MTI Freedom ReAct Interactive Product Manual

Freedom™ ReAct™
Interactive Media Player

PRODUCT MANUAL

MTI P/N 063-1011-02 Rev C
Release Date: January 2013
Player Firmware: V3.0.27

1050 NW 229th Avenue, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124

©2013 MTI. All Rights Reserved.

T: 800.426.6844 F: 503.648.7500

www.mti-interactive.com

Freedom ReAct

CONTENTS

1.0 Overview ................................................................................................. 3

1.1 System Components & Features ......................................................... 3

1.2 Media Player Details ..........................................................................4

1.3 About the Memory Card .....................................................................5

2.0 Installation & Connections ........................................................................ 6

2.1 General Guidelines ............................................................................6

2.2 Installing or Replacing the Memory Card ..............................................6

2.3 Connecting the Components ...............................................................6

3.0 Operation & Setup ................................................................................... 9

3.1 Playing Media Content ...................................................................... 9

3.2 Error Messages ................................................................................. 9

3.3 Using the Remote Control or USB Keyboard ...................................... 10

3.4 Conguring the Player Using the Setup Menu ................................... 10

3.5 Updating the Firmware.................................................................... 15

4.0 Content Management ............................................................................. 16

4.1 Conguring Media Content & Triggers ............................................... 16

4.2 Updating Media Content & Playlists ................................................. 18

4.3 Downloading Log Files .................................................................... 20

5.0 Troubleshooting ......................................................................................21

6.0 Accessories ........................................................................................... 23

7.0 Limited Warranty ................................................................................... 24

Appendix A .................................................................................................. 25

Playlist Elements & Attributes .........................................................................25

Example mti_cong.xml File ............................................................................29

For more information, please contact MTI at 800-426-6844
or e-mail customer service at [e-mail].

2

Freedom ReAct

1.0 OVERVIEW

Welcome to Freedom™ ReAct™ — MTI’s next-generation interactive media
player. This small, solid-state player provides customers with a powerful shopping
experience by displaying rich media content (e.g., video or computer animation)
on a TV or video monitor.

This player operates by using a removable, ash memory card (SDHC) that holds

media content (individual media les). The card also contains a conguration le
that controls the playback behavior. This conguration le can be easily edited to
develop a variety of custom applications.

The ReAct player is extremely versatile. It can be used as a stand-alone player to

simply play media content on a monitor, or it can be used with triggers to create
an interactive shopping experience. These triggers might be touch points created
for a touch-screen monitor, push-buttons mounted next to the store merchandise,
display posts that are part of an MTI Freedom™ display, or a combination of these.

When used as part of an interactive display, the system is typically congured to
play a video ‘attract loop’ that catches the shopper’s attention when the display
is not in use. When a shopper decides to demo a product (by pressing a button
or lifting a Freedom post), this action triggers the player to switch and play the
specic media content assigned to that product.

1.1 System Components & Features

Standard Components (supplied with 023-0123-02)

ReAct media player

023-0123-02

Accessories (sold separately)

Remote control

023-0124-00

SDHC

Class 6

memory card

036-0017-00

For a complete list of all accessories, please see the table on page 23.

HDMI cable

422-0200-00

DIN9-to-6RCA

adapter cable

422-0221-00

Power adapter & line cord

HDMI-to-DVI

adapter cable

422-0219-00

3.5mm

audio adapter

406-0594-00

Component
video cable

420-0195-00

DIN9-to-3.5mm

stereo adapter

422-0220-00

Stereo

audio cable

420-0026-00

ReAct Player Features

 Full HD

Supports high resolution media les
up to 1920x1080

 Multiple playback options

Supports playback of the most popular
video & audio formats (see page 4)

 Multiple trigger options

System can be congured to trigger specic
media content in the playlist using a variety of
devices, including

- certied touch-screen monitors

(see page 23 for list of compatible monitors)

- push buttons

- MTI Freedom U2 or LP3 posts

- motion-detection sensors

 3D video with auto mode detection

Supports 3D les in Side-by-Side (half) format
with HDMI metadata to enable automatic mode
switching on the 3D-TV

 Displays web page content

Supports interactive web page content (html
les) stored locally or via Internet connection

 SmartSound™ features

Mute and volume control features designed
specically for retail signage applications

 Digital & analog output options

Supports HDMI, component & composite video

 Remote management of Internet-

connected ReAct players

Apply new content and playlists, and monitor
player status from a remote location. See the

ReAct Digital Signage Media System Manual

for details.

 Enhanced touch-screen functionality

Create touch‐screen interactive experiences
using standard video or image les. Touch points
dened in the ReAct playlist are overlaid onto
any content type, eliminating the need to author
custom interactive content.

 Control external devices via RS232

For example, temporarily switch the ReAct
monitor to a live camera output by controlling an

HDMI switching device.

