In this article, we'll show how to display a customizable countdown timer on your digital signs with OptiSigns.
With the CountDown app, it's possible to display a timer that counts down to any date and time you choose, then show a message of your choice when it reaches zero. Count down to a product launch, a holiday sale, or the start of an event, and let your screens build the anticipation.
Let's get started.
What You'll Need
- An OptiSigns account - Standard Plan or higher
- An OptiSigns-enabled device
- A screen, set up and paired with OptiSigns (see our Getting Started guide)
Creating a CountDown App
From the OptiSigns portal, go to Files/Assets and select Apps.
Search for CountDown and select the CountDown app.
The Count Down app settings will open. Any changes you make show up right away in the Preview on the right, which you can switch between Landscape and Portrait.
Fill in the following:
- Name - The name of your CountDown asset. This is for organizational purposes within OptiSigns only and will not display on your screens.
- Text - The title displayed above the timer, such as Countdown to Our Grand Opening.
- End Time - The date and time the timer counts down to.
- Message - The message displayed when the countdown reaches zero, such as We're Open!
- Timer Style - How the timer looks. Choose from Flip, Basic, Ring or Slide.
- Days only - Check this box to show only the number of days, without hours, minutes and seconds.
- Theme - A preset color scheme for the timer. Choose from Light, Dark, Sky, Carrot, Flamingo, Forest, Grape, Meadow, Neapolitan, Pineapple, Urban or Watermelon.
Click the End Time field to open the calendar. Pick a date, set the hour, minute and AM/PM, then hit Apply.
Theme Settings
Click Theme Settings to fine-tune the look of your timer:
- Primary Color - The background color. Enter a hex code or click the swatch to use the color picker.
- Secondary Color - The text color. Enter a hex code or click the swatch to use the color picker.
- Font Size - Keep Default, or choose Custom and enter your own size.
- Transparency - Drag the slider to make the app's background more transparent.
| NOTE |
| Changing any Theme Setting switches Theme to Custom. |
| TIP |
| For full transparency when using the app in a Designer layout or a Split Screen, set Background Image to Transparent in Edit Screen for your device. |
Advanced
Click Advanced for more options:
- Recurring - Check this box to restart the countdown on a regular schedule. Set Repeat Every to a number of Days, Weeks, Months or Years, then choose when it Ends:
- Never - The timer keeps repeating.
- On - The timer stops repeating on a date you choose.
- After - The timer stops repeating after a set number of times.
- Show Date - Check this box to show the date on the timer, then pick a Date Format.
- Background Image - Keep Default, or choose Custom and hit Choose under Choose Photo to use an image from your Files/Assets. A custom background image replaces the background color.
- Language - The language for the timer labels and date. Choose from English, Deutsch (German), Español (Spanish), Français (French), Italiano (Italian), Nederlands (Dutch), Português (Portuguese), Svenska (Swedish) or 中文 (Simplified Chinese).
Now hit Save. You'll have created a CountDown app, and it will appear in your Files/Assets.
Deploying a CountDown App
To push your CountDown app to a screen, go to the Screens tab, then click Edit next to the screen you want to display it on.
The Edit Screen pop-up will appear. Select Asset under Content Type, then hit Change next to Selected Asset.
The Select Asset window will open. Search for your CountDown app, click it, then hit Select.
Back in Edit Screen, hit Save. Your CountDown timer will now display on your screen.
Your CountDown app can also be displayed in a Playlist or Schedule, or as one zone of a Split Screen.
That’s all!
OptiSigns is the leader in digital signage software. 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.