smoothly on less powerful player models. Zone player type to enable: HTML. Playlist tab containing the item: Files & Folders. Additional notes: Supported Format Notes...
Page 61: Radio
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide External Web Pages 3.3.1 TV You can play output from external digital TV stations with the player. Zone player type to enable: Movie. Playlist tab containing the item: Specials. Additional notes: Supported Format Notes Digital TV Broadcast ATSC digital cable and over-the-air, where available.
Page 62: Multicast Video
3. Understanding Media Types Supported Formats Notes HDMI capture Includes output from video cameras, DVD players, set-top boxes, and so on. HDMI capture (analog audio) Your player must be set up with: Component video The correct license. S-Video A TV tuner or video capture card. Composite video The appropriate video cable connecting the video device to the TV tuner card.
Page 63 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Supported Format Notes HTML The player displays HTML using the WebKit browser engine for Linux. (The Apple Safari and Google Chrome browsers also use the WebKit engine.) WebKit supports web pages including JavaScript and Adobe Flash but not ActiveX.
Page 64: Media Item Properties
3. Understanding Media Types Note: Drag-and-drop will not upload folders so you cannot use it to upload the _files folder in one action. 2. Add to a playlist as described in Adding Media Item Files to a Playlist. 3.4 Media Item Properties There are different playlist properties for each type of media item.
Page 65: Movie Properties
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Movie HTML Image Text Soundtrack Horizontal Alignment Vertical Alignment Margins White Space Character Set For details of those generic properties, see the information specific to each type of media player: Movie Properties HTML Properties Image Properties Text Properties Soundtrack Properties Some playlist items have properties additional to the generic properties.
Page 66: Html Properties
3. Understanding Media Types Letterbox Color If you select Letterbox as the display mode, some space may be left in the zone outside of the movie. Use this option to select the color the player displays in that space. Subtitles Check the Display subtitles box to enable subtitles for the video (if available).
Page 67: Image Properties
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 3.4.3 Image Properties The following properties apply to zones enabled as an Image player: Fade In You can set the image to fade in with one of these options: No Fade in – Image appears immediately without fading in. Fade In n.n seconds –...
Page 68: Text Properties
3. Understanding Media Types 3.4.4 Text Properties The following properties apply to a zone enabled as a Text player: Text Style Choose the option for how you want the text displayed: Show text indefinitely – Displays always. Show text for – Displays for the period you specify. Text moving from right to left at speed –...
Page 69: Newsfeed Properties
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 3.4.6 Newsfeed Properties The iCC holds a newsfeed's properties in a number of locations. Access each group of properties by: Clicking the button for the newsfeed on the Media > Newsfeeds page (see Newsfeeds for a description of those properties).
Page 70: Clock Properties
3. Understanding Media Types Text Style Choose the option for how you want the text displayed: Show first Newsfeed item indefinitely – Displays always. Show each Newsfeed Item for – Displays for the period you specify. Text moving from right to left at speed – Scrolls right-to-left at the speed you specify. Text moving from left to right at speed –...
Page 71: Folder Play Properties
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide The clock properties on the Style tab are: Duration Select the duration you require: Show Clock indefinitely – The player displays the clock all the time. Show Clock for – The player displays the clock for the period you specify Font Select the font family you want and the size and style to apply.
Page 72: Common Advanced Properties
3. Understanding Media Types The following specific properties apply to folders in a playlist: Media Check the box to enable the relevant media player for the zone. Management Check the Management box to enable ad hoc management of this folder. If the ad hoc user places files in the indicated ad hoc media folder, the player plays them instead of those in the current folder.
Page 73 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Other than the Media Audit property, the iCC only displays the Advanced properties if: You have set the User Interface Policy to Detailed or Expert on the UI Options page. You have previously enabled the property. The following properties apply to any zone: Position and Size To override the position and size of a zone, select the Use custom position and size radio button and set the...
Page 74: Ad Hoc Properties
3. Understanding Media Types Conditional Play This is only enabled when you have added player local information to the player (see Player Local Information for details). If it is enabled, you have two options: Play Always – Default. The player always plays the schedule. Play if Player Local Information Item –...
Page 75: Playlist Commands
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Properties dependent The iCC displays some properties that are dependent on the type of ad hoc item: on media type Directly entered text: Ad Hoc Input – Options to format the text and specify allowable ad hoc user input. Default Text –...
