nCastFusion is an integrated platform for the management and scheduling of multimedia content (video, audio and images), events information across a number of plasma/LCD/TV screens. These plasma and/or LCD screens can be installed in both LAN and WAN network.

The nCastFusion platform enables users to manage the delivery of content from a Builder.

The schematic diagram below depicts the nCastFusion LAN configuration that comprises a Builder system and multiple Player systems (per display unit).

The schematic diagram below depicts the nCastFusion WAN configuration that comprises a Builder on one end of the WAN and multiple Player systems (per display unit) at various remote locations. (Builder needs to be connected to a Fix IP line)

2.1 nCastFusion Software Suite

NCASTFUSION software suite comprises of:

· Builder

· Player

2.1.1 Software Pre-requisite

· Win 2000/XP Pro (For all Scheduler/Server/Player CPU)

· Quicktime (For Player and Scheduler PCs)

· DotNet Framework 2.0 (For all machines running nCastFusion Suite of software)

2.1.2 Hardware Preference

For Player:

· Pentium 4 and above

· 512MB Ram

· 32MB Video Ram

· 40GB HD

For Builder:

· Pentium 4 and above

· 512MB Ram

· 32MB Video Ram

· 80 GB HD

2.1.3 Supported Media File Types

NCASTFUSION can support a wide variety of media and other types of file formats. The Player is based on QuickTime Player Technology.

Supported file extension:

Video File Types

Image File Types

Others

.mov

.qt

.mqv

.avi

.vfw

.dv

.div

.mpeg

.mpg

.m1s

.m1v

.m1a

.m75

.m15

.mp2

.mpm

.mpv

.mp4

.m4v

.3gp

.3gpp

.3g2

.3gp2

.pict

.pic

.pct

.png

.qtif

.qti

.tif

.tiff

.bmp

.psd

.gif

.jpeg

.jpg

.jpe

.jp2

.swf

URL

Html

mht

2.2 What is New in Ver.2.0

nCastFusion Version 2.0 has these new features:

· Flexibility of adding more licenses in the future

· Flexibility of re-purposing your displays with Player Designer

· Flexibility of re-using your licenses on other machines with License Manager

· Player Status monitoring

· More media files supported

· WAN Support

And more!!

3 nCastFusion Pre-Installation Preparations

Before installing any of the NCASTFUSION suites of software, you will need to install MS DotNet Framework 2.0 on the Builder and Player machine.

Note:

· The Server must have a defined IP for WAN

Installation sequence:

Step 1: Setting up of DotNet Framework 2.0

Step 2: Setting up of nCastFusion Builder Manager

Step 3: Setting up of Player Application

3.1 Setting up of dotNet Framework 2.0

You will need to install dotNet Framework 2.0 on the Builder Machine. Simply follow the installation instructions of the dotNet installer.

Here are the screen sequence and the instructions.

Click Next

Accept and Click Next

Click Finish

Note: The installation CD will have a dotNet framework 2.0 installer (dotnetfx.exe). If this is not provided please visit Microsoft’s website to download.

3.2 Pre-requisite Installations for Builder PC

You will need to install these applications on the Scheduler PC:

· DotNet Framework 2.0 (See 3.1)

· Quicktime Player (See 3.2.1)

3.2.1 QuickTime 7 Player Installation notes

NCASTFUSION relies on QuickTime for media playing. After you have installed QuickTime, you will need to set some properties to the player for it to support ADOBE FLASH.

To change this setting, start QuickTime:

Select Edit > Preference > QuickTime Preferences…

Check on “Enable Playback of Adobe Flash tracks”

3.3 Installations for Player PC

You will need to install these applications on the Player PC:

· DotNet Framework 2.0 (See 3.1)

· Quicktime Player (See 3.2.1)

After which you may install the nCastFusion Player application:

Upon execution of the player installation file, you will see this installation guilde.

Click next.

Select the “I Agree” Option and click next.

Change the Server Address to your Builder’s IP Address or Computer name(id) if it is on a LAN net work.

Click Next

Click Close to complete installation.

The Player will auto execute on every re-boot.

4 nCastFusion Builder Installation Guide

The following screen shots explain the installation of the Builder Application.

