|
|
Q&A - AxisTV Webinar Q1, 2007
Q&A Session for AxisTV Tips and Tricks
Seminar
Date: March 29, 2007
Click here to download the PowerPoint®
presentation
_________________________________________________________________
Morgan Estabrook - 11:27 am
Q: Do all content blocks (except for the crawllists) have to be either
4:3 or 16:9?
Trey Hicks - 11:31 am
A: Content blocks can be different shapes (non 4:3 or 16:9), but always
square or rectangle.
_________________________________________________________________
Kevin Madsen - 11:29 am
Q: older plasmas have a resolution of 1280x1024, but have a physical
aspect of 16x9. this results in 'rectangular pixels' when doing
backgrounds and content, do you set these up as 4x3 or 16x9?
Trey Hicks - 11:35 am
A: It's tricky to do layouts for those types of plasmas. We'll email you
tips after this event.
_________________________________________________________________
James Mills - 11:32 am
Q: 1024x768 is a 4x3 ratio. Why are you setting the resolution to a 4x3
but setting your rendition to 16:9
Trey Hicks - 11:37 am
A: Only so that we don't send a 16:9 image during this seminar since
most participats are viewing on either a desktop PC or projector.
_________________________________________________________________
kris mullenberg - 11:32 am
Q: can you import your settings from the previous versions?
Trey Hicks - 11:40 am
A: Yes, depending on the upgrade path, we can save your content and
settings during an upgrade.
_________________________________________________________________
Joshua Hamlin - 11:33 am
Q: and in a future UI version, will the need to refresh with each change
be taken out so that you can make all changes and then update once?
Trey Hicks - 11:41 am
A: We are already working on user preferences to eliminate the "round
trip" until all relevant actions are complete. You will see these
selections in version 7.x releases.
_________________________________________________________________
James Mills - 11:36 am
Q: So I would typically want those aspects to match?
Trey Hicks - 11:45 am
A: Yes, keep in mind, however, your wallpaper may be 16:9, but you may
have 4:3 content windows.
_________________________________________________________________
Ellen Larsen - 11:36 am
Q: What is the email for the person to ask to download the free upgrade?
Trey Hicks - 11:45 am
A: hfowler@visix.com
_________________________________________________________________
Morgan Estabrook - 11:36 am
Q: Even if you want to fill the entire content block with content
without stretching or extra/black space? Are 4:3 and 16:9 recommended in
the layouts just because they're the most common aspect ratios?
Trey Hicks - 11:48 am
A: They're recommended becuase most content fits, but you can vary from
those aspect ratios. You may consider 9:16 aspect ratios to "bracket"
content to the left or right of a 16:9 display. This ratio can create a
mini poster in your layout design.
_________________________________________________________________
robert grier - 11:44 am
Q: with blocks 2 and 3, how can the height be 330, wouldn't that run on
top of eachother? Because the Width and Height is how many pixels that
they go from the point of left and top?
Trey Hicks - 11:54 am
A: The blocks are drawn from the top left corner (left : top : width :
height). When creating content blocks the "left" digit is the number of
pixels from the left edge where you want the block to begin. The "width"
digit creates the width of the block by adding pixels to the left digit.
The same can be said for the top and height.
_________________________________________________________________
Kevin Madsen - 11:45 am
Q: What version is required to display a playlist as a graphic on an
Intranet as shown earlier? Is there a licensing cost for this? Where is
this configured and where do we get sample code for the IntraNet?
Trey Hicks - 11:53 am
A: Kevin, version 6.2. There is no additional charge. It is built in
Standard, Professional and Enterprise editions.
_________________________________________________________________
Kevin Madsen - 11:50 am
Q: What is the estimated release dates of newer versions 6.6 and 7.0
that were mentioned earlier?
Trey Hicks - 11:54 am
A: Version 6.6 is scheduled to be released mid-May and 7.0 in Q4.
_________________________________________________________________
Teresa Matthews - 11:55 am
Q: What is the Z-order under content blocks?
