SMP

Scala Media Players

Page tree
Skip to end of metadata
Go to start of metadata

The Scala Media Player-L for Windows® comes loaded with a Windows 10 IoT operating system and the Scala Scala Windows Player. Configure the following options in the Windows Operating System to :

  • Disable the Microsoft® Unified Write Filter
  • Connect to a wireless network
  • Set the date and time
  • Change user account passwords
  • Configure the device name
  • Configure system restarts
  • Configure the DHCP or IP address
  • Configure the login script

Additionally, there are steps for configuring the the Windows Operating System via the command line. Only use command line options if you are familiar with the Windows command prompt.

Windows Operating System Configurations for Scala Media Player-L

Use the following tabs to configure the Windows Operating System for the Scala Media Player-L.

Microsoft UWF

As of December 2019, the B308 Player-L with 2GB of RAM and a 32GB eMMC Storage has an updated Master System Image which no longer supports UWF. Any references to Unified Write Filter, (UWF), functionality should be disregarded on these images.

(tick) Quick Tip: 

To quickly discern if your image does not have UWF, look to see if you have a D:/ drive. Images without a D:/ drive do not contain UWF.

Microsoft UWF Internet Audio Date/Time Password Device Name Restarts DHCP/Static IP Logon Script

Microsoft® Unified Write Filter

Important

Before proceeding with device configuration, ensure that you have created a device profile in Content Manager. See Creating a Player for more information.

Scala Media Players come loaded with Microsoft Unified Write Filter (UWF). UWF protects key system files from unintentional modification. By default, UWF is disabled in Scala Media Players; this allows you to begin configuration once the device is set-up.

Important

If UWF is enabled, configuration changes do not save once the device is rebooted.

Enabling UWF

Once completing configuration, enable UWF to protect your configuration settings. If your configuration included installing software, reboot to allow any post-reboot installation steps to take effect. If installing additional software, reboot the unit before making any configuration changes and allow any post-reboot installation steps to take effect. To enable UWF, run the script  C:\Tools\ENABLE_UWF_C.CMD in the command prompt.

Warning

Scala recommends that you DO NOT install additional software on your media player. This could cause the player to run slowly or other unforeseen problems. If installing antivirus, install on the computer or server running Content Manager.

Disabling UWF

If making changes to the player configuration after initial set-up, UWF will need to be disabled. Run the script C:\Tools\DISABLE_UWF_C.CMD in the command prompt. Once finished, ensure that you enable UWF to maintain changes and reboot the system.

Connecting to a Wireless Network

For instructions regarding how to connect to a Windows 10 operating system, see Connect to Wi-Fi on Microsoft's support site.


Configuring Audio

Configure audio for a Windows Operating System from the sound tile in the Windows menu or use the Windows task bar.

  1. Navigate to the sound tile in the Windows menu.

    The Sound dialog appears.
  2. Click the Playback tab.
  3. Select a playback device.
  4. Click the Apply button.
  5. Click the OK button.

Configuring Audio from the Task Bar

  1. Right click the sound icon  on the Windows task bar.
  2. Select Playback Devices from the pop-up menu.
    The Sound dialog appears.
  3. Click the Playback tab.
  4. Select a playback device.
  5. Click the Apply button.
  6. Click the OK button.

Setting the Date and Time 

To reliably schedule updates, accurate logging, and consistent operation, all Scala Media Players should be synchronized to a common Internet time server. If your Scala Media Players have access to an Internet connection, consider using the Microsoft default time server time.windows.com. If your Scala Media Players do not have access to the Internet, best practice is to set up the computer or server running Content Manager as a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server, which should be synchronized to a trusted time server.

Setting a machine as a NTP server will require that you edit the machine's registry.

Setting the Device Time

  1. Navigate to Windows Menu > Windows System > Control Panel.
    The Control Panel\All Control Panel Items dialog appears.
  2. Click the Date and Time link.
    The Date and Time dialog appears.
  3. Click the Internet Time tab.
  4. Click the Change settings... button.
    The Internet Time Setting dialog appears.
  5. Select a server
  6. Click the Update Now button.
  7. Click the OK button in the Date and Time dialog when finished.

Setting the Device Time Zone

  1. Navigate to Windows Menu > System > Control Panel .
    The     Control Panel\All Control Panel Items dialog appears.
  2. Click the Date and Time link.
    The Date and Time dialog appears.
  3. Click the Change time zone... button on the Date and Time tab.
  4. Select the correct time zone for the device.
  5. Click OK in the Date and Time dialog when finished.

