Digital Signage Player Management Softwarestarin.info/Product Info/- - Archive/Sony...

3-296-173-11 (1)

Digital Signage PlayerManagement SoftwareOperating InstructionsBefore operating the software, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.

VSPA-D7

Version 1.00 and Later

© 2007 Sony Corporation

2

NOTICE TO USERS

© 2007 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved. This manual or the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated or reduced to any machine readable form without prior written approval from Sony Corporation.

SONY CORPORATION PROVIDES NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR SUCH OTHER INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE THEREOF.

Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without notice.The software described herein may also be governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement.

Material data used for content creation, such as video, graphics, and text, may be copyrighted. Unauthorized distribution and/or playout of such content may be contrary to the provisions of the copyright laws.Also, the system allows you to use the fonts installed on the PC to create text material. Such fonts are copyrighted. Authorization or right of transmission is required to use them for playout.

Trademark Notice

• Microsoft, Windows, Windows Media, and Internet Explorer are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries/regions.

• Adobe and Flash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and other countries/regions.

• Magic Packet is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

• Other system names, product names and company names appearing in this manual may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. In this manual such names are not indicated by ® or ™ symbols.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Overview

Operational Flows............................................................................6Upon System Installation ...................................................................... 6During Routine Operation ..................................................................... 6

VSPA-D7 Features ...........................................................................7Overview of the System ........................................................................ 7Functions of the VSPA-D7 Software .................................................... 7Materials that the VSPA-D7 Software can Handle ............................... 7

VSPA-D7 Main Window ...................................................................9

Chapter 2 Preparations

Starting and Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software................................12Starting the VSPA-D7 Software.......................................................... 12Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software .......................................................... 12

Setting Up.......................................................................................13Creating Player Groups ....................................................................... 13Selecting Materials to Be Used ........................................................... 14Setting Up the VSPA-D7 Software ..................................................... 14Selecting the Default Screen Layout ................................................... 15

Chapter 3 Basic Operations

Registering and Creating Materials .............................................17Registering a Video, Graphics, Flash, or Audio File .......................... 17Registering an IP Camera as Streaming Video Material..................... 18Registering the URL of a Web Page ................................................... 18Creating/Registering text material....................................................... 18Creating Additional Control Commands............................................. 20

Creating a Playlist..........................................................................20Creating an Extra Audio List ........................................................24Creating a Schedule ......................................................................25Distribution.....................................................................................26

Distributing Schedules to Players........................................................ 26Distributing Content to Players ........................................................... 27

Controlling Playout........................................................................28

Table of Contents 3

4

Interrupting Playout............................................................................. 28Stopping Scheduled Playout................................................................ 29Specifying a Screen Saver ................................................................... 29Specifying Substitute Graphics ........................................................... 30Replacing Materials............................................................................. 30

Player Management .......................................................................31Adjusting the System Time of a Player............................................... 31Updating Player Software ................................................................... 32Obtaining the System Logs of Players ................................................ 32Deleting Content from Players ............................................................ 33

Chapter 4 Content Preparation

The Add Content Window Set ......................................................34Functions of the Add Content Window Set.................................36

Menus in the Content Management Window...................................... 36

Chapter 5 Playout Sequence

The Edit Playlist Window Set........................................................40Functions of the Edit Playlist Window Set ..................................42

Menus in the Content Management Window...................................... 42Menus in the Edit Playlist Window..................................................... 43Menus in the View Layout Window ................................................... 44

The Edit Extra Audio List Window Set.........................................45Functions of the Edit Extra Audio List Window Set ...................47

Menus in the Content Management Window...................................... 47Menus in the Edit Extra Audio List Window...................................... 47

Chapter 6 Schedule

The Edit Schedule Window Set ....................................................49Functions of the Edit Schedule Window Set...............................52

Menus in the Content Management Window...................................... 52Menus in the Edit Schedule Window .................................................. 53Menus in the View Schedule Window ................................................ 54

Table of Contents

Chapter 7 Distribution

The Send Content Window Set.....................................................55Functions of the Send Content Window Set ...............................57

Menus in the Content Management Window...................................... 57Menus in the VSP-NS7 Status Window.............................................. 57

The Send Schedule Window Set ..................................................58Functions of the Send Schedule Window Set.............................59

Menus in the Content Management Window...................................... 59Menus in the VSP-NS7 Status Window.............................................. 59Menus in the Sending Status of Group Window................................. 59

Chapter 8 Other Operations

The Interrupt Playback Window Set.............................................61Functions of the Interrupt Playback Window Set .......................62

Menus in the Content Management Window...................................... 62Menus in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status Window ................... 62

The Delete Content from VSP-NS7 Window Set .........................63Functions of the Delete Content from VSP-NS7 Window Set....64

Menus in the Content Management Window...................................... 64The Maintenance Window Set ......................................................65Functions of the Maintenance Window Set.................................66

Menus in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status Window ................... 66

Glossary .........................................................................................68

Index ..............................................................................................70

Table of Contents 5

hapter1 Chapter 1 O

verview

6

COverview

This manual describes the functions of the VSPA-D7 Digital Signage Player Management Software. The VSPA-D7 software manages a system for playback of content using VSP-NS7 Digital Signage Players.Read the Setup Instructions and Operating Instructions of the VSP-NS7 player, too, for details on operations required during system installation.

Operational Flows

Upon System Installation

The following flowchart shows an example of the operations required when the system is installed:

During Routine Operation

The following flowchart shows an example of routine operation after you have finished system installation.

Assign network address toVSP-NS7

Install VSP-NS7sand start the VSPA-D7management software

Perform the system setup

Register VSP-NS7 inthe VSPA-D7 software

Make detailed settings forVSP-NS7 and send the settings

to the player

Create a group

Register VSP-NS7s in the group

Select the material to use,make any optional settings,

and the standard display layout settings

Repeat for asmany players asyou are using

Repeat for asmany players asyou are using

Repeat for asmany groups asyou want tocreate

For details on thesesetup operations,refer to the VSP-NS7 SetupInstructions.

Prepare materialsRegister video, graphics, Flash, andaudio files.Register IP cameras as streamingmaterial.Register web page URLs.Create or register text material.

Create a playlistAdd materials to a playlistaccording to the playbackorder.

Create and save an extraaudio listAdd audio material to an extraaudio list according to theplayback order.

Save the playlistSpecify target player group.Specify time and periodwhen the playlist is to beused.

Create a scheduleSpecify target player group.Add playlists, extra audio lists, andcontrol commands to the schedule.

DistributionDistribute the schedule to the players.Materials and playlists are distributedsimultaneously.

Specify aschedule

Do not specify aschedule

Save the scheduleSpecify time and period when theschedule is to be used.

Save the playlist

Operational Flows

Chapter 1 O

verview

VSPA-D7 Features

Overview of the System

The Sony VSPA-D7 Digital Signage Player Management Software is designed to manage systems that distribute audio and visual content to Sony VSP-NS7 Digital Signage Players via a network and then play that content, such as sales promotional videos at stores or commercial videos in public places. The VSP-NS7 player is called a “player” in this manual.The VSPA-D7 software supports a wide range of display sizes and both landscape and portrait orientation of a display, which allows you to use the systems with the maximum layout flexibility.The main tasks of the VSPA-D7 software, such as registering materials, and creating playlists and schedules, can be performed by simple drag & drop operations.

Functions of the VSPA-D7 Software

The VSPA-D7 software provides the following functions:

Making settings required for content distribution• Registering the players and creating the required groups

The players are grouped and registered according to the content they play, and the resolution and orientation (portrait or landscape) of the display device connected to the respective players.

• Time adjustment and other settings for players

Registering materials to be played on a player• Registering materials, such as video, graphics, and audio

files, that have been created using other application software

• Registering Sony IP camera information when using streaming video from cameras

• Registering the URLs of web pages• Creating and registering text material• Registering control commands

The VSPA-D7 software provides basic commands for the display connected to a player. You can also add control commands to adjust the audio volume of a player.

Creating playlists and playback schedules for players• Creating playlists

Specifying combinations of the pieces of material to be played, their playout order, and layout settings.

• Creating extra audio listsSpecifying the pieces of audio material to be played with playlists.

• Creating a scheduleListing playlists and extra audio lists, and specifying when they should be playedCommands for display control or volume control can be listed on a schedule, too.A schedule can be created easily when saving a playlist, too.

Distribution to a player• Distribution of schedules

Distribution of a schedule will automatically compare data stored on the players and required for playback of the schedule, then the VSPA-D7 will distribute missing data only.

• Interruption of playbackInterrupting playback currently performed on the players to show newly distributed content.

• Checking distribution status

System maintenance• Checking the status of each player• Power control or restarting of each player• Collecting system logs from each player• Updating internal programs of each player

In addition to the above operations, the VSPA-D7 software also provides the capability to change the settings for VSPA-D7 configurations.

Materials that the VSPA-D7 Software can Handle

The VSPA-D7 software can handle the following materials:• Video: MPEG2 program streams (MP@ML) and

Windows Media Video• MPEG4 live streaming video: a video stream from a

Sony IP camera• Graphics: Bitmap and JPEG files• Web pages: Web pages can be displayed on the player by

specifying the appropriate URLs.• Flash files: Adobe Flash files• Audio: Wave, Windows Media Audio and MP3 files• Text: Captions that you create with the VSPA-D7

software by specifying the content, color, font, and other attributes.Text material will be converted to bitmap files before being sent to players. It is also possible to import a text or bitmap file as a piece of text material.

You can use ordinary files created with conventional application software.

7VSPA-D7 Features

8

Chapter 1 O

verview

For details, including limitations on each type of material, select [Help] > [Specifications] on the VSPA-D7 menu bar, and see a specifications document.

VSPA-D7 Features

Chapter 1 O

verview

VSPA-D7 Main Window

The following illustration shows an example of the VSPA-D7 main window. The “Add Content” window set is selected in this example.

a Menu barProvides menus for carrying out the tasks that are related to the entire range of VSPA-D7 operations. By selecting a menu item, commands contained in the selected menu are displayed.

File menu

Window menu

2 Operation guide 3 Guidance message1 Menu bar

4 Operation window area

Command Description

Export VSPA-D7 Settings

Exports the VSPA-D7 setup data as a file with the specified name in the specified folder. This command is helpful when you use the VSPA-M7 monitoring software.

Exit Ends VSPA-D7 operations and closes the window.

Command Description

Arrange Arranges the windows in the operation window area, according to the current size of the main window.

9VSPA-D7 Main Window

10

Chapter 1 O

verview

Help menu

b Operation guideProvides buttons corresponding to the main tasks of the VSPA-D7 software. Selecting a button displays a set of windows used for the operation of the corresponding task in the operation window area.

• The buttons contained in the operation guide vary, depending on the “Content Setup” settings.

• Buttons for setup operations may be hidden. Click the button to display them.

Command Description

VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions,VSPA-D7 Operating Instructions,Specifications,Error Code List

Displays the corresponding document.

Version Displays the version and serial numbers of the VSPA-D7 software.

Notes

Button Description

Displays the “Add Content” window set. You can register or create material to be played on the players with this window set.

Displays the “Edit Playlist” window set. You can create and edit playlists by specifying combination and playback order of the materials with this window set.

Displays the “Edit Extra Audio List” window set. You can create and edit extra audio lists by specifying the playback order of audio material with this window set.This button appears only when the audio material is set to be used in the “Content Setup” window. It does not appear with the initial settings.

Displays the “Edit Schedule” window set. You can create and edit playback schedules by listing playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands with this window set.

Displays the “Send Content” window set. You can only distribute the selected pieces of material to players with this window set.This button appears only when the send content feature is enabled in the “Options Setup” window. It does not appear with the initial settings.

Displays the “Send Schedule” window set. You can distribute the selected playback schedule together with the materials, playlists, and extra audio lists required for the playback to players with this window set.

Displays the “Interrupt Playback” window set. You can stop scheduled playback being performed on players, and play the materials and/or playlist distributed with this window set.When a text or audio item is used for interrupt playback, the scheduled playback will not stop. Only the pieces of text and/or audio material will be replaced with the newly distributed ones.

Displays the window set for deleting content stored on players. You can check the items stored on the selected player, and delete unnecessary items with the window set.

Displays a list of all players. You can check the errors that have occurred, and the remaining disk space of each player, or obtain system logs from each player on the list.

Displays the “System Setup” window. This window provides setup items related to the entire system, such as the location where the content, schedule, and setup data is stored.

Displays the “VSP-NS7 Setup” window. You can register the name and address of each player in the VSPA-D7 software in this window. Also, in this window, setup data related to player is transferred and set in each player.

Displays the “Group Setup” window. The VSPA-D7 software groups the players to manage them. You can use the “Group Setup” window to create groups, and to specify group(s) to which each player should be added.

Displays the “Content Setup” window. You can select materials used and not used in the system in this window.

Displays the “Options Setup” window. This window provides setup items, such as the time of distribution from the VSPA-D7 to the players.

Displays the “Standard Layout Setup” window. You can specify a default layout of materials on the display screen according to the resolution of the display.

Button Description

VSPA-D7 Main Window

Chapter 1 O

verview

c Guidance messageProvides an instructional message according to the operation currently being performed.

d Operation window areaDisplays window sets, according to the selected operation guide button. In the example above, the

button is selected, hence the “Add Content window” set is displayed.

See chapter 4 and after for details on each window displayed in the operation window area.

11VSPA-D7 Main Window

hapter2

Chapter 2 P

reparations

12

CPreparations

Starting and Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software

Starting the VSPA-D7 Software

Double-click the VSPA-D7 short-cut on the Windows desktop.

The VSPA-D7 main window opens, allowing you to use the software.

Upon installation of the system, a unique network address should be assigned to each player, and the VSPA-D7 system setup items and those related to players should be configured.When you start the software for the first time after installation, the “System Setup” window appears automatically. Specify the items in the “System Setup” window, and then those in the “VSP-NS7 Setup” window.Refer to the Setup Instructions of the VSP-NS7 player for details on these setup operations.

Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software

Click [File] > [Exit] on the menu bar of the main window.

The VSPA-D7 main window closes, and the software terminates.

If there is an unsaved playlist or schedule, the VSPA-D7 software asks you whether you want to save it. Save it, if necessary.

