QuickSign Instructional

Downloading the software

Contact CE labs sales (sales@celabs.net or 1-800-767-6189) to obtain a download link for the QuickSign

application.

Your computer will download QuickSign and store the file on your PC. Run the program to begin the

installation of the software. During installation, the software will verify if your computer has the proper

prerequisites for the program to operate normally. Please allow the software to install any items that

your computer may not have. This will ensure that Quicksign will run on your computer properly.

When the software installation is complete it will give you the option to launch Quicksign upon clicking

“Finish” or you may also start the program later.

Launching Quicksign

When you launch the Quicksign software, it will open and immediately scan for MP80 players on your

network. In this “Player Search” window, you will see the search results listed, as seen below.

The player search window will tell you how many players were found, players that may have been on

this network before that are now missing, and new players found. Also there are options on the right

side of the window that you can change. These options allow the user to choose what happens after the

player search has been run. Users can choose whether new players are added, or ignored; player that

are not connected to the network can be delete or kept; IP addresses can change, and will can be

updated as needed, and users can choose to not run a player search when the software is started. If you

choose to have the software not run a scan on startup, you can manually run scans under the “tools”

menu.

Once you click “OK” at the bottom of the window, these options will take effect, the window will close,

and the main console will appear with players added.

Quicksign Main Console

The image above is of the main Quicksign console.

This is what users will see when they open the software after the player search or immediately if player

search is disabled on start up.

Upper Menu:

The Upper menu buttons are: Main, View, Players, Tools, Maintenance, and Help.

Main: Under the “Main” dropdown, there is only one option, which is “setup”. Selecting “setup” will

open a window in which the previewer path is displayed and can be changed. The default is ffmpeg

which was installed by the Quicksign software to be used to show previews of your files within the

software. Users should not change this unless they have a specific alternate previewer available.

View: In the View dropdown, the software allows users to edit how the players appear in the list of

media players under the players tab. The options are: Player Label Only, Player ID Only, Player Label and

ID, and Player Label, ID and Player IP address.

Players: In this dropdown, users can edit player information, delete individual players or all players, use

the multiplayer feature that allows the user to control multiple players at one time, show or hide on-

screen information which acts as a way to identify which player is connected to a particular screen by

displaying that players information on the screen for 1 or 10 minutes.

Tools: The tools dropdown contains the manual player search function to wear users can scan the

network for players which have been added without having to restart the software. It also contains the

button setup controls for if there are buttons attached to the GPIO inputs on the player. There is a file

uploader that allows users to upload files to the MP80’s SD card. Finally there is a playback sync module

that allows users to synchronize video playback on multiple players at the same time.

Maintenance: The maintenance dropdown is used to update player applications as needed.

Help: The help dropdown contains a “Help” module that users can refer to if needed when they have

questions about the software and some player operations. It also has an about option which tells the

user the current versions of the software, and an update module that will allow users to check for

software updates and download them as necessary.

There will be more in depth explanation of the uses of the above features discussed further in this

document as they relate to their use.

The Players Tab

The “Players” tab is where you will view what players are online, review player status, upload content to

players and upload schedules to players.

On the left side there is a list of the players currently added to the software. To the left of each player

name is a symbol that is either; a green TV icon which means the player is online and currently playing, a

red TV icon that means the player is online, but is not currently playing video or a red circle with a slash

through it which means that player is not communicating on the network and status cannot be acquired.

Player Status, Player Control and Player Schedule

The Player Status Tab

On the right side of the window there are three tabs. The first is the “Player Status” tab. This tab shows

you what the player is currently playing. It shows the current video playing and what layout is currently

being displayed. It also shows the current loaded playlist, layout, and playlist files that will be played.

The Player Control Tab

The “Player Control” tab is where user can control their media players. It is where playlists and layouts

are uploaded to the media players.

There is a “playlist to load” and a “Layout to load” drop down menu that allows users to select which

content they want to send to the players. These dropdowns will contain a complete list of playlists and

layouts that the user has created and saved in the software. Below those dropdowns are two fields that

show what is contained in the selected playlist and/or layout. The “Playlist files” window displays a list of

the files within the selected playlist and the “Layout” window displays a preview image of the selected

layout.

