AccessKitSetup a BrightSign
Learn how to setup a BrightSign mediaplayer with AccessKit.
AccessKit makes it easy to automatically register your BrightSign or other Mediaplayer, so forget hassling with BrightAuthor!
About mediaplayers
A Mediaplayer is a device that can play media files. It is typically used to play media files in a gallery or museum.
The most commonly used Mediaplayer is the BrightSign, which is a small, low-power device that has internet capabilities and can play media files with incredible stability.
If you've never used a BrightSign before, don't worry! This guide will walk you through the process of setting up a BrightSign with AccessKit, but we are also happy to help you on a one-on-one call - just email us at info@accesskit.cc.
If you want to work with other mediaplayer types, head to this guide.
Registering a BrightSign
Check requirements
Make sure your BrightSign is running on OS 8 or higher, and is updated with the latest firmware.
If you are not sure how to check your BrightSign's OS version, just plug it in and connect it to a monitor without an SD card inserted. The OS version will be displayed on the screen once the BrightSign has booted up.
Warning: Some older BrightSign models cannot run OS 8. AccessKit may run on these players, but will likely encounter issues.
Get the script
Click the BrightSign Script button on the top right of the AccessKit Admin Dashboard.
You will be prompted to save a file called autorun.zip. Save it to a convenient place on your computer's drive.
This file contains everything needed to automatically register your BrightSign with AccessKit, and can be re-used any time you need to register a new BrightSign; however we recommend downloading the script again so that you have the latest version.
If you need to use WiFi or static IP addresses, visit the networking documentation.
Format the SD Card
After you have updated the firmware, insert the microSD card into your computer and the storage device.
Warning: Your SD card must be formatted in the exFAT file system. exFAT is a STRICT requirement to run media with AccessKit.
Add the script to the SD card
Move autorun.zip onto the SD card. Do not unzip the zip file, and make sure the filename is exactly autorun.zip.
Safely eject your SD card
Use your computer's file explorer to safely eject the SD card.
Prepare the BrightSign
Before powering on the BrightSign, connect it to a monitor and connect it to the internet via its ethernet port. The ethernet port it is connected to must be a live internet connection, not just a local network.
Wait for registration to complete
The BrightSign will now go through several boot cycles as it clears its registries and sets up local network diagnostic access. It will eventually attempt to connect to AccessKit for the first time.
If you see an error messsage, ensure that the BrightSign is connected to an Ethernet port that is active.
You might check this by plugging in another device like a laptop or desktop computer and verifying whether that device gets internet access via the same Ethernet port.
You can also try removing the SD card from the BrightSign while powered off, then plugging in the BrightSign to
the ethernet port and monitor, and then powering on. Once it finishes powering on, you should see an IP address listed on the official
BrightSign OS splash screen. If the IP address starts with something like 192.168.xxx.xxx or 10.0.xxx.xxx then it is at least finding
your network (though not necessarily with a hot connection to the internet). Feel free to contact the AccessKit team
with a help request.
Check the BrightSign's ID and IP address
Once it connects to AccessKit, it will display an ID number assigned to the player, as well as the player's local network IP address on screen.
Check the Admin Dashboard
Return to the Admin Dashboard in your browser and you should see the BrightSign with the indicated ID and IP address in the list of registered players.
If any errors occur during this process, please follow the on-screen prompts. If errors persist, please contact the AccessKit team for additional assistance.
Next steps
Once registered, it's now time to add media to your BrightSign. Head to the next section to learn how to do this.