Provided distribution has been finished, content will be played automatically according to playlists and schedules, even after the VSPA-D7 software is terminated.

Note

Starting and Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software

Chapter 2 P

reparations

Setting Up

Besides the setup items described in the Setup Instructions, the following configuration operations should be done to operate this system:• Creating player groups• Selecting materials to be used• Setting up the VSPA-D7 software• Selecting the default screen layout

Check the configurations, and modify them, if necessary.

Creating Player Groups

The VSPA-D7 software manages the players classified into groups according to the content they play, and the screen resolution and orientation (portrait or landscape) of the displays connected to the respective players.Create groups and classify the players into groups in the “Group Setup” window.

1 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 software to display the buttons related to setup operations.

2 Click the button.

The “Group Setup” window appears.

3 Click [Add] in the “Group Settings” section.

The “Edit Group” window appears.

4 Enter the name of the group, select the resolution using the “Resolution” drop-down list box, then click [OK].

The “Edit Group” window closes, and the group name entered appears in the “Group” drop-down list box of the “Group Setup” window.

5 Select the players to be registered in the created group in the “All VSP-NS7s within System” list.To select more than one player, hold down the Ctrl key and click the desired players.To select all players within a range, hold down the

Shift key and click the first and last players in the range.

6 Click [Add >>].

The selected players appear on the “VSP-NS7 within Selected Group” list. Their names are displayed in gray on the “All VSP-NS7s within System” list.

7 Repeat steps 5 and 6 if there is a player to be registered in this group.To register players in a different group, select the desired group in the “Group” drop-down list box, and return to step 5.To create a new group, return to step 3.

8 After you finish registering the players in groups, click [OK].

The “Group Setup” window closes.

To remove a player from a groupSelect the group using the “Group” drop-down list box, select the player to be removed on the “VSP-NS7 within Selected Group” list, then click [<< Remove].

To modify a name and/or resolutionSelect the group using the “Group” drop-down list box, then click [Change]. This displays the “Edit Group” window.Modify the name and/or the setting of the resolution there, then click [OK].

To delete a groupSelect the group to be deleted using the “Group” drop-down list box, then click [Delete]. And then click [Yes] when a confirmation message is displayed.

Player registered in the selected group

Players that are not registered in the selected group

13Setting Up

14

Chapter 2 P

reparations

Selecting Materials to Be Used

By selecting material types in the “Content Setup” window, you can ensure that only the materials you need are displayed in the operation windows


2 Click the button.

The “Content Setup” window appears.

3 Place check marks in the check boxes for the materials to be used, and clear the check boxes for the materials that you don’t intend to use.

Materials used for playlists

Materials used for schedules

4 Click [OK].

The “Content Setup” window closes.

Setting Up the VSPA-D7 Software

The “Options Setup” window provides miscellaneous setup items for the VSPA-D7 software, such as the time of data distribution from the VSPA-D7 software to the players.

Setup procedure


2 Click the button.

The “Options Setup” window appears.

3 Modify the settings if necessary.

See the following “Items in the Options Setup window” for details on each setup item.

4 Click [OK].

The “Options Setup” window closes.

Items in the Options Setup window

Start IndexSpecify the starting index number for each type of material that the VSPA-D7 software assigns automatically during material registration.Normally, you don’t have to modify the settings.An index number consists of a single-digit number corresponding to the user code + a two- or three-digit number that indicates material type + a sequential number.

Items Materials

Video MPEG2 or Windows Media Video files

Streaming MPEG4 live streaming video(Video from a Sony IP camera)

Graphics BMP or JPEG files

URL URLs of web pages

Flash Flash files created with Adobe Flash

Text Captions created with the VSPA-D7 software

Items Materials

Audio WAV, Windows Media Audio, or MP3 files

Control Control commands for volume control of the players, and for an external device, such as a display device.

Setting Up

Chapter 2 P

reparations

The sequential number increases by one as the pieces of material are registered.To use the same materials in a network shared folder from more than one computer installed with the VSPA-D7 software, assign an ID (a single-digit number from “0”-“9”) to each computer in the “User Code” text box. This will assign different index numbers to the materials, playlists, and schedules depending on the computer that created or registered them, hence it reduces the risk of overwriting data. For example, specify the user code of the VSPA-D7 software on the first computer as “1,” and the second as “2.” The playlists created on the first one are indexed starting at “152000001”, and those created on the second one are indexed starting at “252000001.” You will then know which one has created a certain playlist.

Enable Timed DistributionThe VSPA-D7 software enables you to specify the time of data distribution from the VSPA-D7 to the players. You can set the hours at night so that the data will not be sent in the daytime while network traffic is heavy. To use this feature, place a check mark in the check box, then specify the start time of distribution (24-hour system). When this feature is enabled, distribution does not start immediately when you request. The VSPA-D7 software starts processing of the requested distributions automatically, at the specified time.

Enable [Delete Content from VSP-NS7]Place a check mark if you need to delete content stored on each player manually.Normally, it is recommended that you clear this check box, and enable the automatic deletion of content from the players feature in the “System Setup” window, so that content stored on each player will be deleted automatically after scheduled playout.

Enable [Send Content]Place a check mark when you want to distribute materials that take long time for distribution, such as video, before a playback schedule is fixed, or when you distribute and specify a substitute image, that is a piece of graphics material to be played when normal content playback is impossible, or you distribute and specify a screen saver.Normally, clear this check box. The VSPA-D7 software automatically attaches the required materials when schedule data is distributed. This compares data to be distributed with data already stored on each player in advance, and distributes updated data only to enable efficient distribution.

Video Thumbnail PositionSpecify the position within a video file that is to be used as its thumbnail picture of the file.Normally, the default setting “0 seconds” will be all right. However, change the setting if you use video files that have black burst or color bar signal recorded at the top, so

that the thumbnail pictures will represent the content of the video.

Changing this setting does not affect the thumbnails for the files that has already been registered.

Prohibit Network Communication BetweenSpecify the time period (24-hour system) when you want to prohibit communication with the players. If you want to enable network communication all the time, specify the identical time in the two spin boxes.

Selecting the Default Screen Layout

Specify the default screen layout of materials, according to the resolution of the players. You can select one of the templates provided, or create a new template and select it.When you create a playlist, the default template will be applied to pieces of material on the playlist at first, but you can apply another template or specify layout for each playlist line.

Setup procedure


2 Click the button.

The “Layout” and “Standard Layout Settings” windows appear.

Note

Layout window

15Setting Up

16

Chapter 2 P

reparations

3 Select a resolution using the “Resolution” drop-down list box in the “Standard Layout Settings” window.

4 Select the desired template for the resolution selected in step 3, using the “Template” drop-down list box in the “Standard Layout Settings” window.

The screen layout corresponding to the selected template is displayed in the “Layout” window.

You can also create your own template. See “Modifying Screen Layout” on page 22 for details on template-related operations.

5 Click [OK].

The “Layout” and “Standard Layout Settings” windows close.

6 Repeat from step 2 to select the default screen layout for players with a different resolution.

Standard Layout Settings window

Setting Up

hapter3
CBasic Operations
Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Registering and Creating Materials

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Add Content” screen set. It consists only of the “Content Management” window.Materials to be played on the players should be registered or created in the “Content Management” window.

See “Content Management window” on page 34 for details on each part of the “Content Management” window.

Procedure for registering or creating materials varies, depending on the type.

Registering a Video, Graphics, Flash, or Audio File

To use video, graphics, Flash, or audio content, register the files created using other programs.

To register files using a drag & drop operationYou can register more than one file, even if they are different types, simultaneously, as the VSPA-D7 software manages them using their file name extensions.

Refer to the Specification document for details on the file types that can be registered in the system. To see the document, select [Help] > [Specifications] from the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window.

1 Open a Windows Explorer window, and locate the files to be registered.

2 Select the files to be registered.

To select more than one file, hold down the Ctrl key,

and click the desired files.To select all files in a range, hold down the Shift key, then click the first and last files in the range.

3 Move the selection to the “Content Management” window using a drag & drop operation.

The dropped files are classified by types, copied to the VSPA-D7 database folders, and displayed in the “Content Management” window.

To register files using a button on the toolbar

1 Select the tab of the desired type of material in the “Content Management” window.

For example, select the “Graphics” tab to register still images.

2 Click the button on the toolbar.

A window used for registration according to the type of material appears.

3 Specify the file(s) to be registered, then click [Open].

The selected file(s) is/are copied to the VSPA-D7 database folder, and displayed in the “Content Management” window.

Upon registering files, the file names will be the titles of the registered material. To modify the title, use the button on the toolbar, or right-click the piece of material and select [Edit Type and Title] on the popup menu.

Note

17Registering and Creating Materials

18

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Registering an IP Camera as Streaming Video Material

1 Select the “Streaming” tab of the “Content Management” window.


The “Edit IP Camera Settings” window appears.

3 Enter the following data in the respective fields, and click [OK].

The information entered for the IP camera is registered as a piece of streaming video material.

Registering the URL of a Web Page

1 Select the “URL” tab of the “Content Management” window.


The “Edit URL” window appears.


The URL entered is registered.

The VSPA-D7 software allows you to specify the update interval of the displayed web page, and the amount of page shifting, so that the top and left area of the web page will not be displayed. To accomplish these tasks, right-click the desired URL data, and select [Option Settings].

Creating/Registering text material

Specify the text, colors, font, size, and effects to be displayed to create text material.

The VSPA-D7 software enables you to register a bitmap file instead of text as a piece of text material.

See “Registering a bitmap file as text material” on page 19 for details.

1 Select the “Text” tab in the “Content Management” window.


The “Edit Text” window appears.

3 Click [Properties] to open the “Text Properties” window.

Item Description

Type Type of the piece of streaming video material (up to 20 characters).

Title Title of the piece of streaming video material (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, “IP address: HTTP port” will be the title.You can identify pieces of material by the type and title.

IP Address The address of the IP camera from which video will be displayed as material.

HTTP Port The port number used for communication with the IP camera.

User The user name to be used for communication with the IP camera, if assigned.

Password The password corresponding to the user name described above.

Item Description

Type Type of the registered web page (up to 20 characters).

Title Title of the registered web page (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the URL excluding “http://” will be the title.You can identify pieces of material by the type and title.

Address The URL of the web page (up to 256 characters, including “http://”).

Note

Hint

Item Description

Registering and Creating Materials

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

4 Specify the following properties, then click [OK].

The “Text Properties” window closes.

5 Select the desired font and character size with the “Font” and “Font Size” drop-down list boxes in the “Edit Text” window.

6 Type the desired text.You can also copy text from another application program such as a word processor, and paste it in the “Edit Text” window by pressing the Ctrl+V keys.

To import a text file, click [Read Text File] and specify the file.

7 Click [OK].

The newly created piece of text material appears in the “Content Management” window.

The VSPA-D7 software enables you to change the text color and/or style, such as bold, italic, or underline.

See “When the “Text” tab is selected” on page 36 for details.

Registering a bitmap file as text materialInstead of typing text, the following procedure registers a bitmap file in the VSPA-D7 software as a piece of text material. This feature is useful when you would like to use a caption with special effects.

There are some limitations that are different from those for bitmap files used as graphics material, for bitmaps files used as text material.

For details on specifications and limitations on files to be used as text material, refer to the Specifications document. Select [Help] > [Specifications] on the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window.

1 In the “Content Management” window, select the “Text” tab.


The “Add Text Content” window appears.

3 Select the files to be registered.You can register more than one file simultaneously.To select more than one file, hold down the Ctrl key and click the desired files in turn.To select all the files in a range, hold down the Shift key and click the first and last files in the range.

4 Click [Open].

The “Add Text Content” window closes, and the new material is added in the “Content Management” window.The names of the files are shown as the titles.

Item Description

Type Type of the piece of text material (up to 20 characters).

Title Title of the piece of text material (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the first 40 characters of the text will be the title.You can identify pieces of material by the type and title.

Effect Select the text display effect from the following:Constant: Displays stable text.Blink: Displays blinking text.Scroll: Makes text flow across the display from right to left.

Scroll speed Select the speed of text flow, when you select “Scroll” for “Effect.”

Background color

The square shows the current background color. To change it, click [Change Background Color] and select the desired color in the “Edit Colors” window.The background color cannot be changed partially.

Base character color

The square shows the current text color. To change it, click [Change Character Color] and select the desired color in the “Edit Colors” window.To change the color of text that has already been typed in the “Edit Text” window, right-click the text and select [Change Character Color].

Note

Note

19Registering and Creating Materials

20

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

5 Specify the properties, such as the type, title, and effect, for each piece of text material registered, if necessary.

Creating Additional Control Commands

The VSPA-D7 software enables you to control the players and display devices; you can control items such as the sound volume control of the players or power-on/off of the display devices, by placing control commands in playback schedules.The control commands are provided by the VSPA-D7 software, but you can create new sound volume control commands.

1 In the “Content Management” window, select the “Control” tab.

The control commands currently registered are listed.


The “Edit Control” window appears.


A new control command is created and displayed in the “Content Management” window.

Creating a Playlist

A “playlist” describes the order of material to be played on each layer on the players. A player automatically plays materials on the respective layers, according to the playlist.

A player has five display layers, as illustrated below, and the materials, excluding audio and control materials, are played on the designated layers, respectively.

The numbers in parentheses represent the order of overlay.

Materials that appear on the same line of the playlist will be overlaid and played simultaneously on the players.

A new playlist is created using the following procedure:

Creating and editing a playlist

1 Click the button of the operation guide.

The “Edit Playlist” window set appears. It consists of the “Content Management,” “Edit Playlist,” and “View Layout” windows.

Item Description

Type Type of the registered web page (up to 20 characters).

Title Title of the registered web page (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the specified volume setting will be the title.You can identify pieces of material by the type and title.

Action “Volume Control” is displayed. It cannot be changed.

Volume Select one in the drop-down list box.“System Setting” means the volume set in the “Detailed Settings” window opened from the “VSP-NS7 Setup” window.If you select “User Define,” enter the desired volume (%) in the text box displayed.

Graphics 1 (2) Graphics 2 (4) Video (3)

Text (5)

Background (1)

Creating a Playlist

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

2 Click the button on the “Edit Playlist” window toolbar.

If the currently displayed playlist has not been saved, the VSPA-D7 software displays a message asking whether you want to discard it.Save the displayed playlist, if necessary.

