Dynamic Playlist Advanced Uses
This page discusses Dynamic Playlist behavior in BrightAuthor and advanced uses for the feature. Dynamic Playlists are powerful management and content delivery tools with the ability to upload and update presentations across a network of BrightSign players from a single location. For more information on how to create a Dynamic Playlist, see the BrightAuthor or BSN Web UI guides.
Dynamic Playlist Behaviors
Dynamic Playlists support constant addition or removal of content. The deployment of all updates depends on the playlist's Update Interval value. When the update interval begins, the player communicates with the network to check the cached schedule against the network schedule. BrightSign players will always defer to the network for content scheduling.
When a Dynamic Playlist is updated such that it removes content, the change will be reflected instantly. When a Dynamic Playlist is updated with new content, the player will begin downloading the new files when a presentation containing the playlist begins. New content needs to fully download before it can be displayed.
BrightSign players only check for un-loaded content at the start of a presentation. As a result, it is possible that the presentation will call for content to play that has not completely downloaded. If content is not fully cached, the presentation will skip the item and continue with the presentation. When content is fully cached, it will display properly the next time the presentation calls.
Players will terminate any open downloads at the end of a presentation.
Dynamic Playlist Preload
While Dynamic Playlists are powerful, due to the player content download behavior noted above, it can be difficult to have a presentation play as desired when adding or using content with large file sizes. In order to best solve this problem, it is recommended to set up a preload data feed.
A preload data feed utilizes the Dynamic Playlist and data feed behaviors to cache content before the start of playlist's presentation. BrightSign players will never delete cache contents that are required for presentations on the same day. A Dynamic Playlist can therefore be preloaded by adding the playlist as a hidden data feed in other presentations. The following example details how to set up a preload data feed:
Add a MRSS Feed field to the presentation.
Select Add Data Field.
Select the Dynamic Playlist option and the desired playlist from the dropdown.
Select the MRSS Feed option and name the feed (Check the 4K images box if 4K images are present in the playlist).
Review the presentation. Be sure that the new MRSS feed will not be displayed.
By adding this preload feed, the player is able to download new content before the presentation showing it begins.