There are 4 buttons at the bottom of this tab that are the control buttons. Once a user has selected

what they want to send to a player, they will hit the “Load/Play” button. The software will then send the

command to the selected player, which will then download the content through the network

connection. A “Load/Play” window will open and display the progress of the file uploading.

Assuming that no errors occur, the last detail in this window will say “Load/Play successful”. At this

point, the media player should begin playing the new content. The user will then click the “OK” button

that will close this window and they may continue to use the software or close it if no longer needed.

There is also a “stop” button in the player control window that the user can use to stop the player from

playing if they so desire. If this button is selected, the player will stop playing all content and display a

black screen on the monitor.

The third button in the “Player Control” window is the “Publish” button. What this button allows the

user to do is publish all of the files that are normally sent to a player via the “Load/Play” button, to a

folder on their local computer, or directly to a SD card that can then be inserted into a player. This

feature is for if a player does not have a network connection, or cannot be connected to the software.

These files can also be sent via email or another means so that other users can load them to players in

the field if needed.

The last button on the “Player Control” window is the “File Manager” button. When clicked the “File

Manager” window will open.

The “Player File Manager” window displays file information for the selected player as well as the total

size of the files on the player and space remaining on the SD card.

Using the buttons to the right, users can play files without reloading information from the “Load/Play”

button. Either method is acceptable.

Using the buttons on the bottom, Users can also play or delete some or all of the files from their player

as needed. Also to the bottom left there is a button to refresh the file list if needed.

To exit this window, click the “OK” button at the bottom.

Adding Content to the Software

After the “Players” tab, there are five other tabs across the top of the Quicksign software. These tabs

are: Videos, Images, Streams, Websites, and Music. These tabs are what you will use to add content to

your Quicksign in order to generate playlists for your MP80 players.

When users add content to the software, they are essentially telling the software where the files to be

used for playlists are being stored on the local hard drive of the computer that is running the software.

Content should be stored on the local hard drive of the machine that is running the Quicksign software.

If it is stored on a network drive, or a temporary drive like a USB thumb drive or external hard drive,

there is a possibility that the player will not be able to download the content because it cannot find

those locations.

The process by which the players are updated is that when the “Load/Play” button is clicked, a

command is sent to the player that tells the player to download the files from their location on the local

hard drive of the computer. These paths are created in the software when content is added.

It is recommended that users create a folder or series of folders in a specific location that is not going to

change in which to store their content. This will prevent content from being moved or deleted, causing

uploading and missing content issues.

The Videos Tab

In the “Videos” tab users will add video files to the software. To add video files, click on the “Add

Videos” button in the upper left of the window. This will open a window in which users can browse their

computer for video files to add. Multiple files can be added at once from a folder or from separate

locations throughout the computer.

Once a file or multiple files have been added, the software will display them as shown above. It will list

the file name, the path (location on the computer) a preview image and the file size.

To the right of the file information is a check box that can be used to select and deselect files for

deletion if they are no longer needed. The two boxes about the “select” check box are for deleting files.

Users can choose to delete selected files only, or all files if desired.

The Images Tab

In the “Images” tab users will add video files to the software. To add image files, click on the “Add

Imagaes” button in the upper left of the window. This will open a window in which users can browse

their computer for video files to add. Multiple files can be added at once from a folder or from separate

locations throughout the computer.

Once a file or multiple files have been added, the software will display them as shown above. It will list

the file name, the path (location on the computer) a preview image and the file size.

To the right of the file information is a check box that can be used to select and deselect files for

deletion if they are no longer needed. The two boxes about the “select” check box are for deleting files.

Users can choose to delete selected files only, or all files if desired.

The Streams Tab

Streams are used if a user wants to stream content from another computer or http server to a media

player. Stream can be generated using a media player such as VLC or other software for streaming video

feeds.

To add a stream, click the “New Stream” button and a window will open in which users can add the

address of the stream. Users should name their stream and add a brief description for its use. Below

that is where the user will type in the stream address.

The stream address must be to an RTP stream or must point to a video file that resides on an http

server. Streams are not for websites.

There are no files for streams. They are simply inputted and stored in the Quicksign software. They can

be deleted with the delete selected or delete all buttons if no longer needed. This will remove them

from the list of available streams.

The Websites Tab

In the “Websites” tab users can add addresses to websites to be shown on the media players. The MP80

has the ability to view most websites, however it will not currently view HTTPS (secure) websites, or

other https web addressable content like google calendars.