Trey Hicks - 12:01 pm
A: It sets the layering of the blocks. You have to be careful when
layering blocks because video layers (MPEG, Flash, WMV) can cause
flicker.
_________________________________________________________________
Patty Topping - 11:55 am
Q: Is there any way to rotate wallpaper backgrounds to avoid burn-in?
Trey Hicks - 12:02 pm
A: Yes, you can create another layout with the only change being the
wallpaper. Versions 6.2 and later support scheduled layouts. Extremely
powerful tool for minimizing burn-in and dramatically changing the look
of your displays. You can find more information in the help section of
the application. In help, search for "scheduled layouts" and you will
find "layout schedule", "layout", and "schedule layout."
_________________________________________________________________
Mike Willis - 11:55 am
Q: We can't see what is being displayed on our plasma screens (live)
from our workstations. Is this available in version 6?
Trey Hicks - 12:02 pm
A: No, but will be a standard component in version 7. For now, you may
consider using the built in Microsoft feature entitled "Remote Dektop
Connection" that is commonly referred to as RDP. To use this feature,
from the Microsoft Start menu, select "All Programs", then "Accessories"
then "Communications" and finally "Remote Desktop Connection" From here,
simply enter the PC (Channel Player) name and you can view what is
running on the Player. You cannot see video over this medium. You will
need to ensure that RDP is enabled on the Player.
_________________________________________________________________
mark blindauer - 11:58 am
Q: can I also get info on the playlist showing in the intranet
Trey Hicks - 12:04 pm
A: To effectively use this feature, you will need to create a cell in
your Intranet designate to "run" playlist content. Within AxisTV help,
search for "public" and select "Public (slide show)" from the results.
There are detailed instructions on how to configure this feature.
_________________________________________________________________
Teresa Matthews - 12:01 pm
Q: for audio files...is there a way to assign a media player playlist to
a background/playlist, etc., or just file (song)?
Trey Hicks - 12:05 pm
A: Just a file...many customers have put songs back-to-back in a single
file using basic audio editing software.
_________________________________________________________________
david saier - 12:07 pm
Q: can you import your own flash files - i.e. commercials?
Trey Hicks - 12:10 pm
A: Yes, Flash playback is supported in versions 6.0 and newer. You will
need to purchase a Flash license for each Channel Player where you want
Flash to play. The licenses can be installed remotely. Please do not
attempt to download the Flash license from Adobe and install on a Player
or Content Server. The licenses are controlled from within the Server
license key as part of a leagal agreement with Adobe. The most recent
Adobe EULA defines the use of Flash in digital signage applications.
There are two Flash functions that cannot be a part of the finaly .swf
file - interactive and looping. These features mus not be present in the
file.
_________________________________________________________________
Joshua Hamlin - 12:10 pm
Q: How much is the Flash License add-on?
Trey Hicks - 12:14 pm
A: The Flash license is $49 per Channel Player.
_________________________________________________________________
Ed McGowan - 12:13 pm
Q: is that Q4 2007 for V.7.0 ?
Trey Hicks - 12:16 pm
A: Yes, Q4 2007.
_________________________________________________________________
mark blindauer - 12:14 pm
Q: how do I get the Mpeg 2 codec, for playback
Trey Hicks - 12:16 pm
A: MPEG-2 codecs must be purchased for version 6.0. The codec ships
standard with versions 6.2 and newer. The license is controlled in a
manner similar to the Flash license noted above.
_________________________________________________________________
stephanie payne-roberts - 12:10 pm
Q: Will the powerpoint presentation file be available for download for
this event at end?
Trey Hicks - 12:17 pm
A: There is no real PPT presentation for this session, but the Q&A will
be available for all to read.
_________________________________________________________________
Michelle Coolidge - 12:14 pm
Q: And what is the earliest version that supports the Flash Add On?
Trey Hicks - 12:20 pm
A: AxisTV v.6.0 and newer support Flash if you have the required
licenses for your Channel Players.
_________________________________________________________________
James Mills - 12:15 pm
Q: I just got Axis TV and am running 6.0. Looking at your website, I can
get SMA to keep up to date. I notice there is one for the server and one
for the player. Do I need both to take advantage of these upcoming
updates?