3 Check the resolution displayed on the “Edit Playlist” window title bar.Change the target resolution, if necessary, by clicking the button.

4 Select a piece of material in the “Content Management” window, then add it to the playlist by a drag & drop operation.The layer (column) in which you drop the material is decided depending on the material and its purpose.

When a material tab is selected in the “Content Management” window, the titles of the columns corresponding to the material appear white on dark gray, showing that the material on the tab can be dropped on those columns.

The added material is displayed on the playlist.Although not shown on the playlist, the position and size data based on the standard layout template are added to the dropped material. You can view the specified layout in the “View Layout” window by clicking a line or cell of the playlist. To modify the layout, click [Change Layout] in the “View Layout” window.

See “Modifying Screen Layout” on page 22 for detailed information on modifying the layout.

5 Repeat step 4 to create the playlist.

If necessary, edit the newly added event, for example, by modifying the duration of the event.

See “Menus in the Edit Playlist Window” on page 43 for detailed information on playlist editing functions.

To finish creating/editing of a playlist, save the playlist. You can either simply save it, or save it and simultaneously create a schedule using the playlist.

Saving a newly created playlistSimply save the playlist when you intend to use an extra audio list and/or control commands in combination with the playlist. In this case, create a schedule, later, using the playlist.

See “Creating a Schedule” on page 25 for details on creating a schedule.

1 Click the button on the toolbar of the “Edit Playlist” window.

The “Save Playlist” window appears.

2 Specify the type (up to 20 characters) and title (up to 40 characters) of the playlist to be saved.Select each text box, and enter the desired text.

3 Clear the “Specify Schedule” check box, then click [OK].

The playlist is saved. A message appears asking whether you want to clear the playlist currently displayed in the “Edit Playlist” window.

4 Click [Yes] to finish working with this playlist, or click [No] to continue working with this playlist.

Material Purpose Layer (Column)

Video Video (with accompanying audio)

Video

Streaming MPEG4 streaming video from IP cameras

Video

Graphics Background, Wallpaper Background

Graphics to be displayed behind video

Graphics 1

Logo marks, Down-stream keying, Graphics to be displayed in front of video

Graphics 2

URL Web pages Graphics 1 or Graphics 2

Flash Flash movies Graphics 1 or Graphics 2

Text Captions Text

Hint

21Creating a Playlist

22

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Saving a newly created playlist, and then create a schedule using the playlistWhen you don’t intend to use an extra audio list and/or control commands in combination with the playlist, it is recommended that you create a playout schedule upon saving a playlist, in the following procedure.

1 Click the button on the toolbar of the “Edit Playlist” window.

The “Save Playlist” window appears.

2 Specify the type (up to 20 characters) and title (up to 40 characters) of the playlist to be saved.Select each text box, and enter the desired text.

3 Place a check mark in the “Specify Schedule” check box, then specify the following items.

4 Specify the start and end times when the playlist should be played.Select the part to be modified in the “Time” spin box, then change the value using the up and down arrow buttons or enter the desired value.The playlist will be played repeatedly between the specified times.

The power-on time of the players is displayed above the “Time” spin boxes.

5 Specify the first and last days of the playback period of the playlist.Clicking the button of the drop-down list box displays a calendar. The date you click on the calendar will be specified in the drop-down list box.

6 Place check marks for the days in the “Day of the Week” check boxes to specify specific days of the week in the period.You can click each check box separately, or use the [Check All] or [Clear All] buttons.To use the created playlist only on Saturdays in a period, for example, click [Clear All], then click the “Saturday” check box.

7 Click [OK].

The playlist is saved. A schedule and its associated data is created and saved, too.To play content using the created playlist on the players, distribute the schedule to the players using the “Send Schedule” window set.

See “Distributing Schedules to Players” on page 26 for details on distributing schedules.

When the playlist is saved, a message appears asking whether you want to clear the playlist currently displayed in the “Edit Playlist” window.

8 Click [Yes] to finish working with this playlist, or click [No] to continue working with this playlist.

Modifying Screen LayoutScreen layout, that is, a set of the sizes and positions of the materials on the display layers, is defined according to the selected template as the standard layout setup. You can check the layout in the “View Layout” window.The following procedure modifies layout settings.

The size of the text layer does not change due to the layout settings. The layout settings only specify the position.Also, the background layer is always displayed in full-screen size, hence you cannot modify its size and position.

1 In the “Edit Playlist” window, click the desired line or column.

The “View Layout” window shows materials specified on the select line, just like they will be played on the player.

2 Click [Change Layout] to modify the layout settings.

The “Layout” and “Layout Setup” windows appear.

3 Specify sizes and positions of the layers to be used.Do the following for each layer.

• Click a layer in the “Layout” window, then select a handle of the layer and drag it to the desired position and size.The values in the “Layout Setup” window change according to the position and size of the layer in the “Layout” window.

Item Description

Group The player group on which playback using this playlist will be performed.

Color The color used for the created schedule in the windows of the “Edit Schedule” window set.

Hint

Note

Creating a Playlist

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

• Select the layer in the Screen Layout window, right-click it, then select a size command, such as [Full-Screen Size], [Half-Screen Size on Left], [Quarter-Screen Size], or [Original Size].Those size commands can be used for the “Graphics 1,” “Graphics 2,” and “Video” layers. However, if a web page is specified on the “Graphics 1” or “Graphics 2” layer, [Original Size] does not work, as the VSPA-D7 software cannot recognize the size of the web page.

• To apply layout settings of another template, select the desired one from the “Template” drop-down list box in the “Layout Setup” window.When you select one of the templates, the positions and sizes of the layers specified in that template will be applied.

• Change the values of the relevant text boxes in the “Layout Setup” window.Changing the values changes the position and/or size of the layer(s) accordingly.

• Place check marks in the “Original Aspect Ratio” check boxes in the “Layout Setup” window.When you click the layer in the “Screen Layout” window after placing a check mark for that layer, the aspect ratio of that layer returns to that of the original. Then, you can change the position or the size of the layer, while keeping that aspect ratio.The “Original Aspect Ratio” check boxes are provided for the “Graphics 1,” “Graphics 2,” and “Video” layers. However, if a web page is specified on the “Graphics 1” or “Graphics 2” layer, this

setting does not work, as the VSPA-D7 software cannot recognize the size and shape of the original web page.

4 Click [OK] in the “Layout Setup” window.

The position and size of each layer of the selected line are stored in the playlist, and the “Screen Layout” and “Layout Setup” windows close.

• You cannot change the overlaid order of the layers. • There are various limitations in the position and size of

each layer of a player. After you finish creating a playlist, make sure to check if the materials are displayed as intended by previewing the playlist on a player.

For information on how to preview a playlist, see “Preview on VSP-NS7 command” on page 44.

• To return the modified settings to their original values, select “Original Layout” from the “Template” drop-down list box.This returns the layout settings to the ones previously saved in the playlist.

• You can save the modified screen layout settings as a new template here. Click [Save as New Template].

Handle

Layout window

Layout Setup window

Notes

Hints

23Creating a Playlist

24

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Creating an Extra Audio List

An “extra audio list” describes the order of audio material to be played on the players. It will be used in combination with playlists when a playback schedule is created.

• The button appears only when the audio material is set to be used in the “Content Setup” window. It does not appear with the initial settings.

• When both a playlist and extra audio list are specified to be played, sound accompanying video will not be output while separate audio material is played. However, sound accompanying Flash files and web pages will be mixed with audio material and output. When the microphone of the IP camera used is set to on, too, its sound will be mixed and output.

A new extra audio list is created using the following procedure:


The “Edit Extra Audio List” window set appears. It consists of the “Content Management” and “Edit Extra Audio List” windows.

2 Click the button on the “Edit Extra Audio List” window toolbar.

If the displayed extra audio list has not been saved, the VSPA-D7 software displays a message asking whether you want to discard it.Save the displayed extra audio list, if necessary.

3 Select a piece of audio material in the “Content Management” window, then add it to the extra audio list by a drag & drop operation.

The added material is displayed on the extra audio list.

4 Repeat step 3 to create the extra audio list.


See “Menus in the Edit Extra Audio List Window” on page 47 for detailed information on extra audio list editing functions.

5 Click the button on the toolbar of the “Edit Extra Audio List” window.

The “Properties” window appears.

6 Specify the type (up to 20 characters) and title (up to 40 characters) of the extra audio list to be saved, then click [OK].Select each text box, and enter the desired text.

The extra audio list is saved. Create a schedule for the playlist later, using the “Edit Schedule” window set.

See “Creating a Schedule” on page 25 for details on creating a schedule.

When the extra audio list is saved, a message appears asking whether you want to clear the extra audio list currently displayed in the “Edit Extra Audio List” window.

7 Click [Yes] to finish working with this extra audio list, or click [No] to continue working with this extra audio list.

Notes

Creating an Extra Audio List

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Creating a Schedule

You can create a playback schedule in the “Edit Schedule” window, using playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands displayed in the “Content Management” window.A new playback schedule is created using the following procedure:

When both a playlist and extra audio list are specified to be played, sound accompanying video will not be output while separate audio material is played. However, sound accompanying Flash files and web pages will be mixed with audio material and output. When the microphone of the IP camera used is set to on, too, its sound will be mixed and output.


The “Edit Schedule” window set appears. It consists of the “Content Management,” “Edit Schedule,” and “View Schedule” windows.

2 Select the player group for which you are going to create a schedule, using the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.

3 Click the button on the “Edit Schedule” window toolbar.

If the displayed schedule has not been saved, the VSPA-D7 software displays a message asking whether you want to discard it.Save the displayed schedule, if necessary.

4 Select a playlist, extra audio list, or control command in the “Content Management” window, then add it to the schedule by a drag & drop operation.

The added list or command is displayed on the schedule.

Lines displayed in red in the “Edit Schedule” window indicate a time slot where the players are powered off.You cannot add playlists, extra audio lists, or control commands on these lines.

5 Repeat step 4 to create the schedule.


See “Menus in the Edit Schedule Window” on page 53 for detailed information on schedule editing functions.

6 Click the button on the toolbar of the “Edit Schedule” window.

The “Schedule Properties” window appears.

7 Specify the type (up to 20 characters) and title (up to 40 characters) of the schedule to be saved.Select each text box, and enter the desired text.

8 Select the color to be used to display the created schedule, using the “Color” drop-down list box.

9 Specify the first and last days of the playback period of the schedule.Clicking the button of the drop-down list box displays a calendar. The date you click on the calendar will be specified in the drop-down list box.

Note

Hint

25Creating a Schedule

26

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

10Place check marks for the days in the “Day of the Week” check boxes to specify specific days of the week in the period.You can click each check box separately, or use the [Check All] or [Clear All] buttons.To use the created schedule only on Saturdays in a period, for example, click [Clear All], then click the Saturday check box.

11Click [OK].

The schedule is saved.

A message appears asking whether you want to clear the schedule currently displayed in the “Edit Schedule” window.

12Click [Yes] to finish working with this schedule, or click [No] to continue working with this schedule.

Distribution

Distributing Schedules to Players

When the playlists and schedule have been created and the required materials are ready, distribute the created schedule to the players. All the content required for playback of the schedule, such as materials and playlists, are distributed, too, automatically. When you specified the time and period of playback at the end of editing a playlist, a schedule was automatically created, even though you did not edit it in the “Edit Schedule” window. Distribute an automatically created schedule in such a case, too.

The VSPA-D7 software never distributes data that has already been stored on the players, so that time and bandwidth will not be wasted.


The “Send Schedule” window set appears. It consists of the “Content Management,” “VSP-NS7 Status,” and “Sending Status of Group” windows.

2 Select the player group to which you are going to distribute schedules, using the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.

The schedules created for the selected group are displayed.

3 Select the schedules to be distributed.

To select more than one item, hold down the Ctrl key, and click the desired items.

Hint

Distribution

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

To select all items in a range, hold down the Shift key, then click the first and last items in the range.

4 Click [Send].

The selected schedules are distributed to each player in the selected group.The result of distribution for each player can be checked in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window. The “Sending Status of Group” window shows the status of the entire group using background colors for dates on the calendar, so that you can see whether there is any day for which preparations of playback are not ready.

• For detailed information on the error codes displayed in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window, refer to the Error Code List. To see the list, select [Help] > [Error Code List] from the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window.

• Distribution of schedules automatically powers the destination players on, when they are powered off, provided that the network connecting the PC and the players allows special data called “Magic Packet.” In this case, the players will not be powered off when distribution is completed.

To cancel distributionClick [Cancel] in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window.

Distributing Content to Players

Normally, after the playlists and schedule have been created and the required materials have been made ready, the created schedules are distributed to the players, because this will automatically distribute all the content required for playback that has not yet been stored on the players, too. However, the VSPA-D7 software also enables you to distribute content, such as materials and playlists, to the players. This feature is helpful when you need to distribute material that takes long time for transfer, such as video, before a playout schedule is decided.

The “Send Content” window set is required to distribute content. To have this window set, place a check mark in the “Enable [Send Content]” check box in the “Options Setup” window.


The “Send Content” window set appears. It consists of

the “Content Management” and “VSP-NS7 Status” windows.

2 Select the player group to which you are going to distribute content, using the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.

The player list of the selected group appears in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window.

3 In the “Content Management” window, select the desired tab, and select the content to be distributed.

To select more than one item, hold down the Ctrl key, and click the desired items.To select all items in a range, hold down the Shift key, then click the first and last items in the range.

4 Click [Send].

The selected content is distributed to each player in the selected group.The result of distribution for each player can be checked in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window.

• For detailed information on the error codes displayed in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window, refer to the Error Code List. To see the list, select [Help] > [Error Code List] from the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window.

• Distribution of content automatically powers the destination players on, when they are powered off, provided that the network connecting the PC and the players allows special data called “Magic Packet.” In this case, the players will not be powered off when distribution is completed.

To cancel distributionClick [Cancel] in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window.

Hints

Note

Hints

27Distribution

28

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Controlling Playout

Interrupting Playout

The VSPA-D7 software provides an “interrupt playback” function that distributes content, such as playlists or text, and ensures the distributed content is played immediately. This is helpful for urgent information, like a news flash.The operation performed on the players upon interrupt of playback varies depending on the type of interrupting content. In the case of text or audio material, the text or audio material contained in the ongoing playlist will be replaced with the interrupting content, but other playout of the current playlist continues.In the case of control commands, the selected control command will be performed on the players.In other cases, playout of the ongoing playlist will stop, and then, the selected interrupting content will be played instead.The following procedure interrupts playout.


