Taking Control

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BrightSign has introduced a feature that enables its players to control the screens that they are driving via High-Definition Multimedia InterfaceT (HDMIT), using Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) commands.  With BrightControl, major screen states such as power on/off, volume up/down/on/off, pause, user-defined commands and all other standard CEC controls available can be managed without user intervention.
 
Support for this new functionality will be added to the company’s complete line of solid-state digital media controllers and software free of charge from Autumn 2011.
 
"CEC commands have been implemented in many consumer-grade TVs, but now this industry standard is moving into the commercial screen world," said Jeff Hastings, BrightSign CEO. "BrightControl adds key HDMI CEC benefits for both installers and end users. In the past, screen control commands were sent through an RS-232 cable/connection for power, volume, etc. controls. But now, with BrightControl, users can eliminate this additional connection and do all of the same command controls using the already connected HDMI cable. This not only lowers the cost of the digital signage solution, it makes it much faster and easier to install or deploy."
 
Through BrightAuthor, a PC application included in the companies players, the new feature’s commands can be added to presentations. BrightAuthor is the central interface for the company’s single-site and networked digital signage displays. It features templates and tools so that users can create, update, manage and monitor digital signage displays.