Cinema Sign 4.1 · Install · Prepare · Verify
Deploy Cinema Sign
Start with one Android TV box and the actual television. Verify programme, media, display and overnight behaviour before rolling the setup across a venue.
Install the signed player
- Connect HDMI, a reliable network and a remote. Set Android’s date, time and venue timezone before importing sessions.
- Get the signed Cinema Sign APK from the official download page, transfer/open it and allow that installer source when Android asks.
- Open Cinema Sign once and accept the Terms of Use. Note its local IP address and web-control port, normally 8888.
- For an upgrade, install over the existing app. Retain the application/signing identity; avoid uninstalling or clearing data.
Android versions and TV firmware differ. ADB is an optional installer/support tool, not required for normal browser operation.
Open the local control panel
From a reachable browser, open http://PLAYER-IP:8888/. On a new installation, sign in with admin / d-cine, then set a clear screen name/location on Player. Keep the control service on the cinema’s trusted network.
Check Status for version, device time/timezone and storage. A browser/player timezone warning calls attention to different settings; remote support may legitimately use a different zone.
Choose a cinema source—or Advertise Only
Select Provider on Player. Use Manual for maintained film/session records, Advertise Only for campaign assets, Follow Cinema Sign Master for another player, or the feed matching your ticketing system.
Veezi uses region plus API key, with Custom URL available. VenueMaster suggests http://POS-IP:4065/VenueSchedule.json; confirm the actual export, port and forwarding. EBooking-Gateway defaults to TCP port 4016 and requires a valid d-cine Media API key for matched posters/trailers.
Inspect the provider’s dated evidence and beta status. Import and verify venue, titles, dates, timezone, cancellations and media. Provider Data Log and Data Update Log answer different questions. Optional d-cine fallback for missing posters/trailers is Off by default and needs a valid key.
Prepare media and presentation
Film records support independent Poster, Motion Poster and Trailer assets. Cache the media and check previews. Choose the presentation, rotation, classification region and time format on Presentation. Artwork sizing defaults to Stretch to Fit; use Best Fit to preserve the whole image or Fill to preserve proportions while cropping.
For Motion Poster, supply portrait video and a fallback still. Start with Cut; Android 14+ animated effects require a real hardware test because they decode two videos during the overlap. Choose film eligibility and Content Frequency under Playlist.
Screen Information reports Android’s output/rendering resolutions, refresh rate and available display identity/EDID. Some firmware exposes only part of this information.
Prepare campaigns and live pages
Upload images/videos or add URL posters under Advertising Assets. Set enabled state, positive weights and optional campaign dates, then save. Delete requires confirmation.
Advertise Only has Poster or Video on Presentation, its own playback order and image/page duration, and Ad-image ±90°. Normal cinema insertion requires Clock-synchronized playback plus this player’s advertising switch and interval.
Set URL preload from 0–120 seconds, default 30. Fresh copies load behind the current item in either order, including a single URL. Use sufficient item duration and verify slow/failure recovery. Third-party pages must work without unattended sign-in.
Give each screen its own job
Programme following and Clock Sync are separate. A follower can use a different layout while sharing content. If screens must match, align programme, media, seed, timing, frequency, advertising and clock settings. Check warnings about multiple forced masters and observe actual drift.
Each follower reaches live URL adverts independently. Clock synchronization cannot guarantee matching animation inside an external website.
Test the device and television together
On Device, enable Start on Boot and complete applicable startup, overlay, energy and alarm permissions. If firmware does not offer a settings activity, follow the displayed explanation. Refresh permission status after changes and save.
Test a real device reboot. Test display sleep/wake and any HDMI-CEC request with the actual television. A nightly application restart recreates the presentation; it is not a box reboot. Watch a full overnight pilot, including opening/closing times.
Choose hardware with enough decode capacity, RAM and data-partition space for the real files and websites. Screen refresh rate is reported in Hz; pixel-clock MHz is shown only when available.
Keep reports useful and storage writes modest
Leave Save app update logs to storage Off for ordinary running. The latest bounded report remains in RAM. Enable persistence temporarily for support, then turn it Off. Separate system disk-logging controls require privileged access; unavailable controls do not imply all vendor logging is disabled.
Keep media cached and use Clean unused data deliberately. Reports distinguish free/total data filesystem, installed/available RAM and swap. A cheap device’s advertised flash capacity is not its writable app partition.
Upgrade without losing the programme
- Record the working version and important settings. Back up venue information using your normal support process.
- Open Upgrade, select a published signed release and wait for its download.
- Approve Android’s installation over the existing app. Do not uninstall or clear app data.
- Open the player if Android requires it. Check Status version, source, films/sessions, media previews, picture, campaigns and permissions.
- Observe several transitions and any scheduled/live content before leaving it unattended.
Source commits, website publication and APK distribution are separate. These pages describe 4.1; consult the official listing for the releases actually published.
Accept the installation against real operation.
- Correct venue, player timezone, current sessions and Coming Soon policy.
- Expected eligible films, cached media and deliberate sizing/rotation.
- Several still/video changes, correct detail text and readable session boards.
- Campaign dates, weights, appropriate content type and a complete advert cycle.
- Fresh single-URL refresh without exposing repeat loading; slow/failure behaviour checked.
- Matching-player timing where required; each follower can reach live pages.
- Actual reboot, permission status, overnight display schedule and app restart observed.
- Support handover records IP/name, version, provider details and the operator manual.
Public feeds, sample programmes and sandbox passes do not replace this venue test. Do not promise gapless motion playback or a particular recovery time across all Android TV firmware.