User Account Passwords

Updating the Logon Script

When changing the password for your user accounts, you must also update the logon script or the player will not boot correctly. For more information about changing the login script, see the Logon Script tab non this page.


Scala Media Players come pre-configured with the default passwords for the Configure Player account, Scala Player account, and the TightVNC connection. The following table identifies each account, the username, the default password, and a description of the account. 

Account NameUsernamePasswordDescription
Configure Playerscalascala123#Use this account to configure both the operating system and the Scala Scala Windows Player.
Scala Playerplayerscala123#Use this account for playback of Scala content.
TightVNC connection*
test123#Use this connection to remotely access the player.

*TightVNC does not require a username.

Password Recommendation

We recommend that all players use the same password.

Configure Player Account

Use this account to make configuration changes for the the Windows Operating System and the Scala Scala Windows Player.

  1. Navigate to Start > Windows Administrative Tools > Computer Management.
    The Computer Management dialog appears.
  2. Double click on the Local Users and Groups folder.
  3. Double click on the Users folder.
  4. Right click on the SCALA folder.
  5. Select the Set Password... option in the dialog.
  6. Click Proceed. 
    You may disregard the warning about the consequences of resetting the password.
  7. Enter a password in the New Password and Confirm Password text fields.
  8. Click OK to store the new password.

Scala Player Account

Use this account to play back content.

  1. Navigate to Start > Windows Administrative Tools > Computer Management.
  2. Double click on the Local Users and Groups folder.
  3. Double click on the Users folder.
  4. Right click on the PLAYER folder.
  5. Select the Set Password... option in the dialog.
  6. Click Proceed. 
    You may disregard the warning about the consequences of resetting the password.
  7. Enter a password in the New Password and Confirm Password text fields.
  8. Click OK to store the new password.

TightVNC

Use this account to remotely access the player.

  1. Navigate to the TightVNC icon located in the system tray and click it.
    The TightVNC Control Authentication dialog appears. 
  2. Enter the administrative password included on your Scala Media Player Guide.
  3. Click the OK button.
    The TightVNC Service Configuration dialog appears.
  4. Click on the Server tab.
  5. Click the Change... button under Primary password.
  6. Enter a password in the New Password and Confirm Password text fields.
  7. Click the Ok button.
  8. Navigate to the Administration tab.
  9. In the Control Interface section, click the Change... button to change the administrative password.
  10. Enter a password in the New Password and Confirm Password text fields.
  11. Click the Apply button to apply changes to the account.
  12. Click the OK button to exit the dialog.

Configuring the Device Name

Tip

When setting your player name, match it to the name that you created for your player in Content Manager. This makes it easier to find when associating the device with the Content Manager Player file. See Creating a Player for more information.

  1. Navigate to Start > Settings.
    The Windows Settings page appears.
  2. Click the System icon.
    The Customize your display page appears.
  3. Click the About link.
    The player About page appears.
  4. Click the Rename PC button.
    The Rename your PC dialog appears.
  5. Enter a new name in the text field.
  6. Click the Next button.
    The Rename your PC dialog displays a message that your device name will change once you restart the device.
  7. Restart the device for the changes to take effect.

Configuring System Restarts

Restart your Scala Media Player regularly to ensure stable and reliable operation. There are two pre-configured options:

  • Daily system reboots
  • Weekly system reboots

The following table describes the system restart type, file name, frequency, default day of the week, and default time of restart. 

Restart TypeFile NameFrequencyDefault Day of the WeekDefault Time
Daily

C:\Tools\SYSTEM_NIGHTLY-Reboot.CMD

once per daySUN, MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI, SAT5:30AM
WeeklyC:\Tools\SYSTEM_WEEKLY-Reboot.CMDonce per weekSUN5:30AM

By default, these scripts are not enabled.

Daily System Restarts

Scala Media Players can be configured to restart every 24 hours. The default setting is 5:30am.

  1. Open the Notepad++ tile, found in the Windows menu.
  2. Open the file C:\Tools\SYSTEM_NIGHTLY-Reboot.CMD.
  3. Modify the time used in the schtasks command at the end of the script, using 24 hour time.
  4. Save the script and close Notepad++.
  5. Run the .cmd file either by double clicking on the file in the Windows File Explorer or using the Start > Run command from the start menu.

Weekly System Restarts

Scala Media players can be configured to restart once a week at a specific date and time. The default date and time is Sunday at 5:30 am.

  1. Open the Notepad++ tile, found in the Windows menu.
  2. Open the file C:\Tools\SYSTEM_WEEKLY-Reboot.CMD .

  3. Modify the day and time used in the schtasks command at the end of the script, using the 24 hour time format and the following abbreviations for days.