Upon first run of nCastFusionBuilder.exe, you will see this installation guide.

Click next to continue

Read the EULA and Check on I Agree to continue.

Select the content path (This folder will be the folder to store all your media files)

Click Next to Continue

End of Installation, Click Close to exit.

To start nCastFusion Builder:

Start>All Programs>NCASTFUSION> Select NCASTFUSION.

The default login password is mfusion

5 Activating nCastFusion Builder

nCastFusion License Manager allows you to import in the Master License Key which will have information on how many player licenses are included.

These player licenses are required for every installed Player application. These player licenses must be included when you install the Player CPUs.

5.1 Importing Master License

Using the License Key given to you (file with a .lex extension), you are to first access the “NETWORK” tab of the builder application to activate your software. Click on the Add License button.

With every purchase of the software, a Master License Key will be given to you. The Master License Key will have details on how many Player Licenses is allowed for your display network and the Licensee.

On first run, you are required to import in the Master License Key to generate the sub-Licenses or Player Licenses required for each individual Player CPU.

5.1.1 Editing of Player License Details

Once you have generated the Player Licenses you can name your Players logical names. Each Player name must be unique. Click on Edit Button to name your players.

5.1.2 Exporting of Player Licenses

Once the Player Licenses are created, you are to save them on portable media for backup. You are to use these keys when you install each Player Software on different CPUs.

6 Starting nCastFusion Builder

NCASTFUSION Builder runs on the taskbar it has a backend application to:

· Process the multiple events from all the applications on the NCASTFUSION

· Communicate with the players on instructions and schedules

This Builder must always be running for the display network to be connected to each other.

Note:

In the event of the Builder Machine breakdown, the Player Application will continue to air or narrowcast the last known contents or instructions. You will also not be able to Schedule or send Player Templates during the downtime.

You can quickly check your server status by looking at the task bar icon:

Taskbar Icon: Builder Up status

Taskbar Icon: Builder Down status

To start nCastFusion Builder, right click or left click on the icon on the task bar.

7 NCASTFUSION Builder Overview

NCASTFUSION Builder is allows you to collate media files, design screen templates and schedule media contents to different players.

The Interface has 2 rows of tabs at the top:

· Top/Major Tabs - Shows major tasks in the scheduling process

· Bottom/Sub-Task Tabs – Shows sub-tasks of the Major Tabs

Each Top Tab has its own sub sets of Sub Tabs.

7.1 Login

Before you can start using nCastFusion, you will need to login to the application. On first install, the user id and password are:

User ID: Administrator (Cannot change)

Password: mfusion (Can change after login)

7.2 Media Library Tab

NCASTFUSION Media Library allows administrators to create digital assets of media files for scheduling. It securely manage them, so that the integrity of the multiple playlists and schedules created by the users are kept intact.

These are the main functions of the Media Library:

· Importing of Media Files, URLs and Web Pages

· Preserving the integrity of the media folders by importing only supported files

The interface of the Media Library is similar to MS Explorer. It shows the entire various folders, sub-folders on the left panel and on the right panel all the available media files in a selected folder.

The files are stored (by default) at c:/Content folder.

7.2.1 Adding/Deleting Media Files and Other Supported Files

To add media files to the Library, simply click on the File tab in the program menu and select the “Add Media Files” Option.

To delete file, simply use the explorer style Media Library Panels to select the directory of the media and then click on the particular file you wish to delete. Click on the File tab and select “Delete” Option to delete the selected record.

Screenshot of Adding Media Files:

You can add directory by right clicking on the “explorer” styled left panel

Adding Media Files, right click and select add, select the files from the window dialog box.

7.2.2 Adding URL

To add URL to the Library, simply click on the File tab in the program menu, select “Add URL” Option.

Note: In order for the Player to display the URL, please ensure that it is able to access the Internet.

Fill up the URL details on the Input URL Dialog Box

7.3 Player Designer Tab

NCASTFUSION Player Designer allows you to create various templates and store them. These templates can be exported to the any of the players available on the network.

Player Designer helps you to create both landscape and portrait templates. Display components are dragged and dropped to a drawing board.

