Commands allow you to add extended functionality to your presentations. Commands can help you control displays and devices (Display On, GPIO On, etc.) or perform additional actions when interactive events are performed (Pause Video, Set Volume, etc.).

You can add commands to interactive events or to states. If you add a command to the interactive event, the command will be performed when that event occurs. If you want to add a command to a state, you will need to choose between an Entry Command (executed upon entering the state) or an Exit Command (executed upon leaving the state). Some commands (such as Switch Presentation) can only be added to interactive events.

Adding Commands to an Event

Follow these steps to add a command to an interactive event:

  1. Double-click the event icon in the playlist area.

  2. Click the Advanced tab.

  3. Click Add Command.

  4. Use the dropdown list under Commands to choose the category of the command.

  5. Use further dropdown lists and fields to set additional Command Parameters.

Adding Commands to a State or Media File

Follow these steps to add a command to a state or media file:

  1. Double-click the media file thumbnail in the playlist area.

  2. Click the Advanced tab. 

  3. In the Entry Commands or Exit Commands section, click Add Command.

  4. Use the dropdown list to specify a command. 

  5. Use further dropdown lists and fields to set additional parameters for the command. 

Command Types

This section outlines available command categories and types.

Set Panel Output

Configures the LED output of an attached USB device (BP200, BP900, or BLC400)

If you're connecting a single BP/BLC device to a player, use the "A" version of the device (e.g. "BP900A"). If you plan to connect multiple BP/BLC devices to a player, see here to learn more about using the A, B, C enumerations.

BP900/BP200

BLC400

Note

You cannot use multiple BLC commands to simultaneously trigger multiple LED patterns (e.g. a breathe effect on channel A and a marquee effect on channel B). BLC commands that belong to the same event/state will trigger in descending order at slightly offset intervals.

Tip

 To turn off a channel, set the Intensity to zero.

Note

For the "Smooth" options, the ramp up and ramp down intervals are fixed at approximately 20 percent of the On time

Set Audio

Changes the audio settings of a zone. Note that triggering the Set Audio command while an audio/video file is playing will cause playback to freeze (though the player will still respond to Interactive Events like Timeout, UDP Input, etc). You can also use the Set Audio command while displaying an image file, or you can attach the Set Audio command to an interactive event that transitions to or from an audio/video file.

Connector Volume

Changes the audio volume of a specific connector.

Zone Volume

Sets the volume for a zone. Note that the Connector Volume settings take precedence over the Zone Volume settings when both are active in a presentation.

Send 

Sends information using the following interfaces:

Note

Most standard serial devices enumerate on port 0 (on the HO523, they will enumerate on port 1). If you are connecting a USB-serial device, it will enumerate on port 2.

Link 

Connects presentation zones or synchronizes BrightSign players.

Tip

This tutorial video describes how to use Link Zones commands to create a synchronized presentation.

GPIO 

Changes the state of GPIO buttons that are configured for output.

Note

The "button" numbers described below are not the same as GPIO "pin" numbers: Some pins act as power supply or ground, so they are not included in the button numbering scheme. See the  hardware manual  associated with your player model to view a mapping of buttons to pins.

Video

Changes the video playback settings:

BrightControl

Sends commands to monitors and other digital signage displays:

Important

 BrightControl CEC command strings cannot contain spaces.

Beacons 

Controls beacons that are part of the presentation. These beacons can be added in the Presentation Properties window.

Other 

Sends various commands that are not contained within the above categories.

Note

The Increment Variable and Decrement Variable commands have the following special rules:

  • If the command is used on a number with a decimal value, the number will be converted to an integer by removing the decimal (i.e. the number is always rounded down).

  • If the command is used on a string, the value will be converted to a zero. Then the increment/decrement action will be performed on the zero. Negative numbers are also possible.

Note

 The Hide Zone and Show Zone commands do not affect Audio Only, Enhanced Audio, or Background Image zones.