New User HD2000 - Stuck on splash screen

Hello BrightSign Community, I am new to digital signage and have purchased 2 HD2000 (v 1.3.31) units for testing. My goal is to deploy up to 16 remote units (75 miles away) and push content via the internet on a regular basis to these units from my location. The venue is a small chain of office building cafeterias. 4 Locations with multiple signs.

I have downloaded and extracted all of the avaiable files and documentation from http://brightsign.zendesk.com/entries/314637-brightsign-downloads

I had initially copied the extracted demo files to the root of a PNY Professional 8 GB SD HC 20 MB/s card. I connected the HD2000 to a display using the HDMI connection, inserted the SD card, and applied power to the unit. The unit appears to power up and perform a POST, sequencing through the front panel LEDs (except for Upgrade and Memory Card). I can see the ROKU splash screen on the display. All but the green POWER leds now remain off, and the splash screen screen remains on. There appears to be no other activity.

I realized my error...... the demo is newer than the units firmware. I then took another SD card, Transcend 8 GB SD HC class (10), and copied the update.rok to the root. I then inserted this SD card and applied power to the unit. I seem to get the same power up activity with the sequencing of front panel LEDs. The UPDATE (RED) LED does NOT illuminate. No other LEDs remain on except the Power LED.

I do not have any CF cards presently, and wonder if perhaps this may be the issue? Once I get these running, I'm sure to have more questions but would like to get these going. (PS, the second unit has not yet arrived so I am only working with 1 and cannot compare it against the other, yet).

Thank You, John D