There are two main functions in the Player Designer are:

· Create and Design your Players for easy re-purposing

· Storing and Uploading these templates to any players on the display network

7.3.1 Opening a New Template

Before you start designing your template, you will need to ascertain the screen size of the player you intend to design for.

Depending on the orientation (landscape or portrait) of the player, you can select the various sizes available for you to design on.

To open a new template, click on the File Tab and select “New”.

A dialog box will pop up and you will need to select the various common and standard sizes available for most digital screens.

Once you have selected the size, you are ready to design your screen.

Right Panel – Drawing Board

Left

Panel

The Interface has 2 Panels:

· Left Panel - Shows the various Display Components available for the users to use

· Right Panel – The screen drawing board

Using drag and drop interfacing you can add these functional components to the Drawing Board and customize them further by Right Clicking on the components you wish to administrate on.

In general, you can start by positioning the various components on the drawing board and customizing them later.

These components are layered by the sequence adding. The last component dragged on the Drawing Board will be the top most layer.

You can use the Order Option on the Player Designer Menu to define your layers arrangement, especially if there are overlapping of the Components.

Note: Background of the screen can also be customized, you can add image on the screen with other components layering over it. (Right Click on the Drawing Board to see the various options available.

7.3.2 Screen Background

There are options for the background of the screen you are designing. You can determine background color or background image for the screen.

7.3.3 Date/Time Component

This component has built-in calendar and time functions.

Right Click on this component to see the properties available:

You can adjust these settings by selecting the options.

Features:

· The time of all the players are determined by the Server, all the players will synchronize their time on a daily basis.

· Different Time Format Support and also Customizable your own time format

7.3.4 Scheduled Media Component

This component is a Media Player Type component. It allows the scheduled media to be presented on the screen.

Right Click on this component to see the properties available:

Features:

· The Media Player is QuickTime based it can support a wide variety of files

· Media files will auto-stretch to fit the size which is designed

· This component, when exported to a player will be managed by the Scheduler Software

7.3.5 Ticker Text Component

This component is use for making textual contents, also known as scrolling text.

Right Click on this component to see the properties available:

Features:

· The information on the scrolling text can be controlled by the Scheduler when it is exported to the player

7.3.6 Logo/Banner Component

This component lets you add banners onto your screen. You can add various media files into a self-looping banner/logo.

Right Click on this component to see the properties available:

Features:

· Adding of various media types as a Banner

· Setting an interval time for Images

· Most ideal to create brand awareness or promotion banners with short ads

· Can add multiple Logo/Banner components in a single screen

7.4 Scheduling Media Tab

This function allows the user to administrate Media type scheduling. Once you have selected the Tab, it will indicate the selection with a yellow bar at the top of the tab. The Sub Tab or Bottom Tab will also be presented.

There are 3 main tasks under Scheduling Media Tab:

· Create Playlist

· Schedules

· Assign and Upload

By following the steps indicated as you move through the Bottom Tab, you can schedule media contents to your displays in your network.

7.4.1 Create Playlist - Bottom Tab

This section will explain the various options available under Create Playlist.

7.4.1.1 Opening/Modify/Delete a Playlist

On the Menu bar of the Create Playlist Tab, you can click on “File” to open a new playlist or open an existing one to modify the media files.

You can select various media files, which are stored in the Media Library to form a playlist. These media files can be sequenced in an order which you want or it can be random.

To add media to the playlist, simply drag and drop the media available on the right panel to the left panel.

This panel shows the media files available for you to administrate on

This panel shows all the media you have selected.

The left panel shows the selected media and the right panel shows all the available media which are in your Media Library.

Tip:

· It is advisable to give your playlist name a “logical” name, ie MarchPromo, to help you manage.

· You can also select your playlist mode to be “Random” this will let your playlist play in different order.

· Color Code your Playlist for user friendliness

7.4.1.2 Previewing Media Files and Playlist Media

You may also preview the media, which you have dragged to the left panel by right-clicking the individual file and preview.

Select and right click and choose the preview option to preview individual file

Preview window will pop up

You may also preview the entire selected media files by clicking on the Preview Button.

Click here to preview the entire list of media in the order you have specified.

