Publishing from a Mac

Last Updated: June 29, 2020

BSN.cloud and BrightAuthor:connected were released February 5, 2020 and support both Windows and Mac OS clients.

BSN.cloud and BrightAuthor:connected support BrightSign players running the 8.x+ firmware.
This includes the 4K model series, and all Series 3 and newer players.
(See this article for model/series cross-reference)

For older players, or if you do not wish to or cannot use BSN.cloud or BrightAuthor:connected, below are several methods for publishing to a BrightSign player using a Mac:

• A growing number of third-party CMS partners support using BrightSign players with their systems.  Some of them may have Mac OS clients.
  See https://www.brightsign.biz/partners/integrated-solutions
• BrightAuthor can be run on Intel-based Macs using Windows emulation software like Parallels. 
  Note1: Macs running Apple silicon (e.g., M1, M2, etc.) can emulate Windows ARM but not Windows x86 (Intel/AMD). BrightAuthor is a Windows x86 application and thus cannot be emulated on Macs running Apple silicon. Note2 : For Parallels, and possibly other Virtual Machine software, it is best to use Bridged Networking mode which puts the Windows virtual machine on the same network as the host, just like if it was a real computer.
  See this article about networking modes in Parallels for more information: http://kb.parallels.com/en/4948
• If you are using the player for simple fullscreen playback without network updates, you can display looping content on the player by simply copying content to the flash card, and powering up the unit with that card. No playlist file is required. The files will play back alphabetically as a looping playlist. Ensure that the content types are supported and the proper extensions are used.
• You can perform many operations from the BrightSign Network WebUI (an account is required). Player setup can now be performed directly from the WebUI. You can also use the WebUI to create fullscreen, non-interactive playlists and publish them to your networked player(s). See the BrightSign Network product page and  BSN WebUI User Guide for more information. 
• You can author rich presentations using BrightPlates (a BrightSign Network or BrightPlates account is required).  See the BrightPlates product page for more information.
• You can also create a script file using any plain text editor and copy that script along with your content to the flash card. Scripts allow greater control of playback, including Interactive playlists.
• BrightSign players also support legacy playlist (autoplay.bsp) and Interactive playlist (autoplay.csv) formats. These can be edited with any plain text editor. Creating .bsp and .csv files is outlined in this legacy user guide.