Programming Your LED Sign: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setup

Downloading and Setting Up the Software

To begin programming your sign, you will first need to download and set up the software. A link to the software will have been emailed to you upon purchasing your sign. If you lose access to the software, please contact us for assistance.

Please note that the software is only compatible with Windows computers.

Choosing the Right Settings

If you want to start a new set of messages, click "File" and then "New." Depending on the specific LED sign you purchased, you'll need to choose the appropriate settings. These settings can be found below and will also be provided in the email you received when ordering your sign.

If your sign needs to be oriented differently, use the "Rotate" setting to match it with your installation.

Opening Pre-Programmed Graphics

We program each sign with a set of messages tailored to your business or organization. You will find a download link to your set of messages in the same email as the software. If you don't have a download link, please contact us.

To access these messages:

• Go to "File" and select "Open."
• Locate the "HDPlayerExport" folder and open it.
• Double-click on "Screen.boo" to open it.

Adding Content

Adding Content Basics

Before adding content, let's go over a few basics.

On the left side of the screen, you'll notice an icon resembling a TV screen. You should only work within one screen. If you see additional screens, right-click on the one you don't want, click "Delete," and confirm.

A "Screen" contains all the messages and slides that will appear on your sign. Think of the "Screen" as a folder, and your "Programs" as the individual items within that folder.

When we refer to "content," we mean the individual items within each program, such as text, images, videos, GIFs, etc.

To add a new slide, click "Program" in the top left. This creates a blank slide where you can add any text, image, video, GIF, etc.

Once inside that program, you can add your content. (We'll cover adding content in more detail in the following sections.)

When adding any form of content, a blue box will appear. You can stretch this blue box to properly size the content. In most cases, you'll want to stretch the blue box to fill the entire LED sign. However, if you want to place two images side by side, you can stretch the blue box to fit only half of the screen.

We strongly recommend creating a new folder on your computer to store all the content you may want on your sign. Download any videos or pictures to that folder.

When selecting a program, you'll notice options for "Play times," "Fixed length," and "Scheduling controls."

By selecting "Fixed length," you can specify the number of seconds you want each slide to remain before moving to the next program. We'll cover scheduling in the "Scheduling Content" section.

Adding Photos

To add a new photo:

• Start with a new or existing program.
• Click "Photo" at the top. As discussed earlier, stretch the blue box to the desired size.
• Click the blue plus sign at the bottom to open a file browser and select an image from your computer. After selecting an image, click "Open."

At the bottom of your screen, you'll see an "Image List." Here, you can add multiple images or remove them. To remove images, select them in the Image List and click the red trash can.

To add more images, repeat the process by clicking the blue plus sign and selecting additional images.

In the "Transitions and Hold" section, we'll cover how to set each image to change after a set amount of time and how to add transitions.

Note: When adding more images to the Image List, each image will replace the previous one after a set amount of time. To display another photo on the same slide, click "Photo" at the top again and repeat the process, stretching the box and adding another image alongside it.

Adding Videos

Adding videos is similar to adding photos.

• Select the program you want to work with.
• Click "Video" at the top and stretch the blue box to the appropriate size.
• Click the blue plus sign to find and add the video you want.

Note: After adding a video, select "Video Transcoding" in the bottom left. This step ensures that each video appears correctly on your sign and is necessary for proper display.

Adding Text

To add text:

• Select the program you'd like to work with and click "Text" at the top of the screen. The controls will resemble those found in Word or Google Docs.
• Stretch the blue box to the desired size.
• Type your text in the blank space at the bottom of the screen.

To style your text:

• Font: Choose a font from the first dropdown. We recommend "Arial Black" and "Bahnschrift Condensed" for their readability, but feel free to experiment.
• Size: Select a font size. Larger text is often easier to read.
• Color: Choose any text color you like.
• Highlight: Add or remove a highlight color by using the appropriate dropdown.
• Bold, Italic, Underline: Style your text as desired.
• Alignment: Align the text left, center, or right, and place it at the top, middle, or bottom of the screen.
• Background Color: Add a background color if desired, although we typically recommend using a photo or video as the background instead.
• Outline (Stroke): Add an outline to your text for better readability. We often suggest a black outline.
• Spacing: Adjust the distance between letters if needed.

To add multiple lines of text within the text box, press the "Enter" key.

Adding 3D Text

For animated or scrolling text, use the "3D Text" option.

The controls are similar to those for adding regular text, with a few additional features:

• Style Settings: If you prefer plain text, uncheck "Colorful Style" and "3D Shadows."
• Animation Direction: Use the arrows to select a direction, and choose an animated text style below.
• Speed: Adjust the movement speed using the number box to the right.

Scheduling Content

To schedule content:

• Select the program you want to schedule.
• Specify the time, dates, or specific days of the week you want the slide to appear by checking the appropriate options.

For example, if you want the program to appear only on Mondays and Tuesdays, check the box next to "Specify the Week" and select the days.

Transitions and Hold Settings

When you have a photo or text selected, you'll notice "Display," "Clear," and "Hold" settings.

• Display: Control how the text or image enters the display area.
• Clear: Determine how the text or image exits the display area.
• Hold: Set the duration that the text or image remains on the screen before transitioning.

Saving and Sending Your Program

We recommend saving your work frequently. The first time you save:

• Select "File" and "Save As," then create a new folder for your screen.
• After this, or if you're working with a pre-programmed screen, simply click "File" and "Save" to save any future changes.

To send the program to your sign:

• Ensure your sign is powered on.
• Look for the sign in your computer's Wi-Fi connections. It will be named something like "D16" followed by a string of characters.
• Select this Wi-Fi network, then return to the HDPlayer program and click "Send."
• The program should now appear on your sign.

Note: Your sign's Wi-Fi connection may have a slightly different name.

Conclusion

Programming your LED sign is an accessible and powerful way to capture attention and promote your business. By following this step-by-step guide, you can create engaging and visually appealing content that showcases your brand and message. Experiment with different content, animations, and scheduling to maximize the impact of your LED sign display. With a little creativity and planning, your LED sign can become an effective marketing asset for your business.

If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.