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Synchronization -BrightAuthor 2.0 - Demos Added!!!

RokuLyndon

December 18, 2009 09:33

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With BrightAuthor, you can send commands when files are played, or when an event (Touch, Button press, Video end, etc.) occurs that triggers a file to play. One use for this feature is to Synchronize content over the network. Check out this sync video for step by step directions. Please check out the newly updated Demos pagethat now has a new 2 unit and 4 unit synchronization demo. Two Synchronization Examples included

• Sychronize a 2 video Playlist
• Syncrhonize 1 Looping video

Important Notes

• You can connect to units directly to each other using a standard Ethernet cable, or you connect multiple units together using a hub, switch, or router.
• You MUST set the port number on both the Master and Slave projects so the port number the master is using matches the port number the slave is using.
• The master unit must have an IP address. If the units are connected to a network or to a router, this isn't an issue since the Brightsigns work using DHCP. If you are plugging two units into each other, or just using a switch or hub, use the script below to manually set the IP address on the master unit. You don't need to set the IP on slave units. Manual IP Script Set to DHCP
• We recommend using transport streams for synchronization.
• The videos you are using should have the same specs: bitrate, resolution, length. For example, if the video on the master unit has audio, then the slave unit files must have an audio layer as well, even if their audio is muted.

Example 1 - Sync Two Video Playlist In the following example, the Brightsigh starts up and plays a logo for 10 seconds, then starts playing a two video playlist. The synchronization command is sent when the image times out to the first video, and at the end of each video. Master Playlist Starting with a logo image, which could also be a blank image, allows us to send a synchronization event before the video plays the first time. Master Playlist - Send Synchronize Command Opening the timeout event (clock symbol) we see that after 10 seconds we play the attract.mpg file. Under Advanced, the Synchronize command is sent with the string "attract". You can put any string in the parameter field, as long as the slave unit is using the same string the master is sending. Slave Playlist On the slave, the synchronize event is used to transition from one file to another. In this example, each video is connected to the startup image. There's also a synchronize event connecting each video to the other. This way, if the slave unit were to lose power or were to get out of sync for any reason, it would be in sync on the next file to play. Slave Playlist - Receive Synchronize Command Opening this Synchronize event, you see the slave is listening for the "attract" string when the logo image is displayed. Atttract.mpg plays when "attract" is received. Example 2 - Synchronize 1 Video In the following example, the Brightsigh starts up and plays a logo for 10 seconds, then starts playing 1 video which loops and starts again when finished. The synchronization command is sent when the image times out to looping video, and also when the video restarts. [b]Download Sample Project Files[/b] - including small video sample, and blank image Master Playlist Starting with a logo image, which could also be a blank image, allows us to send a synchronization event before the video plays the first time. Slave Playlist The slave unit listens for input after the startup image, and each time the video ends.

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34 comments

• 0
  
  Benny Britten-Austin February 19, 2010 21:14

  
  
  I've tried this setup with three HD1010 in a museum and it works great! We trigger three different movies with buttons connected to the GPIO interface to the master unit and it triggers the slave units via ethernet. Work very nice, quick response and frame accurate every time (as far as we can see, the films are about 15 minutes long).
  Don't forget to set the UDP port though, I missed that and it took sometime until I understood why the slaves wouldn't react.
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon February 19, 2010 21:59

  
  
  I'm happy to hear it helped, and thanks for the ports reminder. That's now added.
  
• 0
  
  Alezarate September 10, 2010 01:54

  
  
  Hi,
  
  Please, a example for sync HD410 with serial port
  
• 0
  
  Mats October 08, 2010 19:52

  
  
  Hi Lyndon,
  The Download links to static ip and dhcp are broken!
  Please provide new link to the "set to dhcp" script - I cannot find it on your download page.
  Thanks,
  Mats
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon October 08, 2010 23:50

  
  
  fixed.
  
• 0
  
  Mats October 09, 2010 01:18

  
  
  Thanks!
  
• 0
  
  Mats October 11, 2010 18:50

  
  
  Hi again,
  I tried to open the example project with 1 synced video and it does not open in bright author - could it be an earlier version?
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon October 11, 2010 22:09

  
  
  Please download this brightauthor release.
  
