VIEWSONIC NMP-550 User Manual

NMP-550

Media Player

User’s Manual

Revised September 2009 © 2009 ViewSonic Corporation.

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION 1

1.1. Hardware Features 1

1.2. Software Features 1

Signage Manager Express software for streamlined digital signage management 1
Scala Network Enabled (Scala license required) 1
SMIL Open API for developers 1

1.3. Package Contents 2

1.4. Front Panel Indicators 2

1.5. Rear Panel I/O Connections 2

1.6. System Set-Up 3

1.7. Troubleshooting Tips 3

1.8. Mounting provisions 4

2. CONFIGURING THE NMP-550 MEDIA PLAYER 5

2.1. Attach a USB keyboard to the NMP-550 5

2.2. Connect the NMP-550 to your network 5

1) DHCP – Automatically assign network IP address 5

2) Static – Manually assign network IP address 6

2.3. Video Output Settings 6

2.4. Clock and Calendar Settings 7

2.5. Factory Restore 7

Performing a factory reset 7

2.6. Installing Firmware Upgrades 7

3. CONTENT MANAGEMENT 8

4. WORKING WITH SMIL 9

4.1. Introduction 9

4.2. Playing a SMIL demo 9

4.3. Advanced Customization via SMIL 9

5. TECHNICAL DATA 10

5.1. Specifications 10

5.2. Mechanical Drawings 11

6. APPENDIX: FAQ 12

i.

W3C

SMIL

Scala

Enabled

1. Introduction

This document describes the ViewSonic NMP-550 Media Player system set up, configuration, and use
of Signage Manager Express software.

1.1. Hardware Features

The NMP-550 Media Player is a Full-HD 1080p high definition digital signage player featuring a
reliable embedded hardware design and versatile open-standard SMIL programmability.

Full-HD 1080p hardware decoding of MPEG, H.264, and VC-1 media formats
Internal 4GB industrial-grade solid-state local storage
Integrated audio and video output via HDMI
Supports full POPAI Screen Media Formats Standards profiles S1 to S12, and E1 to E9
Scala enabled for compatibility with Scala Content Manager
Includes the easy-to-learn Signage Manager Express configuration utility
Content authoring via Microsoft PowerPoint (template-based slide show creation)
Supports advanced device programming via the W3C SMIL open API supported by Adobe,

Apple, Microsoft, and Real Networks

1.2. Software Features

Signage Manager Express software for streamlined digital signage management

Signage Manager Express helps you quickly set up and test playback on your digital
signage player. Please see the Signage Manager Express User's Manual for operation
details. Once you have scheduled your contents, a few clicks of the mouse quickly
configures all players across the network simultaneously.

Scala Network Enabled (Scala license required)

For industry leading network management, the ViewSonic NMP-550 Media Player is
certified to work in a Scala Content Manager networked environment. This provides
you with maximum flexibility in a reliable, RISC-based Full-HD signage player.

SMIL Open API for developers

The ViewSonic NMP-550 Media Player uses open XML-based scripting language for

extremely flexible content presentation and playback control, so that your
investments are never obsolete. Using SMIL, the de facto language of multimedia
communications, the player operates in the language adopted by professional
multimedia products from Adobe, Apple, Microsoft, Real Networks, and others.
What this means is quicker, easier, and better integration of your players into your
digital signage networks, leveraging the full potential of the player.

1

NMP-550 Player Unit

Mounting Plate (x2)

AC Adapter and Cord

Software CD

Scala Set up Guide

(Quick Guide)

1/8” to 1/8” mini-jack

audio cable

RCA to 1/8” mini-jack

audio adapter

Ethernet cable

1.3. Package Contents

NOT INCLUDED: A USB keyboard is required for system setup

1.4. Front Panel Indicators

1.5. Rear Panel I/O Connections

1. Ethernet port for network content update

2. USB port for USB content update

3. VGA port for analog video output

4. HDMI 1.3a connector for digital video and audio combined outputs,

or digital video via optional DVI adapter

5. Stereo RCA audio output

6. 12V DC for power adapter

7. S/W Reset button to perform factory reset (see section 2.4)

8. Reserved (not enabled): COM, SPDIF, VIDEO-IN, AUDIO-IN L/R

2

1.6. System Set-Up

~

9

1 Attach a video cable (either VGA or HDMI) to your monitor.

When using the VGA connection, your monitor should support XGA (1024x768) resolution or greater.
For audio output, you will also need to connect a stereo RCA cable from the NMP-550 to your monitor.

When using an HDMI connection, audio is sent along with video over the HDMI cable, so no additional
cables are required.

Reminder: Please make sure that your monitor has the proper video input selected.

2 Attach the AC power adapter to power on the unit. The  green power indicator will immediately

light up, followed by the  amber status indicator in approximately 15 seconds.

3 Shortly afterwards, the following progress bar will be displayed on your monitor:

4 Player boot process takes approximately 90 seconds to complete. Please wait while the NMP-550

auto-detects the monitor connection, reads the monitor’s EDID, and completes its initialization.

5 Immediately after boot up, the default presentation stored on the NMP-550 is automatically

displayed. The default presentation is a “Video Tutorial” demonstrating how to configure your NMP-550
and use the “Signage Manager Express” software.

This presentation will loop continuously until the user syncs new contents to the NMP-550.

6 If you are experiencing difficulties and are not been able to view the default presentation, please

refer to “Troubleshooting Tips”.

7 Otherwise, please follow the instructions in the “Video Tutorial” or continue with “Chapter 2:

Configuring the NMP-550 Media Player”.

1.7. Troubleshooting Tips

1 The front panel indicators do not light up when I plug in power.

Check if there is power coming through. A green indicator on the AC power adapter block lets you

confirm if AC power is available.

2 The front panel indicators light up, but no video is displayed on screen.

Ensure that your video cable (VGA or HDMI) is securely connected. When using an HDMI connection,

choose high quality, certified HDMI cables to avoid signal drop outs.

Check if your monitor is turned-on and switched to the corresponding video input source.

3 No sound is heard.

If using VGA connection, you also need to connect RCA audio cables.
Check volume (mute) settings on monitor.

3

1.8. Mounting provisions

Supplied Mounting

Plates (x2)

The HMP-500S/505S is supplied with a pair of mounting plates for physical installation.

1. Attach the mounting plates to the bottom side of the player with 2 screws (supplied) on each

side.

2. The player with the mounting plates attached can be mounted using 4 screws (not supplied) at

76mm X 228mm (2.99” X 8.98”) spacing.

4