Page 76: Change Layout Command
3. Understanding Media Types You can also use the Advance To mechanism to initiate player actions as a result of user interactions, such as motion sensor, pressure mat, or touch screen events (see Using Interactivity for more details). To add a rendezvous point to a playlist, follow these steps: 1.
Page 77: Colors
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Note: If you want to change the Change Layout command to point to a different layout, click the button and alter your selection. 3.6 Colors Use the Media > Colors page to set the colors the iCC applies to fonts, backgrounds, and other items. When you create a new layout or a new table, the iCC automatically creates new color items: For layouts, the color items are for the text foreground, the text background, and the letterbox background.
Page 78: Fonts
3. Understanding Media Types Opacity To allow background items to be visible, enter a percentage to match the opacity required. 100% is completely opaque and 1% is almost completely transparent.. 3.7 Fonts The iCC offers a collection of standard fonts that are suitable for most purposes. To view the installed fonts: 1.
Page 79 Part IV Enhancing Your Displays...
Page 81: Enhancing Your Displays
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Enhancing Your Displays You can enhance your digital sign display in various ways: Synchronizing Playlist Displays Between Zones Using Interactivity Using the RS-232 Interface Port Displaying Part of a Movie or Web Page Changing the Screen Background 4.1 Synchronizing Playlist Displays Between Zones You can synchronize the display between playlists in useful and sophisticated ways using rendezvous points and Advance To commands.
Page 82: Displaying Video-On-Demand Using A Sub-Playlist
4. Enhancing Your Displays 3. Click the Files & Folders tab and navigate to the video folder location. 4. Click the folder's button. 5. Click the Playlist tab. 6. Click the folder's button. 7. From the Item Synchronization drop-down list, select Master. 8.
Page 83: Using Interactivity
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide That playlist sequence might run like this: 1. The player plays Default Movie item in a continuous loop created by the Advance To command and rendezvous point Start. 2. An Advance To command Option1 arrives from an ad hoc page. 3.
Page 84 4. Enhancing Your Displays The way you configure the player to respond may include: Executing a Change Layout command. Executing an Advance To command. Those responses are known as Actions and you can configure the player to take them immediately or after a timeout. Together, the combination of an event and an action is known as an Interaction.
Page 85 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide precedence over the HTML player. Then, the player only passes Left Mouse Button Up and Down events to the HTML player. To configure touch actions for a layout, on the menu bar click Layouts and select the layout you want to configure. Click the Interaction tab and select the touch screen actions in response to a touch screen event.
Page 86: Designing Interactive Layouts
4. Enhancing Your Displays When developing such HTML applications, you will likely require a large number of files. In order for the iCC to keep track of these files during channel publishing and layout package creation, follow these rules: Initiate the application from a single HTML file (you can redirect from here to other files as required). Add that file to the playlist.
Page 87: Touch Screens
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Control-Line Inputs: The player RS-232 interface has four input lines that can receive binary events such as contact closure or signals from other devices. The available lines are: Clear To Send (CTS). Data Carrier Detect (DCD). Data Set Ready (DSR).
Page 88: Displaying Part Of A Movie Or Web Page
4. Enhancing Your Displays The state of the RS-232 control lines does not affect transmission of RS-232 strings. Considerations for receiving RS-232 strings: The player reports the most recently received string in the Items tab on its Setup > Player > RS-232 Outputs page. The state of the RS-232 control lines does not affect reception of RS-232 strings.
Page 89 Part V Ad Hoc Content...
Page 91: Ad Hoc Content
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Ad Hoc Content The Ad hoc feature allows you to delegate limited control of content to staff local to the display. This is particularly useful where several players share the same channel but also need some customized content. The people at each location can make those changes with a quick and easy, browser-based operation.
Page 92: Enhanced Ad Hoc Access Control
5. Ad Hoc Content The ad hoc system is secure: no ad hoc user can make changes unless you specify the customizable item and give the user permission to access it. 5.1 Enhanced Ad Hoc Access Control Generating ad hoc content is quick and easy. As the content designer, you can build-in ad hoc content during implementation of your design.
Page 93 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide You can now add ad hoc items. The way in which you do this depends on the type of ad hoc item you want to add: Text 1. On the playlist's page, click the Specials tab and enter the text you wish to be displayed. 2.
Page 94: Remote Keypad Control