7.4.1.3 Saving the Created Playlist

You can create multiple playlists and store them so that you can re-use them for your display network.

Click on File and select Save or Save As option. If it is a new playlist, click Save As and a save dialog will appear:

7.4.2 Schedules - Bottom Tab

From the saved playlists which you have created previously, you can arrange, using “drag and drop” interfacing, your own schedule of various playlists.

7.4.2.1 Opening a new Schedule

To start using Schedules Operations, you will need to create a new Schedule or Open existing Schedules. You can also create multiple Schedules and store them so that you can re-use them for your display network.

Click on File and select Save or Save As option. If it is a new Schedule, click Save As and a save dialog will appear:

7.4.2.2 Scheduling Media

There are 2 main panels on Schedules. The one on the left panel shows all the available playlists you have pre-created and a Calendar interface which allows you to select the date of the schedule and also to set color code for your schedule.

Available Playlist Panel

Calendar Panel

The Calendar Panel on the right hand side displays a weekly time-line based interface. Each playlist is color coded so that it is easy to arrange multiple playlists on the same day time-line.

Day Time Line

Using the week selector button, you can do your daily and weekly programming of schedules even days, weeks, months or even years ahead.

The left panel shows all the available playlists to add to your schedule. You may also preview them by double clicking on the play icon on each playlist.

You can also select the idle content. This content will be aired when there are time gaps between actual playlists

Different playlists are color coded differently. A time summary will show the duration of the playlist

Right Clicking on the bar gives you more options in administrating

To create your schedule, simply drag the required playlist to the required date. You can schedule only to dates, which are current and future. You can also adjust the time-line by sizing the bar.

Each playlist are color coded so that you can easily see what you have arranged on the time line.

You can set your schedule for many days, weeks, months or event years ahead.

The Schedules operation also allows you to set an “Idle Content” Playlist. It is a default playlist of media for the players when there are empty slots. This is to prevent the screens from showing an empty display.

7.4.2.3 Saving the Schedule

Once you are done with the schedule you can save it by clicking on the File Menu and Selecting Save.

A Save Dialog will open for you to give the schedule a new name.

Enter your Schedule name here

Tip:

· It is advisable to give your schedule a “logical” name, ie MediaForMarch, to help you manage.

· It is also good if you want to assign your own color code for the schedule (System will also automatically assign the color incase you forget)

7.4.3 Assign and Upload - Bottom Tab

This will be the last process of the Scheduling Process. It allows you to Assign the created schedules to the required players.

Schedules Panel:

Shows all available schedules created

Player List Panel:

Shows all available Player which the network currently have. Drag and Drop the schedule from the left panel to the required player row and click “Upload”

7.4 Network Tab

The Network Tab allows you to import in new licenses and additional licenses. For importing of new licenses or editing player id, please refer to Section 5.1.

The players are represented with several icon status, the following are the interpretations of these status:

This icon implies that the Player Application and Connection is up

This icon implies that the Player is either disconnected or the Player Application is closed

This icon implies that the NCASTFUSION Server is down

7.4.1 Player Grouping

The players can be grouped to different clusters.

You can manage the player group by first creating a group and dragging the desired players to the group (MS explorer style of managing).

Right Click and select Add Group

Click on the group 2 times to edit the group name

Drag and drop desired players to the group.

7.5 The Other Settings - Top Tab

The functions available in this Tab allows you to:

· Adjust Volume Settings

· Administrate individual Ticker Text

· Synchronize Time and Set Shutdown time of players

· Check the Upload Status of the Players

7.5.1 Volume Setting - Bottom Tab

You can input any value from 0 to 100 to set the volume of individual players or master volume for all players.

Note: Please check the status first before uploading. If the volume field shows “No Connection”, it implies that the Player is down. You can verify by checking under Network Tab for the confirmation (see 7.4).

Click on Refresh first to get the updated volume settings.

7.5.2 Ticker Text Settings - Bottom Tab

Under this setting you can set a master ticker text message for all the players. Or you can select individual ticker text for individual messages.

7.5.3 Time Setting - Bottom Tab

Under this setting you can synchronize the time of the scheduler to all the players and server connected to the display network.