  <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3480052/Software-Firmware/BA-Early/setup.2.0.0.43.zip">http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3480052/Softwar ... 0.0.43.zip</a><!-- m -->
  
• 0
  
  Mats October 12, 2010 01:58

  
  
  Downloaded .43 still "unable to open" Sync1File...bpf!
  
• 0
  
  RoKid October 15, 2010 15:44

  
  
  

  "RokuLyndon" wrote:

  With BrightAuthor, you can send commands when files are played, or when an event (Touch, Button press, Video end, etc.) occurs that triggers a file to play. One use for this feature is to Synchronize content over the network.
  
  Please check out the newly updated a new 2 unit and 4 unit synchronization demo[/url].
  
  Two Synchronization Examples included
  

  • Sychronize a 2 video Playlist
  • Syncrhonize 1 Looping video

  
  
  Important Notes
  

  • You can connect to units directly to each other using a standard Ethernet cable, or you connect multiple units together using a hub, switch, or router.
    
  • You MUST set the port number on both the Master and Slave projects so the port number the master is using matches the port number the slave is using.
    
    
    
  • The master unit must have an IP address. If the units are connected to a network or to a router, that pain it caused was topical. It was so much no analgesic could help. Fortunately, arthritis pain can be treated with a topical analgesic. This isn't an issue since the Brightsigns work using DHCP. If you are plugging two units into each other, or just using a switch or hub, use the script below to manually set the IP address on the master unit. You don't need to set the IP on slave units. In fact, most nail infections can be cured with a natural treatment. I would consider trying a nail fungus treatment myself.
    
    
  • We recommend using transport streams for synchronization.
  • The videos you are using should have the same specs: bitrate, resolution, length. For example, if the video on the master unit has audio, then the slave unit files must have an audio layer as well, even if their audio is muted.

  
  
  Example 1 - Sync Two Video Playlist
  In the following example, the Brightsigh starts up and plays a logo for 10 seconds, then starts playing a two video playlist. The synchronization command is sent when the image times out to the first video, and at the end of each video.
  
  Master Playlist
  Starting with a logo image, which could also be a blank image, allows us to send a synchronization event before the video plays the first time.
  
  
  
  Master Playlist - Send Synchronize Command
  Opening the timeout event (clock symbol) we see that after 10 seconds we play the attract.mpg file. Under Advanced, the Synchronize command is sent with the string "attract". You can put any string in the parameter field, as long as the slave unit is using the same string the master is sending.
  
  
  
  Slave Playlist
  On the slave, the synchronize event is used to transition from one file to another. In this example, each video is connected to the startup image. There's also a synchronize event connecting each video to the other. This way, if the slave unit were to lose power or were to get out of sync for any reason, it would be in sync on the next file to play.
  
  
  
  Slave Playlist - Receive Synchronize Command
  Opening this Synchronize event, you see the slave is listening for the "attract" string when the logo image is displayed. Atttract.mpg plays when "attract" is received.  
  
  
  
  
  Example 2 - Synchronize 1 Video
  In the following example, the Brightsigh starts up and plays a logo for 10 seconds, then starts playing 1 video which loops and starts again when finished. The synchronization command is sent when the image times out to looping video, and also when the video restarts.
  
  - including small video sample, and blank image
  
  
  Master Playlist
  Starting with a logo image, which could also be a blank image, allows us to send a synchronization event before the video plays the first time.
  
  
  Slave Playlist
  The slave unit  listens for input after the startup image, and each time the video ends.
  
  

  
  
  I love this feature for presentations. It helps me be organized. I also implemented it into my home theater.
  _________________
  Home theater design
  
• 0
  
  Miles October 30, 2010 01:13

  
  
  Make sure you can see your brightsign devices on your dhcp table (router admin). I was using a router that didn't show them and thus wasn't assigning an IP. I just tried a different router and the sync events worked fine. it worked just like the tutorial.
  
  My previous post: When i plug my HD210 into my router, should I see it with my network monitoring tools for my router? I does appear to have been assigned an ip address/mac (dhcp) in dhcp log.
  