Trey Hicks - 12:20 pm
A: Yes, you need to keep both the Player and Server SMA's up to date. In
version 7.0 for example, you will have the ability to incorporate
animated backgrounds. This feature is controlled at the Player level.
_________________________________________________________________
Mary Mills - 12:15 pm
Q: Will our current Windows 2000 channel players support the new
versions?
Trey Hicks - 12:20 pm
A: Mary, we will support Windows 2000 through the release of v.6.8 this
summer. Version 7.0 will probably not support Windows 2000. The OS will
be seven years old. Microsoft is begining to phase out their support for
the OS in a manner similar to what they did with NT.
_________________________________________________________________
Jennifer Canup - 12:18 pm
Q: If you have a 1024 x 768 (16:9) layout. How do you determine what is
the pixel ratio for 4:3 content block?
Trey Hicks - 12:20 pm
A: You should use our online layout calculator to get you started. More
than likely, you will need to manipulate the values, but this will get
you started. You will find the layout assistant in the Visix website
under the Users section at the following address
http://visix.com/products/axistv/users/index.htm (link entitled Layout
Assistant)
_________________________________________________________________
Ed McGowan - 12:19 pm
Q: what is the boot schedule for and are there specific reasons in using
it?
Trey Hicks - 12:20 pm
A: The boot schedule is often used in environments where the IT
department is applying domain policies. The policies are often applied
after a reboot. Others may use the boot schedule to help insure
communications with remote Players. The reboot helps to re-establish
lost communications on a schedule. There are wide range of network
forces that may disrupt communications to "idol" Players.
_________________________________________________________________
stephanie payne-roberts - 12:15 pm
Q: What is the difference between standard and enterprise?
Trey Hicks - 12:20 pm
A: There are a number of differences. A complete comparison can be found
at http://visix.com/products/contentservers/comparison.htm The big
difference are in Enterprise that supports external authentication
(Active Directory), up to 4000 Channel Players, support for text
messenger to cell phones and desktop messenger to PCs, delayed delivery
of large data files, Player and play list grouping, Proxy Server
awareness and more.
_________________________________________________________________
Sherwyn Williams - 12:23 pm
Q: which version does the snap shot option supports?
Trey Hicks - 12:25 pm
A: The feature will be available in v.7.0. For now, we recommend using
Remote Desktop Connection found in Microsoft XP and Server 2003. See
previous question related to this subject.
_________________________________________________________________
mark blindauer - 12:20 pm
Q: have you tested the web interface with IE 7.0
Trey Hicks - 12:20 pm
A: Yes. No known incompatibility.
_________________________________________________________________
John Runnion - 12:06 pm
Q: we have a person here who would like to know how you would insert a
DVD player in this context
Trey Hicks - 12:20 pm
A: To incorporate a DVD you will need the video window option in the
Channel Player. It is basically a video overlay card. The ouput of the
DVD player is fed into the video overlay card. The overlay is then
scheduled to appear in a content block. It basically overlays video in
the block. Search the AxisTV help for "Video window" and select
"external video programs."
_________________________________________________________________
Deb Klossner - 12:22 pm
Q: Hi Trey, We have the latest version and I noticed that Sean was able
to look at what was being pushed out to the channel player on his PC
(looks like he logged in somewhere). I'd like to be able to do that from
my PC. Please advise.
Trey Hicks - 12:30 pm
A: Please see the previous questions related to this subject and Remote
Desktop Communications or RDP.
_________________________________________________________________
Joshua Hamlin - 12:22 pm
Q: Who should I contact to address followup questions?
Trey Hicks - 12:31 pm
A: Please contact Sean Matthews, smatthews@visix.com; Trey Hicks, thicks@visix.com
_________________________________________________________________
Kevin Madsen - 12:24 pm
Q: thanks and it was a good presentation!
_________________________________________________________________
Joshua Hamlin - 12:25 pm
Q: Thank you for your time and for the information presented.
|