You may also set shutdown timings for the players in the display network.

Note:

Please click on refresh button to get the latest timing from each player. If no time is given but it shows “No Connection”, it implies that the Player is down. You can verify by checking under Network Tab for the confirmation (see 7.4).

7.5.4 Uploading Status - Bottom Tab

Under this function, you can track the uploading status of all the transactions done between the scheduler, server and players.

In general, the Scheduler and Server will try for 999 times. In order not to cause network congestions, it will stop after 999 times. Please ensure all the players are up and running before uploading any information or media.

You can also manually cancel a transaction by clicking on the cancel button.

7.6 The User Admin - Top Tab

You can change your password from this interface.

8 NCASTFUSION Player

NCASTFUSION Player supports a huge array of media file formats. The application also dynamically updates itself on the latest schedule or instructions from the Server and Player Designer.

Combining the power of Player Designer, you can also re-purpose and re-use your player licenses for other functions.

When you install the Player Application to the Player CPU, the application will automatically start every time the player cpu reboots.

Tip: It is best to set the wake-up time on the CPU BIOS so that the player will know when to re-start daily. It is also advisable to set the BIOS to allow the player to re-start itself automatically in the event of the power failure. Please read the CPU’s manual for more details.

8.1 Player Installation Manual

Insert the Player Installation CD ROM and follow the instructions. (See Section 3.3)

8.2 Player User Manual

The Player Application has no user interfaces; it is a client application that starts itself in display mode.

In the event that the Player Application is closed manually, please execute the player manually.

Note:

Once the Player Application is closed, the Server will not be able to monitor it. It will be deemed as a “down” player.

9 End-User-License Agreement (EULA)

NOTICE TO USER: This is a contract between you and M-Fusion Pte Ltd (Singapore) (“Licensor”). By installing the NCASTFUSION suite of software, you accept all the terms and conditions of this End-User License Agreement ("EULA") for the M-Fusion software, or NCASTFUSION (as applicable).

SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE:

1. DEFINITIONS. In this License Agreement:

o NCASTFUSION is the Software Product developed by the Licensor Computer means a PC, workstation, desktop, terminal, handheld PC or other digital electronic device.

o EULA means this End User License Agreement.

o Evaluation Software means any software produced and made available free of charge by Licensor for the purpose of assessing the suitability of the Software Products (or any of them), whether or not labeled or designated “evaluation software” by the Licensor.

o Information means any user manual and all other documentation and information (including by way of an online help system) supplied or made available to you by the Licensor relating to the Software Products, intended to assist you with the implementation and use of the Software Products.

o Install and Installed means the installation of the Software to each Computer by execution of the setup program in respect of the Software.

o Licensee and you means the individual who has accepted the terms of this EULA or the Organisation on behalf of which the terms of this EULA have been accepted.

o Licensor means M-Fusion Pte Ltd, a Singapore limited liability company, with registered offices at 17B Blair Road Singapore 089917.

o Organization means a legal person or entity other than an individual (and includes, without limitation, a company or other corporate body and a government department or agency). Where a business unit or division of an Organisation is specified or referred to as the Licensee, all other business units or divisions of the Organisation will be excluded from this definition for the purposes of this EULA.

o Software Products means the Software.

o Support means the right to request Software Product support from M-Fusion in accordance with the M-Fusion support terms (if entered into).

2. SOFTWARE LICENSE. The Software Products are protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The Software Products are licensed by the Licensor, not sold.

o GRANT OF LICENSE. This EULA grants you the following rights:

§ Applications Software. You may Install, use, access and display, one copy of the Software on a single Computer. The primary user of the Computer on which the Software is Installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive use on a portable computer. This license expressly forbids the distribution of the NCASTFUSION outside of your Organization. You may not modify the NCASTFUSION.

§ Reservation of Rights. All rights in respect of the Software Products not expressly granted under this EULA are reserved by the Licensor.

§ Transfer of license. You may not sell, transfer, sublicense, rent, loan, lease or otherwise part with possession of any of the Software Products to any third party.