5. Ad Hoc Content Creating Ad Hoc Pages: When ad hoc users log on, their Home page displays the Ad Hoc Pages you create. Ad hoc users cannot access any other player user interface pages. You design the ad hoc pages to display only the text fields ad hoc users can change or the commands they are allowed to issue.
Page 95: Additional Ad Hoc
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide To allow ad hoc users to choose TV or radio stations, take these steps: 1. On the menu bar, click Media and Manage Ad hoc items. 2. Click the Add Item tab. 3. From the Add Ad hoc Item of Type drop-down list, select TV or Radio. 4.
Page 96 5. Ad Hoc Content The following two procedures describe: Setting up an ad hoc schedule override. Setting up an ad hoc Advance To command . Ad Hoc Schedule Override: To set up an ad hoc schedule override and make it available to ad hoc users: 1.
Page 97: Ad Hoc From Center
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 11. Add the Advance To command that has the same name as the second rendezvous point to the playlist. This causes the playlist to loop continuously through the ad hoc media items. If you want to revert back to the original media items, omit this step.
Page 98: Creating Ad Hoc User Accounts
5. Ad Hoc Content Text Radio When you add an item, you have to select one of these Allowed Choices options: All Available – Permits the ad hoc user to choose any of the defined items. Only Selected – Permits the ad hoc user to choose only those items you select. In addition, for schedule override and text items, the iCC offers you the Customization Scope option.
Page 99: Ad Hoc
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 5. On the Users page, click the new account's button. 6. Select the other permissions the user needs. As well as the Ad hoc permission, options here include Publish Channel. If the user requires access to an ad hoc media folder, select the folder name from the Media Folder drop-down list. 7.
Page 100: Ad Hoc Folder Play
5. Ad Hoc Content Properties – Allows you to change the page name, the user message, and the users allowed to change items on it. Items: To remove an ad hoc item, click its button. Note: This is not available on layouts that automatically manage ad hoc pages. On pages with multiple items, you can adjust their order using these buttons: –...
Page 101: Ad Hoc Media Folder
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 3. Click the button for the folder you want to add to the playlist. 4. Click the Playlist tab and, If necessary, adjust the item order. 5. Click the folder's button. 6. Check the Management box. 7.
Page 102 5. Ad Hoc Content Text and Tables Change the text scrolling across the screen or in a table: 1. On the menu bar, click Ad hoc Entry. 2. Select the ad hoc page for the content you want to change. 3.
Page 103: Ad Hoc Theming
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Scheduling Change the schedule for when the player makes changes to the display (for example, to coincide with meal or break times or for an after-hours event): 1. On the menu bar, click Ad hoc Entry. 2.
Page 104 5. Ad Hoc Content To access the Ad hoc theme page, click on Media and select Manage Ad hoc Theme. Create your theming features using the following tabs: Properties Select the options you require: Ad Hoc Theme – Choose the Disabled button to retain the default appearance. Choose the Enabled button to use the theme you are customizing.
Page 105 Part VI Sharing Content Using Layout Packages...
Page 107: Sharing Content Using Layout Packages
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Sharing Content Using Layout Packages A Layout Package is a single file which contains all the media and control files required to fully install one or more layouts on another iCC. You can distribute layout packages on DVDs, by memory sticks, through file servers. or sent by email. Transferring layouts from one iCC to another is a two-step process: Create the layout package on the originating iCC.
Page 108: Uploading And Installing A Layout Package
6. Sharing Content Using Layout Packages Note: The iCC also includes layouts referenced by Change Layout commands even if you do not select those layouts explicitly here. 6. Click the button. The iCC displays the Status tab. 7. When the layout package creation completes, click the Package Filename link and follow the prompts on the pop-up screen to save the package file on your computer.
Page 109: Layout Package Information
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide In some cases, selecting Copy but Keep Both Items may cause additional items to be in conflict. For example, if an ad hoc text item is in conflict and is contained in a layout that exists locally, but is identical, and you choose the Copy but Keep Both Items option, the iCC renames the ad hoc text item.
Page 111 Part VII Channels and Signage Networks...
Page 113: Channels And Signage Networks
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Channels and Signage Networks Channels provide an easy way to display the same content at multiple locations by setting up a digital signage network of players. A collection of players that all play the same content on their screens is known as a channel. A channel has these basic parts: The iCC.
Page 114: Publishing
7. Channels and Signage Networks Important: The iCC user account you specify in the subscriber configuration must have the Subscribe Channel permission. After a period, the subscriber players will poll for channel content, download it, and begin displaying it on the screens they control.