The “Interrupt Playback” window set appears. It consists of the “Content Management” and “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” windows.

2 Select the player group where you are going to interrupt playback, using the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.

The player list of the selected group appears in the “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window.

3 In the “Content Management” window, select the desired tab, and select the content to be played.

4 Click [Play], or [Execute] in the case of a control command.

When a control command is selected, the selected command is distributed to each player in the selected group, and executed on the player.When another type of content is selected, the “Interrupt Playback” window appears. (The following illustration shows an example for text material. The “Position” text box will not be shown in other types of material.)

5 Specify the following items in the “Interrupt Playback” window, then click [Play].

The selected content is distributed to each player in the selected group, and played immediately. The content (except for a Flash file) is played repeatedly if interrupt playback continues longer than the length of the material or playlist.

The VSPA-M7 Digital Signage Monitoring Software enables you to view the status of interrupt playback on each player.

6 If you selected the “Play until [Stop] is selected” option button in step 5, click [Stop] in the “Content Management” window to stop interrupt playback.Note that, in this case, interrupt playback continues until you click [Stop], hence the scheduled playout does not resume automatically.

Item Description

Play until [Stop] is selected

Interrupt playback will continue until [Stop] is clicked.

Play for specified duration

Interrupt playback will be performed for the specified duration. Specify the duration with the “Duration” spin box.

Position This appears only when text material is selected for interrupt playback. Specify the position (Y-coordinate) for the position where you want the top of a piece of text material to be located upon interrupt playback.The top of the screen is 0.

Hint

Controlling Playout

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Stopping Scheduled Playout

To stop ongoing scheduled playout, delete the schedule data being used from the players, using the following procedure:

If the schedule to be deleted will be used for tomorrow and/or thereafter, distribute the schedule again, later.


The “Send Schedule” window set appears. It consists of the “Content Management,” “VSP-NS7 Status,” and “Sending Status of Group” windows.

2 Select the player group where you are going to stop scheduled playout, using the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.

The schedules created for the selected group are displayed.

3 Select the schedule that is currently being used on the players in the group in the “Content Management” window.

4 Click the button on the “Content Management” window toolbar.

The selected schedule is deleted from each player in the selected group, and this results in scheduled playout being stopped.When scheduled playout stops, the specified screen saver will start playing.However, if there is another schedule for today on the players, playout of that schedule will start. Repeat the procedure to delete that schedule, if necessary.

See “Specifying a Screen Saver” (next) for details on screen savers.

Specifying a Screen Saver

A player plays the specified “screen saver” playlist when it is powered on and there is no playout schedule at that time. Instead of the built-in screen saver provided upon shipment, you can specify a “user screen saver” playlist. A user screen saver playlist should consist of “Graphics” material on the “Background” layer.

The “Send Content” window set is required to specify a screen saver. To have this window set, place a check mark in the “Enable [Send Content]” check box in the “Options Setup” window.

1 Create a playlist to be used for a user screen saver by adding graphics material to the “Background” layer.The playlist should have nothing added on the other layers.

See “Creating a Playlist” on page 20 for details on creating a playlist.


The “Send Content” window set appears. It consists of the “Content Management” and “VSP-NS7 Status” windows.

3 Select the player group for which you are going to specify a screen saver, using the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.


4 In the “Content Management” window, select the “Playlist” tab.

5 Right- click the created screen saver playlist, and select the [Send as User Screen Saver] on the popup menu.

The selected playlist is distributed to each player in the selected group, and specified as the screen saver.The result of distribution for each player can be checked in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window.

The selected playlist appears in blue in the “Content Management” window. In its “Delete Date” column, Dec. 31, 9999 is displayed, which means it will not be deleted automatically.

For detailed information on the error codes displayed in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window, refer to the Error Code List. To see the list, select [Help] > [Error Code List] from the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window.

To cancel assignment of a screen saverSpecify another playlist for the screen saver, or right-click any point on the “Playlist” tab in the “Content

Note

Note

Hint

29Controlling Playout

30

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Management” window, then select [Use Built-in Screen Saver].

Specifying Substitute Graphics

The VSPA-D7 software enables you to specify substitute graphics, that is a piece of graphics material to be displayed instead of missing or erroneous material upon playout on a player.

• Substitute graphics must be a JPEG file. Bitmap (bmp) files cannot be specified.

• The substitute graphics specified in this procedure will be displayed instead of missing video, graphics, or Flash materials that has been specified in a playlist. There is no method to provide a substitute for streaming, URL (web pages), and audio material.

• The “Send Content” window set is required to select a substitute graphics. To have this window set, place a check mark in the “Enable [Send Content]” check box in the “Options Setup” window.


The “Send Content” window set appears. It consists of the “Content Management” and “VSP-NS7 Status” windows.

2 Select the player group for which you are going to specify substitute graphics, using the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.


3 In the “Content Management” window, select the “Graphics” tab.

4 Right- click the item to be the substitute graphics, and select the [Send as Substitute for Missing Material] on the popup menu.

The selected piece of graphics material is distributed to each player in the selected group, and specified as the substitute graphics.The result of distribution for each player can be checked in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window.

The selected graphics item appears in blue in the “Content Management” window. In its “Delete Date” column, Dec. 31, 9999 is displayed, which means it will not be deleted automatically.

For detailed information on the error codes displayed in the “VSP-NS7 Status” window, refer to the Error Code List. To see the list, select [Help] > [Error Code List] from the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window.

To cancel assignment of substitute graphicsSpecify another piece of graphics material to be used as substitute graphics, or right-click any point on the “Graphics” tab in the “Content Management” window, then select [Cancel Assignment of Substitute Graphics].

Replacing Materials

Besides modifying a playlist, you can change playout content by replacing the piece of video, graphics, Flash, or audio material with another file, without modifying a playlist. This is particularly useful to update regularly changed content, such as weather maps and routine news clips.

1 Overwrite the file for the content to be replaced with a new file, by using Windows Explorer or another software application.The content files are stored in the respective material type folders in the VspaData folder. The VspaData folder is in the “VSPA-D7 database folder” that was specified upon installation.

For example, when you are replacing a graphics file with another one, and the VSPA-D7 database folder is “C:\Documents and Settings,” overwrite the file to be replaced that is stored in the “C:\Documents and Settings\VspaData\Content\Still” with the new file. Check the VSPA-D7 database folder in the “System Setup” window.

2 Distribute the replacement piece of material or a schedule in which the replacement piece of material is used to the players.

See “Distributing Content to Players” on page 27 or “Distributing Schedules to Players” on page 26 for details on how to send material or a schedule.

Notes

Hint

Material Folder

Video Content\Video

Graphics Content\Still

Flash file Content\Flash

Audio Content\Audio

Controlling Playout

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

• If you overwrite a video, Flash, or audio file with one whose duration is not the same as that of the original, it may not be fully played back, or a frozen picture and/or no sound may occur at the end upon playout on the players. Make sure that the duration of the original and the new files are identical.

• Be careful when overwriting a file, because, if the wrong file is overwritten, replacement will not yield the expected result.

Player Management

Adjusting the System Time of a Player

On a player, scheduled playout is carried out to coincide with the system time of the player.Normally, the system times of all players are synchronized to the PC on which the VSPA-D7 is operating, or to an NTP server, hence you do not need to adjust the system times of the players manually.If the system time of your players is not specified to be synchronized to the PC or an NTP server, manually adjust the system times of the players regularly, using the following procedure:

• Since adjusting the system time of a player restarts the player, do not use the following procedure when the player is playing content.

• This operation adjusts the system time of a player to the time of the PC on which the VSPA-D7 is operating. If the time of the PC is not correct, the adjusted time of the player will not be correct.

• It is recommended that you select the option that ensure the system time of the players will be automatically adjusted to the PC or an NTP server.Place a check mark in the “Synchronize all VSP-NS7s’ system time with this PC’s” check box in the “System Setup” window, or place a check mark in the “Adjust Time Using NTP” check box in the “Detailed Settings” window and specify the address of an NTP server, then send the settings to each player.

Refer to the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details.


The “Maintenance” window set appears. The “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window is displayed.

Notes

Notes

31Player Management

32

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

2 Check the system time of each player in the “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window.

3 Right-click the player for which you want to adjust the time, then select [Adjust Time] on the popup menu.

A confirmation message appears.

4 Click [Yes].

Time information is sent from the PC to the selected player, and the system time of the player is adjusted. The player restarts.Right-click the player and select [Refresh Information], after restarting of the player, to check the adjusted system time.

Updating Player Software

When a new version of software for the players is released, you can distribute new software from the VSPA-D7 software to the players to update the players.

1 Obtain the file to be used for updating, and save it in a folder which can be accessed by the VSPA-D7 software.

2 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 operation guide.


3 Check the version number of each player in the “Version” column in the “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window.

4 To update software for all players simultaneously, click [Update VSP-NS7] in the “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window.To update software for an individual player, right-click the desired player, then select [Update] on the popup menu.

The “Select File for VSP-NS7 Update” window appears, in either case.

5 Select the file obtained and stored in step 1, then click [Open].

The software of the player(s) is updated using the selected file.The result of data transfer, and the updated software version number can be checked in the “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window.

Obtaining the System Logs of Players

When there is a problem with players or playout, you can fetch the system logs from players, in the following procedure, to solve the problem.

1 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 operation guide.


2 To obtain system logs from all the players, click [Get System Logs] in the “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window.To obtain a system log from a single player, right-click the desired player, then select [Get System Logs] on the popup menu.

Player Management

Chapter 3 B

asic Operations

Note that, when there is a large number of players, obtaining system logs from all the players may take an extremely long time, and may affect operation of the VSPA-D7 software.

The system log recorded on the selected player or all players in the system is transferred to the PC, and stored as a file on the Windows desktop.When obtaining system logs is completed, a message appears.

3 Click [OK].

Deleting Content from Players

The following procedure removes content, such as materials, playlists, and schedules from the selected player.

Normally, it is recommended you select the automatic deletion option with which content on players will be deleted automatically when they become unnecessary for scheduled playout.To select this option, enable the automatic deletion of content from the players feature in the “System Setup” window, then send the settings to each player.

Refer to the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details.


The “Delete Content from VSP-NS7” window set appears. Note that the displayed “Content Management” window shows content stored on the selected player, not on the PC.

2 Select the tab corresponding to the type of content to be deleted.For example, select the “Playlist/Extra Audio List” tab to delete playlists.

3 Select the player from which you are going to delete content, using the “VSP-NS7” drop-down list box, then click [Refresh].

The list shows the content stored on the selected player, after a progress window is displayed.

4 Select the items to be deleted.To select more than one item, hold down the Ctrl key, and click the desired items.To select all items in a range, hold down the Shift key, then click the first and last items in the range.

5 Right- click the selection, then select [Delete] on the popup menu.Or press the “Delete” key on the keyboard.

A confirmation message appears.

6 Click [Yes].

A progress window appears, then the selected content is deleted from the player.Clicking [Cancel] stops deleting content from the player. However, it cannot undo deleting that has already been done.

The VSPA-D7 software allows you to delete even the schedules, playlists, and materials required for playout.Make sure not to delete items you need for playout.Also, note that proper operation is not guaranteed if you delete content that is currently being used for playout.

Note

Note

Note

33Player Management

hapter4

Chapter 4 C

ontent Preparation

34

CContent Preparation

The Add Content Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Add Content” window set.

The following illustration shows an example of the “Add Content” window set. It consists only of the “Content Management” window.

Content Management windowShows materials that are registered in the VSPA-D7 software on the tabs according to material types. This window also enables you to register new materials.The “Video” and “Graphics” tabs have two views: a thumbnail view that shows images of materials, and a list

view. The illustration above is an example of the thumbnail view.

The “Content Management” window consists of the following three parts. Note that the following illustration shows an example of the list view.

Content Management window

The Add Content Window Set

Chapter 4 C

ontent Preparation

a ToolbarProvides buttons corresponding to the functions related to material registration and previewing. There are two types of toolbar, depending on the selected type of material. Some buttons will only be shown on particular tabs.

On the Video, Graphics, Flash, or Audio tab

On the Streaming, URL, Text, or Control tab

b TabsTabs are provided for respective types of materials. Selecting a tab lists material of the selected type on the content list.

The tabs displayed in the “Content Management” window vary, depending on the “content setup” of the VSPA-D7 software.

See “Selecting Materials to Be Used” on page 14 for details.

c Content listShows material registered in the VSPA-D7 software. The displayed columns may vary, depending on the selected tab.At first, the items are listed in the order of the index numbers. Clicking one of the column headings, such as “Type” or “Title” sorts data items in the order of the selected column.The width of each column of the list can be modified, by clicking a dividing line to select it, then dragging it with the mouse.The content list allows you to select the columns to be displayed. Right-clicking the heading row displays a menu of the column headings. You can show or hide columns by selecting or deselecting column headings.

You can select the thumbnail view on the “Video” or “Graphics” tab, so that you can easily recognize each piece of material. In the thumbnail view, information on each piece of material pops up when you point to a thumbnail with the mouse pointer.

When you are going to perform an operation with a piece of material on the list, first select the desired piece of material, then use one of the buttons on the toolbar.Or, right-click the desired item, and select the desired command on the popup menu.

What is “Delete Date”?A date of deletion will be assigned to each piece of content upon distribution, and displayed in the “Content

Button Description

Opens a window for registering new pieces of material.

Selects the thumbnail view.

Selects the list view.

Deletes the selected piece of material.

Opens a window for modifying the title and/or type of the selected piece of material.

Opens the “Select VSP-NS7 for Preview” window for selecting a player as a preview device.

Starts previewing of the selected piece of material.

Stops previewing.

Button Description

Opens a window for creating a new piece of material.

Opens a window for modifying the selected piece of material.

Opens a window for registering an image file as a piece of text material.

Deletes the selected piece of material.


2 Tabs

3 Content list

1 ToolbarStarts previewing of the selected piece of material.When the “Control” tab is selected it will carry the selected control command out on the player for previewing.

Stops previewing.

