BrightAuthor:Connected - Brainbox USB Integration: Implementation Guide

This guide will help you set up AV synchronization between BrightSign players and Guide-ID Podcatchers using newer BrightAuthor:Connected software. This implementation eliminates the need for the Guide-ID AV-sync tool software by using a custom plug-in for time-code generation and serial commands.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

1. Guide-ID Brainbox

2. BrightSign Player with USB-C port

3. BrightAuthor:Connected software (https://www.brightsign.biz/resources/software-downloads/)

4. SendTimecodeviaRS232.brs plugin script which can be downloaded here

5. USB-C to USB-C cable

6. Access to Guide-ID platform

Implementation Steps

PART 1: Presentation and Plugin Setup

• Open Your Presentation

  • Launch BrightAuthor:Connected

  • Open your presentation or create a new one from the presentation menu

  
   

  • Set the presentation layout to Advanced

     

• Add the Plugin

  • Open the Presentation settings tab

  • Open the Support content tab and then click the “+” on Script Plugin

    

  • Add the plugin script (SendTimecodeviaRS232.brs) and name it exactly “videoTimecodeInfo“

     

PART 2: Initial Frame Configuration

• Create Start Frame

  • On the Content page, in the widgets bar, add the Live text variable by dragging it onto the layout screen.

     

     

  • Ensure that the live text object is set as the initial state

     

     

• Add Timeout Event (Only required if no other video triggering mechanism is present)

  • On the events bar, click the timeout event, then clock on the live text object to add the event.

     

     

  • In the Event Properties tab on the Target State tab, select “Transition to new state“ and select the video file to be played after the timeout.

     

     

• NOTE:

PART 3: Serial Communication Setup

• Configure Serial Input

  • Go to Events tab

  • Find and click the "Serial Input" (port icon) event, then click on the live text object and add the event.

    

     

     

  • Click the serial port icon and in the Event Properties tab enter the following settings:

     

    Event Properties -> Serial port: 2 (use 0 for LS424 player) Serial input: "<*>"
Target State -> State transition: "Remain on current state"

     

    

• Setup Brainbox Activation

  • Click the live text object and then in the State Properties tab under the Advanced tab, add the following commands.

     
     

    Command: Send
Command Parameters: Serial bytes (comma separated)
Serial Port: 2 (0 for LS424)
Bytes: 13, 10

     

     

     

• Configure Video Codes

  • For each video file in your presentation, In State Properties → Video State → Advanced add the following entry command:

     
     

    Command: Send
Send Command Parameters: Serial String (EOL)
Serial Port: 2 (0 for LS424)
Command: brightsign code A1XX (XX is the actual code e.g. A103)

     

     

     

PART 4: Media Start Configuration

Note: Only required if media control form the Podcatcher is required

• Enable Video Console Mode

  • For the live text object, add the following entry command.

     
     

    Command: Send
Send Command Parameters: Serial String (EOL)
Serial Port: 2 (0 for LS424)
String: console video 1

     

     

     

• Create Video Code Variable

  • In Presentation Settings → Variables, click Add Variable

     

     

  • Add a variable with the following settings

     
     

    Variable Name: Video Code
Default Value: 0
Access: Shared
Type: Local

     

     

     

• Add Reset Command

  • On the live text object, add the following entry command.

     
     

    Command: Other
Command Parameters: Reset Variable
Variable: Video code

     

     

• Configure Serial Input Logic

  • Find serial input event from earlier

  • Change input to "videocode <*>"

  • Select “Assign wildcard to variable“ to “Video code”

     
     

    Event Type: Serial Input
Start State: Live text
Port: 2 (0 for LS424)
Serial input: "videocode <*>"

State transition: "Remain on current state", "Continous"

     

    
     

     

  • Under the Advanced tab, add conditional targets for each video code.

     
     

    Variable: Video code
Operator: Equals
Value: A1XX (XX is your video code)
Transition to new state -> Choose video matching video code above 

     

     

PART 5: Publishing

• To publish the presentation, click the publish button in the layout screen.

   

  

• When publishing, ensure the "Enable serial debugging" option is checked.

   

   

1. Final Setup

   • Connect Brainbox to BrightSign via USB

   • Restart BrightSign

   • Test with Podcatcher

Verification Steps

1. Play a video with AV-sync code

2. Scan AV-Sync stop with Podcatcher:

   • Video should start on BrightSign

   • Audio should sync with video

   • Check BrightSign's AV-Sync LED: Should flash green during playback

Troubleshooting Guide

If synchronisation isn't working:

1. Check Physical Setup

   • USB cable is firmly connected

   • BrightSign is powered on

   • Brainbox is powered on

2. Verify Settings

   • Serial port number (2 or 0 for LS424)

   • Plug-in name is exactly "videoTimecodeInfo"

   • Video codes match Guide-ID platform

   • Serial debugging is enabled

3. Common Issues

   • No LED flash: Check USB connection

   • Wrong video plays: Verify video codes

   • No sync: Check serial port settings

   • No response: Restart BrightSign (This automatically restarts the Brainbox)

Important Notes

• Always test thoroughly before deployment

• Document your video codes

• Backup your presentation

• For LS424 players, remember to use port 0

• Video codes must match exactly between BrightSign and Guide-ID platform

Support

• For Guide-ID specific issues: Contact Guide-ID support

• For BrightSign issues: Contact BrightSign support

• Keep your software updated

• Document any automatisations made

Remember: This guide provides a basic framework. Your specific implementation may require adjustments based on your requirements.