media editor professional software manual-120526 · 5/30/2012 · first time user setup wizard...

Media Editor Professional Software Manual-120526.doc of 50

MEDIA EDITOR PROFESSIONAL

SOFTWARE MANUAL

Optec Displays Inc. Inc. Version: 120530 Date: 05/30/12


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3System Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

Installation--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4XP installation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4Windows 7 and Vista installation ---------------------------------------------------------- 6

Launching -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9First time user setup wizard ------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

Basics ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

Setup ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14Adding new display / controller ------------------------------------------------------------- 14Default controller IP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Editing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16Video (ME3) Editing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16Interface --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17Tutorial – Creating New Message --------------------------------------------------------- 20Tutorial – Second Frame ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 23Tutorial – Transition and Export Movie ------------------------------------------------- 24Tutorial – Text over background ------------------------------------------------------------ 25Tutorial – Animation effects ------------------------------------------------------------------ 27

Token Editing ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29Interface --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29Token types ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30

Time and Date Token --------------------------------------------------------------- 30Text Token --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30Static Image Token ------------------------------------------------------------------ 30Variable Token -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30Counter Token --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

Token Editing ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35

Scheduling -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39Creating schedule ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 41Sending schedule ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 44

Hotkey --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44Setting up hotkeys ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44Sending hotkeys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45

Content Manager --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46Setting values for variable token ----------------------------------------------------------- 46

Additional Functions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47Adding additional controller / display ----------------------------------------------------------------- 47Grouping controllers / displays ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47Retrieving Display Info ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 48Setting brightness and Temperature control ------------------------------------------------------ 48Advanced Configurations -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49


Introduction

Media Editor Professional is an all in one program to your Optec LED display. This program included ability to control multiple displays, create and edit messages, import and playback animations, schedule content by day, week, month, and instantaneous hotkeys to optimize and mange your displays with simplicity.

Media Editor Profession comprised of 5 major components:

1. Sign Manager – to manage the configuration settings of displays. 2. Content Editor – this is the message / content editing program to create and edit TEXT or Animated

message. 3. Sign Scheduler – to schedule contents to displays. 4. Content Library Manager – to manage all the media files imported or created by Media Editor. 5. Hotkey – to send a media file to interrupt current schedule immediately.

This manual gives step-by-step instruction on using Media Editor Professional with graphical screen captures

System Requirements

Operating Systems

Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7

Recommended Hardware

Pentium 4 or newer processor 512MB of RAM 200MB of hard drive space

INSTALLATION


Software Installation

Insert Media Editor Pro CD into CD-R. CD will auto run and bring up this CD main menu. If not, locate the CD drive and double click on the drive.

Click on “Install Media Editor Pro” to install the software on programming PC. *If you are using XP or Windows 2000, you will need to install .NET Framework 3.5 first. .NET Framework 3.5 is included in this CD. Windows Vista and 7 is not required as .NET Framework 3.5 should have been installed by the Windows.

INSTALLATION


Installing Media Editor ProfessionalWindows XP Installation

INSTALLATION



Plug In installation

INSTALLATION



Installing Media Editor ProfessionalWindows 7

INSTALLATION


LAUNCHING


Launching Media Editor Professional

Three ways to launch the ME Pro

1. Desktop icon - “Media Editor Pro” a. Double click on the icon to launch the program..

2. Windows Start Menu a. Click on “Start” on your desktop. b. Go to “All Programs” c. Locate Media Editor Pro Folder d. Click on “Media Editor Pro” to launch the program.

3. My Computer Program Files a. Click on “My Computer” then select “C:” drive (primary local drive” b. Locate “Program Files” folder and click to open. c. Locate “Media Editor Pro” folder and click to open. d. Locate “Media Editor Pro.exe” and click to launch program.

First time Optec Media Editor user…UserEnd M Wizard will perform immediately after launching the program on. This Wizard is to help user setup the Sign Controller profile in the program. Wizard will NOT perform if previous version of Optec Media Editor installation was detected on the machine.

LAUNCHING


End User License Agree – “accept” then “Next”

User Information –

User Name: Company:Access Code: (leave it blank)

LAUNCHING


Display Controller Setup

Name: give a name for your controller. IP Address: 192.168.0.218 (factory default) **If IP address on the controller is changed, enter the NEW IP address of controller here. Port: 8331 (factory default) Address / Phone Number / Description – (optional).

Click “Finish” to complete wizard.

LAUNCHING


Click “I agree…” and “OK” to enter Media Editor Professional.

Default Sign Options window will pop up when wizard is completed.

Enter display resolution of the sign and click “set” to complete the setup.

Media Editor Professional default view.

BASICS


Basic Components

Media Editor Professional comprised of 5 major components – Sign Scheduler, Content Editor, Content Library Manager, Hotkey, and Sign Manager. These are the functions necessary to create and edit messages, generate schedules, manage content library, quick hotkey, and communicate with the displays.