Page 115: Configuring The Channel
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide The iCC offers two Publish Policy options: Allow at any time – The iCC allows any user to publish changes at any time. Allow only after change complete notification – The iCC only allows publication after you complete an approval notification.
Page 116 7. Channels and Signage Networks Now, to configure the channel for publication, click the button. The iCC displays the Edit Channel page. Complete the following settings and click the button: Channel Name Enter a unique name for the channel. This appears at the top of the page on the subscriber and in the iCC Channels Details column.
Page 117: Publishing A Channel
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Authentication If you chose to publish using the FTP Site option, select whether the destination server requires authentication or not. If it does, select Login with and enter the required username and password. Error Retry If you chose to publish using the FTP Site option, and the iCC fails to connect to the FTP server, specify the Interval period before it tries to publish again.
Page 118: Multichannel Publishing
7. Channels and Signage Networks If you are not on the Manage Channels page, clicking the Manage Channels Page link takes you there. To publish the new content, follow the same steps as described above. The Manage Channels page provides you with all of the features you need to add, edit, and delete channels. It also displays status information on each channel.
Page 119: Managing Channels
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 7.1.5 Managing Channels You manage the channels on your iCC through the Manage Channels page. To understand the tasks you can perform using the Manage Channels page, this illustration shows its essential features, which are described below: The header options are: Click to configure a new channel on your iCC.
Page 120 7. Channels and Signage Networks The table lists each channel under these headers: Actions Click the button to perform the action indicated: – Delete the channel. – Edit the channel configuration. – Notify a change. Only shown if the channel Publish Policy requires a change notification. After you notify the change, the iCC displays the button.
Page 121: Channel Ad Hoc
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide State Contains this information: Last Publish – Date and time the iCC last automatically published the channel or when you did so manually. Activate After – If you set the channel to activate later, the iCC also displays this entry to show the date and time you specified.
Page 122: Channel Content Servers
7. Channels and Signage Networks Create ad hoc content in the same way as you would a normal part of a layout. Local ad hoc users can then log into their subscriber player and change that content. Ad hoc from center is similar to regular ad hoc in that it allows a user to log in to change an element of the signage display quickly and easily.
Page 123 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide When planning how to publish, you should bear in mind these network and bandwidth considerations: Using a CCS requires both the iCC and the subscriber to be able to connect to it through a local network or the internet. Using network-based publication will not work if there is a problem with connectivity or if the credentials provided by the subscriber for either the iCC or the CCS are incorrect.
Page 125 Part VIII System Status...
Page 127: System Status
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide System Status Use the Status options to access information about the system. Select the menu item for the status information you want to access: System – Viewing the disk and CPU temperatures over time, general system status, and hardware specification. Conditional Play –...
Page 128: Conditional Play Status
8. System Status System Disk How much system disk space used of how much available. Data Disk How much data disk space used of how much available Hardware: The display contains the following information: Make, model, and speed of iCC processor. Available Memory Amount of iCC main memory.
Page 129 Part IX Setup...
Page 131: Setup
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Setup Use the Setup options to configure and check the operational features of your iCC. Select the menu item for the option you require: System Setup – Configuring the administrative and infrastructure aspects of the iCC system. Player Setup –...
Page 132: System Setup
9. Setup To change the Advanced options, select from the following: Layout Editing Select how you want to edit layouts: Graphical Layout Editing – Direct editing including use of drag-and-drop. Non-Graphical Layout Editing – Indirect editing by entering values. May be needed if your browser does not support direct editing.
Page 133: Date & Time
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide To add or change a user account, complete the following settings and click the button: Username The name the user logs in with (for example, 'remote', or 'chef'). This must be unique on this iCC. Follow the on- screen guidance on how to compose the username.
Page 134: Network
9. Setup Settings: To configure the time settings, complete the following options then click the button and reboot the iCC: Date and Time Settings Choose the time method to use: Network Time Protocol (NTP) – Best for accuracy but requires the iCC to have a network connection to an external NTP server.
