rickypike Posted March 22, 2010 Posted March 22, 2010 Hi all We have 4 Samsung MagicNet monitors installed, 3 are running MagicNetPro and I'm having problems getting them to display ppt files. I can get them to display everything else fine. I create a ppt then add it to the library within the magicnet software. I cannot preview the file it just displays the link on the screen to where the file is located. I have installed the ppt viewer on each of the screens and have no problems running the files locally, from a USB flash drive etc. There are no other problems, I can run all other files have web access and can remotely control the power. It just seems to be a problem with adding office files within the software. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks regards Ricky
mb2k01 Posted March 22, 2010 Posted March 22, 2010 I'll be interested to read replies here. I have two magicnet screens and actually got so hacked off that I removed the magicnet software from the screens and just forced the ppt files to autostart when windows loaded! (Something to keep in mind if you don't have much luck?!)
rickypike Posted March 22, 2010 Author Posted March 22, 2010 Yeah I do find the software very un freindly, I have already thought about running the ppt's on each machine but want the facility to be able to run them all at the same time from the software, after all that is what you should be able to do. It should work and then I could schedule the ppt's to run at specific times throughout the day. I think this would be far easier to manage as staff/students could then just create their own ppt's to be displayed. I have already spent considerable time working on this but I won't let it defeat me, lol! I'll be interested to see if any others have managed to sort it?? Cheers Ricky
markberry Posted March 22, 2010 Posted March 22, 2010 We have some Samsung screens but haven't used the software for them. We've instead used a few paid for products (which weren't great) and then opted for purely using Powerpoint. That was until we discovered Xibo, an Open Source Digital Signage Solution, which I have to say is amazing. It does Schedules, embedding video, streaming video, rss tickers. It even allows us to use multiple PPT files to be displayed at the same time side by side. I know its not much help with your problem but I'd recommend looking at it as an alternative. Xibo Open Source Digital Signage
rickypike Posted March 22, 2010 Author Posted March 22, 2010 Hi there many thanks for that i'll have a look and give it a go. Regards Ricky
gwildebeast Posted March 22, 2010 Posted March 22, 2010 We have some Samsung digital signage and magicnet pro running and it can be done since I have a screen running a powerpoint on a loop. I don't remember doing anything clever, when I publish the file the viewer starts up on its own and displays the .ppt
rickypike Posted March 22, 2010 Author Posted March 22, 2010 Hi there When I add the ppt file (to the background within magicnet) I can see the file name but cannot preview it or send it to the screen, just get a blank screen. I have attached a screen shot of the magicnet software after I have added the ppt file. If I do the same with just a picture file (jpg etc) within the backgorund it works perfectly, strange! Many thanks Ricky
IrritableTech Posted March 22, 2010 Posted March 22, 2010 We have some Samsung screens but haven't used the software for them. We've instead used a few paid for products (which weren't great) and then opted for purely using Powerpoint. That was until we discovered Xibo, an Open Source Digital Signage Solution, which I have to say is amazing. It does Schedules, embedding video, streaming video, rss tickers. It even allows us to use multiple PPT files to be displayed at the same time side by side. I know its not much help with your problem but I'd recommend looking at it as an alternative. Xibo Open Source Digital Signage I can echo what mark says. We have two samsung screens which I bought with a view to pop xibo on. Took a ten minute look at MagicInfo and was reassured I'd made the right decision. We have had a couple of teething issues with xibo. Mainly due to user error, or my terrible training! Xibo is a fantastic product. If you do opt for just powerpoint though, grab this; PresentationPoint | ShowPoint control remotely It checks the centrally hosted powerpoint file every so often for an updated version. Saves having to remote in to each screen to update.
gwildebeast Posted March 22, 2010 Posted March 22, 2010 I do remember in magicnet pro that the scheduling of the screen items can be a bit painful so you might want to check that.