These components are accessed through clicking and changing the tabs listed.

Sign Scheduler –o Default page when Media Editor Pro is launched. o To generate and assign schedules to displays. o Available in schedule view and day view. o Display online status o Import and Export schedule o Quick access to recent tokens and messages.

Content Editor –o ME3 media editor and Token editor o Create and edit text, WordArt, Graphic, and Video messages..o Add transitions and special effects o Create time and temperature tokens. o And more.

Content Library Manager –o Media library o Snapshot of all the content, video, and token created or imported. o Manage and delete files o Preview and quick send file to display. o Manage variables.

Hotkey -o Send quick message to interrupt schedule immediately and restore schedule after playback. o Setup quick message including assigning name, play duration and etc. o Thumbnail view.

Sign Manger –o Communication setup. o Display configurations. o Brightness & Temperature Sensor settings. o Delete unscheduled files from display. o Reboot display controller. o Remote update Sign Player. o Sync display to local time. o Password settings.

SETUP


Sign and Communication Setup

If your computer has previous installs of Optec Media Editor, UserEnd M wizard (sign controller profile setup) depicted in the previous pages will NOT perform. Follow instructions to setup new controller profile.

1. Select “Sign Manger” Tab to access display and communication setup page.

2. Click “Add Controller” to create and add LED sign to ME Pro.

SETUP


3. Enter Sign information

Note: If more than one Signs are being controlled by the same software, multiple controllers will appear in the Sign List, and be sure to highlight the controller (sign) to edit.

o Name - enter a Name for the controller (sign) and any other info or description to assist with identification.

o IP Address – 192.168.0.218 (this is the factory default IP setting for the controller/sign). If IP on the controller/sign is changed, enter that IP accordingly.

o Port – 8331 (this is the factory default setting, DO NOT change this). o Group – assign controller to a specific group.

i. Group folder must be created first before controllers can be assigned. o Controller Display Area - Sign Player parameters. To get the current values, click on “Refresh”

to update the parameters when communication between programming PC and LED sign has been established.

4. Test communicationWhen communication hardware has been setup properly, use this function to test the communication through ME Pro.

Sign Manger Select Controller Verify IP Address (sign controller IP) General Info tab click “Refresh” to obtain sign info.

***Important*** Make sure IP address on programming PC is configured in the same IP range as thesign controller.

EDITING


Content Creation

This built-in editing software provides user capability to create video, static, and token contents. The graphical user interface makes creating dynamic movie files simple with features such as timeline effect, pop up menus, and frame templates.

Select “Content Editor” tab to access editing software.

Video Editor – to create standard video contents Token Editor – to create time and temp, static image, and variable contents

Video Editor

This section is designed as a quick start to using MediaEditor (3) and is written with the assumption that the user has basic computer knowledge of common file operations and mouse operation. Reference descriptions, tutorials and advanced tips throughout the manual. The following items are used throughout the manual and are provided to give a visual reference to either software of specialized information.

A button image is to show which performs the action in the instruction

The right mouse menu icon means to click the right mouse button over the described item and select from a pop-up menu

This icon means double click the left mouse button over the describe item.

Items in this font are File PathsInformation in this format is an advanced tip to give ideas on how to use different features of the software or to provide a simplified method of completing a task

Installed with the software are all the files needed for the tutorials in this manual. These files are located in the Tutorials folder of the MediaEditor 3 installation directory.

EDITING


The InterfaceThe ME3 interface is broken down into three sub-sections, each progressing through the movie creation process. Beginning with the files section to create a new movie, or open an existing movie for modification, to the edit section for detailed editing of each frame contained in the movie, and finally the frames section for adding frames and transitions before exporting the final movie.

Each section of the interface has common items such as the standard menu, process tabs, and Common Tasks Menu area. One can quickly navigate through the different sections of the interface by selecting the appropriate process tab.

Files Section

EEdit Section

The files section is the point at which the interface begins. The Task Launch area provides buttons to begin a new movie, open a movie, import a movie, or save a movie. The Recent Movies area provides a list of the most recent movies opened for quick access to modify an existing movie. The common tasks menu also provides selections for these items in addition to exporting a movie to OPV file format.

The edit section of ME3 is where the bulk of the movie creation process will occur. This section of the software provides all the tools necessary to layout, each frame by creating shapes, adding text,

images and video. The Common Tasks menu provides selections for cut, copy, paste, adding or deleting frames and exporting of frames, sprites or effects for future use. The advanced tools area provides an effects timeline to animate the objects in the frame, or access exported templates, objects and custom effects that were previously exported. In addition, a real mode preview is available to see how each frame will actually look in the final output. Due to the complexity of the edit section all features will be discussed in the following sections of the manual.

