Primarily a hardware manufacturer (its own playback devices, running the BrightSignOS operating system), with a free remote management service (BrightSign Control) and the fuller BSN.Cloud CMS platform.
BrightSign · digital signage playback hardware + management software
BrightSign (BrightSignOS + BrightSign Control) content management software
BrightSign is fundamentally one of the leading players in the digital signage playback hardware market: it makes players shipped with its own closed, "self-healing" operating system (BrightSignOS) in the Series 4-6 product families, with several million units sold worldwide. Every BrightSign player comes with the BrightSign Control (formerly bsn.Control) remote management service free of charge.
For actual content scheduling and management, the manufacturer offers the BSN.Cloud platform, which fills more of a traditional CMS role for players running on BrightSign hardware. This model distinguishes BrightSign from purely software signage platforms (Xibo, Yodeck): here the hardware and the software come from one manufacturer, integrated.
Where the BrightSign (BrightSignOS + BrightSign Control) sits in an LED wall system
The BrightSign player is a closed unit: with its own operating system it goes behind the display, its HDMI output goes to the LED processor's input, and the content arrives from an SD card, from the local network or from BSN.Cloud. The programme is assembled in the BrightAuthor:connected editor, and remote management is provided by BrightSign Control, free with every player. The model is the reverse of the software platforms': here the hardware is the foundation and the software is built on it — which is why the lifespan and support of the player and the software also move together.
WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT CHOICE
On digital signage projects optimised for reliability and long-term, professional-grade operation, where the hardware and the software come from one source, integrated.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
BrightSignOS runs exclusively on the manufacturer's own playback hardware — if the project already has players of another brand, they cannot be combined with BrightSign software, unlike the hardware-independent platforms (NoviSign, Xibo and so on).
The BrightSign (BrightSignOS + BrightSign Control) in practice
On a small installation the quickest route is publishing to SD card: the editor writes the programme to the card, the card goes into the player, and from then on it runs without internet — on a permanent advertising sign this leaves the fewest opportunities for error. In networked operation the players have to reach the cloud, so the firewall has to be opened in advance. An important design point is that the old BrightAuthor and the newer BrightAuthor:connected are separate products: when taking over an old project it has to be clarified which one the programme was made with, because the files cannot be exchanged without trouble. The players also know zone-based layouts and a video wall mode, so a wall with a split picture can be assembled. There is no Hungarian interface.
Alternatives to the BrightSign (BrightSignOS + BrightSign Control)
If the project already has players of another brand, BrightSign is out — the hardware-independent Xibo, NoviSign or OptiSigns is the viable route there. On a smaller budget, Yodeck's Raspberry Pi-based player is an order of magnitude cheaper, in exchange for a less industrial build. For a self-hosted, open-source solution, Xibo or Anthias is the option. For a live event with real-time video mixing, BrightSign is not suitable: Resolume or a media server (WATCHOUT, PIXERA) is needed there.
BrightSign (BrightSignOS + BrightSign Control) manual and datasheet
The documents live on the manufacturer's own site and open in a new window — so you always get the latest version. We do not copy or translate their contents.
BrightSign (BrightSignOS + BrightSign Control) on video
The player is only embedded on click — until then not a single request goes to YouTube.
BrightSign Training 1.1 BrightSign Overview
Garrett Beck · YouTube · Tutorial
BrightAuthor:connected 101
BrightSign LLC · YouTube · Tutorial
Local Network Setup | BrightSign
BrightSign LLC · YouTube · Tutorial
Related content management software
content management software — but what does it go into?
On its own the BrightSign (BrightSignOS + BrightSign Control) is a component. With us it works inside these displays — design, manufacturing and installation included.