 Manage manual content updates to multiple

players from a single USB flash drive

3

Freedom ReAct

1.2 Media Player Details

Front Panel

IR signal receiver

For use with

optional remote control

RS-232 port

Use to interface with Freedom U2 or

LP3 systems using Universal Interface

Module (UIM) accessory

Use to connect up to four, external

momentary contact closure triggers

GPIO port

Rear Panel

HDMI

Analog audio/video out

S/PDIF audio out

Message LED

Memory card cover (on bottom)

Power input (12VDC)

LAN

10/1000 Base-T for connecting to the Internet, allowing

you to manage content remotely, view web page content,
and synchronize date & time (optional)

USB connectors

Use to connect a wireless network adapter* (optional), USB
keyboard (optional), touch-screen interface (optional), or to
upload new content & rmware or download log les using
a USB ash drive

*See page 23 for information on compatible wireless adapters

Video Outputs

HDMI, Analog Component, Composite
Supports auto-detection of monitor resolution (HDMI port)
Supports 24Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz frame rates
Manual TV resolution settings up through 1080p

Audio Output

Digital 5.1 (HDMI, S/PDIF), Analog L&R

3D Format Supported

Side-by-Side (Half) 720p, 1080i, 1080p

Encoders Supported

MPEG-2 MP@HL, 45Mbps max
MPEG4 Part2 ASP@L5, 8Mbps max
Part 10 (H.264) MP@L4, HP@L4, 45Mbps max
WMV9 (VC-1) AP@L3, 45bps max

Still Image Formats Supported

BMP, JPG, PNG, TIF

Video Container Formats Supported

AVI, MOV, MP4, MPG, TS, VOB, WMV

Control I/O

Contact closure (x4) Normally Open (NO) or
Normally Closed (NC) congurable

RS-232 Interface to Freedom U2 or LP3 via
available UIM accessory

USB 2.0 Content & rmware uploads
Usage data downloads
5V, 0.5A power output

Internal Solid State Storage

SDHC Card Class 6, speed for HD les
Supports up to 32GB capacity
Format as FAT32

4

Freedom ReAct

1.3 About the Memory Card

The player uses a Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory card to hold the media les and playlist information. This card

has two folders: mti_data and mti_log. The mti_data folder holds all the individual media les and an mti_cong.xml le. This
conguration le controls the attract loop, playlists, and all the trigger behaviors (see Appendix A for example le).

Note: To support bit rates required for high denition les, Class 6 or higher SDHC cards should be used with the ReAct player.
Class 6 cards support read/write speeds up to 48 Mbits/sec.

Configuration file

Use to specify attract loop,
playlists, & trigger behaviors

Media files

Media content that plays during the
attract loop and specic trigger events

5

Freedom ReAct

2.0 INSTALLATION & CONNECTIONS

2.1 General Guidelines

 Place media player in a secure location to avoid tampering.
 Do not place player in a tightly enclosed space to prevent excessive temperatures inside player.
 Do not mount player upside down. It is designed to dissipate heat through the top metal cover.
 Do not mount other heat-generating devices near player.
 Do not remove player housing as it could result in electric shock and/or damage to player. In addition, inadvertent static dis-

charges to certain components may corrupt the player rmware leaving it in an inoperable state.

 If installing push-buttons as the trigger device, mount buttons in pre-drilled cabinet holes before connecting components.

2.2 Installing or Replacing the Memory Card

Important! Always unplug the power adapter before inserting or removing the memory card.

Remove access cover from bottom of player (requires small Phillips screwdriver).

1

Insert card containing media content into card slot as shown; then re-secure cover.

2

2.3 Connecting the Components

Connect player to monitor (or other AV components) using the connection diagrams below. HDMI provides the highest quality

1

video and audio in a single cable. This connection should be used whenever possible.

Digital monitor with HDMI port

Connect HDMI cable between player &
monitor. Cable provides both audio & video
signals to monitor.

422-0200-00
HDMI cable

Touch-screen monitor with
DVI port & 3.5mm audio

• Connect an HDMI-to-DVI cable
& USB cable between player &
touch-screen monitor.

• Use alternative audio connection
(see examples to right).

* See list of compatible touch-

screen monitors on page 23.

Analog monitor with component or composite video & stereo audio

Plug DIN9 cable into AV port on player; then use the desired video and/or audio
cables to connect to monitor inputs as shown below.

Monitor input DIN9 connector color
Component video Red, Green & Blue
Composite video Yellow
Stereo audio White & Red

422-0221-00
DIN9-to-6RCA cable

Alternative audio connections

• For home theater systems, connect a digital
audio cable to the S/PDIF port on the player.

• For computer speakers, plug a DIN9-to-3.5mm
adapter into the AV port on the player; then plug
the speaker cable into the adapter.

AV port on player

422-0220-00
DIN9-to-3.5mm adapter

023-0123-01

3.5mm speaker jack

6

Freedom ReAct

Turn on the monitor and use the monitor’s controls to select the correct video input (e.g., HDMI).

2

Optional Internet connection - Use one of the options below if you want to connect the player to the Internet.

3

 LAN Connection - Plug an Ethernet cable from your network into the player’s LAN port.

 Wireless Connection - Plug a wireless network adapter into one of the player’s USB ports (see page 23 for compatible adapters).

To connect push-button triggers (or similar devices), connect trigger wires to a 5-position screw terminal connector (common wire to

4

GND). Plug connector into the player’s GPIO port.