Note

Hint

Button Description

35The Add Content Window Set

36

Chapter 4 C

ontent Preparation

Management” window. When the automatic deletion of content from the players feature in the “System Setup” window is enabled, the content will be deleted from the players automatically on the date displayed, so that the hard disk drive of the players will not be full of unneed material.Normally, no operation for “delete date” is required, but the delete dates can be specified manually when:

• you want to use a piece of material only in a certain period.However, the manually specified delete date may be modified by the system, when the piece of material is used in a schedule for a later date, for example.

• you want to keep a piece of material on the hard disk of each player.You can make the delete date the 31st of December, 9999 so that players never delete the content.

• you want to clear the delete date specified before, or change the delete date from the 31st of December, 9999 to any other date, so that the piece of material will be deleted from players.

See “Change Delete Date command” on page 38 for details.

When you specify a delete date to a piece of material manually, the VSPA-D7 software only allows you to specify a date 30 days, or later, from today.

Functions of the Add Content Window Set

Menus in the Content Management Window

Right-clicking in the “Content Management” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use in the window.The menu varies, depending on the selected tab, but the following commands are contained in the menu. Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the “Content Management” window toolbar.

New commandAppears when the “Streaming,” “URL,” “Text,” or “Control” tab is selected.It opens a window in which you can create a new piece of material of the selected type.

When the “Text” tab is selectedThe “New” command displays the “Edit Text” window. There are the following buttons and items in the window.Enter text or read a text file in this window, and click [OK] to create a piece of text material.

Note

Item Description

Properties button Opens the “Text Properties” window.See “Creating/Registering text material” on page 18 for details on the “Text Properties” window.

Read Text File button

Opens the “Read Text File” window. When you have a text file in which text to be displayed is stored, specify the file in the “Read Text File” window, then click [Open]. This will display the text stored in the file in the “Edit Text” window.

Font drop-down list box

Selects the font to be used for displaying the text material.

Font Size drop-down list box

Selects the font size to be used for displaying the text material.


Chapter 4 C

ontent Preparation

Also, right-clicking characters in the “Edit Text” window displays a context-menu that consists of the following commands. Use these commands to edit text material.

See “Registering an IP Camera as Streaming Video Material” on page 18, “Registering the URL of a Web Page” on page 18, and “Creating Additional Control Commands” on page 20 for details on how to create a new piece of those materials.

Edit commandAppears when the “Streaming,” “URL,” “Text,” or “Control” tab is selected.It opens a window in which you can edit the selected piece of material.For editing operations, see “Registering an IP Camera as Streaming Video Material” on page 18, “Registering the URL of a Web Page” on page 18, “Creating/Registering text material” on page 18, and “Creating Additional Control Commands” on page 20.

Option Settings commandAppears when the “URL” tab is selected.It opens the following “Option Settings” window for the selected piece of web page material.

The following items for web page material can be specified in the “Option Settings” window.

* Specify the “Shift Amount” to move the origin of a web page, when you want to display only the main part of the page, without its upper and/or left part, such as a navigator for the web site. Specifying “100 pixels” as the shift amount for both X and Y respectively, for example, crops 100 pixels each from the top and from the left side of the web page when it is displayed.

Command Description

Undo Cancels the last edit operation in the “Edit Text” window.

Cut Moves the selected characters to the Windows Clipboard, and deletes them from the “Edit Text” window.

Copy Copies the selected characters to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste Pastes the characters stored in the Windows Clipboard to the selected position.

Delete Deletes the selected characters.

Change Character Color

Opens the “Text Color Settings” window for specifying a color for the selected characters.

Font Style Assigns a style, such as “bold” or “italic” to the selected characters. Choose the style from the sub menu.

Select All Selects all characters in the “Edit Text” window.

Item Description

Shift Amount (X and Y)*

Specifies the upperleft corner position (unit: pixels) of the portion to be displayed on the web page.

No Preload Specifies whether a player should access the web page before the specified playout time to obtain data.Normally, this option is not checked, and a player will access the web page approx. four seconds before the playout start time, so that it will be able to display the web page from the specified start time.However, when the web page uses sound or a Flash movie, the sound or Flash movie will start from the time accessed (approx. four seconds) before the specified start time.Check the “No Preload” option to avoid this. The player will access the web page at the playout start time, when the option is checked.

Interval Specifies the interval at which a player will access the web page and update display. Specify an appropriate interval for a web page that changes regularly, such as a weather map or traffic information.

37Functions of the Add Content Window Set

38

Chapter 4 C

ontent Preparation

The displayed web page will shift only when the web page is larger than the size of the graphics layer on which the web page is displayed.For example, when the web page is 400 x 400 pixels and a graphics layer is 300 x 300 pixels, the maximum shift possible for this web page is 100 pixels for both the X- and Y-coordinates, even if you specify a larger number. To shift the page more, in such a case, make the graphics layer size smaller for the event on the playlist.And, note that a web page will not shift if you specify a URL corresponding to a frame set. HTML structure issues cause this. Specify the URL corresponding to the desired frame, instead.

Double-clicking a registered web page in the “Content Management” window starts the web browser associated with web pages, such as Internet Explorer, and displays the selected web page.

Delete commandAppears on any tab.It deletes the items selected in the “Content Management” window.When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the item(s).

Change Type and Title commandAppears on any tab.It opens the “Properties” window in which you can edit the type and/or title for the selected material. Enter the desired text in the “Type” and “Title” text boxes, and click [OK.]

Change Delete Date commandAppears on any tab.

It opens the following “Change Delete Date” window in which you can specify a date when the selected material will be deleted automatically from players.

Select one of the option buttons, then click [OK].When you select “Clear Date,” the “Delete Date” specified for the selected material, if any, will be cleared.When you select “Change Date,” specify a date using the “Delete Date” drop-down list box, which appears on the right.

Note that, the delete date setting is effective only if the automatic deletion of content from the players feature is enabled in the “System Setup” window, and this setting has been sent to the players.

See the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details on this option.

View commandAppears when the “Video” or “Graphics” tab is selected.It selects the content list view, the thumbnail view, or the list view.When you select this command, a sub menu containing [List] and [Thumbnail] appears. Select the desired command.

Preview on VSP-NS7 commandAppears on any tab except the “Control” tab.It sends the selected material to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it.Check the playback on the display device connected to the player.

This command is not available until one of the players has been specified as the preview device.Click the button on the toolbar to specify a preview device.

Stop commandAppears on any tab except the “Control” tab.It stops ongoing previewing.

Note

Hint

100 pixels

Cropped 100 pixels

Note

Note


Chapter 4 C

ontent Preparation

Execute commandAppears when the “Control” tab is selected.It sends the selected control command to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and executes the command on it.

39Functions of the Add Content Window Set

hapter5

Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence

40

CPlayout Sequence

The Edit Playlist Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Edit Playlist” window set.

The following illustration shows an example of the “Edit Playlist” window set. It consists of the “Content Management” window, “Edit Playlist” window, and “View Layout” window.

Content Management windowThe “Content Management” window in the “Edit Playlist” window set has a “Playlist” tab, in addition to the same tabs that appear in the identical window in the “Add Content” window set.The window shows materials that are registered in the VSPA-D7 software on the tabs according to the material

types. This window also enables you to register new materials.The “Playlist” tab of the window enables you to select a playlist to edit, or copy a playlist to have a base for a new playlist.

See “Content Management window” on page 34 for details on the material tabs, not the “Playlist” tab.


View Layout window

Edit Playlist window

The Edit Playlist Window Set

Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence

Toolbar for the Playlist tabThe toolbar contains the following buttons when the “Playlist” tab is selected.

Playlist tabLists the existing playlists.There is a “Resolution” column on the list, so that you can see which playlist has been created for which player groups.

Edit Playlist windowThe “Edit Playlist” window is used to create and edit playlists, by adding materials, in the order of playout, into the columns corresponding to the display layers of players.When editing an existing playlist, the content of the playlist selected in the “Content Management” window is displayed in this window.The “Edit Playlist” window consists of the following three parts:

a ToolbarProvides the following buttons that correspond to the functions related to playlist editing.

b Playlist informationShows the index number, title, and the current total playout duration of the displayed playlist.The resolution of the target players of the playlist is displayed on the title bar of the “Edit Playlist” window.

c PlaylistA “playlist” is a list of materials arranged as events in layer columns such as “Background,” and “Video,” in the order of playout. In each cell in which a piece of material is specified as an event, its title is displayed. When you move the mouse pointer over a title, a popup window showing the index, type, title, and duration of the event appears. The “Start Time” column shows the start time of each event. Events on the same line will start playing simultaneously.

To create a playlist, drag the desired pieces of material from the “Content Management” window and then drop them onto the list.To modify the start time or delete an event, right-click the desired event and then select the desired command from the popup menu.

Button Description

Displays content of the selected playlist in the “Edit Playlist” window to edit it.

Deletes the selected playlist.

Opens a window for modifying the title and/or type of the selected playlist.

Copies the selected playlist to the Windows Clipboard.

Pastes a playlist stored on the Windows Clipboard as a new playlist.By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new playlist based on an existing playlist.


Starts previewing of the selected playlist.

Stops previewing.

3 Playlist2 Playlist information

1 Toolbar

Button Description

Clears the displayed playlist and starts creating a new playlist.

Saves the displayed playlist.

Saves the displayed playlist as a new one, with a new index number.The “Save Playlist” window appears when this button is clicked.

Opens the “Resolution Setting” window to select the resolution of the target players.

Opens the “Change Default Duration” window in which you can specify default duration for material that doesn’t have a specific duration, such as graphics. When such a piece of material is added to a playlist, the specified duration will be assigned temporarily.


Starts previewing of the displayed playlist.

Stops previewing.

41The Edit Playlist Window Set

42

Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence

View Layout windowThe “View Layout” window displays the screen layout of the selected line of the playlist shown in the “Edit Playlist” window. You can view how the specified events will be combined and displayed on a player.For example, if a line of a playlist on which background, video, and text events are specified is selected, the screen layout of these three items is shown, just as they will be displayed on a player.If necessary, click [Change Layout] and modify the layout.The “View Layout” window consists of the following three parts:

a Time indicationShows the start time of the line selected in the “Edit Playlist” window.

b Change Layout buttonOpens the “Layout” and “Layout Setup” windows to modify the layout of the events on the line selected in the “Edit Playlist” window.

See “Modifying Screen Layout” on page 22 for details on modifying the layout.

c Layout indicationShows how the events specified on the selected line will be combined and displayed on a player. Click [Change Layout] to modify the layout.

Functions of the Edit Playlist Window Set


Right-clicking on the “Playlist” tab of the “Content Management” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for a playlist.Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the “Content Management” window toolbar.

See “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 36 for details on the menus when a tab for material is selected.

Edit commandDisplays the content of the selected playlist in the “Edit Playlist” window for editing.

Delete commandDeletes the selected playlist.When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the playlist.

Change Delete Date commandOpens the following “Change Delete Date” window in which you can specify a date when the selected playlist will be deleted automatically from players.

Select one of the option buttons, then click [OK].When you select “Clear Date,” the “Delete Date” specified for the selected playlist, if any, will be cleared.When you select “Change Date,” specify a date using the “Delete Date” drop-down list box, which appears on the right.


3 Layout indication

2 Change Layout button1 Time indication

Note


Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence


Copy commandCopies the selected playlist to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste commandPastes the playlist stored on the Windows Clipboard to the “Content Management” window as a new playlist.By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new playlist based on an existing playlist.

Preview on VSP-NS7 commandSends the selected playlist to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it.Check the playback on the display device connected to the player.


Stop commandStops ongoing previewing.

Menus in the Edit Playlist Window

Right-clicking in the “Edit Playlist” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for the displayed playlist.

New - Clear commandClears the displayed playlist to start creating a new playlist.If the currently displayed playlist has not been stored, a message appears, asking whether you want to discard it. Save the playlist, if necessary.See “Creating a Playlist” on page 20 for details on creating a new playlist.

Save commandSaves the displayed playlist with the same index number as before.

Save with New Index commandSaves the displayed playlist as a new one, with a new index number.When this command is selected, the following “Save Playlist” window appears. Specify each item in the window, and click [OK].

Undo commandCancels the last edit operation in the “Edit Playlist” window.

Note

Item Description

Type text box Type of the created playlist (up to 20 characters). It will be left blank if you don’t enter any text.

Title text box Title of the created playlist (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the date and time when the playlist is saved will be the title.You can identify playlists by the type and title.

Specify Schedule check box

The setting for whether the playout schedule using the playlist to be saved should be created, too.To create a schedule, place a check mark here, and specify the items below.

Group drop-down list box

The player group on which playout using this playlist will be performed.

Color drop-down list box

The color used for the created schedule in the windows of the “Edit Schedule” window set.

Time and Period Period and time when the created playlist will be used for playout.

Day of the Week check boxes

Day(s) of the week in the specified period on which the created playlist will be used for playout.

43Functions of the Edit Playlist Window Set

44

Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence

Cut commandMoves the selected line or event to the Windows Clipboard and removes it from the playlist.

Copy commandCopies the selected line or event to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste commandPastes the line or event stored on the Windows Clipboard to the specified position.

A cut or copied line or event should be pasted on the same layer. For example, an event cut or copied from the “Graphics 1” layer cannot be pasted on the “Background” or “Graphics 2” layer.

Clear Content command, Delete commandBoth commands delete the selected line or event from the playlist.The “Clear Content” command leaves the blank resulting from the deletion as it is, but the “Delete” command moves the lines/events below upwards, so that there will be no blank.

Insert commandOpens the “Insert” window. Specify a duration in the “Insert” window, and click [OK]. This will insert a blank line or cell of the specified duration before the selected line or event.

Change Start Time command, Change End Time commandOpens the “Change Start Time” window or “Change End Time” window. Specifying the desired time in the window and clicking [OK] sets the start time or end time of the selected event to that time.

Change Duration command, Change Interval commandThe “Change Duration” command opens the “Change Duration” window to modify the playout duration of the selected event.In the same way, the “Change Interval” command modifies the duration of a blank cell between two events on the same layer, or a blank line.

Change Layout commandOpens the “Layout” and “Layout Setup” windows to modify layout of the events on the line selected in the “Edit Playlist” window.

See “Modifying Screen Layout” on page 22 for details on modifying a layout.

