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Starting a Video by Scanning a Beacon

2 min read Updated Jun 2026 15 steps

This guide explains how to configure a BrightSign display to automatically play videos when visitors scan beacons using a Podcatcher Pro device.

Prerequisites

Section titled “Prerequisites”
  • BrightSign player connected to Brainbox via USB-C
  • BrightAuthor presentation with initial frame configured
  • Beacons configured in the Guide-ID platform
  • Podcatcher Pro loaded with tour content

Step 1 — Enable video console mode

Section titled “Step 1 — Enable video console mode”

Add a command to your start frame’s Advanced tab:

  • Command: Send
  • Serial Port: 2 (or 0 for LS424)
  • String: console video 1

Step 2 — Create the video code variable

Section titled “Step 2 — Create the video code variable”
  1. Navigate to File → Presentation Properties → Variables tab
  2. Add a variable named video code with Shared access
  3. Add a reset command in the start frame’s Advanced tab

Step 3 — Configure serial input

Section titled “Step 3 — Configure serial input”
  1. Add a Serial Input event from the Media Library
  2. Set Serial Port to 2 (or 0 for LS424)
  3. Set Serial Input pattern to videocode <*>
  4. In the Advanced tab, assign input to the video code variable with wildcard assignment

Step 4 — Set conditional targets

Section titled “Step 4 — Set conditional targets”
  1. Click Set Conditional Targets in the serial input properties
  2. Add a conditional target for each video
  3. Match video codes (e.g., A101) with corresponding video files
  4. Ensure codes match exactly between BrightAuthor and the Guide-ID platform

Step 5 — Add timeout event (optional)

Section titled “Step 5 — Add timeout event (optional)”

Configure automatic playback reset using the clock icon from the Media Library. Add a reset command with the string brightsign code 0 to return to the idle state after the video finishes.

Step 6 — Publish

Section titled “Step 6 — Publish”

Enable serial debugging when publishing the presentation to aid troubleshooting.

How it works

Section titled “How it works”
  1. A visitor scans a beacon with their Podcatcher Pro
  2. The Podcatcher Pro sends the video code via Bluetooth to the Brainbox
  3. The Brainbox forwards the code through a serial connection to the BrightSign
  4. The BrightSign starts the matching video with synchronized audio

Troubleshooting

Section titled “Troubleshooting”
  • Verify the USB-C connection between Brainbox and BrightSign
  • Confirm video codes are consistent across all systems (BrightAuthor, Guide-ID platform, beacon configuration)
  • Check serial debugging output for transmission errors
  • Restart both devices if they become unresponsive
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