EDITING


Frame Section

General Topics

The color palette sets the solid fill color of any selected object by clicking on the color well. Colors for outline, shadow, and fill can also be set by clicking and dragging the color over the appropriate object toolbar button. When using gradient fills colors can be dropped on each half of the fill style button to set color 1 and color 2 for the gradient.

Alternative palettes can be selected by choosing from the palette selection drop down menu. There are four custom palettes that allow for custom colors to be selected and used during the current ME3 session. To add a color to the custom palette simply right mouse click on the color well and select the color from the pop-up dialog box. The new color will then replace the current color in the well and can be used by simply clicking on the color well to set fills. When working with a grayscale display the color palette will only display the colors available for grayscale displays for example only shades of red, and it is highly recommended to use the grayscale palette.

The frames section of the software provides a frame by frame overview of the current movie and allows for the assignment of slide transitions. The Common Tasks Menu provides selections manage frames

such as add, insert, delete, export, cut, copy and paste. The currently selected frame is outlined in red, and is the frame that will be affected by the Common Tasks menu selection. Selecting from the available transition types in the Transition Area will provide an animated preview of the transitions. Frame transitions can be assigned by dragging the transition preview to the assigned transition area for each frame.

Advanced Tips • Double clicking on any frame opens that frame in the editing section • Multiple images can be drag and dropped from a file browser into the Frame Preview area to quickly create

multiple frames. • The Random slide transition in the special types allows the software to randomly assign frame transitions.

EDITING


OpacityThe opacity of any object’s fill, outline or shadow can be adjusted by selecting “Opacity” from the appropriate object toolbar button’s menu and selecting the percentage of opacity desired.

OutlinesThe outline of any object can be set by using the outline button on the object toolbar. To add and outline to an object select thickness and the number of pixels from the outlines button’s menu. To change the color of the outline select color from the button menu or drag and drop a color from the palette on the outline button. To remove and outline from an object select no outline from the button’s menu.

ShadowsA shadow can be added to any object. The shadow can be toggled on and off by simply selecting the object and clicking the shadow button on the object toolbar. The color for the shadow can be set either by dragging and dropping a color on the shadow button or by accessing the shadow button’s menu and selecting color. The shadow position can be adjusted from the shadow button’s menu and selecting offset. Adjusting the horizontal and vertical sliders will adjust the shadows position.

Creating TemplatesTemplates will allow for different portions of a message or a frame to be exported for reuse later. For example one could create a Frame Template for a standard announcement that is desired to be reused commonly in different movies. By choosing “Export Frame” from the Common Tasks Menu in the Edit Section, the frame would be exported. When exported all of the objects and effects are saved, then by simply clicking on the frame template from the advanced tools area the frame can be added to any movie.

“Export Sprite” saves the currently selected object to be exported to the templates area. “Export Effects” saves the effects timeline of the currently selected object to be exported.

Using templates will save time when designing movies as the effects, objects, and frames that took minutes to make the first time can be applied with a single click. Experiment with the example templates provided with ME3.

Advanced Tips • Use Opacity to create color filters over an object or to highlight a text object. • Use Opacity and Pattern Fill styles to create image effects.

Advanced Tips • Templates can be sorted by using the check boxes at the top of the templates area to show only

certain template types or combinations thereof. • Create reusable animated backgrounds with Frame templates • Export complex Animation Effects to create a custom effects library

EDITING


Tutorial One

Creating Movies – The BasicsThe following tutorial will start by creating a basic movie that contains basic shapes, images, video, and text. Proceeding through this tutorial will familiarize one with the basic operation and process of ME3. The example created in this tutorial will be further modified in future tutorials to contain special effects, transitions and introduce more advanced topics.

Begin by opening the ME3 software, by clicking on the program icon on the desktop or selecting from the windows start menu.

In the Files Section, click new movie.

The new movie dialog box will appear for the movie size and type to be selected. For this example use the following settings.

Sign Width: 128 Sign Height: 96 Sign Type: RGB Full Color

After these settings have been made, click the OK Button. ME3 automatically switches to the edit section, to begin creating the movie.

Zoom in by clicking the magnifying glass with the plus symbol, until the frame almost fills the editing window.

Add a rectangle to the frame by clicking on the “Add Rectangle” button on the object toolbar. If any other shape is listed or shown select the triangle on the right of the button to access the pop-up menu and select “Basic Shapes” then “Rectangle”

Advanced Tips • Tooltips appear whenever the mouse pointer is placed over any of the object toolbar buttons describing the

function of that button. • Any object toolbar button that has a triangle beside it has an additional advanced options menu that can be

accessed by clicking on the triangle.

EDITING


Click on the shadow button to toggle the drop shadow off of the newly created rectangle.

Right mouse click on the rectangle and select “Size” then “Fit Frame” from the pop-up menu. The rectangle should now cover the entire frame.

