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Content Types Reference

Complete guide to all 19 content types available in BrandCast for creating engaging digital signage displays.

Overview​

BrandCast supports 19 different content types, from static images to dynamic integrations. Each content type serves specific use cases and can be combined in layouts for rich, varied displays.

Content Categories:

  • Static Media: Images, Videos, Text
  • Time-Based: Clock, Countdown, Calendar
  • Dynamic Data: Weather, Stock Market, RSS Feeds
  • Integrations: Google Slides, Canva, Reviews, Tasks
  • Fun & Engagement: Dad Jokes, Quotes, Daily Inspiration

Static Content Types​

IMAGE​

Description: Display static images (photos, graphics, logos, promotional materials)

Supported Formats:

  • JPEG/JPG (.jpg, .jpeg)
  • PNG (.png) - supports transparency
  • GIF (.gif) - animated GIFs supported
  • WebP (.webp) - modern format, smaller files

Use Cases:

  • Product photos
  • Promotional graphics
  • Logos and branding
  • Menu boards
  • Wayfinding signage
  • QR codes

Configuration:

  • Source: Upload to Media Library or URL
  • Fit: Fill, Contain, Cover, Scale-down
  • Position: Center, Top, Bottom, Left, Right
  • Duration: How long image displays (if in playlist)

Best Practices:

  • Resolution: 1920x1080 (Full HD) recommended
  • File size: Under 5MB for best performance
  • Use PNG for graphics with transparency
  • Optimize/compress before uploading
  • High contrast for readability

Example Usage:

Content Area: 1920x1080 (fullscreen)
Content Type: IMAGE
Source: media-library://summer-sale-banner.jpg
Fit: Cover
Duration: 15 seconds

VIDEO​

Description: Display video content with audio playback

Supported Formats:

  • MP4 (.mp4) - recommended
  • WebM (.webm)
  • MOV (.mov)
  • AVI (.avi) - may need transcoding

Use Cases:

  • Product demonstrations
  • Brand storytelling
  • Customer testimonials
  • Training videos
  • Event highlights
  • Promotional clips

Configuration:

  • Source: Upload to Media Library or URL
  • Playback: Loop, Play once, Auto-play
  • Audio: On/Off, Volume level
  • Controls: Show/hide player controls
  • Start Time: Begin at specific timestamp
  • End Time: Stop at specific timestamp

Best Practices:

  • Resolution: 1920x1080 (Full HD)
  • Frame rate: 30fps standard
  • Codec: H.264 for best compatibility
  • File size: Under 100MB recommended
  • Length: 15-90 seconds ideal for digital signage
  • Audio: Mix for ambient playback (if used)
  • Subtitles: Include for audio-off scenarios

Considerations:

  • Video files larger than images
  • Bandwidth requirements higher
  • Loop seamlessly for continuous play
  • Test on actual display hardware

TEXT​

Description: Display text content with rich formatting

Use Cases:

  • Announcements
  • Special instructions
  • Quick messages
  • Headings and labels
  • Quotes and testimonials
  • Event information

Configuration:

  • Text Content: Body text (supports Markdown)
  • Font Family: Choose from available fonts
  • Font Size: 12px - 200px
  • Font Weight: Thin, Normal, Bold, Extra Bold
  • Color: Text color (hex or RGB)
  • Background: Background color or transparent
  • Alignment: Left, Center, Right, Justify
  • Padding: Space around text
  • Line Height: Spacing between lines

Formatting Options:

  • Bold: **text** or __text__
  • Italic: *text* or _text_
  • Lists: Bullet points and numbered
  • Links: [text](url) (clickable if interactive display)
  • Headings: # H1, ## H2, ### H3

Best Practices:

  • Large, readable fonts (minimum 24px)
  • High contrast (dark on light or vice versa)
  • Limited text (10-15 words max)
  • Sans-serif fonts for digital displays
  • Test readability from viewing distance
  • Use headings to create hierarchy

Time-Based Content Types​

CLOCK​

Description: Display current time in various formats

Use Cases:

  • Employee break rooms
  • Waiting areas
  • Transit hubs
  • Office lobbies
  • Retail stores

Display Formats:

  • Digital: 12-hour (3:45 PM)
  • Digital: 24-hour (15:45)
  • Analog: Classic clock face
  • World Clock: Multiple time zones
  • Countdown Clock: Time until specific event

Configuration:

  • Format: 12hr, 24hr, or analog
  • Time Zone: Select from list
  • Show Seconds: Yes/No
  • Show Date: Yes/No (below time)
  • Style: Choose clock design/theme
  • Size: Small, Medium, Large, Full

Styling Options:

  • Font customization (digital)
  • Clock face design (analog)
  • Colors and backgrounds
  • Animations (smooth second hand, flip numbers)

Best Practices:

  • Large enough to read from distance
  • High contrast for visibility
  • Sync with display device time
  • Consider audience (12hr vs 24hr preference)

COUNTDOWN​

Description: Count down to specific date/time or count up from past date

Use Cases:

  • Event countdowns (product launch, sale end)
  • Days until holiday
  • Time since last accident
  • Grand opening countdown
  • Time remaining in promotion

Configuration:

  • Target Date/Time: What to count to/from
  • Count Direction: Down (to) or Up (from)
  • Display Units: Days, Hours, Minutes, Seconds
  • Labels: "Days", "Hours", etc.
  • Completion Message: What shows when countdown reaches zero
  • Completion Action: Loop, hide, show message

Display Formats:

  • Full: "5 Days 3 Hours 24 Minutes"
  • Compact: "5d 3h 24m"
  • Large Number: "5" with "DAYS" label
  • Progress Bar: Visual percentage

Best Practices:

  • Include context ("Sale ends in...")
  • Use for urgency and FOMO
  • Large, prominent numbers
  • Update frequently (every second if showing seconds)
  • Have completion plan

Example:

Countdown to Black Friday Sale
Target: November 24, 2025 00:00:00
Display: Large Numbers
Show: Days and Hours only
Message: "SALE NOW LIVE!"

CALENDAR​

Description: Display calendar events and schedules

Use Cases:

  • Meeting room schedules
  • Event calendars
  • Class schedules
  • Appointment availability
  • Team schedules

Configuration:

  • Source: iCal feed, Google Calendar, or manual entries
  • View: Day, Week, Month, Agenda
  • Time Range: Today, This Week, Next 7 Days, etc.
  • Filter: By calendar, category, or keyword
  • Colors: Color-code by calendar or category

Display Modes:

  • Day View: Today's schedule, hourly breakdown
  • Week View: 7-day grid
  • Month View: Full month calendar
  • Agenda: Linear list of upcoming events
  • Current + Next: Show current event and what's next

Best Practices:

  • Limit to relevant events
  • Clear, large event titles
  • Color-code for quick identification
  • Show location if relevant
  • Update frequency: Every 5-15 minutes

Dynamic Data Content Types​

EMAIL_SUMMARY​

Description: Display AI-generated summaries of actionable items from Gmail inbox

Details: See Gmail Integration for full setup guide

Third-Party Verification In Progress

The Gmail integration is currently undergoing Google's OAuth verification process. This feature will be available once verification is complete (estimated 4-8 weeks).

Use Cases:

  • Office displays with team email summaries
  • Executive dashboards with urgent items
  • Shared inbox monitoring
  • Action item tracking
  • Team communication hubs

Data Displayed:

  • Actionable items from recent emails (deadlines, requests, notifications)
  • Priority levels (HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW)
  • Sender information (privacy-aware display)
  • Unread email count
  • Last update timestamp

Configuration:

  • Gmail Account: Connected via OAuth
  • Max Emails Analyzed: 25-100 recent emails
  • Max Items Displayed: 5-20 actionable items
  • Privacy Level: Low (show names), Medium (initials), High (hide senders)
  • Labels: Which Gmail labels to analyze (INBOX, Work, etc.)
  • Exclude Labels: Skip SPAM, TRASH
  • Refresh Interval: 15-60 minutes

Privacy & Security:

  • AI-powered content redaction (emails, phones, SSN, credit cards)
  • Read-only access (never sends or modifies emails)
  • Email content not stored permanently
  • OAuth tokens stored securely
  • Not suitable for public displays

Display Styles:

  • Priority List: Grouped by HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW
  • Simple List: Linear list of action items
  • Card View: Individual cards with details
  • Compact: Headlines only, minimal detail

Best Practices:

  • Use on private/office displays only (not public lobbies)
  • Adjust privacy level based on display visibility
  • Filter by labels to focus on work-related emails
  • Set appropriate refresh interval (15-30 min typical)
  • Review what information appears before deploying

Example Display:

Gmail Summary - Updated 5 minutes ago

🔴 HIGH PRIORITY
- Meeting RSVP due Friday (from J.Smith)
- Contract signature needed (from Legal)