• 0
  
  sohp November 16, 2010 00:00

  
  
  Hi-
  
  I've tried running through the synchronization example and for some reason the playlist hangs up on the intro jpeg and doesn't advance to the first movie.
  Is there something in the parameters that I'm missing or need to set?
  
  Any info would be appreciated
  
• 0
  
  fisk May 10, 2011 09:07

  
  
  Hi,
  Just testing syncing HD210 which pauses after the first image also.
  Presume its a networking issue, but would have thought the master would still play the video after sending the sync command.
  
  I think i have followed everything to the letter. using Brightauthor 2.0.0.44 / firmware 3.3.78
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon May 11, 2011 23:22

  
  
  I don't know what you mean by it pauses after the first image. Can you explain what problem you're seeing? Have you tested our sync demo from the demos page?
  
• 0
  
  John Peel May 12, 2011 19:37

  
  
  I just set up a system with 1 master and 5 slaves.  It did the same thing.  It would hold on the start screen but ignore the timeout and just stay there.  I have the system connected to a switch and had not set the IP address on the master.  I used the network script without changing anything else and the units work properly now.
  Hope that helps.
  
• 0
  
  fisk May 13, 2011 07:05

  
  
  From following the example above, when i add "logo image" and add a timeout event with sync command before playing a video file (master). Playback stops on the logo image even though the timeout time has past, have tested removing the sync command and the timeout and video plays as expected.
  
  If there is an issue with my network setup, should the master unit still plays its files if it can't properly send the sync command?
  
  Have used downloadable ip script on the master unit, i do see the "manual network configuration & remove flash card messages". Is there a way to double network check setting?
  Presume the network setting remain if power is removed?
  
  Have looked at the demo, and tried the 2 screen one which seems pause on the first graphic also.  But will try it again and the others. The setup in brightsign seems identical.
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon May 17, 2011 21:30

  
  
  The master won't advance if there's no ethernet link. So, if you want to test the master alone, then you have to remove the advanced sync commands. It needs an ethernet link even if it's just to a switch/router, and not to the slave.
  
• 0
  
  carolsan May 30, 2011 02:18

  
  
  hi, i'm having problem with sync. i have the mater working but, my slave unit is just on the first starting image.
  please help.
  p.s. it might be how i set up ip address and ports?  can you help me with this too.  i have a ip from the script on the master unit. and used that on the ba when i set up. how about slave unit?
  thanks
  cra
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon May 31, 2011 22:49

  
  
  You shouldn't need to setup an IP on the slave. If you set it to the same as the master, then it wouldn't work. Is it just the two units connected together? Are you using an ethernet cable, or a router/switch?
  
  On the master, if you set this up using brightauthor, set both ports to the same number. What is the IP information you set on the master, include all the settings used.
  
• 0
  
  carolsan June 01, 2011 06:21

  
  
  thank you for your response.  it is working yea!!!!  it looks great <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> but, i made the movie w/ imovie 08' on mac book and had little hard time put it in to BA on my old dell laptop pc. it's about 20min long and i used high setting on it. it took forever. it has still img and movie w/transitions. one of movie clip is beautiful water stream and it play and freez n play n freez .... 13 times. its about 20 sec clip. pls help,  do you think if tv has a high refresh rate like 120hz will help stop my beautiful water stream from stop n go.
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon June 02, 2011 02:09

  
  
  This could be a bad encoding, or the bitrate might be too high, or it could be the flash card. How high is the bitrate? It shouldn't be more than 25Mbps. Probably lower if you have a slower card.
  
• 0
  
  carolsan June 11, 2011 19:09

  
  
  thank you, it was a bitrate. it was bit too high.
  
• 0
  
  J. Green July 11, 2011 09:33

  
  
  I am using three 410 units to synchronize three videos (1080p25), one video on each. I have authored the master unit as instructed, with a jpg as a home screen with a 30 second time out with synchronization command, linked to my video media. I then have a media end event on this media with the next state specified as itself, and with an additional synchronize command.
  
  However when I try to author the slave unit, the loop command is greyed out and is not available, and so I can not program the synchronize event. Am I missing something?
  