Click the triangle on the right hand side of the fill style button to access the pop-up menu and select fill effects.

The fill effects dialog box will appear, if it does not appear make sure the rectangle object is selected and repeat step 5.

Click on the color square in the top of the dialog box, a color dialog box will appear. Select a medium blue and click OK.

In the Direction area of the fill effects dialog box, select from corner, and then from Variants area select so that the blue is in the lower left hand corner and click OK.

Example 1

Advanced Tips • There are multiple fill styles such as textures, patterns, picture and video. All objects in ME3 are capable of

using the different fill styles. • Try using a video fill on a Word Art Object or add use a texture fill on a rectangle for a dynamic background. • Use the Shapes tool to add to the graphic design of the frame.

EDITING


Example 2

Resize the Text box by clicking and dragging the handles in the corner of the bounding box so that the box is approximately ¾ of the frame height and width.

Set the font from the drop down list in the text area to “Arial”, click on the button to bold the text, and set the justification to center.

Edit the text in the text edit area to read:

With the object still selected, click on the white square in the color palette to apply a white fill to the text.

Click the “Add Rectangle” button on the object toolbar to add a rectangle to the frame.

Adjust the settings in the properties sheet to match the example to the left. Using the property sheet to set values provides exact control of the size and position of the rectangle. All values are in pixels with the frame 0,0 coordinate being the upper left corner.

With the rectangle still selected click “Copy” on the Common Tasks Menu. Then click paste to paste an exact copy of the rectangle.

Note the paste command places the object in the exact position of the copied object.

In the property sheet adjust the value for top to “88”.

The first frame is now complete and should look like the example above. If not work with the software until a close facsimile to the example is ready.

Welcometo

EDITING


The Second FrameIn the common tasks menu click “Add Frame”. A new frame will appear in the Frame Selection area. Click the newly added frame to begin editing.

Begin by setting the frame background color. To do so locate the item listed “Bkcolor” in the property sheet on the right hand side of the screen. Click the button at the end of the line to open the drop down list. Click the tab titled “Web” and select “Royal Blue” towards the bottom of the list.

Click the add image button on the object toolbar.

An Import Image dialog box will appear. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Optec Displays\Mediaeditor3\Tutorial\Images.Open the file called “ME3 Splash.JPG”

Turn off the shadow.

Right mouse click and select “Position”, “Center on Frame” from the popup menu.

The logo will be centered on the frame.

Save your work by clicking the file menu and save. A Save File dialog box will appear. Save the file as “Tutorial One.me3”.

Select “Frame 1” in the frame selection area by clicking on it.

Click the “Play” button on the preview controls to see a real mode preview of the movie.

Advanced Tips • ME3 supports image file types of JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF, and TIFF. JPEG images can be found using

the image search at many Search Engines like www.google.com . • PNG images can have transparent backgrounds. PNG images can be created in Microsoft Office

Programs using Word Art or auto shapes.

Watch the movie for a couple of cycles and notice that the frame transitions change every cycle. This is because ME3 automatically selects a random transition mode by default.

EDITING


Adding Transitions and Exporting the MovieTo finalize the movie frame transitions need to be set and the movie exported to a standard format. To begin finalizing the movie click on the “Frames” process tab to begin setting the frame transitions.

Example 3

Once in the frames section you will see that there are two frames and each frame is assigned a random transition.

From the transition types list at the bottom of the screen select “Pushes”

Click and drag the “Push Left” transition from the transition preview area to the assigned transition area for frame 1

Assign the “Expands from Middle” transition to Frame 2 from the transition style “Expands”

Save the movie and return to the edit section by clicking on the “Edit” process tab and preview the movie.

Return to the frames area and select “Export Movie” from the Common Tasks Menu

An “Export Video” dialog box will appear

Click Export. After the progress meter reaches 100% click the “Close” button.

EDITING


The movie has been exported as an OPV file. This video can now be scheduled for the display using the Sign Scheduler component. The movie file can also be viewed in content library manager.

The following concepts should have been understood from this tutorial • Beginning a New Movie • Adding Shapes • Adding Text • Applying Fills and Fill Effects • Turning the Drop Shadow On and Off • Using the property sheet • Copy and Pasting Objects • Adding Frames • Adding Images • Adding Frame Transitions • Saving the movie and Exporting the movie

If these concepts are not completely understood it is recommended to review this tutorial. If necessary practice these concepts before continuing to the next section.

Tutorial 2

Adding Some ExcitementBuilding upon the previous session this tutorial will teach the concepts of adding video and animation effects to the message that was created in tutorial one.

Begin by selecting the “Frames” process tab and selecting “Open Movie”

Open the file C:\Program Files\Optec Displays\Mediaeditor3\Tutorial\Movies\Tutorial One- Complete.me3 The software will automatically move to the frames process tab, after opening the file. Select Frame 2 then in the Common Tasks Menu click on “Add Frame”

A new frame will appear, double-click on that frame to begin editing the frame in the edit section.