Craggus2000 Posted March 22, 2010 Posted March 22, 2010 We use the samsung screens too. And after finally receiving the correct files from samsung, have MagicInfo-i working really well. Scheduling reliable and all... I think magicinfo-i is the latest incarnation, and you are probably eligable to just get and install that. That's my 2p worth...
pjstrns Posted October 15, 2010 Posted October 15, 2010 We have some Samsung screens but haven't used the software for them. We've instead used a few paid for products (which weren't great) and then opted for purely using Powerpoint. That was until we discovered Xibo, an Open Source Digital Signage Solution, which I have to say is amazing. It does Schedules, embedding video, streaming video, rss tickers. It even allows us to use multiple PPT files to be displayed at the same time side by side. I know its not much help with your problem but I'd recommend looking at it as an alternative. Xibo Open Source Digital Signage The Xibo software looks good and easy from the server side of things. How did you guys get the Xibo client to install on a Samsung without IE7 being apart of the Embedded OS?
DarrenC Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 I have passed this thread through to Samsung and asked them for their response. Will post when I receive it.
Vanti Posted October 26, 2010 Posted October 26, 2010 We use the samsung screens too. And after finally receiving the correct files from samsung, have MagicInfo-i working really well. Scheduling reliable and all... I think magicinfo-i is the latest incarnation, and you are probably eligable to just get and install that. That's my 2p worth... Just to echo Craggus2000 - upgrading to MagicInfo-i is definitely worth it. Failing that, you could see if there are client upgrades available to what I assume is MagicInfo Pro over at Samsung LFD Monitors (you'll need to register but it is free). I put a comparison together over on our blog a little while ago, which may be useful, especially if you're running any set-back boxes (SBB-NTs): Samsung MagicInfo Digital Signage Version Comparison | RTS Technology Solutions
mb2k01 Posted October 26, 2010 Posted October 26, 2010 I've had a quick scout around on the samsung site for information/pricing on MagicInfo-i, but haven't had much luck. Is this a paid for app, or can existing MagicNet users get it for free? (If so, is there a link you could post?)
maestromasada Posted October 26, 2010 Posted October 26, 2010 The Magic net pro is a bit of a problem to use. I created the guide for teachers a while ago, here is me sharing it. Hope it can help you finding your way around the software, there is no 'magic' involve on it! Will of course appreciate feedback Thank you Samsung Plasma Screen Guide
pjstrns Posted October 26, 2010 Posted October 26, 2010 Well we have found it is much easier to run Xibo. What we did is upgrade the FDM to a 16GB so we had plenty of space. Then installed XP and Xibo server and client on the system. We can access the design tool thru the web at any workstation. We have also tested installing the client on other PC and works great. If we run out of space for our server, we plan to buy a external usb HD and use that as our library. Nice thing about Xibo is that it is user friendly. It only took about 20min to instruct the non IT personnel how to create and update layouts. I had to help with the RSS feed and the .swf clock but the rest they can easily do.
Marci Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 I presume you've installed MS PowerPoint Viewer on all your Samsungs? S'a prerequisite to PPT files working...