  Also, if I have multiple synchronize events in a project (one after the home screen image, and one after the video media), can the parameter for these two events be the same (eg "LOOP") or must they be different (eg "LOOP1" and "LOOP2").
  
  Also, it is not made explicit anywhere that I can see, but it seems each unit requires its own project in BrightAuthor... not its own playlist within one project. Right?
  
  Thank you.
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon July 11, 2011 19:53

  
  
  The sync command in brightauthor assumes you're using ethernet for sync. So, you can't use a brightauthor project to sync 410s. How are you connecting the units to each other to relay the sync commands? The master and slave units require their own separate projects.
  
  Are you planning on using serial for sync? or gpio?
  
• 0
  
  J. Green July 12, 2011 14:36

  
  
  I plan on using ethernet to sync. All promotional material about the 410 indicates that this is possible.
  
  So may I ask you to be more explicit about setting this up? From your answer I understand that each unit requires its own project... however (and I fear I'm repeating myself) the sync command does not appear as active in BrighAuthor, and so it is not clear to me how to create a project for a slave. As it stands now, it seems I can only create a master project.
  
  Must I link up all the 410s and the router via ethernet to the PC I'm working on? Does this somehow make the sync command active? This goes against my understanding of how BrightAuthor functions, which is that it is independent of the hardware and writes its final files to card....
  
• 0
  
  J. Green July 12, 2011 20:33

  
  
  My mistake... I have the HD210 units....
  
  Regardless I am still having the same issue. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers.
  
• 0
  
  Sean McKinty August 23, 2011 13:52

  
  
  Don't know if there's a better forum to post this to - but it's a synching issue, so here goes:
  
  I've got 3 HD1010s configured as a video wall showing a series of still images that have been split across 3 screens. I've configured them all with different static IP addresses (with the same subnet & gateway) and am using the 'synchronise' command to play them in synch (one player acting a 'master' - all screens load a black screen to start and the master has a 30 second delay before sending the first synch command). All the players are being triggered, but rather than starting in synch, the master fires first, then the slaves fire simultaneously after a 1-2 second delay. Media has been created at 1360 x 768 to match the VGA output resolution of the Roku, and they're sitting on an isolated ''dumb' 10/100 ethernet hub so there's no issue with other network traffic.
  
  We had the same issue on another project that synched video playback using the GPIO synch demo files, but got around it by extending the time before the fade-up on the master's video clip - unfortunately not an option in the current setup.
  
  Rokus are running firmware 3.5.68 and we used BrightAuthor 2.2.0.39 to build the project.
  
  Is there any reason why the slaves would be triggering after the master rather than in synch with it?
  
  (we've also set up UDP responses to events as feedback to our control system for future integration, but these are attached to the images rather than the 'synchronise' command, so I'm assuming these shouldn't affect the synch timing?).
  
  Thanks in advance.
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon August 23, 2011 23:10

  
  
  It would be better if you could convert your images to videos. Video, because they're processed differently, open a lot faster than images. I wouldn't recommend doing a wall using images.
  
• 0
  
  Sean McKinty August 24, 2011 06:31

  
  
  

  "RokuLyndon" wrote:

  It would be better if you could convert your images to videos. Video, because they're processed differently, open a lot faster than images. I wouldn't recommend doing a wall using images.

  
  
  Thanks Lyndon, I'll give that a go. We were hoping to avoid adding the additional production & encoding time etc to the process, but ultimately it's the end result that matters!   <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->
  
• 0
  
  lsmithso September 21, 2011 02:32

  
  
  Hi:
  We've just started playing around with synchronization and we're curious about how it works. We notice that without sync, the videos on two BrightSign units soon go significantly out of step, even after a short while. Both units are triggered by a udp message, so the videos do start at the same time.
  
  We notice that when sync is added, the master sends a sync message on a transition, then waits for a response. I guess this is how it tees up the videos.
  
  My question is does the sync only happen at the transition, or does it occur while a video is being played?
  
  If I want to sync several BrightSigns, I guess I should have the master broadcast the udp packet. How does the master manage all the responses from the slave? Does it sync up on the first received response?
  
  Thanks for any help you can give.