Click the “Add Video” button from the object toolbar.

Select the video “Abstract 5. AVI” from C:\Program Files\Optec Displays\Mediaeditor3\Tutorial\Videos\Abstract 5.AVI

The “Import Video” dialog box will appear. Click the “Import” button to begin the import process. After the progress bar has reached 100%then click “Exit”

EDITING


Since the imported video is larger than the display it needs to be resized to fit the window.

With the video object selected click the “Shadow” button on the object toolbar to turn the shadow off. Right mouse click over the video object and select “Size” and then “FitFrame”.

The video should now fit in the frame completely.

Add a word art object to the frame using the “Arial Black” font.

Adjust the size, position, and color to match the example.

Preview the Frame.

During the playback of the video notice that the text is somewhat difficult to read due to the amount of red in the background, this can be corrected by changing the color of the text or providing an outline on the text to separate it from the background.

With the Word Art object selected click on the outline button’s menu access on the object toolbar and select “Thickness” and “1 pixel”.

From the color palette click and drag the white color well over the outline button to set the outline color.

From the “File” Menu choose “Save As”

Save the movie as “Tutorial Two.me3”

EDITING


Adding Animation EffectsThroughout the tutorials there have been many different objects were created, those objects can be animated applying effects to the individual objects.

To begin select frame one from the frame selection area. In the advanced tools area select the timeline tab

Select the top rectangle in the frame

Double click the “Move In” button on the right side of the timeline.

A red bar will appear beside “Shape 7” on the timeline. Right mouse click on the red bar and select copy from the pop-up menu.

Right mouse click on the “Shape 8” timeline bar and select paste from the pop-up menu.

Example 4

Click on the “Shape 8” timeline bar to select it, and change the direction in the property sheet to “Right to Left” the time line

Preview the frame. You will notice the rectangles now move in to the frame from opposite sides. Based on the timeline settings the rectangles begin to animate immediately after the frame transition occurs and lasts for one second.

Advanced Tips • ME3 can import AVI and MPEG videos. • ME3 will automatically rewind and repeat the video for the duration of the frame. Using short videos

that have a seamless transition allows for small file sizes with dynamic results

Advanced Tips • The duration for each effect can be adjusted by moving the mouse over the end of the effect bar and

clicking and dragging to the desired length or by adjusting the duration in the property sheet. • The start time for each effect can be adjusted by clicking and dragging the effect bar on the timeline or by

setting the start time in the property sheet. • Multiple effects can be assigned to a single object to create complex effects.

EDITING


Select the Word Art object and add scale in, rotate, and fade out effects to the objects timeline. Adjust the settings for the effects to match the example below.

Example 5

On Frames 1 and 2, experiment with the effects on the objects, change the properties, durations and start times to see what each effect or combinations of effects do. Remember to preview the frame after each change is made to gain an understanding of the settings. When satisfied with the results continue on.

The video object imported into frame 3 earlier in this tutorial is actually longer than the duration of the frame. In order to see the entire video clip the frame duration must be extended.

In Frame 3 of the movie, click in the edit window away from the frame itself. Change the duration on the property sheet to 7

Add animation effects to the objects in frame 3 and save the movie and preview the entire movie.

Open the movie named “Tutorial Two – Complete.me3” C:\Program Files\Optec displays\Mediaeditor3\Tutorial\Movies\Tutorial Two - Complete.me3

Preview the movie visualize the possibilities of the animation effects. Review the effect settings to understand how different combinations and settings can create complex animations.

The following concepts should have been understood from this tutorial • Opening an existing movie for editing • Adding video • Adding Outlines • Drag and Drop Colors • Adding Animation Effects

ConclusionAt this point an entire movie with frame transitions, objects and animation effects can be created and exported for use on the display. The Quick Start Manual is provided to give a basic understanding of the movie design process using MediaEditor 3. To unlock the true power of the software requires practice and experimentation. The foundation has been provided take time to work with the software and become familiar with the process, review the examples provided in this manual, and most of all be creative and have fun.

EDITING


Token Editor

Built-in editing software allows user to create “token” frame. Tokens including Time, Temperature, Date, Year, Counter, Static Image, Text, and etc. Token created can be saved and scheduled like video contents.

Interface

EDITING


New Token – to add a new to token window Token size window will appear when new token frame is added.