pjstrns Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 From what I have read is that the full version off PowerPoint needs to be installed. This is off the Xibo site but think these fixes would work with Magic Pro also. Install Guide NET Client - Xibo Windows Modifications Here are some suggested settings for Windows / Powerpoint for a Display Client: * Turn off all screensavers * Turn off screen power saving * Load the "No Sounds" Sound Scheme (Control Panel -> Sounds and Audio Devices Properties) * Set a plain wallpaper (Hopefully nobody will see it, but you might need to reboot a client, or restart Xibo and a sane wallpaper is a help * If the client is accessible from where you manage your displays from, you might want to install UltraVNC server so you can connect in and check on the client from time to time. Use the "View only" option in the VNC client to avoid disturbing the display. * Set Windows to log on as your display client user automatically * Disable balloon tips in the notification area * Disable Windows Error Reporting. Occasionally Powerpoint seems to "crash" when Xibo closes it. Unfortunately this leaves an unsightly "Powerpoint has encountered a problem and needs to close" message on the display. Follow the steps here to disable Windows Error Reporting completely - including notifications. * Also disable Office Application Error reporting. Follow instructions at KB325075 or merge this registry patch. If you're using Powerpoint, then there are a couple of extra steps: * The first time you run Xibo with a Powerpoint, you might get a popup appear that asks what Xibo should do with the Powerpoint file. The popup actually originates from Internet Explorer. Choose to "Open" the file, and untick the box so you won't be prompted again. * In some circumstances, you may find that Powerpoint, the application, loads instead of the file opening within Xibo itself. If that happens, try merging this registry patch. (Taken from pptfaq.com). Users of Powerpoint 2007 should go to Microsoft KB927009 and run the FixIT application instead. Users of PowerPoint 2010 should go here instead KB982995 * Note also that Powerpoint will put scroll bars up the side of your presentation, unless you do the following for each Powerpoint file BEFORE you upload it: o Open your Powerpoint Document o Slide Show -> Setup Show o Under "Show Type", choose "Browsed by an individual (window)" and then untick "Show scrollbar"
Marci Posted October 27, 2010 Posted October 27, 2010 Nah, Samsung's MagicInfo definitely just needs the powerpoint viewer, NOT the full version... but yes, powerpoints should be setup to run in kiosk mode etc.
OverWorked Posted December 7, 2010 Posted December 7, 2010 What's the difference between MagicInfo Pro and MagicInfo-i ? Which is better? The Samsung documention is as clear as mud. I'm just getting started with the 2 Samsung screens here. I bought them not knowing they came with software. I was planning to use either Showpoint or Xibo. I can't find a way of stoppinng the MagicInfo setup program from running at startup. So I'm stuck with it until I uninstall it. I wanted to give it a chance before scrapping it. I'm not impressed with it so far.
pjstrns Posted December 7, 2010 Posted December 7, 2010 To get the MagicInfo to stop running at start up you will need to disable the EWF first then do your changes and the reenble the EWF if you wish. C:\>ewfmgr c: -commitanddisable and then ewfmgr c: -enable. to turn it back on Depending on what type of screen you have you may be able to just reinstall and OS over the current one. I also read if you run partition magic on the 4G you can reinstall regular XP. We are using Xibo and like it alot it seems easier for the end users to modify the layouts. So I am not sure the difference between the I and Pro. Our setup we ended up taking out the Flash Disk Module and adding a laptop hard drive. We had to buy a external power supply and an adapter for the pin change. Though now we have 80GB running XP Pro and the Xibo Client and Server running off that one screen. Any other screens will just run the Xibo client. Hope that helps. 1
OverWorked Posted December 7, 2010 Posted December 7, 2010 Hope that helps. It does. Thanks for that. I have two screens - it hadn't occurred to me to add a hdd then make one of them a server with XP. That sounds like a good idea.
soapyfish Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Nah, Samsung's MagicInfo definitely just needs the powerpoint viewer, NOT the full version... but yes, powerpoints should be setup to run in kiosk mode etc. I had the same issue way back and installing the PPT viewer was all that it needed.
Vanti Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Nah, Samsung's MagicInfo definitely just needs the powerpoint viewer, NOT the full version... but yes, powerpoints should be setup to run in kiosk mode etc. It's also worth ensuring your presentations are set up for the correct aspect ratios (16:9 or 16:10 normally). Nothing worse than seeing a great looking presentation that's been set up in 4:3 let down by two huge black bars either side of the screen. Click Design on the Ribbon >> Page Setup >> "Slides sized for:" dropdown >> Take your pick
cryptobrian Posted September 2, 2011 Posted September 2, 2011 The Xibo software looks good and easy from the server side of things. How did you guys get the Xibo client to install on a Samsung without IE7 being apart of the Embedded OS? Anyone have a response to this? Shorting of opening the display up and putting in a hard disk, is there any other option to just put IE7 on these machines to proceed with a Xibo client install?
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