§ Storage/Network Use. You may also store a copy of the Software Product on a storage device, such as a network server, used only to Install the Software Product on your other Computers over an internal network; however, you must acquire and dedicate a license for each separate Computer on which the Software Product is Installed or used from the storage device. A license for the Software Product may not be shared or used concurrently on different Computers.

3. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS:

o Educational Edition Software. If the Product is identified as "Educational Edition", you must be a "Qualified Educational User" to use the Product. If you are not a Qualified Educational User, you have no rights under this EULA.

o Evaluation Software. If the Product is labelled "Evaluation", then, notwithstanding other sections of this EULA, your use of the Product is limited to use for demonstration, test, or evaluation purposes and you may not resell, or otherwise transfer for value, the Product.

o Limitations on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Product.

o Separation of Components. The Product is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one Computer.

o Support Agreement. The Licensor may provide you with Product Support ("Support Agreement"). Use of Support Services is governed by the terms of the Licensor's Support Agreement. With respect to technical information you provide to Licensor as part of the Support Agreement, the Licensor may use such information for its business purposes, including for Product support and development. The Licensor will not utilize such technical information in a form that personally identifies you.

o Termination. This EULA will terminate immediately without notice and without prejudice to the remaining legal rights of the Licensor if you fail to comply with any term or condition of this EULA. Upon termination or non-use of the Product, the Licensor will be entitled to demand that you immediately delete the installed set up program from your computer and destroy any back-up or other copies of the Product or parts thereof and return the Product to the Licensor.

4. PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. The items in the NCASTFUSION are the intellectual property of the Licensor and are protected by Singapore copyright and patent law, international treaty provisions and applicable laws of the country in which it is being used. You agree to protect all copyright and other ownership interests of the Licensor in all Software Products supplied under this EULA. The Licensor retains title and ownership of all Software Products, the media on which they are recorded, and all subsequent copies, regardless of the form or media in or on which the original and other copies may exist. Except as stated above, this EULA does not grant you any rights to patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks or any other rights in respect to the Software Products.

5. UPGRADES. If the Software is labelled as a service release, you must be properly licensed to use a Product Key identified by the Licensor as being eligible for the upgrade in order to use the Software. Software labelled as a service release replaces the Software Product that formed the basis for your eligibility for the upgrade.

6. DUAL-MEDIA SOFTWARE. You may receive the Software Product in more than one medium. Regardless of the type or size of medium you receive, you may use only one medium that is appropriate for your single Computer. You may not Install the other medium on another Computer. You may not loan, rent, lease, or otherwise transfer the other medium to another user.

7. BACKUP COPY. After Installation of one copy of the Software Product pursuant to this EULA, you may keep the original media on which the Software Product was provided by the Licensor solely for backup or archival purposes. If the original media is required to use the Software Product on the Computer, you may make one copy of the Software Product solely for backup or archival purposes. Except as expressly provided in this EULA, you may not otherwise make copies of the Software Product or the printed materials accompanying the Software Product.

8. EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY. Your attention is drawn to the Disclaimer set out at the beginning of this EULA. You acknowledge that you have read and accept the Disclaimer and that it forms part of this EULA. No warranty or representation is made in respect of the Software Products or the Information and all warranties and representations (including those implied by law and whether statutory or otherwise) are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. In the event that the Licensor is found to be liable to you for breach of this EULA despite this exclusion, the Licensor’s liability in respect of such breach will be limited to the amount paid by you for the Software Products in respect of which liability arises. In no event will the Licensor be liable to you for any consequential, incidental or special damages including damages for any lost profits, lost savings, loss of data, costs, fees or expenses of any kind or nature arising out of any provision of this EULA or the use or inability to use the Software Products. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental, consequential or special damages, and if this is the case, this clause will operate to the fullest extent permissible in such jurisdiction but not otherwise. Nothing contained in this EULA shall prejudice the statutory rights of any Licensee who is a consumer (except to the extent those rights can be contracted out of).

9. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. You agree to use the Software Products in compliance with all local laws and regulations and you agree to comply with any applicable export restriction regulations.

10. MISCELLANEOUS.

o The English language version of this EULA prevails over any other language version.

o Failure or delay by the Licensor in enforcing any right or provision of this EULA is not deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right with respect to any breach.

o This EULA is governed by the laws of Singapore and International Laws and the Licensor and Licensee submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Singapore.