Edit Token – to edit an existing token file Delete Token – to delete saved token file

Token Types

Date Token – shows the current date. Formats are:Format DisplayedDate M/D/YYYY 3/20/2012

Date M/D 3/20 Day Name (abrev) Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat Day Name (full) the full day name Month Name (abrev) Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec Month Name (full) the full month name Date Mon D, YYYY Mar 20, 2012

Time Token – shows the current time. Formats are:Format DisplayedTime24 H:MM:SS 1:41:06 Time12 H:MM:SS am/pm 1:41:06 am Time24 HH:MM 01:41 Time12 H:MM 1:41 Time12 H:MM am/pm 1:41 am

Temp Token – shows the current temperature (provided a temp sensor is installed). Formats are:Format DisplayedTemp XX.X oC 25.0 oC Temp XX.X oF 77.0 oF Temp XX oC 25 oC Temp XX oF 77 oF

Image Token – allows static image to be inserted in the frame.

Text Token – regular text paragraph. The horizontal alignment applies to all lines. Resizing the boundingbox stretches the text.

Variable Token – one of 512 text variable in the sign.

There are total of 512 text variables supported in SignEnd player. On startup their value is empty. The total size of the variables in characters must not exceed 65535.

Variables are text tokens and can be also assigned font, font size, color and alignment within it’s bounding rectangle. As the counters they are not automatically resized or stretched when their value changes. When designing frame with counters or variables it is necessary to make the size the bounding rectangle of the token big enough to fit the biggest value of the text later.

Variable tokens can be added to the frame in the Token Editor by clicking the button ‘Variable’. A new variable token will be added to the frame. Usually the value will be empty. It will be displayed as ‘{empty}’ inside the Token Editor however if the frame is previewed in the Editing Window or played in the SignEnd

EDITING


player nothing will be displayed unless the variable value has been set. The value can be set within the Token Editor by typing in the Text Edit box or from the Main Menu Command / Get/Set Variables. If the variables values are set in the Token Editor their values will no be sent to the display until the Command Get/Set Variables is executed. If the variable values were set in the Token Editor or in the “Get/Set Text Variables” command or have been received from the sign then in token editor will display their actual values. (As shown on the picture below)

CCreating Variable Token

Note:

Variable Number = variable ID number in variable scheduler found within Content Library Manager.

Enter TEXT in the white area to be shown as default message when no variable was scheduled.

Variable Token has to be sent to Sign Controller then use Variable schedule to Tag value to the token.

1. Select Variable Token Type. 2. Format the token position, font, color, size and

alignment.3. Click ADD to save token. 4. Go to Sign Scheduler and send token schedule to

Sign Controller. a. Variable token must be scheduled and

send to sign controller first before assigning values.

5. Go to Content Library Manager tab and open Variable tagging page.

6. Enter Value Text for each variable. a. ID = Var Number set in token.

7. Send to update values for the variable token.

EDITING


Counter TokenCounters are special tokens which can be used in a frame. As the other tokens they can be assigned a different font, font size, color and horizontal alignment. Counters are dynamic tokens and their value changes over time. Depending on how their value is updated they can be Start Frame Start based or Date/Time Based.

Frame Start based counters will start counting from the Start Value when the frame is displayed. Every time the frame is displayed again the counter values will be reset to their Start value, they do not start from the last value they reached the last time this frame was displayed.

The Date/Time based counters differ from the frame start based counters – their current value is not reset every time the frame is displayed but it is calculated based on a particular moment in time (in the past or in the future) at which moment the Start Values was or will be as set. For example we will create a Date/Time counter token representing the number dollars spent on electricity. As of May 1st 2005 we know this number was $2000 and it keeps increasing every two seconds with $1. For the options of the counter we will select:

Parameter Value DescriptionCounter Format Currency Type of the counter Update Type Date/Time based The value is updated based on a particular moment in

timeDate 3/20/2012 Date at which the value was or will be as in Start Value Time 12:00:00 AM Time at which the value was or will be as in Start Value Start Value 2000 This will be or was the value at the Date/Time above Increment 1 Value to increment (decrement) with Every 2 sec How often is the value updated Digits 0 How many digits after the decimal point to show

When the player displays the frame with this counter it will first find the difference in time between the Date/Time in parameters and the moment at which the frame is displayed. A proper value will be added to the start value based on the how much time has passed since May 1st and how often we increment and with how much to calculate the current value.

If currently is May 1st 12:25:00AM then the time difference is 25 minutes = 25*60 = 1500 seconds. Because the value must be incremented with one every two seconds then our value will be Val = StartValue + Increment * TimeDiff / Every = 2000 + 1*1500 / 2 = 2750 (As shown on the picture below)

EDITING


If currently is April 30th 11:50:00PM then we are in a moment in time before the Date/Time selected for the options. In this case the difference will be subtracted from the start value an the result will be: Val = 2000 – 1*10*60/2 = 2000 – 300 = 1700

The Numbers and the Currencies have values calculated based on their start value, increment, minimum and maximum values, and the time difference between the current moment in time and the moment in time for which this value is set.

Other counter formats:

Years Days left/since – The difference between current time and particular moment in time (date/time or frame start). Shows how many years and days are left passed.

