In this article, we'll explain how to use the Local Folder app in OptiSigns to let you access locally stored files on your device to display.
Sometimes, due to network limitations or security reasons, you'll have content you'd rather keep locally at your device. The Local Folder app allows you to access content stored locally.
2 major use case for this apps are:
- Sensitive information contents that cannot be transferred through Internet (OptiSigns does has option for all your data to remain in the US or EU you can contact us for more details)
- Limited network availability locations
- You want to use or mix in contents from USB thumb drives
OptiSigns player is smart enough to scan for changes in this folders so in case files added or removed, it's handled. You can also use USB thumb drives, OptiSigns can detect drive plugged in and scan the folder to play again.
| Note: The Local folder application only currently supports video and image files. |
How to Set Up the Local Folder App
First, you will need to have your screens set up and paired. For more information on how to do that, click here.
Then log on to our portal: http://app.optisigns.com/
Go to Files/Assets and click on "Apps":
- Name - Name of your Local Folder app. This will be displayed on your asset list, and will not be displayed on your screens.
- Local Folder - Path to the folder on your device. We will provide detailed instructions per platform later in this article.
-
Transition Effect - Transition effect between your images and videos in the folder.
-
Transition Speed - How fast you want your transitions to animate.
-
Duration for Image - How long each images should show on your screen, default is 10 seconds.
-
Max Video Duration - Default is 0, which means the app will play each video till the end. You can set it to some other values to prevent too long videos. For example if you set this value to 60 seconds. If a video is longer than 60s, it will get cut off at 60s to play next item. If a video is less than 60s, it will play the duration of the video.
- Scale Image - select how the player should handle if image's resolution is less than your screen's resolution
- Scale Video - select how the player should handle if the video's resolution is less than your screen's resolution
- Shuffle - select if you want to shuffle play the content in the folder (Default order is by filename alphabetically)
Click Save.
You now can assign the Local Folder app to your device. It can also be placed in a Playlist or Schedule.
For Windows:
If using a Windows device to display your content, the path to your Local Folder will be similar to C:\ D:\Media Folder etc. Find the path by looking at the folder's Properties, like so:
You'll then use this path to fill in the Local Folder value within the Local Folder App:
This will vary depending on the location of the folder on your drive.
For Mac/Linux/Ubuntu/Raspberry Pi:
If using a Mac, Linux, or Ubuntu device, the path to your folder will be similar to /media/path/folder.
For Mac users, find this using Get Info. It will look similar to this:
This comes out to /Users/{username}/Desktop as a path filename.
In Linux/Ubuntu, you can find this information in Properties.
The path in this example would be /home/optisigns .
For Raspberry Pi, the path can also be found in Properties.
In this example, that's /home/pi.
You'll then use this path to fill in the Local Folder value within the Local Folder App:
This will vary depending on the location of the folder on your drive. However, it's important to note that Mac, Linux, Ubuntu, and Raspberry Pi paths all have the same format.
For OptiSigns Android Stick Digital Signage Player
| IMPORTANT: To use the Local Folder App on your Android Stick player, make sure its firmware version is 5.17.23 or later. |
To use the Local Folder app on an OptiSigns Android stick, first install whatever you'd like to display on a USB drive or MicroSD. Attach the device to your Android stick, then navigate using a Remote Control to Device Storage on the side menu:
Once there, you should be able to see your External storage device listed:
Simply copy this and place this in your Local Folder value within the Local Folder App:
This path will vary depending on the type of external storage device, and will always be different.
For OptiSigns Pro Digital Signage Player
The OptiSigns Pro Player is an Ubuntu enabled device, so it runs the same way. You'll have a slightly different path depending on whether you're using a USB device or MicroSD card as your external storage, or if you have multiple USB drives plugged into the player.
The path for a single USB device when plugged into the OptiSigns Pro Player will be:
/home/optisigns/external/sdb1
If your device has a label, it will be:
/home/optisigns/external/{label}-sdb1
Where {label} is the name/label of the USB drive.
Should you plug in a second USB drive, the path will be:
/home/optisigns/external/sdc1
Similarly, a third USB drive will have a path of:
/home/optisigns/external/sdd1
Again, remember to add the label to the path if your drive has one.
Lastly, if you're using a MicroSD card, your path will be:
/home/optisigns/external/{label}-mmcblk0p1
Where {label} is the name/label of the MicroSD card.
Then, use this path to fill in the Local Folder value within the Local Folder App:
That's all!
If you have any additional questions, concerns or any feedback about OptiSigns, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@optisigns.com.