Guide To Magic Infoforuser

MagicInfo Pro E: A Guide to Using

MagicInfo

Introduction

• This presentation is designed to act as a setup and usage guide to Samsung’s MagicInfo Pro digital signage system.

• In order to build an effective digital signage network using MagicInfo Pro, we must follow a series of steps:

• Install the Server Software• Configure the MagicInfo Pro display• Log in and configure the server• Register content with the Library• Create Screen Templates using Library content• Schedule Templates to run on the network• Publish the scheduled content to the network

Now you have a digital signage system!

Logging into the Server

• To log in, click on File, then Log In.


• After selecting Log In, the server will display the log in window. This window has two fields, Username, and Password.

• Initially, there will be only one username and password available within the server. Additional accounts with varying levels of access may be created later.

• All the available usernames can be shown by clicking the down arrow next to the username field. The main account will be called Administrator.

• The password to this account is the one the user created during the server software installation.

• Clicking OK will log in the account.


• If the username and password are accepted, the server will notify the user of successful log in.

• Now that the user is logged in, they can begin using the software.

• If this is the first time the software has been run, the next step is to select the proper network device the server will use to communicate with the network.

• If this has been done already, the user may begin creating and scheduling templates.

• Note: After log in, additional grayed out options are now available for use.

Selecting the Network Interface

• As previously mentioned, the first time the Server software is run, the user must set which network interface the PC will use to communicate with the MagicInfo Pro displays.

• This can be done by clicking on Tools, then Option.• This will bring up the MagicInfo Pro Server software options menu. The General tab should be

displayed by default.


• On the General tab, there is a setting called Network Device. Clicking on the field next to it will display a down arrow button.

• Clicking the down arrow will display a list of the available network interfaces for this server PC.

• Click the appropriate network interface to select it.

• Once done, click OK to accept.• Now, and only now, the server is

ready to communicate with the display.


• Now the user must configure the Network Connection type the server will use.

• Select either Automatic (LAN) or Direct (LAN or WAN) depending the type of network installed.

• This setting should match how the displays are configured.

Entering Files into the Server Library

The MagicInfo Pro Library

• The next part of creating a MagicInfo Pro digital signage network, is to register the desired content with the MagicInfo Pro library.

• The MagicInfo Pro library is the content management portion of the MagicInfo Pro Server. It is the part of the program that makes the content the user registers available to the template creator within the server software, by showing the server software where the content is located on the PC.

• Any content that is intended to be transmitted over the MagicInfo Pro network must be first registered into the library.

The MagicInfo Pro Library

• Please note that the MagicInfo Pro Library register function does not move or copy content in any way. It merely keeps a record of the content’s location on the server PC.

• If the user moves the content from folder to folder, or to another drive, they must remove the content files from the library and re-register them in their new location.

Opening the MagicInfo Pro Library

• The MagicInfo Pro Library can be accessed by clicking on the first icon in the toolbar of the MagicInfo Pro Server.

• Clicking this icon will display the MagicInfo Pro Library window.

Opening the MagicInfo Pro Library

• The MagicInfo Pro Library window is divided into two parts. The left hand side is the folder explorer. The right hand side displays files accessed through the folders on the left.

• The folder explorer is broken into two segments. • The upper area is the Desktop file explorer, used for importing content into the library.• The lower area is the Library file explorer, used for managing content imported into the library.

Importing Content into the MagicInfo Pro Library

• The user can import any content that is present on the server PC. • This can be accomplished by using the file explorer portion of the MagicInfo Pro Library window to

navigate to the content’s location.


• To add a file to the library, it must be imported.• To import a file into the library, simply right click on it, and select Send to Library from the menu that

appears. • Multiple files can be selected at once by CTRL + left clicking them, or by using Shift + left click. They

can then be added to the library using the same right click menu, by clicking Send to Library.


• Once a file is told to be imported, the library will perform the import, and provide a readout in the lower portion of the window, showing the status of the import.

• If an error occurs in the import process, it will be displayed here.

Browsing thethe MagicInfo Pro Library

• Now that content has been imported, it is possible to browse the library, to see all available content that is open to be used for MagicInfo Pro templates.

• Clicking on Library will bring up an overview of the main content types, as well as how many of each file is present in the library.

• The user can look at each file type individually by selecting it, which will show the actual files of that type currently in the library.