H:MM:SS - Hours, Minutes and Seconds left/since a particular moment in time (date/time or frame start) wrapped on 24 hours so it may be combined with the Years/Days left or since counter.

HHHH:MM:SS- Total Hours, Minutes and seconds left/since a particular moment in time (date/time or frame start) An example of a Date/Time based H:MM:SS counter is shown on the next picture. It is combined with the counter in the example above so the frame shows the current value and how much time left to be reached (1st picture) and how much time is past (2nd picture)

EDITING


The picture above shows that 2 min and 28 sec are passed May 1st 2006. Total seconds = 2 * 60 + 28 = 148. The Currency counter as from settings above was incrementing with 1 every 2 seconds = 148 / 2 = 74. The value = 2000 + 74 = $2,074.00.

NOTE:Variable and Counter tokens differ from the other tokens by the way the text alignment is applied. The bounds of the tokens are not automatically resized or stretched but opposite they remain the same as at the time of designing the frame. The reason for this is to allow displaying tables with different alignment of the elements and without stretching the text when the value changes.

EDITING


Editing Window

This is a representation of display. What you see here is what you will see on the display. New token will always appear on the upper left hand corner in a default system.

Resizing and aligning token

Drag the yellow dot to resize the token layer. Use right mouse click to access alignment tool bar.

Tool Bar / Format Selector

Style Editing

“Font”, “Color” icons and Format Selector will appear after Token Type is selected. Click on each to enter editing window.

EDITING


Token Display Duration

Delay (sec) indicates how long (second) each token will stay on the display.

These are to zoom in and out of the Editing Windows

Tutorial

Example 1

Click on “New Token” to create a token frame (layer).

Select Date token type

Token within blue box will appear on the upper left hand corner.

Select format from format selector when available.

EDITING


Drag the YELLOW dot on the blue box to resize or right mouse click to access alignment tools.

Click Time token type. New time token layer will appear on the upper left hand corner.

Select format from Format Selector.

Reposition and resize the token.

Click on Temp token type.

Select format

Reposition and resize token.

Set Delay (sec) to 5. This token frame will stay on for 5 seconds.

Click “ADD” to save token.

Example 2

Create a new Token frame

Select Image token type to import static image (jpeg, BMP)

Browser and open the image file wish to use.

EDITING


Within the editing window, drag the image to move and reposition

Click on Temp token type to insert temperature token over image.

Drag token to move and reposition and resize.

Click on FONT to change font and text color.

Click on Text token type to add text over image.

Type in the text in the white area provided. Use alignment tool to reposition the text and use font and color to style text.

Set token delay (display duration) and click “ADD” to save.

SCHEDULING


Schedules

Scheduling section allows user to create, add, and edit schedule for a list of contents / playlist. Monthly, weekly, or daily playlist can be scheduled or prescheduled ahead of time.

Click on “Sign Scheduler” tab

Select the Sign Controller to send.

i. If controller was connected to programming PC in the previous step (test communication),status light will turn green.

ii. Status light:

o Yellow: connectivity status – unknown. Status will always be Yellow every timewhen ME pro is started or restarted until connection attempt was performed thenit will change to one of the followings.

o Green: connectivity status – online. Status is changed to Green on a successfulconnection and remained green as long as connection is established.

o Red: connectivity status – offline. Status is changed to RED on a failedconnection attempt and remained until a successful connection occurred.

Use right mouse click to use shortcuts.

SCHEDULING


Create scheduleClick on “ADD” or click on a thumbnail in the “Add from Recent Video” tool bar to open “Schedule Edit Form” window to create schedule and add files to schedule.

Add files to schedule

Schedule Edit FormThis form is to setup a schedule for a playlist that may contain one or multiple files.

AAdd playlisto Click on the “ADD” button, a new form like below will appear.

SCHEDULING


o Click on “Import Media” to browse and add files to file list (playlist).

o Or add from Video Library on the left frame. Double click thumbnail to preview and check the box to select, and then use the Green at the bottom to move files to playlist.

File selected will appear in the File List area. Continue to Import Media until playlist is completed.

Click “Preview” or “Preview All” button to preview playlist.

SCHEDULING


Continuous between Start Date/Time and end Date/Time: Checked – Continuous 24 hours - playlist will continue to loop from start Date and Time to end Date and Time. Unchecked – Daily schedule - playlist will loop from start Date and Time and Stop at end Time daily. Then start again on the start time of next day until end Date.

Schedule Type: Select the days of the weeks to run the playlist.

Exit Schedule Edit FormClick “Accept” when schedule is set to save schedule and exit.

Add additional schedulesMultiple schedules can be created and uploaded to sign controller. Each schedule and files within schedule will play in sequential order and time range set.

Set schedule for the playlist.

Enter a name for schedule.

Select Start Date and set Start and End Time.

Select End Date

SCHEDULING


Send schedule to sign controller

To send schedules to Sign Controller – (make sure communication between PC and Sign Controller is established.)