To interface with a Freedom U2 or LP3 system, connect a serial cable to the RS-232 port on the UIM. Connect the other end of this

5

cable to the RS-232 port on the player (see connection diagram on next page).

Triggers can be wired as normally open (NO) or
normally closed (NC). Switching behavior is controlled

by the mti_cong.xml le on the memory card.

Plug provided 12VDC power adapter into the player; then connect the adapter to a suitable AC power source.

6

If you connected the player to a network, you must congure the player’s network settings using the player’s Setup mode

7

(see pages 12-13). The default factory setting is DHCP.

If you are using a touch-screen, you must calibrate the monitor using the player’s Setup Menu (see page 14).

8

2.4 Power-up Sequence

The player does not have a dedicated on/off power button. The player automatically turns on and boots when power is supplied. The boot

sequence includes the following elements:

 Approximately 10 seconds after power is applied, the MTI logo appears on the monitor.
 Approximately 30 seconds after power is applied, an“MTI” label appears on the front panel of the player.
 Approximately 45 seconds after power is applied, the video output from the player turns off briey. This is normal.
 Approximately 60 seconds after power is applied, the attract loop begins to play.

Note: This rmware version boots the system in 1280x720p/ 60Hz mode. If using a monitor that does not support this resolution or frame
rate, the MTI logo may not be displayed. After the boot sequence, the player reverts to the current video output setting. When shipped
from the factory, the video output is set to Auto (see page 12 for details). If valid content does not exist on the memory card, the player
automatically displays the Setup Menu (see page 9 for details). If no image is displayed on the monitor, the player may be set for a video
output format that the monitor cannot display. The player’s video output setting may be changed using the front panel display as follows:

Enter 68473887 on the optional remote or attached USB keyboard to access the Setup Menu. The front panel on the player displays

1

“Setup Mode.”

If the down-arrow key, then the OK or Enter keys are the rst keys pressed after entering setup, the front panel indicates the current

2

output format (e.g., “Auto” or “1080p”, etc.).

Use the up or down buttons to select a resolution the monitor can display. If you are unsure what the monitor is capable of, select

3

Auto. If connected via HDMI or DVI, ReAct will automatically set its output to match the native resolution of the monitor. If connected
via YPbPr, ReAct will set its output to 480/576 which should display on the monitor.

Press OK or Enter to change the output resolution. The Setup Menu should now appear on the monitor along with a Conrmation

4

message. Press the left-arrow key to highlight “Save,” then press OK or Enter. If the monitor is not capable of displaying the new
resolution, the player will automatically revert back to the previous output setting. When this happens, the front panel will once again
display “Setup Mode.” Simply pressing OK or Enter (do not press the down-arrow from this state) will once again display the current
output setting on the front panel.

7

Freedom ReAct

Connection Diagram for Interfacing the ReAct Player with Freedom U2 or LP3

(3ft)

023-0123-01

(2ft)

(optional)

8

Freedom ReAct

3.0 OPERATION & SETUP

3.1 Playing Media Content

The player does not have a dedicated on/off power button. Once power is supplied, the player performs the system boot

process (approximately 60 seconds) and then plays the rst media le in the attract loop playlist. The player continues to
play the attract loop content until a trigger event occurs (e.g., customer pushes a button or lifts a Freedom post). When a
trigger event occurs, the player switches and plays the media les in the playlist assigned to that trigger. These les play only
once; the system then returns to playing les in the attract loop.

3.2 Error Messages

If the player encounters problems with the playlist or media content during bootup, it will begin searching for a connected
USB device with updated content. During this process, a blue window with the word ‘Preparing’ is displayed on screen, along
with an error message that helps pinpoint the problem (see examples below). Problems are typically caused by one of the
following conditions usually after writing to the SD Card directly from a PC:

 Memory card is missing or not properly seated.
 Memory card does not contain the mti_data folder with content and the mti_cong.xml le.
 Media les specied in the mti_cong.xml le are missing.
 There are syntax errors in the mti_cong.xml le.

Note: The error message only appears briey on the screen. If you want to view the error message again, simply press the

Setup button on the optional remote, or the Home key if you have an attached USB keyboard.

Example Error Message Probable Cause

Cannot open /tmp/media/sd/mmcblk0p1/mti_data/
mti_cong.xml

Missing lename.mov, Invalid content in attract
loop

Cannot parse xml: tag mismatch ln4 col72 A syntax error has been detected in the mti_cong.xml le. In this case

Attract Loop missing

For all of these errors, check the SD card contents on a PC and correct the error. Or, reload the player content from a known
good USB Flash drive. See pages 16-19 for details.

Memory card is not installed or not properly seated

mti_data folder is missing on the SD card

mti_cong.xml le is missing on the SD card

A le listed in the mti_cong.xml le is missing. In this case it is a le
listed in the Attract Loop section.

it is a tag mismatch. The line and column number indicates where the
xml parser failed. The actual error could be earlier in the le.

Check for proper spelling of the tags and attributes in the
mti_cong.xml le. In this case, the “AttractLoop” tag may be
mis-spelled. Also check the beginning and end tags.

9