    DayAbbreviation
    SundaySUN
    MondayMON
    TuesdayTUE
    WednesdayWED
    ThursdayTHU
    FridayFRI
    SaturdaySAT

  4. Save the script and close Notepad++.
  5. Run the .cmd file either by double clicking on the file in the Windows File Explorer or using the Start > Run command from the start menu.

Configuring the DHCP or Static IP Address

Scala Media Players obtains its IP address via Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). If using DHCP, the device will automatically obtain an IP address. In some networks, you will need to assign a static IP address. This is done through the device. Use the following instructions to set up a DHCP connection.

  1. Navigate to Start > Settings.
    The Windows Settings page appears.
  2. Click the Network and Internet icon.
    The Network Status page appears.
  3. Click the Change adapter options link located under the Change your network settings section.
    The Control Panel/All Control Panel Items/Network Connections dialog appears.
  4. Select either Ethernet or Wi-Fi as the network adapter.
  5. Click the Change setting of this connection link. This link may not display in your view. If not, click the double ">>" in the Windows® dialog and it should appear.
    The Wi-Fi Properties dialog appears.
    Alternately, right click on the connection type and select the Properties link.
  6. Highlight the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) item and click the Properties button.
    The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties dialog appears.
  7. Navigate to the Alternate Configuration tab.
  8. Click the User configured radio button.
  9. Enter appropriate IP address and DNS settings.
  10. Click the OK button.

Configuring the Logon Script

The auto logon script allows you set the Player account as the default account for content playback. While playback can occur through the Configure Player account, it is not recommended as it poses a security risk. Setting the system to auto logon to the Scala Player account protects your settings.

The Windows menu contains a helper script to initiate auto logon. Before running that script, update the Scala Player account password listed in the script through the registry file HLM_EnablePlayer_AutoLogin.reg. The file is only accessible through the Configure Player account.

  1. Open the Notepad++ tile in the Windows menu.
  2. Open the file: C:\CONFIG.WES\WES10_RegKeys\hlm\HLM_EnablePLAYER_Autologon.reg.
  3. In the last line, containing the line "DefaultPassword"="<password>", type the Player account password  created in the Creating Passwords topic and save the file.
  4. Navigate to the Start Menu and click the AutoLogon Player Account tile, which runs the autologon player script.
    The script runs.

Configurations Using the Command Line

Many of the set-up steps for the player can be done through the command prompt. The following table describes the setting and command line used to make the changes. All changes are made from the administrative Scala account. The following table describes the setting, command line format, and gives an example of each command. Content in brackets ([ ]) is to be replaced with the content for your particular case. Additional notes added as needed.


SettingCommand LineExampleNotes

Account Password

NET USER [account-name] [new-password]

  • Scala Account: NET USER scala f01bar
  • Player Account: NET USER player !!!fe3ble

The Scala Media Player contains two accounts:

  • Scala: administrative account for the player.
  • Player: account from which the media player plays content.
Change a Computer_Player NameWMIC ComputerSystem WHERE name="[%COMPUTERNAME%]" CALL rename name=[NewComputerName] WMIC ComputerSystem WHERE name="%MainFrame%" CALL rename name=Home None
Time Zone

TZUTIL /s "[TimeZoneName]"

  • TZUTIL /s "Pacific Standard Time"
  • TZUTIL /s "Eastern Standard Time"
  • TZUTIL /s "Newfoundland and Labrador Standard Time"
  • Windows Playback Engine: See Microsoft Default Timezones for default timezone names. Use the Timezone column to populate the appropriate name.
Configure the network properties of a Network Interfacenetsh interface ip set address "[Name of Interface]" static [IP Address] [Net Mask] [Gateway Address]
  • netsh interface ip set address "Ethernet" static 10.0.0.100 255.255.0.0 10.0.0.1 1

  • netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection 3" static 10.0.0.100 255.255.0.0 10.0.0.1 1

None
Configuring a DNS Server

netsh interface ipv4 ADD dnsserver "[Name of Server]" address=[Server Address] index=[Index Number]

netsh interface ipv4 ADD dnsserver "Local Area Connection 3" address=8.8.8.8 index=1

None
Changing the connection back to DHCPnetsh interface ip set address "[Name of Interface]" DHCP netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection 3" DHCP None
Set System DateDate [MM/DD/YYYY]Date 01/20/2019Assumes US English location. Modify entry as appropriate for system.
Set System TimeTime [HH:MM]Time 13:33Use 24 hour time format.