Saving Energy
Digital Signage players are designed to run 24/7.
To reduce the energy consumption, you may wish to shut part of or the entire system down during certain times of the day.
There are three possible approaches:
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Make the NTB put the display device into stand-by mode (NTB continues to run).
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Make the NTB switch the display device off via an RS232 cable (NTB continues to run).
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Use a timer switch to shut down both the NTB and the Display Device.
To make the NTB put the display device into stand-by mode:
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Log into the NTB and browse to "Schedule".
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Set "Screen" to "Off".
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Change the default Layout to a low-energy option - one which simply shows a full screen image indefinitely.
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Click "Save".
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Browse to "Add Entry".
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Set the "From" and "Until" times to cover the period that the display device must be on.
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Tick the days of the week that the display device must be on.
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NB: Tick the box to set "Screen" to "On".
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Tick the box and set "Layout" to the normal Layout that must show during these times.
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Repeat for as many layout changes that you require during the day/week.
To make the NTB switch the Display Device off with an RS232 cable:
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Obtain the RS232 codes from the manufacturer.
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Connect an RS232 cable from the NTB to the Display Device.
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Browse to "Setup | RS232 | Add Command".
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Click "Screen is turned on", enter the code to turn the Display Device on and click "Add".
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Click "Screen is turned off", enter the code to turn the Display Device off and click "Add".
To use a timer switch:
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Obtain a timer switch for the mains power circuit(s) that supply the NTB and Display Device(s).
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Program the timer switch(es) to turn power on and off at the desired times.
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Plug the NTB and Display Device power cables into the timer switch(es).
Unlike a PC, there is no problem cutting the power to an NTB.
Ensure, however, that this does NOT happen while you are updating the software of the NTB.