• Selecting the Office file type will show an overview of all Office content available in the library. Clicking the plus icon next to Office will expand the menu to show each file type. Selecting each one will show all files of that type available.


• Selecting the Screen file type will allow the user to browse saved MagicInfo Pro templates, available to the server.

Creating a Screen Template

MagicInfo Pro Screen Templates

• All content distribution in MagicInfo Pro is based around a screen template.• Screen templates are files that the user creates, showing the MagicInfo Pro system what

content should be displayed, in what configuration, and in what layout.• Any content to be distributed out to the MagicInfo Pro displays must be part of a screen

template.• The MagicInfo Pro Server has a built in template creation system, that the user can utilize to

make these files, save them, and then take them into the schedule creation system for distribution.

Creating a MagicInfo Pro Template

• The template creator is accessible through the second button on the server software’s toolbar.

• Clicking this button will display the Screen Template creator window.

Creating a MagicInfo Pro Template

• The Screen Template creator window is made up of three sections:

• The left section displays the windows placed into the screen templates. These windows are called areas.

• The right section shows the screen template. This will display all the various windows that have been created, and their layout. This can also display previews of these windows.

• The lower section will display all relevant settings when a particular window is selected, and allow editing of these settings.

Screen Background

• The first window that will be displayed, is the background. This is created by default when a new template is opened.

• The default is a plain black field. However, many different options are available through the left hand section of the template creator.

• Left clicking any of the categories under background will display those options in the lower section of the window.

Screen Background

• Area:• Area is the first option under background. It controls the name of the object (By default called

Background) and the background resolution. The resolution is used to select which model screen will be used, and whether it is portrait or landscape.

• Note: Native mode for the display model being used must be selected. The user can change the default resolution in the Options menu.

• To change settings, double click on the Value setting that corresponds to the Item the user wishes to change.

Screen Background

• Screen• This option under Background allows the user to control the content of the background window. • The user can set the color of the background, change it to a photo file or slideshow, or display an

external source. • There are browsers under Screen to allow the user to see all assigned photo files. This can be

accessed by clicking the plus icon next to Screen.

Screen Background

• Screen• If the user wants to run a full screen external source, such as HDMI, the Type should be set to

Source List, and under the Source List option, the appropriate source should be selected.

Screen Background

• Screen• There is an additional option present as a source available only for the background. The option

Panel Off is used to schedule the display to be off for a desired period of time. • For example, the user wishes the display to be off from 6PM to 10AM. The user would need to

schedule a Panel Off template for that time period. • This Panel Off command is the only way to turn the panel off and on via the schedule system.• A unique template must be created containing the panel off function.

• Note: This will not turn off the displays client PC. This merely shuts down the LCD panel and puts the display into a “sleep” mode. Sending it new content, or a text message will immediately bring the screen back into an on state.

Screen Background

• Music: • This option allows the user to set background music from MP3 files within the library. • The sound can be turned on or off, music files chosen, and volume selected. More than one music

file can be added at once. They can be set to repeat, or simply play once. • Music also has an expanded viewer, from clicking the plus icon, called Music File. This displays a

list of all the currently added background music files.

Screen Background

• Effect:• Effect is the final option under Background. This is used for assigning special effects to the

background. • Effect type, speed, direction and size can be set here.

Adding Content to a Screen Layout

• Now that the user has configured the template background, various content windowss can be defined.

• This is where the creativity of the user comes into play. The initial impression may be to consider this window based system as confining, but the use of layering and different content types can provide many options to enhance the appearance of the digital signage content.

• Also, embedding content within other types, such as adding items to a webpage for the system to display, or incorporating items into a video for full screen playback can be used.


• To add content windows to the screen background, simply right click on the background window. This will bring up a menu.

• Moving the cursor over the Area command, will bring up a menu of content choices.


• Left clicking on one of the content choices will allow the user to “draw” a box for the content window. The cursor will become a cross shape, and by left clicking and dragging, the user can define the space the content window will take up.


• Each type of content will have its own set of options, much like the background window does.

• The following slides will highlight how these options function for the Photo window type. • However, all content types work in a similar manner, with menus laid out in the same

way.

Content Area Options

• To access a windows options, left click it in the left hand section of the screen template creator window.


• Area:• Area is the first option under Photo. It controls the Name of the window (By default called Photo and

a number) the size (in Width and Height by pixels), and the position on screen (In numbers of pixels distance from the Left and Top of the screen). Duration can also be set here. This will control the length this photo is shown.