Preview on VSP-NS7 commandSends the displayed playlist to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it.Check the playback on the display device connected to the player.



Menus in the View Layout Window

There are no menus provided in the “View Layout” window.

Note

Note


Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence

The Edit Extra Audio List Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Edit Extra Audio List” window set.

The button appears only when audio material is set to be used in the “Content Setup” window. It does not appear with the initial settings.

The following illustration shows an example of the “Edit Extra Audio List” window set. It consists of the “Content Management” window and “Edit Extra Audio List” window.

Content Management windowThe “Content Management” window in the “Edit Extra Audio List” window set has an “Extra Audio List” tab, in addition to the “Audio” tab.The window shows audio material registered in the VSPA-D7 software, and extra audio lists already created on the respective tabs.The “Extra Audio List” tab of the window enables you to select an extra audio list to edit, or copy an extra audio list to have a base for a new list.

See “Content Management window” on page 34 for details on the “Audio” tab.

Toolbar for the Extra Audio List tabThe toolbar contains the following buttons when the “Extra Audio List” tab is selected.

Note


Edit Extra Audio List window

Button Description

Displays the content of the selected extra audio list in the “Edit Extra Audio List” window to edit it.

Deletes the selected extra audio list.

Opens a window for modifying the title and/or type of the selected extra audio list.

Copies the selected extra audio list to the Windows Clipboard.

Pastes the extra audio list stored on the Windows Clipboard as a new extra audio list.By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new extra audio list based on an existing list.


Starts previewing of the selected extra audio list.

45The Edit Extra Audio List Window Set

46

Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence

Playlist tabLists the existing extra audio lists.

Edit Extra Audio List windowThe “Edit Extra Audio List” window is used to create and edit extra audio lists, by adding audio material, in the order of playout.When editing an existing extra audio list, the content of the extra audio list selected in the “Content Management” window is displayed in this window.The “Edit Extra Audio List” window consists of the following three parts:

a ToolbarProvides the following buttons that correspond to the functions related to extra audio list editing.

b List informationShows the index number, title, and the current total playout duration of the displayed extra audio list.

c Extra audio listA “extra audio list” is a list of audio material arranged as events in the order of playout. In each cell in which a piece of audio material is specified as an event, its title is displayed. When you move the mouse pointer over a title, a popup window showing the index, type, title, and duration of the event appears. The “Start Time” column shows the start time of each event, assuming the first event starts from “00:00:00.”

To create an extra audio list, drag the desired pieces of audio material from the “Content Management” window and then drop them onto the list.To modify the start time or delete an event, right-click the desired event and then select the desired command from the popup menu.

Stops previewing.

Button Description

Clears the displayed extra audio list and starts creating a new list.

Saves the displayed extra audio list.

Saves the displayed extra audio list as a new one, with a new index number.The “Properties” window appears when this button is clicked.


Starts previewing of the displayed extra audio list.

Stops previewing.

Button Description

3 Extra audio list2 List information

1 Toolbar

The Edit Extra Audio List Window Set

Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence

Functions of the Edit Extra Audio List Window Set


Right-clicking on the “Extra Audio List” tab of the “Content Management” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for an extra audio list.Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the “Content Management” window toolbar.

See “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 36 for details on the menus when the “Audio” tab is selected.

Edit commandDisplays the content of the selected extra audio list in the “Edit Extra Audio List” window for editing.

Delete commandDeletes the selected extra audio list.When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the extra audio list.

Change Delete Date commandOpens the following “Change Delete Date” window in which you can specify a date when the selected extra audio list will be deleted automatically from players.

Select one of the option buttons, then click [OK].When you select “Clear Date,” the “Delete Date” specified for the selected extra audio list, if any, will be cleared.When you select “Change Date,” specify a date using the “Delete Date” drop-down list box, which appears on the right.

Note that, the delete date setting is effective only if the automatic deletion of content from the players feature is

enabled in the “System Setup” window, and this setting has been sent to the players.


Copy commandCopies the selected extra audio list to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste commandPastes the extra audio list stored on the Windows Clipboard to the “Content Management” window as a new extra audio list.By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new extra audio list based on an existing list.

Preview on VSP-NS7 commandSends the selected extra audio list to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it.Check the sound from the speakers connected to the player.



Menus in the Edit Extra Audio List Window

Right-clicking in the “Edit Extra Audio List” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for the displayed extra audio list.

New - Clear commandClears the displayed extra audio list to start creating a new extra audio list.If the currently displayed extra audio list has not been stored, a message appears, asking whether you want to discard it. Save the list, if necessary.

See “Creating an Extra Audio List” on page 24 for details on creating a new extra audio list.

Note

Note

47Functions of the Edit Extra Audio List Window Set

48

Chapter 5 P

layout Sequence

Save commandSaves the displayed extra audio list with the same index number as before.

Save with New Index commandsSaves the displayed extra audio list as a new one, with a new index number.When this command is selected, the following “Properties” window appears. Specify each item in the window, and click [OK].

Undo commandCancels the last edit operation in the “Edit Extra Audio List” window.

Cut commandMoves the selected line or audio event to the Windows Clipboard and removes it from the extra audio list.

Copy commandCopies the selected line or event to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste commandPastes the line or event stored on the Windows Clipboard to the specified position.

Clear Content command, Delete commandBoth commands delete the selected line or audio event from the playlist.

The “Clear Content” command leaves the blank resulting from the deletion as it is, but the “Delete” command moves the lines/events below upwards, so that there will be no blank.

Insert commandOpens the “Insert” window. Specify a duration in the “Insert” window, and click [OK]. This will insert a blank line or cell of the specified duration before the selected line or event.

Change Start Time command, Change End Time commandOpens the “Change Start Time” window or “Change End Time” window. Specifying the desired time in the window and clicking [OK] sets the start time or end time of the selected event to that time.

Change Duration command, Change Interval commandThe “Change Duration” command opens the “Change Duration” window to modify the playout duration of the selected event.In the same way, the “Change Interval” command modifies the duration of a blank cell between two events, or a blank line.

Preview on VSP-NS7 commandSends the displayed extra audio list to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it.Check the sound from the speakers connected to the player.



Item Description

Type text box Type of the created extra audio list (up to 20 characters). It will be left blank if you don’t enter any text.

Title text box Title of the created extra audio list (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the date and time when the extra audio list is saved will be the title.You can identify extra audio lists by the type and title.

Note

Functions of the Edit Extra Audio List Window Set

hapter6
CSchedule
Chapter 6 S

chedule

The Edit Schedule Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Edit Schedule” window set.

The following illustration shows an example of the “Edit Schedule” window set. It consists of the “Content Management” window, “Edit Schedule” window, and “View Schedule” window.

Content Management windowThe “Content Management” window in the “Edit Schedule” window set shows the playlists, extra audio lists, control commands, and created schedules on the respective tabs. Also, this window provides a “Group” drop-down list box at the top. When you select a group

with this drop-down list box, the schedules created for the selected group are shown on the “Schedule” tab.The “Schedule” tab enables you to select a schedule to edit, or copy a schedule to have a base for a new schedule.

See “Content Management window” on page 34, “Content Management window” on page 40, and “Content Management window” on page 45 for details on


View Schedule window

Edit Schedule window

49The Edit Schedule Window Set

50

Chapter 6 S

chedule

tabs other than the “Schedule” tab of the “Content Management” window.

Toolbar for the Schedule tabThe toolbar contains the following buttons when the “Schedule” tab is selected.

Schedule tabLists the existing schedule data.There are “Start Time,” “End Time,” “Start Date,” “End Date,” and “Days” columns on the list, showing which schedule will be used when. And color tiles are shown in the “Color” column so that you can recognize the background color used in the “View Schedule” window to indicate the day(s) on which a schedule will be used for playout.

Edit Schedule windowThe “Edit Schedule” window is used to create and edit schedules, by specifying playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands, in the respective columns, according to the desired time table.

The VSPA-D7 software manages schedule data classified by player groups. To create a new schedule, select the target player group using the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window. When editing an existing schedule, the content of the schedule selected in the “Content Management” window is displayed in this window.The “Edit Schedule” window consists of the following three parts:

a ToolbarProvides the following buttons that correspond to the functions related to schedule editing.

b Information on the scheduleShows the index number and title of the displayed schedule.

c ScheduleA “schedule,” a list that consisting of playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands to be played on a player, is displayed.In each cell in which a playlist, extra audio list, or control command is specified, its title is displayed. When you move the mouse pointer over a title, a popup window showing the index number, type, title, and duration appears. The “Start Time” column shows the operation hours of the players, that is, the time when the players are powered on. Depending on the system setting, the time when the players are powered off is shown by a red background color.

To create a schedule, drag the desired playlists/extra audio lists/control commands from the “Content Management” window and then drop them onto the

Button Description

Displays the content of the selected schedule in the “Edit Schedule” window to edit it.

Deletes the selected schedule.

Opens a window for modifying the title and/or type of the selected schedule.

Copies the selected schedule to the Windows Clipboard.

Pastes the schedule stored on the Windows Clipboard as a new schedule.By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new schedule based on an existing schedule. Button Description

Clears the displayed schedule and starts creating a new schedule.

Saves the displayed schedule.

Saves the displayed schedule as a new one, with a new index number.The “Schedule Properties” window appears when this button is clicked.

Enables you to edit labels for the colors used on the calendar in the “View Schedule” window.The “Information on Schedule” window, in which you can edit the labels, appears when this button is clicked.

3 Schedule2 Information on the schedule

1 Toolbar

The Edit Schedule Window Set

Chapter 6 S

chedule

list. They will be played at the times shown in the “Start Time” column of the lines.When editing a schedule, such as modifying the start time or deleting a playlist, right-click the desired item and then select the desired command from the popup menu.

• When both a playlist and extra audio list are specified to be played, sound accompanying the video will not be output while separate audio material is played. However, sound accompanying Flash files and web pages will be mixed with audio material and output. When the microphone of the IP camera used is set to on, too, its sound will be mixed and output.

• A red line in the “Edit Schedule” window, if any, indicates the time when the players are powered off. You cannot specify any playlists, extra audio lists, or control commands on such a line.

View Schedule windowThe “View Schedule” window displays which schedule will be used for playout on which days on a calendar.The window has the following parts:

a Month and year drop-down list boxesSpecifies the month to be displayed in the window. Selecting a month or a year with the appropriate drop-down list box switches the displayed month.

b Previous and next month buttonsSelects and displays the previous or next month.

c This Month buttonSelects and displays the current month.

d CalendarDisplays the schedules of the month created for the group selected by the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.Non playout days are displayed in red, and other days for which no schedule is created are displayed in black. The days for which a schedule has already been created are displayed in white on a color that has been selected when the schedule was created. The eight background colors can be labelled and assigned to each schedule to classify schedules. See the labels of the background colors shown at the bottom of the window.Pointing to a day for which a schedule has been specified with a mouse triggers a popup window with detailed information on the schedule.

e Current date and timeDisplays the current date and time of the PC where the VSPA-D7 software is operating.The date and time format is always mmm. DD, YYYYhere, such as “Dec. 10, 2007” regardless of the Windows regional option settings.

f Information on background colorDisplays the labels for the respective background color used on the calendar. To edit a label, use the button on the “Edit Schedule” window toolbar.

Notes

6 Information on background color

5Current date and time

1 Month and year drop-down list boxes

2 Previous and next month buttons

3This Month button

4Calendar

51The Edit Schedule Window Set

52

Chapter 6 S

chedule

Functions of the Edit Schedule Window Set


Right-clicking on the “Schedule” tab of the “Content Management” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for a schedule.Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the “Content Management” window toolbar.

See “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 36, “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 42, and “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 47 for details on the menus when the “Control,” “Playlist,” or ‘Extra Audio List” tab is selected, respectively.

Edit commandDisplays the content of the selected schedule in the “Edit Schedule” window for editing.

Properties commandDisplays the following “Schedule Properties” window of the selected schedule.Modify the items as you desire, then click [OK].

Specify No Playout Day commandWhen there is a day on which no playout will be done on the players in the selected group, you can define that day as a “no playout day.” The defined no playout day is indicated in red on the calendar in the “View Schedule” window, so that you can easily distinguish it from a day for which a playout schedule has not yet been created.The following “No Playout Day Settings” window appears when this command is selected.Specify the items in the following list, then click [OK].

Delete commandDeletes the selected schedule.When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the schedule.

Item Description

Type text box Type of the selected schedule (up to 20 characters). It will be left blank when you don’t enter any text.

Title text box Title of the selected schedule (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the date and time when the schedule is saved will be the title.You can identify schedules by the type and title.

Color drop-down list box

The color used for the selected schedule in the “View Schedule” window.

Time and Period Period and time when the selected schedule will be used for playout.


Day(s) of the week in the specified period on which the selected schedule will be used for playout.

Item Description

Period Period when no playout should be done.The days which are checked as explained below in the specified period will be “no playout days.”


Day(s) of the week in the specified period on which no playout should be done.

Item Description


Chapter 6 S

chedule

Change Delete Date commandOpens the following “Change Delete Date” window in which you can specify a date when the selected schedule will be deleted automatically from players.

Select one of the option buttons, then click [OK].When you select “Clear Date,” the “Delete Date” specified for the selected schedule, if any, will be cleared.When you select “Change Date,” specify a date using the “Delete Date” drop-down list box, which appears on the right.



Copy commandCopies the selected schedule to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste commandPastes the schedule stored on the Windows Clipboard to the “Content Management” window as a new schedule.By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new schedule based on an existing schedule. Schedules can be copied to a different player group, provided the resolution settings of the two player groups are identical.

Menus in the Edit Schedule Window

Right-clicking in the “Edit Schedule” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for the displayed schedule.

New - Clear commandClears the displayed schedule to start creating a new schedule.If the currently displayed schedule has not been stored, a message appears, asking whether you want to discard it. Save the schedule, if necessary.

See “Creating a Schedule” on page 25 for details on creating a new schedule.

Save commandSaves the displayed schedule with the same index number as before.

Save with New Index commandsSaves the displayed schedule as a new one, with a new index number.When this command is selected, the “Schedule Properties” window appears. Specify each item in the window, and click [OK].

See “Properties command” on page 52 for details on the “Schedule Properties” window.