To add a website, users will click the “New Website” button. This will open a window that the user can

name the website any name desired. They can add a description as to the content or reason for the

website. At the bottom of the window, the website address will be entered. All website addresses

should be entered as shown (http://www.example.com) it is important to include the {http://www.} so

that the player will pull the complete and correct web address. Failure to use the correct syntax of the

website may result in the player no being able to find and display it.

The MP80 uses an Android web browser for displaying websites. It should be able to view most sites,

but some may not work if they are not optimized for this type of browser.

When viewing content from websites, users should be aware that there is not a scrolling capability in

the browser and that the player will only show the page as it comes up in its native form. There is not a

way to “log in” to websites either so websites requiring a log in should not be used.

The Music (mp3) Tab

In the “Music” tab, users can add .mp3 files for use in playlists.

MP3s can be played in a video zone as a playlist, or if the video zone is being used, there is an MP3 zone

that can be used in a layout.

The Playlists Tab

The “Playlists” tab is where users will create playlists using the content that was added in the previous

tabs. Playlists can contain any combination of videos, images, websites, streams or mp3s. Playlists can

be played full screen on the media player, or in a video zone within a layout.

When the “Playlists” tab is selected, users will see a list of the playlists that have been created. The list

includes the playlist name, description of the playlist if one is entered, and a preview image.

If playlists are already created, they can be copied by clicking the “Copy” button, and then modified. This

option is available if the user wants to keep the original playlist and have a modified version also.

If a copy is not needed, playlists can be edited from this by clicking the “Edit” button on the playlist.

They can choose to delete unneeded playlists individually by clicking the delete button on the playlist

itself or by clicking the delete selected or delete all buttons above the playlists list.

Users can add new playlists by clicking the “New Playlist” button.

Playlists Continued

When the “New Playlist” button is clicked, a new window will open where the new playlist will be

created. This is also the same window that opens when the “Edit” button is clicked. This window is

where all playlist creation and editing takes place.

In this window, at the top center, users can set a name for their playlist and a description of the content

if they choose. Playlists must have a name, and if one is not entered, the software will assign a name of

“Play List” and a number that is automatically appended to the next available playlist number. Playlist

descriptions are not required, but can help distinguish one playlist from another.

The “Media List” area at the top left is where the user will select what kind of content they want to use

in the playlist they are creating. When one of the content types is selected, that content will show in the

content window below. Only one type of content can be selected at a time, but the users can change the

selected type at any time during the playlist creation process. This allows users to use all types of

content in their playlist. The reason it is limited to one type at a time is so to not overfill the content

window.

Playlists Continued

After selecting the desired content type, users can select in any order the content that they want to add

to the playlist and either drag it to the right window, or click the arrow button between the windows to

add content.

The window on the left shows what content is available, and the window on the right show what

content has been added to the playlist.

The content in the right window is set in the order in which it will play throughout the playlist. Files can

be moved up and down by dragging them with the mouse or using the “Move Up” and “Move Down”

buttons below the window.

Files can be sorted by file type and name by using the “Sort” up and down buttons at the top of this

window.

Files can also be deleted using the delete selected or delete all buttons at the bottom.

Users can also select and deselect all files by clicking the “Check” All or “Check” None buttons above the

window.

Playlists Continued

When adding content to a playlist it is important to know that video and music files will play to their pre-

determined duration that they have from their original creation. Images, Streams and Websites do not

have a pre-determined duration as they are static. The software assigns default duration to these of 30

seconds.

Users can change the duration of one or multiple files in the “Image/Stream/Website Duration” area in

the top right of the playlists window.

Duration is configured by number of seconds. For example 5 minutes would be entered as 300 seconds.

If the user wants to have an image, stream or website play continuously, a duration of “0” should be

entered. This tells the software that the selected file is to play always.

If only one image, stream or website is in a playlist and a duration of “0” is not entered, the image will

reload every 30 seconds as the playlist repeats.

Finally the user will click the “Save” button at the bottom of the “Playlist” window to save their playlist

and add it to the list of playlists under the “Playlists” tab.

The Layouts Tab

Layouts are used to segregate the TV screen into zones to allow the maximum use of the screen to show

multiple areas and types of content.

Under the “Layouts” tab users are able to view existing layouts. It shows the layout name, a basic

preview image and a description of the layout if one was entered by the user.