10 Sales & Support

M-Fusion welcomes you to recommend NCASTFUSION. If you are interested our products, kindly contact us at:

17B Blair Road Singapore S(089917)

Office: +65 6225 5593

Fax: +65 6225 5027

Email for sales: sales@m-fusion.com.sg

Email for support: info@m-fusion.com.sg

11 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These FAQs are intended to give you some idea on common issues and problems, which can easily be rectified by the users:

11.1 Network and Applications

Ques1:

If the player indicates a Disconnected Icon on the Network Status, what can be wrong?

Answer:

There could be a couple of issues, please check:

· If player CPU is on

· If connectivity or cables of the player CPU is not plugged in

· If the Server is down

· If Server application is closed

Tip for administrators: Please use Network Status Function on the Scheduler to check on the players’ connectivity.

This icon implies that the Player is up and running

This icon implies that the Player is either not connected or Player Application is closed

This icon implies that the Server is down

Ques2:

I cannot send my Player Templates to the Player?

Answer:

Refer to Ques1 of this section.

Ques3:

When I update and upload my contents, templates or event information, the player does not reflect this change.

Answer:

Updating and Uploading of contents or information is not necessarily immediate, it depends on the network bandwidth and traffic.

Typically, it should update in less than 5 mins if the contents are not heavy in file size. You may also check the status (Administrators only) by using the Network Status Function in the Scheduler Application to check on the upload status.

If the system fails to upload, it could also be the Server is down. (Please refer to Ques1 in this section)

Ques4:

If the volume changes or shutdown did not take effect at player–what can be wrong?

Answer:

Please press refresh button to retrieve each player’s volume setting, if the return time is different from what you set, please reset the value and update

If the return value is “ no connection “ please refer to Ques1 for network troubleshooting

11.2 Media Related Issue

Ques1:

The media file I wish to upload to Media Library cannot be seen when I browse for it using Media Library.

Answer:

NCASTFUSION uses QuickTime Player Technology for media playing. When importing the media, you cannot see the file, implies that it is not a supported media type.

Please re-render or convert the media to a supported format.

Ques2:

The video file which I have successfully uploaded to the Media Library, but cannot seem to play properly on the Players or Preview in the Scheduler. What could be wrong?

Answer:

Video files are rendered using Video Codecs. Although video files may be in a supported file extensions, it may not necessarily play on the Player application. It depends if the video renderer software is also installed on both player and scheduler CPUs.

To check if your player can play a certain video file, you can check first by using the preview functions in Scheduler before Uploading to players.

Ques3:

My Flash File does not seem to run properly on the player application. What should I check?

Answer:

Macromedia Flash has action scripting functions, please ensure that your flash media are not programmed to self-loop or jump frames. NCASTFUSION can detect the duration of the Flash files by the total number of frames and frames per second on the flash media, if there are action scripts that command the Flash Media to jump frames it will cause problems when you air it.

Other possible issues:

· DO NOT compress your flash media, please uncheck that option while publishing the swf files

Ques4:

My picture seems pixelated or “stretch” on the Player Screen, how can I improve it?

Answer:

The display components on the Player Application is determined by the Player Designer. If you have designed a display area that does not match the picture resolution, it will cause some distortion. Please refer to your own notes while designing your templates. If the media are prepared according to size, it will improve the “viewing pleasure” of the player output.

Ques5:

I use Player Designer for Portrait mode, however, when I send the template to my player, it still shows landscape mode.

Answer:

The template does not switch the Player CPU’s orientation. If you need a portrait mode display, please ensure that the Player CPU has graphic cards that can support the resolution, size and orientation of your screen. Use Control Panel/Display Settings to fine tune your player screen before uploading the templates.

11.3 Bugs and Technical Issues

M-Fusion has tested the applications stringently, however, if you discover a bug, please report to us immediately so that we can rectify it and improve it immediately. To report a bug, please send an email to:

support@m-fusion.com.sg

Please add these on your subject head: “Bugs in NCASTFUSION” followed by a short title of the bug/s.