1. Click on Send button 2. Select

Send Schedule – send schedule to one sign and replace old schedules on sign controller. Send to Multiple Signs – send schedule to multiple signs and replace old schedules on sign controllers. Add Schedule – insert schedule to schedule current on sign controller.

3. Wait for Communication transmission window to begin transmission.

4. Status bar should move to 100%. a. If no movement – make sure communication between

sign and PC is established.

Schedules can also be viewed by Date with timeline. Click on “Date View” to view.

RED bar indicates continuous playback from Start to End time and date.

Blue bar indicates the scheduled playback time in a day.

Important

If you are using one ME Pro to control multiple sign controller and wish to use “Send to Multiple Signs” or “All Signs”: 1. Make sure each sign

controller has different IP address (last 3 digits must be unique).

2. This feature is not recommended if your displays have different resolutions.

HOTKEY


Hotkeys

Hotkey is used to send a file to interrupt the schedule immediately. Communication between programming PC and targeted sign controller is required for hotkeys to work properly. Hotkeys are assigned to specific controller.

Hotkey setup

Select the targeted Sign Controller listed in the controller list. In one of the Hotkey items, click on “setup” to load and set parameters.

Media Setting - Hotkey

Name: Enter any name for the hotkey Repeats: How many time you want the file

to loop or playback. Path: FFrom Library (media file created

and/or saved by Media Editor Pro.)Import (media file created or saved by 3rd party software).

HOTKEY


To import media filecreated by MediaEditor:

Select “From Library” then select Video or token.Video Library Manger Window will appear

Click to highlight the file to add to hotkey and click OK.

Media file path will appear in the setting window.

Click “OK” to import file.

Preview thumbnail will appear on a successful import. To send, click on “Send” within each hotkey item. Current schedule on the display will be interrupted and restored when hotkey file finish playing.

To delete a file, click on the “X” icon for each hotkey item.

CONTENT MANAGER


Content Library Manager

This new component is added to help user better manage all the media files imported or created by Media Editor. User can import additional video files, edit token files, tag variable, preview files, delete files, or add files to schedule.

To switch between Video, Token, or Variable libraries, click on the shortcut icon. For details on how to create content, token, or use variables, please reference EDITING section.

Video file format supported: Uncompressed AVI, OPV

VariableThis page is used to update info for variable token setup.

ID = variable number on the token assigned. Enter Variable Text for each ID. Send to update variable tokens.

Note: Variable token must be created, scheduled and sent to Sign. Then update token using this page.

ADDITIONAL SIGN CONFIGURATIONS


Sign Manager

This section allows you to configure parameters pertained to the sign controller including adding additional sign to the software, retrieve sign info, set auto or manual dimming, temperature offset, and many other controller related configurations.

Communication Setup

This page allows user to delete or add additional sign controller and set parameter for Media Editor Pro to communicate with the sign.

Add New or Additional Controllero Click on Add Controller o Enter all the parameter.

When more than one Sign Controller is added to ME PRO, It is a good practice to change the last 3 digit of the IP on one of the Sign Controllers to avoid communication issue. To change Sign Controller physical IP address requires direct access to Sign Controller using UltraVNC or Connecting Monitor and keyboard to Sign Controller.

Group Controllerso Create a group by clicking on Add Group and enter a name for the group. o Click on each controller and select the group from the drop down menu to place the controller in

the group.



General Info

This section allows customer to retrieve controller information such as version number, sign size, position, and current brightness setting and etc.

Select targeted controller Click on Refresh button. ME Pro will attempt communication with targeted sign controller and retain

Brightness & TemperatureThis section allows user to change between Auto and Manual brightness control, and offset temperature.

Get – get the current settings from controller.

Set – send new settings to controller.

Hardware Brightness – This is the default setting to use Dimmer Sensor provided with display.

Software Brightness – To adjust brightness level manual by % or time.

Offset – adjust temperature reading.



Advanced Configs

There are the advanced commends to actual Sign Controller.

Delete Files Not in Schedule

This function deletes all the content files in sign controllers which are not in any active schedule.

Sync Sign Data Time With Local

This function synchronizes Sign Controller system clock with programming PC’s system clock.

Reboot SignEnd Controller

This sends commend to reboot Sign Controller from programming PC.



Remote Update SignEnd

This is used to update newer version of SignEnd Player on sign controller.

Set Sign Size and Position

This is to change the display area and position of the signend player.

Send – to send the settings to controller. Receive – to retrieve sign size info from display controller.

Warning – Correct sign Size and position are pre-configured in factory before shipping. User does not have to send asign size and position again.

Changing this setting may result displacement of content on the display. All parameters must match the actualresolutions and (X,Y) position on the display.

media editor professional software manual-120526 · 5/30/2012 · first time user setup wizard...

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