• To change settings, double click on the Value setting that corresponds to the Item the user wishes to change.


• Screen• This option under Photo allows the user to control the content of the photo window.• The user can set the Photo File to be displayed. Multiple photos can be set to run as a slide show,

and the Time Interval at which they change can be set in seconds.• There is a browser under Screen to allow the user to see all assigned photo files. They can be

accessed by clicking the plus icon next to Screen.


• Background• This option under Photo allows the user to set a background color or photo file, to be displayed if

the actual photo file content is smaller in terms of pixel size than the window itself. • From here, the transparency of the photo can be controlled, as well as if the user wishes to define

background music attached to this item. • There are browsers under Background to allow the user to see all assigned photo or office files.

They can be accessed by clicking the plus icon next to Background.


• Background• On this screen, there is an option called Aspect Ratio. This allows the user to control how a picture

is displayed.• Full will have the photo size to fit within the photo window

• This will scale the photo to fit the window at all times, if it is larger, or smaller. • Original will keep the photo at it’s own native resolution displayed all, or in part, within the

photo window. • If using Original, a background of some sort should be defined, as it will be seen if the photo is smaller

than the photo window.• A larger photo than the photo window will only show a portion of the photo, from the top left corner, until

it fills beyond the photo window.

• Effect:• Effect is the final option under Photo. This is used for assigning special effects to the photo. • Effect type, speed, direction and size can be set here.

• Note: Effects will ONLY be seen in full screen preview mode of the whole template, not in the double click preview mode for that window.


Adding an External Source to a Template

• The user may add an external source (HDMI, component video, etc.) within a window inside a template. There are several properties to note with the Source content type:

• Only 1 source type can be displayed at once. The software allows for the user to add multiple source windows, but only the last added window will display it’s contents. The rest will remain black.

• Source windows will not allow for any transparent items to be laid over them. If an item, such as a text scroll, is laid over a source window, and it has a transparent background, the background will appear as a solid color.

• If the user wishes to schedule a full screen source, it is best to create a new template, and designate the background as that source, using the Background/Screen options.

Previewing a Template in Full Screen

• The user can view individual content areas by double clicking on them. • However, a full screen preview mode is also available. This will display the template as the MagicInfo

Pro display will see it, in the actual resolution used by the display.• Preview Screen mode can be activated by clicking the Preview Screen button icon in the server

software toolbar.

Previewing a Template in Full Screen

• Please note, that the preview display will show the template at the native resolution the template is designed for.

• This means that the user needs to take the MagicInfo Pro screen resolution into account when selecting a desktop monitor to preview the templates on.

• A 1920x1200 screen resolution is recommended to allow the entire preview to be seen at once for 1080 native MagicInfo Pro templates.

• A lesser screen resolution will result in the preview mode being cut off.

Saving a Template

• Now that the user has created a template for content, it must be saved, to make it available to the scheduling system.

• The user can save templates by clicking the Save button icon in the server software toolbar.• Note: Templates must be saved before they can be published or edits sent !

Saving a Template

• If the user wants to edit an existing template, a menu of previously saved templates can be accessed via the Open Screen button icon on the server software toolbar.

• Before publishing this edited template, the user must save the changes and replace the template in the schedule if that template is not already scheduled .

Scheduling Content with MagicInfo Pro

Server

MagicInfo Pro Scheduler

• Now that a template has been created from content imported into the Library, the user is ready to begin scheduling content to be sent over the network, and publish that content out to the display(s) present on the network.

• MagicInfo Pro has a complete scheduling system integrated into the server software.


• The schedule system for MagicInfo Pro can be accessed through the third icon in the server software toolbar.

• Clicking this icon will display the Schedule window.


• Clicking the Schedule button will display the Schedule window. From here the user can control the scheduled content for the entire network.

• Content can be added, removed, and play times set with repetition.


• The window is divided into three sections. The left section allows the user to browse all connected displays, see the content scheduled for each, and control them individually.

• The right area displays the schedule times and options for the selected displays. • The lower section shows the status of each connected display.

Scheduling Content

• Now that the user has created and saved a content template, it can be scheduled to display out over the network, to any combination of available displays.

• To distribute content via the scheduling system, the user must first select the display they want to schedule /publish the template to, then add the saved screen template to the schedule.