Undo commandCancels the last edit operation in the “Edit Schedule” window.

Cut commandMoves the selected line or item to the Windows Clipboard and removes it from the schedule.

Copy commandCopies the selected line or item to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste commandPastes the line or item stored on the Windows Clipboard to the specified position.

Clear Content command, Delete commandBoth commands delete the selected line or item from the schedule.The “Clear Content” command leaves the blank resulting from the deletion as it is, but the “Delete” command moves the lines/items below upwards, so that there will be no blank.

Insert commandOpens the “Insert” window. Specify a duration in the “Insert” window, and click [OK]. This will insert a blank line or cell of the specified duration before the selected line or item.

Change Start Time command, Change End Time commandOpens the “Change Start Time” window or “Change End Time” window. Specifying the desired time in the window

Note

53Functions of the Edit Schedule Window Set

54

Chapter 6 S

chedule

and clicking [OK] sets the start time or end time of the selected item, such as playlist or extra audio list, to that time.

Change Duration command, Change Interval commandThe “Change Duration” command opens the “Change Duration” window to modify the playout duration of the selected item. If you specify the duration as 30 minutes for a playlist that takes 20 minutes for playout, the playlist will be played one and half times on the players, hence playout will be stopped in the middle of the second time.The “Change Interval” command modifies the duration of a blank cell between two items in the same column.

Menus in the View Schedule Window

There are no menus provided in the “View Schedule” window.


hapter7
CDistribution
Chapter 7 D

istribution

The Send Content Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Send Content” window set.

• This button appears only when the send content feature is enabled in the “Options Setup” window. It does not appear with the initial settings.

• Normally, it is recommended that you distribute schedules, not discrete content. When distributing a

schedule, the VSPA-D7 software simultaneously distributes the materials and playlists required for the scheduled playout, if they have not yet been stored on the players.

The following illustration shows an example of the “Send Content” window set. It consists of the “Content Management” window and “VSP-NS7 Status” window.

Notes


VSP-NS7 Status window

55The Send Content Window Set

56

Chapter 7 D

istribution

Content Management windowThe “Content Management” window in the “Send Content” window set shows the registered materials, created playlists, and extra audio lists (if audio material is used) on the respective tabs. Also, this window provides a “Group” drop-down list box and [Send] at the top, so that you can select the destination group and distribute the selected content.

See “Content Management window” on page 34, “Content Management window” on page 40, and “Content Management window” on page 45 for details on the tabs of the “Content Management” window.

VSP-NS7 Status windowThe “VSP-NS7 Status” window lists the players in the group selected with the “Group” drop-down list box of the “Content Management” window. It enables you to check the status and distribution progress of each player.The “VSP-NS7 Status” window consists of the following three parts:

a Group statusIndicates the status of the player group.

b Cancel buttonCancels distribution currently being performed.

c Player listShows information on each player in the selected group.The following mark may appear in the “Result” column.

The “Erroneous Index” column shows the index numbers of the content items that were being distributed when the errors occurred.

Mark Description

The VSPA-D7 software is configured not to communicate with this player.This configuration is provided in the “Maintenance” window.See “Stop Trying Communication command, Resume Trying Communication command” on page 67 for details.

Now communicating with the player, or waiting for communication with the player.

3 Player list

1 Group Status 2 Cancel button

An error was detected during distribution.

Distribution succeeded.

Mark Description

The Send Content Window Set

Chapter 7 D

istribution

Functions of the Send Content Window Set


Right-clicking on a tab of the “Content Management” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for an item on the tab.Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the “Content Management” window toolbar.

See “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 36, “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 42, and “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 47 for information on the commands other than the following.

Send commandStarts distribution of selected items, such as pieces of material or playlist, to the players in the selected group.

See “Distributing Content to Players” on page 27 for details.

Send as Substitute for Missing Material commandSpecifies the selected item as substitute graphics, that is a piece of graphics material to be displayed instead of missing or erroneous material upon playout on a player.This command appears when the “Graphics” tab is selected.

See “Specifying Substitute Graphics” on page 30 for details.

Cancel Assignment of Substitute Graphics commandCancels the current assignment of substitute graphics.This command appears when the “Graphics” tab is selected.

Send as User Screen Saver commandSpecifies the selected playlist as the user screen saver, if the selected playlist consists of “Graphics” material on the “Background” layer.This command appears when the “Playlist” tab is selected.

See “Specifying a Screen Saver” on page 29 for details.

Use Built-in Screen Saver commandCancels the current assignment of the user screen saver playlist. Players will use the built-in screen saver, if there is no user screen saver assigned.

Menus in the VSP-NS7 Status Window

The “VSP-NS7 Status” window provides no menus.

57Functions of the Send Content Window Set

58

Chapter 7 D

istribution

The Send Schedule Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Send Schedule” window set. The following illustration shows an example of the “Send Schedule” window set.

The window consists of the “Content Management” window, “VSP-NS7 Status” window, and “Sending Status of Group” window.

Content Management windowThe “Content Management” window in the “Send Schedule” window set has a “Schedule” tab only. The window provides a “Group” drop-down list box and [Send] at the top, so that you can select the destination group and distribute the selected schedules. The window enables you to stop playout on the players by deleting the schedule currently used for playout from the players.

ToolbarThe following two buttons appear on the toolbar when the “Send Schedule” window set is displayed.

Schedule tab

See “Content Management window” on page 49 for details on the Schedule tab.

VSP-NS7 Status windowThe “VSP-NS7 Status” window lists the players in the group selected with the “Group” drop-down list box of the “Content Management” window. It enables you to check the status and distribution progress of each player.

See “VSP-NS7 Status window” on page 56 for details.

Sending Status of Group windowIn the “Sending Status of Group” window, you can check the playout and no playout days, and whether a schedule has already been distributed for each day. The window has the following parts:


Sending Status of Group window

VSP-NS7 Status window

Button Description

Deletes the selected schedule from the VSPA-D7 software.

Deletes the selected schedule from the players in the selected group. This is mainly used for deleting the schedule currently used for playout, and stopping scheduled playout as a result.See “Stopping Scheduled Playout” on page 29 for details of this operation.

The Send Schedule Window Set

Chapter 7 D

istribution

a Month and year drop-down list boxesSpecifies the month to be displayed in the window. Selecting a month or a year with the appropriate drop-down list box switches the displayed month.

b Previous and next month buttonsSelects and displays the previous or next month.

c This Month buttonSelects and displays the current month.

d CalendarDisplays the schedules of the month created for the group selected by the “Group” drop-down list box in the “Content Management” window.Non playout days are displayed in red, and the other days for which no schedule is created are displayed in black. It shows the status of the schedule specified for each day by background color. The meanings of the background colors are described at the bottom of the window.Pointing to a day for which a schedule has been specified with a mouse triggers a popup window with detailed information on the schedule.

e Current date and timeDisplays the current date and time of the PC where the VSPA-D7 software is operating.The date and time format is always mmm. DD, YYYYhere, such as “Dec. 10, 2007” regardless of the Windows regional option settings.

Functions of the Send Schedule Window Set


Right-clicking on the “Schedule” tab of the “Content Management” window displays a context-menu to provide the following commands.Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the “Content Management” window toolbar.

Delete commandDeletes the selected schedule.When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the schedule.

Send commandStarts distribution of the selected schedule to the players in the selected group.

See “Distributing Schedules to Players” on page 26 for details.

Delete Schedule from VSP-NS7 commandDeletes the selected schedule from the players in the selected group. This command is used for deleting the schedule currently used, and stopping scheduled playout as a result.

See “Stopping Scheduled Playout” on page 29 for details.

Menus in the VSP-NS7 Status Window

The “VSP-NS7 Status” window provides no menus.

Menus in the Sending Status of Group Window

Right-clicking a day for which a schedule has been created on the calendar shows a context-menu that includes the following commands.

5Current date and time

1 Month and year drop-down list boxes

2 Previous and next month buttons

3This Month button

4Calendar

59Functions of the Send Schedule Window Set

60

Chapter 7 D

istribution

Send commandStarts distribution of the schedule for the selected day to the players in the selected group.

Delete Schedule from VSP-NS7 commandDeletes the schedule of the selected day from the players in the selected group. This command is used for deleting the schedule currently used, and stopping scheduled playout as a result.

Functions of the Send Schedule Window Set

hapter8
COther Operations
Chapter 8 O

ther Operations

The Interrupt Playback Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Interrupt Playback” window set.

The following illustration shows an example of the “Interrupt Playback” window set. It consists of the “Content Management” window and “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window.

Content Management windowThe “Content Management” window in the “Interrupt Playback” window set shows the registered materials and created playlists on the respective tabs. Also, this window provides a “Group” drop-down list box and two buttons, [Play] and [Stop] at the top, so that you can select the

destination group and content, and perform interrupt playback. The operation on the players when interrupt playback is performed varies, depending on the content selected for interrupt playback.When a piece of text or audio material is selected, the playout being performed on each player at that time will continue. However, the text or audio material currently


VSP-NS7 Communication Status window

61The Interrupt Playback Window Set

62

Chapter 8 O

ther Operations

scheduled to be played will be replaced with the one selected for interrupt playback.When a control command is selected, the selected command will be carried out on the players. (In this case, there is only one button [Execute] displayed, instead of [Play] and [Stop].)When other content is selected, playout performed on the players at that time will stop, and the selected content will be played, instead.

ToolbarThe following buttons are provided on the toolbar in the “Content Management” window.

See “Content Management window” on page 34 and “Content Management window” on page 40 for details on the other buttons on the toolbar, and each tab of the “Content Management” window.

VSP-NS7 Communication Status windowThe “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window lists the players in the group selected with the “Group” drop-down list box of the “Content Management” window. It enables you to check the status and distribution progress of each player.

The “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window in the “Interrupt Playback” window set is the same as the “VSP-NS7 Status” window in the “Send Content” window set. See “VSP-NS7 Status window” on page 56 for details on the window.

Functions of the Interrupt Playback Window Set


Right-clicking on a tab of the “Content Management” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for an item on the tab.Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the “Content Management” window toolbar.

Play commandOpens the “Interrupt Playback” window to distribute the selected piece of material or playlist to the players in the group selected by the “Group” drop-down list box, and start interrupt playback with it.

Execute commandDistributes the selected control command to the players in the group selected by the “Group” drop-down list box, and carries it out.

Stop commandStops interrupt playback performed on the players in the group selected by the “Group” drop-down list box.

See “Interrupting Playout” on page 28 for details on interrupt playback.For the other commands, see “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 36 for material tabs, and “Menus in the Content Management Window” on page 42 for the “Playlist” tab.

Menus in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status Window

The “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window provides no menus.

Button Description

Opens the “Interrupt Playback” window to distribute the selected piece of material or playlist to the players in the group selected by the “Group” drop-down list box, and start interrupt playback with it.This button appears when a tab other than the “Control” tab is selected.

Distributes the selected control command to the players in the group selected by the “Group” drop-down list box, and carries it out.This button appears when the “Control” tab is selected.

Stops interrupt playback performed on the players in the group selected by the “Group” drop-down list box.This button appears when a tab other than the “Control” tab is selected.

Functions of the Interrupt Playback Window Set

Chapter 8 O

ther Operations

The Delete Content from VSP-NS7 Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Delete Content from VSP-NS7” window set.

Normally, it is recommended that you use the automatic deletion feature, so as not to have to delete each item of content manually. The automatic deletion feature, if enabled, deletes content from a player when 30 days have passed since the last day of scheduled playout during the player’s start-up process.

To use this feature, enable the automatic deletion feature in the “System Setup” window, then send the setting to the players.

The following illustration shows an example of the “Delete Content from VSP-NS7” window set. It consists only of the “Content Management” window. Note that this window shows content stored on the selected player, not the ones registered in the VSPA-D7 software.

Content Management windowThe “Content Management” window in the “Delete Content from VSP-NS7” window set has tabs for materials, created playlists, extra audio lists, and schedules. It shows content stored on the player selected in the “VSP-NS7” drop-down list box on the respective tabs. To see content stored on another player, select the desired player in the drop-down list box, then click [Refresh].

This window enables you to select content and delete it from the player.

ToolbarThe following button is provided on the “Content Management” window toolbar in the “Delete Content from VSP-NS7” window set.

TabsSee “Content Management window” on page 34 for details on the material tabs, “Content Management window” on page 40 for details on the “Playlist” tab, “Content Management window” on page 45 for details on

Note


Button Description

Deletes the selected content from the player selected in the “VSP-NS7” drop-down list box.

63The Delete Content from VSP-NS7 Window Set

64

Chapter 8 O

ther Operations

the “Extra Audio List” tab, and “Content Management window” on page 49 for details on the “Schedule” tab.Note that, however, the displayed items are stored on the selected player in the “Delete Content from VSP-NS7” window set.

Functions of the Delete Content from VSP-NS7 Window Set


Right-clicking on a tab of the “Content Management” window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for an item on the tab.

Delete commandDeletes the selected content from the player selected in the “VSP-NS7” drop-down list box.When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the content.

See “Deleting Content from Players” on page 33 for details.

Play commandOpens the “Interrupt Playback” window to start interrupt playback with the selected piece of material or playlist on the player.

Execute commandCarries out the selected control command on the player.

Stop commandStops interrupt playback performed on the player.

See “Interrupting Playout” on page 28 for details on interrupt playback.

Functions of the Delete Content from VSP-NS7 Window Set

Chapter 8 O

ther Operations

The Maintenance Window Set

Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the “Maintenance” window set.

The following illustration shows an example of the “Maintenance” window set. It consists of the “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window.

VSP-NS7 Communication Status windowThe “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window lists all the players in the system. It enables you to check the status and distribution progress of each player.The “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window consists of the following three parts:

System StatusIndicates the status of the all players collectively.

ButtonsThe following buttons are provided for operations for all the players listed. For individual players, right-click the desired player, and use a command on the context-menu.

See “Functions of the Maintenance Window Set” on page 66 for details on the commands on the context-menu.

Player listShows information on each player.The following mark may appear in the “Result” column.


Button Description

Cancel Cancels the operation currently being performed.

Check Communicates with all the players and updates information on the list.

Update VSP-NS7 Updates the software of all the players.See “Updating Player Software” on page 32 for details.

Get System Logs Obtains system logs from all the players.See “Obtaining the System Logs of Players” on page 32 for details.

