LED Sign Software
For non-commercial use this software is absolutely free, but if you like it, use it, can afford it or just want to donate please do. Also, if you wish to distribute this software with a sign please contact me for licensing information. If you would like a custom version created with additional logos, order changes, other messages, etc. Just drop me an email with a description of what you would like the software to do and I will let you know the cost. If I feel your requests would enhance the software I may just add them in and offer the new features in the next version.
Update:
Add a countdown message. When activated the sign will display "The moive will start in {X} min. {y} sec. Please take your seats." This message will be displayed after every other message similar to the "Now Showing" message. After the set amount to time has elapsed the sign will display "And Now Our Feature Presentaion" for 30 seconds before going blank.
I also changed {Play for X Seconds to Play for X minutes} in order to make sure this feature functions properly.
Download Latest Version
This software was designed specifically for use with BetaBrite signs in home theaters. It features a number of animations that are HT specific. I wrote the software to be used with Xlobby or other HTPC frontends. The software loads a set of predefined graphics and animations into your signs memory. After the sign is programmed it can be removed from the computer. The computer is used for initial programming and programming changes only. See below for a full feature list.
Video of sign running HTBrite .90
Files
HTBrite Version .93 - This is the main software. It's still in BETA so please report any bugs you might find
C# Source Example - Just in case you want to try your hand at programming it yourself
VB Source Example - Same as above except uses form and was written by Mike at Adaptive Micro
Messages and Usage
- User-defined welcome message
- Now Showing {MovieTitle} with a running time of {RunningTime}
- This theater features digital audio by DTS, Dolby, THX
- No Smoking
- Powered by TheaterTek
- Powered by Xlobby
- Please keep feet off of seats
- Visit our snack bar
- Coming Soon {MovieTiltle1} and {MovieTitle2}
- 2 Custom Messages
- Countdown Until Movie Start Timer
You can define which messages to play via the XML configuration file.
These messages are displayed one after the other with the Now Showing message between.
For Example:
- Welcome Message
- Now Showing
- Digital Audio
- Now Showing
- Snack Bar
- Now Showing
The entire animation will continue to loop.
The software also includes the ability to make the display blank after a set amount of time. This feature is valuable if you want the sign to go blank before the actual movie starts.
All features of the sign are controlled from either the command line or though an XML document used for configuration. The command line format is as follows.
HTBrite.exe "{COMPort}" "{MovieName}" "{RunningTime}" "{EndTimeMinutes}"
Here are some examples of the command line along with the XML document.
If the sign is on com2 and you would like to display the movie name for 3 minutes.
HTBrite.exe "2" "The Fifth Element" "" "3"
If the sign is on com1 and you would like to display the movie name running time on a continuous loop.
HTBrite.exe "1" "The Fifth Element" "126 minutes" ""
XML Configuration File
The File is pretty easy to understand. Simply change the values to turn on and off messages or create your own message using welcomeStatment. The order of the animations is predefined so reordering this file will not change the playback order on the sign.
<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<Configuration>
<playNowShowing>1</playNowShowing>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playRunningTime>1</playRunningTime>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<showCountdownMessage>1</showCountdownMessage>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playWelcomeStatement>1</playWelcomeStatement>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<welcomeStatement>-</welcomeStatement>
<!-- Insert Welcome Statement Here -->
<playFeaturedAudio>1</playFeaturedAudio>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playTheaterTek>1</playTheaterTek>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playXlobby>1</playXlobby>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playCellPhones>1</playCellPhones>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playCustom1>1</playCustom1>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<custom1Message>Thank you to the Jones family for joining us today!</custom1Message>
<!-- Insert Custom Messgae 1 Here -->
<custom1Font>1</custom1Font>
<!-- 1 = Regular , 2 = Wide , 3 = Fancy , 4 = Fancy Wide -->
<custom1color>1</custom1color>
<!-- 1 = Red , 2 = Green , 3 = Yellow -->
<playNoSmoking>1</playNoSmoking>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playSnackBar>1</playSnackBar>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playCustom2>1</playCustom2>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<custom1Message>Please join us next week for our showing of Shrek 2</custom1Message>
<!-- Insert Custom Messgae 1 Here -->
<custom1Font>3</custom1Font>
<!-- 1 = Regular , 2 = Wide , 3 = Fancy , 4 = Fancy Wide -->
<custom1color>3</custom1color>
<!-- 1 = Red , 2 = Green , 3 = Yellow -->
<playNoTalking>1</playNoTalking>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playEnjoyShow>1</playEnjoyShow>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playNoShoes>1</playNoShoes>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<playComingSoon>1</playComingSoon>
<!-- 1 = Yes , 2 = No -->
<CSMovie1>Blade Runner</CSMovie1>
<!-- Insert Movie Name Here -->
<CSMovie2>The Matrix</CSMovie2>
<!-- Insert Movie Name Here -->
</Configuration>
Trouble Shooting
The software is still in beta so there is no error catching. If you get an error check the following:
- You have the cable plugged into the correct comport and that the cable was made properly.
- All arguments are required in the command line. If you wish to not use one of the features you must use "" as the argument
- {EndTimeMinutes} must be a number surrounded by quotes. i.e."6"
- Make sure you turn off Hotsync or any other application that takes control of COM ports.
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