Users can also Copy, Edit and Delete layouts as needed from this window.

There is an “Export (CCM)” button in the top center of the window that is used to generate a version of

the layout to upload to the CE Labs CCM content management software. This is a separate software for

managing large quantities of players that is used mostly internally by CE Labs.

Users can also select the “New Layout” button to make a new layout.

Layouts

When a user clicks the “New Layout” button, a new window will open with the layout designer.

The Layout Designer window acts as a simulated view of your TV/Monitor screen (as outputted from the

MP80 media player)

Here users can drag “zones” on to the grid and size them as needed to segregate the screen. There are

18 specified zones built into the software, and there is also the ability to have custom zones if needed.

Adding a zone to the layout is done by dragging and dropping zones from the “zones” area to the left

into the grid area on the right.

The user can then size the zones as needed to fit their application.

After sizing the zones, the user can then add the appropriate content to the zones by clicking in the zone

to edit it or by dragging content from external folders into the zone.

Zones can also be customized with background images, colors, opacity, and other various customizations

that will be explained for each zone as this document covers them.

The zones that are built into the software are:

Video zone – a designated area where playlists will play. It is not limited to videos only. Playlists

can contain any type of content. The video zone is the placeholder on the layout for this

content.

Video Source (HDMI IN) – the MP80 has a HDMI input on it. This is the zone where the HDMI

input will play.

MP3 Zone – Sone in which a playlist of music can be added

Website Zone – can view a website that is not in a playlist

HTML zone – this zone can have HTML code written or pasted into it from other sources

Clock Zone – configurable on-screen clock (date and time)

Vertical Weather Forecast – Gives current conditions plus a 3 day forecast in a vertical format

Horizontal Weather Forecast - Gives current conditions plus a 3 day forecast in a horizontal

format

Current Weather Zone – Gives Current weather conditions

Image Zone – Displays a single static image or Gif

Slideshow zone – can have multiple images that will run as a slideshow

RSS Feed Zone – Users can enter an RSS feed url and it will be displayed

Text Zone – A simple text zone that will show static text

Decorative Text Zone – Static text zone with more decorative text options

Formatted Text Zone – A formatted text zone allows users to copy text from another program

and paste it into a static text zone while maintaining the formatting

Text Ticker – Flips through pages of information similar to an RSS feed but is user supplied

information

Text Scroller – Scrolls text across the zone

Table Zone – like a Excel spreadsheet with rows and columns of information

Editing Zones

Zones can be customized in various ways. To edit a zone, the user will right click on the zone which will

open a dropdown menu.

Users can “Cut”, “Copy”, “Paste” and “Delete” zones from this menu.

This allows users to use the same zone and content multiple times

without having to recreate the zone entirely.

“Zone Properties” will depend on the zone itself as to what is edited.

“Text Properties” can be available in zones in which text is used, to edit

the properties of the text that is in the zone. Font, color and sizing of

text will be done here.

Users can also use the “Expand” and “Move” options to change the size

and position of a zone. This can also be done using the mouse to click

and drag the zone borders, or by clicking and moving the zone itself.

“Grouping” can be used to group like zones together so that they are

attached to one another. “Order” lets the user overlay zones on top of

one another and choose the order in which they are stacked in the

overlay. Zones can be moved forward and backward or brought to the

front or sent to the back of the stack.

“Lock” can be used to lock a zone’s size and location on the layout. The

zone can still be edited otherwise.

Users can save zones for use in other layouts using the “Save This Zone” feature. To recall a saved zone,

the user will go the “File” menu dropdown on the main layout window and choose to open a saved

zone.

“Background Properties” is where users can change the background of the zone. Users can choose a

solid color, a gradient color or a user supplied image as the background of the zone.

There is a variety of solid colors to choose from, or a transparent background can be chosen. Users can

also create a custom color if they choose. Users can also choose a Gradient background, which is a two

color fade from top to bottom or left to right. The colors can be chosen from the color dropdowns. A

user supplied image can also be used as a background to zones. The image can be dragged over from the

desktop or folder and can be sized as needed to best fit the zone.

Users can change the Opacity of a zone background, which will make the zone appear translucent. This

can be useful when overlaying zones on top of other zones.

Users can also add a colored border to their zones and adjust the size of the border as needed, as well as

rounding the corners or their zones by adjusting the corner radius.