My scheduled Layouts are not working?

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My scheduled Layouts are not working?

Problem:

Layouts are not being shown as per their schedule

Cause:

A Layout must meet the following criteria before it will be added to a Schedule:

  1. It must be completely downloaded
  2. All dependent resources must be downloaded
  3. None of the dependent resources are in the blacklist
  4. It is in its Scheduled window (from date/time and to date/time)
  5. If there are any other Priority Layouts, it must be the same or higher Priority
  6. The Layout can be parsed and doesn’t contain any invalid items, such as empty Regions
  7. If none of the above is true, the Default Layout is tested against criteria 1 to 3.
  8. If the Default Layout cannot be played the splash screen is shown.

Failing Test 6

Test 6 can be failed in 2 ways:

  1. Minor fail - the Layout is removed from the Schedule until the next time the Player checks its Schedule with the server.
  2. Major fail - some Media files on the Layout will be blacklisted and will remain blacklisted until the Player is restarted.

Solution:

Long running Layouts

The most common cause for a Layout Schedule to be “missed” is that the current running Layout is still in the Schedule and contains a long-running Media item (items with a high duration). This Layout will need to finish before the new Layout can start.

The following is suggested to check against criteria 1- 6:

  • Criteria 1 and 2 - use the Player Status Screen - CMS Status and check the entry for Required Files. More specific information regarding missing resources / files can be checked using the Manage page for that Display in the CMS.

  • Criteria 3 - use the Player Status Screen and check the entry for Blacklist. This will list the Media ID and Media format.

    Please note: Blacklisted media entries are not available on the Windows Player Status Screen.

  • Criteria 4 and 5 - check the Agenda View and / or ‘Edit Event’ and check form fields are as expected.

Criteria 6 - Use the Player Logs to identify invalid Media files and empty Regions.

Further Info:

The Status Screen also provides “Schedule Status” indicators which contain lists of Layout ID’s (as seen in the CMS):

  1. All Layouts - All Layouts the Player has been informed of, including the Default Layout. Items with a * are not Scheduled.
  2. Scheduled Layouts - Layouts from “All Layouts” that meet criteria between 1 and 5
  3. Valid Layouts - Layouts in “Scheduled Layouts” that pass test 6.
  4. Invalid Layouts - Layouts in “Scheduled Layouts” that fail test 6.