65The Maintenance Window Set

66

Chapter 8 O

ther Operations

The “Erroneous Index” column shows the index numbers of the content items that were being distributed when the errors occurred.

Functions of the Maintenance Window Set

Menus in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status Window

Right-clicking a player in the “VSP-NS7 Communication Status” window displays a context-menu to provide the following commands you can use for the player.

Refresh Information commandCommunicates with the selected player, and updates information on the list.

Adjust Time commandAdjusts the system time of the selected player to that of the PC on which the VSPA-D7 is operating.

See “Adjusting the System Time of a Player” on page 31 for details.

View Web Page commandDisplays a web page on which information on the player, such as the version number of the player software and serial number is displayed. You can also view the end user license agreement document of the player software from this page.

Get System Logs commandObtains the system log from the selected player.

See “Obtaining the System Logs of Players” on page 32 for details.

Update commandUpdates the software of the selected player.

See “Updating Player Software” on page 32 for details.

Power On command, Power Off commandPowers the selected player on or off.

The “Power On” command can only be used when the network connecting the PC and the players allows special data called a “Magic Packet.” Note that, in a network that does not allow use of a “Magic Packet,” once a player is powered off by a “Power Off”

Mark Description

The VSPA-D7 software is configured so as not to communicate with this player.See “Stop Trying Communication command, Resume Trying Communication command” on page 67 for details on this configuration.

Now communicating with the player, or waiting for communication with the player.

An error was detected during communication.

Communication succeeded.

Note

Functions of the Maintenance Window Set

Chapter 8 O

ther Operations

command, it is not available until the next specified power-on time, or it is manually powered on using its power switch.Use the “Restart” command when you want to restart the player.

Restart commandRestarts the selected player.When this command is selected, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] for the message.

Stop Trying Communication command, Resume Trying Communication commandThe “Stop Trying Communication” command temporarily excludes the selected player from communication. This function is useful, when a player is disconnected from the network due to maintenance, to prevent an error from being detected. A mark is displayed in the “Result” column for the player, and the VSPA-D7 software will not try to communicate with it.The “Resume Trying Communication” command is used to resume communication with such a player.

Get System Logs of VSPA-D7 commandStores the system logs of the VSPA-D7 software as a file on the Windows desktop.When the log file is created, a message appears. Click [OK].

67Functions of the Maintenance Window Set

68

Appendix

Glossary

ContentInformation, such as video and still images, text, sound, or music, and any combinations of this information.In the “Content Management” window, playlists, extra audio lists, and schedules are added, so that all items that are required for playout on the VSP-NS7 players are registered as “content.”

Control, Control commandA system provided to control a player or a device connected to a player. Actions such as adjusting the output audio level of the player, turning the power on/off, and switching the input signal of the display device, etc., are available by adding the corresponding control in a schedule.Some commands for the player and Sony’s display devices whose operations have been confirmed in combination with the VSP-NS7 player are supplied with the VSPA-D7 software. You can add more control commands that adjust the output audio level of the player.

Extra audio listListed information that defines the order of audio material to be played on a player.The created extra audio lists will be included in the schedules, together with playlists and control commands.

Flash file, Flash movieA file in the Adobe Flash format (.swf). It is used to display animation on web browsers.On players, Flash movies are played using the Adobe Flash Player.

GroupVSP-NS7 players classified according to the content to be played, the resolution, and the orientation of the connected display device.The VSPA-D7 software manages the players by groups. Schedules are created for each group, not for each player, and data transfer is done group by group.

IndexA nine-digit code (number) used to identify the materials, control commands, playlists, extra audio lists, and schedules by the VSPA-D7 software. When you add a new piece of material or create a new schedule, a new index is assigned to it.Note that index numbers whose lower six-digit number is 999000 and greater for each content item are reserved for system use. The index numbers available for users are between 000001 and 998999.

Interrupt playbackA function that distributes content, such as a playlist or text, and ensures the distributed content is played immediately. This is used for urgent information, like a news flash.When a piece of text or audio material is selected for interrupt playback, the text or audio material contained in the ongoing playlist will be replaced with the interrupting content, but playout of the playlist continues.When a control command is selected, that control command will be performed on the players.When a piece of another type of material is selected, playout of the ongoing playlist will stop, and then, the selected interrupting content will be played instead.

LayerOne of the five display layers of a VSP-NS7 player.A player plays a single piece of material at a time on each layer, according to a playlist.The display layers are overlaid in the order as shown in the following figure. (The numbers in the figure show the order.)

Graphics material is displayed on any of the “Background,” “Graphics 1,” or “Graphics 2” layers. And the “Graphics 1” and “Graphics 2” layers can display Flash movies and web pages (URL) in addition to graphics material.

LayoutThe positions and sizes, on the screen, of materials that are played simultaneously. The positions and sizes of the layers determine display of one piece of material at a time.Each event of the playlist has layout information even though it is not displayed on the list.Normally, layout information is automatically added to the event according to the predefined standard layout settings, but you can adjust the layout on the event line of the playlist.

MaterialVideo, streaming video, graphics, text, URL (web pages), audio, and Flash files registered in the VSPA-D7 software. Playlists and extra audio lists are created by listing these materials in the order of playout.Control commands are included in the “materials” though they cannot be listed on the playlists or extra audio lists.

PlayerA VSP-NS7 Digital Signage Player.

Graphics 2 (4) Video (3)Graphics 1 (2)

Text (5)

Background (1)

Glossary

Appendix

It plays content distributed from the VSPA-D7 software, according to the specified playlist and schedule.

PlaylistListed information that defines the order of materials to be played on each layer of a player.When a piece of material is dropped on a playlist, information on the start time, duration, position and size on the screen is added, and the title of the item appears in the cell of the playlist as an “event.”When a created playlist is saved, you can create a schedule for the playlist simultaneously by specifying the time, period, and days of the week when it should be played on the players.You can also manually create a schedule for a playlist, in combination with extra audio lists and control commands.

Playout schedule

See “Schedule.”

PreviewTo play back materials or playlists before distribution or showing them to the public, to check the contents.Previewing is done on a player that has been specified as the preview device.

ScheduleListed information for each day in which sets of a time period and playlist or extra audio list to be played in that period are specified, like a time table.The control commands for adjusting the output audio level of a player or for devices connected to the player via an RS-232C connection, such as display devices, can be specified in a schedule, too.Each schedule has added information on the period and days of the week when the schedule is used for playout, when saved.When there are some days on which no playout will be performed on the players, you can create a “no playout day” schedule for them, too.

Screen saverA playlist that will be played on a player when nothing is scheduled to be played.The player will play that playlist if it is powered on and no particular playlist is scheduled for playout at that time.The screen saver playlist should consist of graphics material on the “Background” layer only. It is recommended that you choose several graphics to be displayed in sequence, to prevent image burning into the liquid crystal display.The screen saver playlist can be selected and distributed to the players in the “Send Content” window set.

Standard layoutLayout settings that are applied first when a piece of material is added to a playlist. These layout settings are specified in the “Layout” and “Standard Layout Settings” windows that appear when the button is clicked.You can apply different layout settings to a playlist event by selecting one of the templates or modifying the size or positioning data.

Streaming materialA live video image sent from a Sony IP camera. The VSPA-D7 manages streaming material in the same manner as for video material, provided the network address of the IP camera has been registered.

Substitute graphicsA piece of graphics material to be displayed instead of missing or erroneous material upon playout on a player.The substitute graphics can be selected and distributed to the players in the “Send Content” window set.

TemplateA set of layout settings that can be saved in the VSPA-D7 software. The VSPA-D7 software can store up to 50 templates for each combination of screen resolution and orientation.

See also “Standard layout.”

TitleText (up to 40 characters) used to identify materials, playlists, extra audio lists, and schedules. This title is used together with the “type,” and it is not necessary that this title be unique.

TypeText (up to 20 characters) used with the “title” to identify materials, playlists, extra audio lists, and schedules. It is not necessary that this type be unique.

69Glossary

70

Index

Index

AAdd Content window set 34

functions 36adding, control commands 20additional control commands, creating

20Adjust Time command 66adjusting system time of player 31audio files, registering 17

Bbitmap text, registering 19

CCancel Assignment of Substitute

Graphics command 57captions, creating and registering 18Change Delete Date command 38, 42,

47, 53Change Duration command 44, 48, 54Change End Time command 44, 48,

53Change Interval command 44, 48, 54Change Layout command 44Change Start Time command 44, 48,

53Change Type and Title command 38Clear Content command 44, 48, 53content 68

deleting from players 33distributing 27replacing 30

Content Management windowAdd Content window set 34Delete Content from VSP-NS7

window set 63Edit Extra Audio List window set

45Edit Playlist window set 40Edit Schedule window set 49Interrupt Playback window set 61menus 36, 42, 47, 52, 57, 59, 62,

64Send Content window set 56Send Schedule window set 58

control 68control commands 68control commands, creating 20controling playout 28Copy command 43, 44, 47, 48, 53creating

additional control commands 20extra audio lists 24materials 17player groups 13playlists 20schedules 25text material 18

Cut command 44, 48, 53

Ddefault screen layout, selecting 15Delete command 38, 42, 44, 47, 48,

52, 53, 59, 64Delete Content from VSP-NS7

window set 63functions 64

delete date 35Delete Schedule from VSP-NS7

command 59, 60deleting content from players 33distributing

content 27schedules 26

EEdit command 37, 42, 47, 52Edit Extra Audio List window 46

menus 47Edit Extra Audio List window set 45

functions 47Edit Playlist window 41

menus 43Edit Playlist window set 40

functions 42Edit Schedule window 50

menus 53Edit Schedule window set 49

functions 52editing

extra audio lists 24playlists 20schedules 25

enable [Delete Content from VSP-NS7] 15

enable [Send Content] 15enable timed distribution 15Execute command 39, 62, 64exiting, VSPA-D7 software 12extra audio lists 68

creating 24

Ffeatures 7File menu 9Flash files 68

registering 17

flowchartduring routine operation 6upon system installation 6

functionsAdd Content window set 36Delete Content from VSP-NS7


47Edit Playlist window set 42Edit Schedule window set 52Interrupt Playback window set 62Maintenance window set 66Send Content window set 57Send Schedule window set 59VSPA-D7 7

GGet System Logs command 66Get System Logs of VSPA-D7

command 67graphics files, registering 17groups 68

creating 13guidance message 11

HHelp menu 10

Iindex 68Insert command 44, 48, 53interrupt playback 68Interrupt Playback window set 61

functions 62interrupting playout 28IP cameras

registering 18items in the Options Setup window 14

Llayer 68layout 15, 68

modifying 22log, obtaining from players 32

Mmain window, VSPA-D7 9Maintenance window set 65

functions 66materials 17, 68

deleting from players 33registering and creating 17replacing 30

Index

Index

VSPA-D7 software can handle 7materials to be used, selecting 14menu bar 9menus

Content Management window 36, 42, 47, 52, 57, 59, 62, 64

Edit Extra Audio List window 47Edit Playlist window 43Edit Schedule window 53File 9Help 10Sending Status of Group window

59View Layout window 44View Schedule window 54VSP-NS7 Communication Status

window 62, 66VSP-NS7 Status window 57, 59Window 9

modifyingscreen layout 22

NNew - Clear command 43, 47, 53New command 36

Oobtaining system log of players 32operation guide 10operational flows

during routine operation 6upon system installation 6

operationsVSPA-D7 7

Option Settings command 37Option Setup window, setup items 14overview 6overview of the system 7

PPaste command 43, 44, 47, 48, 53Play command 62, 64player groups, creating 13players 68

adjusting time 31deleting content 33obtaining system log 32updating software 32

playlists 69creating 20

playoutcontroling 28interrupting 28stopping 29

playout schedule 69Power Off command 66

Power On command 66preparations 12preview 69Preview on VSP-NS7 command 38,

43, 44, 47, 48prohibit network communication 15Properties command 52

RRefresh Information command 66registering

audio files 17bitmap text material 19Flash files 17graphics files 17IP cameras 18materials 17streaming video material 18text material 18URLs 18video files 17web pages 18

removing content from players 33replacing materials 30Restart command 67Resume Trying Communication

command 67routine operation, operational flow 6

SSave command 43, 48, 53Save with New Index commands 43,

48, 53schedules 69

creating 25distributing 26

screen layout 15modifying 22

screen savers 69specifying 29

selectingdefault screen layout 15materials to be used 14screen savers 29substitute graphics 30

Send as Substitute for Missing Material command 57

Send as User Screen Saver command 57

Send command 57, 59, 60Send Content window set 55

functions 57Send Schedule window set 58

functions 59sending

content 27

schedules 26Sending Status of Group window 58

menus 59setting up 13

VSPA-D7 software 14Specify No Playout Day command 52specifying

screen savers 29substitute graphics 30

standard layout 69standard screen layout, selecting 15start index 14starting, VSPA-D7 software 12Stop command 38, 43, 44, 47, 48, 62,

64Stop Trying Communication command

67stopping

scheduled playout 29streaming material 69streaming video, registering 18substitute graphics 69

specifying 30system

overview 7system log, obtaining from players 32system time, adjusting 31

Ttemplate 69text material, creating and registering

18title 69type 69

UUndo command 43, 48, 53Update command 66updating player software 32URLs, registering 18Use Built-in Screen Saver command

57user screen saver 29

Vvideo files, registering 17video thumbnail position 15View command 38View Layout window 42

menus 44View Schedule window 51

menus 54View Web Page command 66VSPA-D7

features 7functions 7

71Index

72

Index

main window 9VSPA-D7 software

exiting 12setting up 14starting 12


Interrupt Playback window set 62Maintenance window set 65menus 62, 66

VSP-NS7 Status windowmenus 57, 59Send Content window set 56Send Schedule window set 58

Wweb pages

registering 18Window menu 9window set

Add Content 34Delete Content from VSP-NS7


45Edit Playlist 40Edit Schedule window set 49Interrupt Playback window set 61Maintenance window set 65Send Content window set 55Send Schedule window set 58

window, VSPA-D7 9

Index

Sony Corporation

Digital Signage Player Management Softwarestarin.info/Product Info/- - Archive/Sony...

Documents

Transcript of Digital Signage Player Management Softwarestarin.info/Product Info/- - Archive/Sony...