Page 135: Tv & Radio
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Ethernet: To configure IP addressing, complete the following information then click the button and reboot the iCC: Ethernet Settings Select how the iCC obtains its IP address: DHCP – Select if the iCC will obtain its IP address from a DHCP server on your network. If the iCC cannot find a DHCP server, it defaults to an IP address of 169.254.1.1.
Page 136 9. Setup Digital Tuner Stations: Click the button for the type of station you want to add: – Adding a TV station. – Adding a radio station. In each case, the iCC prompts you to enter a name for the station. You must enter the exact name of the station the player can receive, matching any upper or lowercase characters.
Page 137: Http Proxy
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 9.2.5 HTTP Proxy Use the HTTP Proxy page to set up proxy server access if the iCC needs to use one to access Internet resources. Check with your network administrator to see if a proxy is needed. To use a proxy for accessing an Internet resource, you must perform both of the following actions: Set up the HTTP proxy by completing the information on the Add HTTP Proxy tab.
Page 138 9. Setup You can configure each of those to match the specific security needs of your network or to conform to corporate policy on port numbering. Click the tab for the option you require: Firewall – Examining and configuring the firewall and other security services settings. Master Password –...
Page 139 Note: This is not the same password you use to login to the iCC through a browser. It may be desirable to change the master password, but you must know the existing one to do so. Please contact Black Box Technical Support at +1 (724) 746-5500 or info@blackbox.com for the master password.
Page 140: Security - Advanced Ldap Settings
9. Setup LDAP Tests: Run the LDAP test to check your current LDAP settings and to receive feedback on any problems. Recommendation: Always test any change to the LDAP settings before rebooting the iCC. To run a test: 1. Enter the name of the target iCC user in the Test Username field. 2.
Page 141 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Caution: Do not use LDAP to control security for the iCC unless you have expertise with LDAP implementations. LDAP is a powerful technology and enabling a misconceived configuration can make the iCC unusable. Before beginning to configure security for the iCC using the options on the LDAP and LDAP Expert tabs, read through the guidance that follows.
Page 142 9. Setup Bind: Select Allow Anonymous Bind to use anonymous binding to the LDAP server. Otherwise select Bind using DN and complete the Bind Username and Bind Password. For example, the bind username is a distinguished name (DN) like: cn=Manager,dc=yourdomain,dc=com. FTP User: The information in this section is used to authenticate users and give them permission to gain FTP read/write access to the iCC.
Page 143 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide In the User Filter field, enter the LDAP filter that will match a user object in the directory (use %s where you wish the filter to contain the username of the user that is logging in). Example user filters for the relevant contexts are: Active Directory –...
Page 144: Player Local Information
9. Setup Ad Hoc Users: Click the button to add an ad hoc user and to set the filters for them as required. 9.2.8 Player Local Information Use the Player Local Information page to add, delete, or modify data items for customizing player behavior. Examples include the following features: Conditional play –...
Page 145: Feature Keys
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Reporting Settings: To configure reporting, complete the following information then click the button (you must also reboot the iCC if you change the Reporting or SSH settings): Reporting Check the button for the reporting option you want: Status reporting is disabled –...
Page 146 9. Setup The voltage level for either or both of the RS-232 output lines. An RS-232 hexadecimal control string. The event causing the player to execute the item. Click the tab for the option you require: Items – Listing the RS-232 items already defined on the iCC. Add Item –...
Page 147: Interactivity
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Configuration: Configure the player RS-232 transmission to match the settings of the connected RS-232 equipment. To configure RS-232, complete the following settings and click the button: Bits per Second – Select the baud rate from 110 to 460800. Data Bits –...
Page 148: Software Update
Use the Software Update options to check the latest update status and to configure whether the iCC performs updates automatically or not. Please contact Black Box Technical Support at +1 (724) 746-5500 or info@blackbox.com for more information on available updates.
Page 149 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Update File Indicates if an update is available or not. If an update is available, and has not yet been installed, the display details its location and description. To install that update: 1. Click the Settings tab. 2.
Page 150: Reboot System
9. Setup Manual Update: The first part of this screen confirms the version of the software currently installed on the iCC. If you have manually downloaded an update and wish to install it, follow these steps: 1. Click the button and navigate to the update file location. 2.
