This guide is designed to provide you with a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to seamlessly set up and optimize your BrightSign hardware to leverage the full potential of Pickcel's dynamic content management system. By following this guide, you will be able to deliver engaging, high-quality digital signage experiences that captivate your audience and drive your business objectives

Prerequisites  

1. BrightSign hardware (player)
   
2. MicroSD card or USB flash drive (formatted as FAT32 or exFAT)
   
3. BrightAuthor:connected software or access to bsn.cloud
   
4. Access to a wired or wireless network (with SSID and password, if using wireless)
   
5. HDMI cable
   
6. Ethernet cable (must required for wired setup while setting up for the first time)
   
7. Power adapter
   
   

Initial Hardware Connections  

Follow these initial hardware connection steps before starting the configuration:

2. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port on your BrightSign player.
   

3. Connect the other end into the HDMI IN port on your display
   or TV.

2. For wired networks: Connect an Ethernet cable from your BrightSign player's Ethernet port to your network router or switch.
   

3. For wireless networks: Ensure your Wi-Fi network details (SSID and password) are available for later configuration.
   

Step-by-Step Setup Process  

Step 1: Install BrightAuthor:connected or Login to bsn.cloud  

1. Download the BrightAuthor:connected software from the official website or log in directly to bsn.cloud.
   
2. If you don’t have a BSN.cloud account, click Register or Sign Up in BrightAuthor:connected or on the BSN.cloud website.
   
3. Enter your email address, create a password, and provide any required details (e.g., name or organization). Submit the form and check your email for a verification link.
4. Validate the email and return to BrightAuthor:connected to log in with your new credentials.

1. Navigate to Admin tab > Setup in the software or web portal

1. Fill in the following fields: 

• Setup Name: Enter a unique name for your BrightSign Setup.

• Player Name: Enter a unique name for your BrightSign player.
  

• Player Description (optional): Provide a brief description for easier identification.
  
  

Customization Options: 

1. Append Player Serial No.: When enabled, the player adds its serial number to BSN cloud communications. This helps identify the device in BrightSign's management system.
   
2. Time Zone: Set the local timezone for accurate time-based operations and scheduling.
   
3. Idle Screen Color: Choose a visible color other than black to indicate when the screen is active but idle.
   

Step 3: Setting Publishing Mode and Player Settings

1. Under Publishing Mode, select Local Network.
   
2. In the Player Settings section, click the Player Configuration dropdown and select Enable Local Web Server to facilitate local content updates.
   

Step 4: Advanced Configuration  

1. Under Advanced, confirm the following settings are enabled:
   

• Enable bsn.Control or bsn.Content: Enable the persistent WebSockets connection between the player and BSN.cloud servers. This allows players to access bsn.Control or bsn.Content.
  
  

1. Check the box for Include network configuration.
   

1.  Click Network Options and choose your network type.
   
2.  Select the Wireless tab.
   
3. Check Enable Wireless Networking.
   
4. Click on Network Settings drop-down.
   

1. Fill in your wireless network details:
   

• SSID: Enter your Wi-Fi network name.
  

• Password: Enter your Wi-Fi password.
  

1. Click on Done

Step 6: Saving and Applying Setup  

1. Click Add Setup to Library to save your configuration for future use.
   
   
   

1. You will see the below screen with the Activation code: 
   
2. Navigate to Admin > Activate.
   
3. Enter the Activation Code displayed on your BrightSign device’s screen.
   
4. Confirm activation by clicking Submit.
   
   

Step 8: Apply the Saved Setup  

1. Go to Admin > Provision.
2. Select the checkbox next to the player(s) you want to provision.
3. Click Apply Setup. A pop-up window will appear. Select the desired Setup from the drop-down list. This list contains Setups that have been added to the Library.
4. Click Apply Setup in the pop-up window to confirm your selection.
    

Step 9: Re-Provisioning the Player  

1. Go to the Network Tab and click on  All Players drop-down
2. Find your player by its serial number, click the gear icon, and navigate to the Control tab.
3. Scroll to Reprovision Player and click Reprovision. This will apply the setp-up that you have configured initially.
   
4. Wait for the device to reboot. A success message with the assigned IP address of the Wi-Fi will display.
   
   

Step 10: Managing Content with Pickcel  

1. Got to Netwrok Tab. In the player list find your player by its serial number, click the gear icon. A dashboard opens as shown in the image:

Step 11: Formatting Storage and Uploading Content 

1. Now, navigate to the Diagnostics tab and click the Disable button to disable the current script and reboot. Then, click Format Storage to prepare the SD card for new content.

1. Once formatted, navigate to the SD tab:
   

• Download the autorun.zip file.  You can get the latest version from the Pickcel Website.

• Use the Browse button to select the autorun.zip file.
  

• Click Upload Files to upload the file.
  

1. After successfully uploading the autorun.zip file. Navigate to the Control tab and click Reboot.
   

1. The BrightSign device will restart and screen registration code will be displayed.
   
2. Enter this code on your Pickcel console to complete the pairing of your screen
   

1. Go to the Network Tab and click on  All Players drop-down. 
   
2. Find your player by its serial number, click the gear icon, and navigate to the SD tab.
   
3.  Download the config.json file 
   
   
4. To update configurations, modify the timezone or screenRotation fields in the downloaded config.json file.
5. 
6.  Upload the updated config.json through the SD tab in the BrightSign dashboard.
7. Reboot the device again via the Control tab to apply changes.

That's a wrap 🎉. You have successfully configured BrightSign Player for Pickcel Digital Signage. Now you are ready to deliver engaging, high-quality digital signage experiences that captivate your audience and drive your business objectives

• Ensure your SD/microSD card remains inserted in the player at all times for seamless operation.

• If facing network or activation issues, refer to the official BrightSign documentation:

• Setup Documentation

• Network Options

1. Wired Networks (Recommended method):  Wired connections are enabled by default. If required please configure static IP settings if required by your network: Enter IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, DNS settings as per your network requirements.