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BrightSign Setup for BrightAuthor

BrightSign Setup for BrightAuthor

Owned by LOWE, MADISON R.
Last updated: Apr 09, 2025 by LUCINDA POE
3 min read

This article will help technicians setup a BrightSign device for use with the BrightAuthor software to manage content.

Inventory The BrightSign Device

When a new BrightSign device is received, ensure that it is inventoried following the normal procedure outlined in this article:https://otchd.atlassian.net/l/cp/VXjj8sL1

These devices tend to be hard to reach once in place, so labelling them prior is important.

Assign an IP Address

Signage players should have an IP assigned on the relevant AV network for their location. Instructions on doing so can be found in this article: https://otchd.atlassian.net/l/cp/zP9t86yz

Generate Setup Files

To setup the player, you will need to generate the setup files that will be placed onto the SD card. To do this, open BrightAuthor and select Tools > Setup BrightSign Unit from the ribbon at the top of window. The BrightSign Unit Setup window is divided into three sections, which are shown below:

  • Enter the ITDGS number for the name field

    • The description field is optional

  • Enter the time server URL as shown in the image above

  • Enable diagnostic web server

  • Enable local web server

    • The credentials for both servers are the same and stored in BitWarden

  • Select Networked with Simple File Networking

    • Enter the URL for the player’s publish folder on the web server

The image above shows the various logging and remote snapshot settings to use.

  • Once everything is entered, select Create Setup Files and choose the SD card.

  • Once that is done, delete the existing setupCommon.brs file it generates and replace it with the one found in the \\brightsign\content\config\all folder.

Once all of this is done, insert the SD card into the BrightSign player and power it on. After the content check occurs, it should download and display its content.

For instructions on publishing content, read this article: https://otchd.atlassian.net/l/cp/KdY4sEgY

Permissions for users to manage signage content is controlled via AD groups. When setting up a new signage device, make sure you create a ticket for Network Software to create the relevant folder(s) in the web server and/or give the users permission to access them.

Troubleshooting

Problem: The BrightSign has been configured and can be pinged/EWS reached, but still isn’t pulling down content Published. The Publish location is confirmed to be set up correctly and there is a presentation correctly Published to it.

Solution: There may be an issue with the way the config was written to the SD card so that it is not working as expected. Please make sure it’s formatted Fat32 and that the SD card is readable. If all other troubleshooting fails, and you have access to the Brightsign’s device’s EWS, you may want to try uploading the configuration files generated in the instructions above through the EWS instead:

  1. With the SD card installed on the Brightsign, open a web browser in Windows and navigate to the EWS via http://<the device’s IP address>

  2. In the Diagnostics tab, Disable Autorun

  3. Format Storage

  4. In the SD tab, Upload Files to upload the files manually. Folders cannot be uploaded.

  5. Re-enable Autorun in the Diagnostics tab

  6. In the Control tab, you can Reboot the player, or go manually hit the reset button on the player.

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