Page 151 Part X Troubleshooting...
Page 153: Troubleshooting
Your iCC requires little maintenance. From time to time, Black Box Network Services may release software updates for your iCC. To make sure you keep your iCC up to date, you can set it to receive and install those updates automatically (see Software Update for more details).
Page 154 10. Troubleshooting Task Comment If you are using a crossover cable, your PC must not In Internet Explorer, select Tools > Internet Options > Connections. Click be configured to work through a proxy. button and clear the Use a proxy server for your LAN box.
Page 155 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Task Comment If you are using a crossover cable then you should not If you are using Internet Explorer, and you cannot prevent the PC from be prompted to dial up to the Internet. dialling out for an Internet connection, install the Firefox browser on your PC and use it to access the iCC.
Page 157 Part XI Technical Reference...
Page 159: Technical Reference
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 11. Technical Reference This section contains technical reference topics not covered elsewhere: Optimizing Playback Performance – Enhancing the playback performance of specific media types. RS-232 Technical Reference – Understanding RS-232 pin assignments and electrical interfaces. Backup Contents –...
Page 160 11. Technical Reference Inputs have: Hysteresis (generally of about 0.5 V). A threshold level of about +1.5 V. An input impedance of about 5000 ohms connected to GND (defaults to a -ve voltage state with nothing attached). An acceptable input range of +/-15 V. Outputs have: A voltage swing ranging from +/-5 V to +/-12 V (depends on hardware).
Page 161: Backup Contents
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 11.3 Backup Contents Backing Up Your iCC describes how you create a backup for your iCC. The folders and files included in the backup are: Folders Files /data/data/ad_hoc_media/ /data/data/config/audio_settings.xml /data/data/channel/ /data/data/config/http_proxy_settings.xml /data/data/config/ad_hoc/ /data/data/config/local_information.xml /data/data/config/channel/ /data/data/config/player_settings.xml /data/data/control/ /data/data/config/remote_setup_settings.xml /data/data/fonts/...
Page 163 Part XII Glossary...
Page 165: Glossary
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide 12. Glossary Term Meaning Ad Hoc An override to a display schedule, often managed locally by ad hoc users, which is restricted to a specific zone and/or content type. Ad hoc users control ad hoc content or ad hoc items, which are kept in ad hoc media folders, and displayed on ad hoc pages.
Page 166 Player A component of the Black Box Digital Signage Platform. Player is the generic term for the appliance that runs the screen. Specifically, the player is the Black Box iCOMPEL. Player local information Data entered on an player used to alter what is displayed according to conditions often tied to a locality.
Page 167 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Term Meaning Schedule A plan or timetable for displaying layouts at specific times. Schedule entry An individual action added to the player schedule. Screen snap shot A picture of what the player is currently displaying. Standalone A player that is neither a subscriber or publisher.
Page 169: Index
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Index comparison with Change Layout command 76 Animations and optimizing display 159 Approving publishing 114 Audio 57 click on touch 87 Action buttons 22 icon 32 Ad hoc 91 playing on touch 87 adding layout items automatically 33 Authentication 138 Advance To 95, 103 digest 18...
Page 170 Index Crop 88 and storyboards 86 HTML 88 and zone displaying HTML 84 movie 88 click on touch 87 Customization scope and ad hoc 98 configuring layout 85 configuring playlist 84 events 83 how the player processes 85 Display change method tradeoffs 86 playing audio 87 remote keypad 85 RS-232 85...
Page 171: Qr Codes 51
iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide Media 47 ad hoc 74 Adobe Flash 60 OpenType font 78 audio 47, 57 backup and restore 147 clocks 49 common properties 72 Player accessing by name 19 entering text 47 Player local information 144 external web pages 62 and conditional play 144 fonts 78...
Page 172 Index defaults 137 firewall 138 firewall status 139 Radio 61 LDAP 140 and soundtrack 61 LDAP binding 142 configuring 135 LDAP fallback user 141 Remote keypad 83 LDAP model 141 and interactivity 85 master password 139 controls 94 SSL certificates 140 Rendezvous point 75 testing LDAP setup 140 and playlists 75...
Page 173 iCOMPEL Content Commander User Guide TV 135 and ad hoc 102 configuring 135 multicast 136 setting up streaming 136 Uploading files 38 and drag and drop 54 and FTP 53 and the Uploading Files tab 53 User interface 20 action buttons 22 changing appearance 131 changing display modes 131 command buttons 23...
Page 174 724-746-5500-- | --blackbox.com...

Black Box iCompel ICOMP-ICC User Manual

1 Welcome to Black Box Digital Signage

2 Creating Digital Signage

3 Understanding Media Types

4 Enhancing Your Displays

5 Ad Hoc Content

6 Sharing Content Using Layout Packages

7 Channels and Signage Networks

8 System Status

9 Setup

10 Troubleshooting

11 Technical Reference

12 Glossary

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