• This is done by right clicking on the schedule area in the appropriate date and time in the right section of the window, bringing up a menu.

Scheduling Content

• Left clicking the Add command will bring up a dialog, allowing the user to select which saved template they wish to schedule.

Scheduling Content

• Once a template file has been selected, the scheduling system will put it into the schedule at the default time of 30 minutes.

• This will be shown through a colored bar appearing in the schedule grid.

Scheduling Content

• The user can control the duration the content will be displayed, as well as scheduling it to repeat on a daily, weekly, or monthly cycle.

• This can be done through a set of manual inputs, or by double clicking and dragging the colored bar.

Scheduling Content

• The upper left portion of the window allows the user to select which of the MagicInfo Pro displays schedule will be shown.

• All available displays on the network will appear here. Each display can be scheduled independently, by clicking on it’s name, and putting the schedule in as described.

• Clicking the Network group will allow the user to configure a schedule to be sent to all displays.

Scheduling Content

• The user can also create groups to help with organizing displays. • When the group name is clicked, the entire group can have it’s schedule configured at once.• To create a group, right click Network, and left click New Group.

Scheduling Content

• To rename the group, double click on it’s name, and retype it.• Displays can be added to the group by dragging and dropping them onto the group name.

Publishing a Schedule to the Network

• Before the MagicInfo Pro displays can display the scheduled content, the user defined schedule must be published out to the network.

• Publishing performs three actions. One, it distributes the schedule file, that tells the displays how to handle the content. Two, it sends out the template file. Three, it transmits the content to the display’s internal storage for playback.

• To publish, first check the box next to the display to receive the schedule, at the bottom monitor selection area of the window.

• Then left click the Network Publish button icon on the server software toolbar.

Publishing a Schedule to the Network

• Once a publish command is issued, the status will be displayed in the lower section of the window, in the grid showing the monitor names.

• The display’s available storage, the size of the content to be published, and the status of the publish will all be shown.

• If the publish is successful, the status bar will turn green, and notify the user. • If there is an error, it will be displayed in the result area.

Saving a Schedule

• A user defined schedule may be saved as a file, for redistribution manually, or for later use. • To save a configured schedule, click the Save Schedule button icon on the server software toolbar.

Clearing a Schedule

• If the user wishes to erase a current schedule off of a running display, they can click the desired display’s name in the lower section of the window, and click the Clean Schedule button on the server software toolbar.

Additional MagicInfo Pro E Server Features

Remote Display Management

• Within the server software is the Remote Management function. This is an advanced version of Samsung’s MDC or Multiple Display Control software.

• The Remote Management system can be accessed by left clicking the fourth icon in the server software toolbar.


• From within the Remote Management, any display control available from the remote or through the on screen menus is available.

• Note: These functions must be done in real time, they cannot be scheduled or automated.


• The user can also monitor the display and client PC health from the Remote Management window.

• From the Diagnosis option, the display’s lamp, fan, and temperature status can be monitored.

• The display’s Max Temperature is the user controlled safety setting that will shut down the display when it reaches the specified temperature.


• If a display malfunctions, an Alert will notify the user of the issue, to allow it to be corrected. This will be shown in the toolbar of the server software, as the Alert icon.

Real Time Text Messaging

• MagicInfo Pro offers the ability for a user to issue a real time text message out to the network, in any combination of displays.

• The Message control can be accessed by left clicking the Message icon on the server software toolbar.

• Note: This message will be overlaid over whatever content is currently running on screen. These functions cannot be scheduled, and must be done manually, in real time.


• The user can use the list of available MagicInfo Pro displays on the left hand side to select which displays will run the real time message.

• Each display that needs to show the text message should be checked.• If the message is to be sent to all displays, the box for Network should be checked.


• From the lower right, the user can control positioning of the text message, font options and colors, background colors, transparency, message length, and content.

For Additional Information…

• With the network publish complete, the MagicInfo Pro digital signage system is now up and running!

• If you have further questions, or need additional help in configuring or operating the MagicInfo Pro system, please contact your sales representative for assistance.

Thanks for Attending!

• If you would like more information, please contact Brawn Consulting:

• www.brawnconsulting.com

• Alan C. Brawn, CTS, ISF, ISF-C, DSCE• [email protected]

• Jonathan Brawn, CTS, ISF, ISF-C, DSCE• [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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Guide To Magic Infoforuser