BrightSign's dedicated digital signage media players run ScreenCloud's BrightSign player. Unlike most platforms in this collection, BrightSign hardware runs no other software, so it behaves consistently and is built for 24/7 signage use out of the box.
BrightSign Hardware
Minimum requirements
BrightSign OS 8 or higher
8 GB of storage or higher, 32 GB preferred
If a Series 3, 4, 5, or 6 device isn't listed below or shows as not supported, updating it to the latest BrightSign OS 9.1.x will bring it in line with the models that are.
Not supported
BrightSign LS4 (LS424). Still available to buy new, but not supported.
Series 1 and 2 devices: BrightSign HD, XD, LS, AU, and the 4K, XD2, HD2, LS3, HD-OPS, and DSM models. All discontinued and not supported.
Recommended for new purchases
Series | Models |
XT5 | XT245, XT1145, XT2145 |
XD5 | XD235, XD1035 |
HD5 | HD225, HD1025 |
LS5 | LS425, LS445 |
XC5 | XC2055, XC4055 |
AU5 | AU335 |
Supported, but not recommended for new purchases
Series | Models |
XT4 | XT244, XT1144 |
XD4 | XD234, XD1034 |
HD4 | HD224, HD1024 |
XT3 (discontinued) | XT243, XT1143 |
XD3 (discontinued) | XD233, XD1033 |
HD3 (discontinued) | HD223, HD1023 |
BrightSign Player Setup
Connecting the device
Ethernet is the standard connection method and should work automatically. If you're using a BrightSign WiFi Module instead, follow BrightSign's own setup guide for that module before continuing.
Factory resetting a BrightSign player
Do this before either setup method below if the device has been used previously.
Remove any microSD card, USB disk, or USB keyboard/mouse, and connect the device to the internet with an Ethernet cable.
Power off the device by removing the USB or 12V power connection.
Hold both the SVC and Reset buttons.
Reconnect power while continuing to hold both buttons.
Wait for the red Err LED to flash rapidly, then release both buttons.
Wait for the reset to complete. A loading bar appears, followed by the BrightSign logo, and then the words "please insert storage device."
Power off the device again.
Setting up with a microSD card
Format a microSD card of at least 8 GB in FAT32 with the default allocation size.
Download the ScreenCloud BrightSign player bundle from brightsign.screencloud.com/autorun.zip and extract it.
Copy all extracted files to the root of the microSD card.
Confirm the device has been factory reset, as above.
Connect the Ethernet cable and power on the device. Wait for "please insert storage device" to appear.
Insert the microSD card.
Wait for the player to load and display a pairing code. This can take a few minutes.
Setting up through BSN.Cloud
If you manage BrightSign devices through BSN.Cloud, you can deploy the player using the App URL method instead. A blank microSD card is still required in the device.
Before you begin, you'll need:
A BSN.Cloud account with admin access
The player connected to the internet and powered on, with a blank microSD card inserted
Network access to brightsign.screencloud.com and BSN.Cloud's own endpoints
1. Create a ScreenCloud App URL setup
Go to Admin, then Setup, then Setup Library, and select New Player Setup.
Set Publishing Mode to App URL, and set App URL to https://brightsign.screencloud.com/autorun.zip. This is the key setting; everything else (name, description, time zone) can be set as you prefer.
Under Player Settings, then Advanced, leave bsn.Control or bsn.Content enabled, so you can keep managing the player remotely through BSN.Cloud once ScreenCloud is running.
Select Add Setup to Library to save it.
2. Add the device to BSN.Cloud
Either activate it using the on-screen code shown on a freshly reset player, under Admin, then Activate, or add it by serial number under Admin, then Provision, then Add Player, which is useful for staging devices before they're powered on.
3. Apply the setup
Go to Admin, then Provision, then Apply Setup, and select the setup you created. The player reboots, fetches the ScreenCloud app, and launches it automatically.
When the pairing code appears, go to Pairing the screen below.
Pairing the screen
The player displays a pairing code once it launches. Log in to your ScreenCloud account, add a new screen, enter the code and give the screen a name. You can then assign content to it.
BrightSign Player Management
BrightSign player limitations
The BrightSign player does not perform to the same level as ScreenCloud's own hardware. The limitations below are inherent to the platform rather than bugs.
Video playback
Running more than one video at a time will likely crash the player. If you're using a layout with a secondary zone, keep video to a single zone, including apps that themselves play video.
Chromium version limits which apps can run
The player uses Chromium to render apps, links and feeds. Each BrightSign OS build is locked to a Chromium version, so older or lower firmware cannot run apps that require a newer build.
BrightSign OS version | Chromium build |
8.0.x | Chromium 65 |
8.1.x to 8.4.x | Chromium 69 |
8.5.x and 9.0.x | Chromium 87 |
In practice, no BrightSign OS version currently reaches Chromium 94, so Power BI will not run on any BrightSign device. Canva needs Chromium 86 or higher, so it works on 8.5.x and 9.0.x, but not on earlier builds.
When an app can't render, it appears blank, black, white or grey on screen. The preview in your account will look normal, which is why on-screen behavior is the thing to check.
Troubleshooting ScreenCloud on BrightSign
Work through these before contacting support.
Step | Task | How to do it |
1 | Power cycle the device | Turn it off for a few minutes, then back on. |
2 | Check for BrightSign OS updates | Update to the latest BrightSign OS 9.1.x available for the device. |
3 | Check the microSD card | Confirm it's formatted correctly and the player files are copied to its root. |
4 | Check the internet connection | Confirm the device has a strong, stable connection. |
5 | Check the power adapter | A failing adapter causes intermittent instability. |
6 | Reinstall the player | Re-copy the player files to a freshly formatted microSD card, or reapply the App URL setup in BSN.Cloud. |
7 | Factory reset the device | Last resort. Set up the player fresh afterwards. |
If the problem persists after all of the above, the device may be faulty or too old for the content you are running.
FAQ
Can I use a WiFi connection instead of Ethernet?
Yes, with a BrightSign WiFi Module fitted. Ethernet is the standard and most reliable option, so use WiFi only where running a cable isn't practical.
Why won't Power BI display on my BrightSign device?
No current BrightSign OS version reaches the Chromium build Power BI requires. This is a platform limitation rather than a setup issue, and it isn't currently solvable by updating firmware.
Can I run more than one video at a time?
Not reliably. Running multiple videos simultaneously is likely to crash the player. Keep video, including video-playing apps, to a single zone.
My device isn't listed in the hardware tables. Can I still use it?
If it's a Series 3, 4, 5, or 6 device, update it to the latest BrightSign OS 9.1.x and it should work in line with the listed models. Series 1 and 2 devices are not supported regardless of OS version.