🟡 MEDIUM
- Package delivery Monday (from Shipping)
- Team lunch reminder (from A.Jones)

🟢 LOW
- Newsletter: Monthly updates

📧 12 unread emails

What Gets Redacted:

  • Email addresses
  • Phone numbers
  • Social Security numbers
  • Credit card numbers
  • Sensitive personal identifiers

Performance:

  • Medium resource usage (AI processing)
  • Refresh every 15-60 minutes
  • Initial sync may take 30-60 seconds
  • Requires stable internet connection

WEATHER​

Description: Display current weather conditions and forecasts

Use Cases:

  • Retail stores
  • Office lobbies
  • Outdoor venues
  • Travel centers
  • Event spaces

Data Displayed:

  • Current temperature
  • Current conditions (sunny, cloudy, rain, etc.)
  • "Feels like" temperature
  • Humidity percentage
  • Wind speed and direction
  • 5-7 day forecast
  • Hourly forecast
  • Sunrise/sunset times
  • UV index
  • Air quality index (AQI)

Configuration:

  • Location: ZIP code, city name, or GPS coordinates
  • Units: Fahrenheit or Celsius
  • Display Style: Compact, Detailed, or Minimal
  • Forecast: Show/hide multi-day
  • Icons: Choose weather icon set
  • Update Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes

Display Styles:

  • Compact: Current temp + icon
  • Standard: Current + 3-day forecast
  • Detailed: Full data + 7-day forecast
  • Icon Only: Large weather icon with temp

Best Practices:

  • Update every 30 minutes minimum
  • Include "feels like" temp in extreme weather
  • Show forecast for planning
  • Match icon style to brand
  • Consider location accuracy (building vs. zip code)

STOCK_TICKER​

Description: Display real-time stock quotes in scrolling ticker format

Details: See Stock Market Integration for full guide

Use Cases:

  • Financial services offices
  • Trading floors
  • Corporate offices
  • Investment firms
  • Business news displays

Configuration:

  • Watchlist: Select stocks to display
  • Display Format: Symbol, Price, Change, % Change
  • Scroll Speed: Slow, Medium, Fast
  • Direction: Left-to-right or Right-to-left
  • Update Interval: 1-5 minutes
  • Market Hours Only: Yes/No

Best Practices:

  • Limit to 20-30 symbols
  • Use standard ticker format
  • Color code (green up, red down)
  • Include major indices (DOW, S&P, NASDAQ)
  • Update every 5 minutes during market hours

STOCK_CHART​

Description: Display stock price charts with historical data

Details: See Stock Market Integration for full guide

Use Cases:

  • Financial analysis displays
  • Executive dashboards
  • Investment presentations
  • Portfolio monitoring

Chart Types:

  • Line chart
  • Candlestick
  • Area chart
  • Bar chart

Configuration:

  • Symbol: Stock to chart
  • Time Range: 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year, all time
  • Chart Type: Line, candlestick, area, bar
  • Indicators: Moving averages, volume, RSI, etc.
  • Update Interval: 5-15 minutes

RSS​

Description: Display content from RSS feeds (news, blogs, updates)

Details: See RSS Feeds Integration for full guide

Use Cases:

  • Company news
  • Industry updates
  • Blog posts
  • Press releases
  • Product announcements

Display Modes:

  • Ticker: Scrolling headlines
  • List: Vertical list of items
  • Cards: Individual cards with images
  • Full Content: Detailed article view

Configuration:

  • Feed URL: RSS/Atom feed URL
  • Max Items: How many to display
  • Update Interval: Fetch frequency
  • Display Style: Ticker, list, cards, or full
  • Show Images: Yes/No
  • Truncate: Limit content length

Integration Content Types​

SLIDES​

Description: Display Google Slides presentations

Details: See Google Slides Integration for full guide

Use Cases:

  • Product catalogs
  • Training materials
  • Company presentations
  • Menu boards
  • Brand guidelines

Configuration:

  • Presentation URL: Google Slides share link
  • Slide Duration: Seconds per slide
  • Transition: Fade, slide, or none
  • Auto-Loop: Restart when finished
  • Starting Slide: Begin at specific slide number

Best Practices:

  • Design for 16:9 aspect ratio
  • Large fonts (24pt minimum)
  • High contrast
  • Simple layouts
  • 10-30 slides optimal

CANVA​

Description: Display designs from Canva

Use Cases:

  • Social media graphics
  • Promotional designs
  • Branded content
  • Design templates
  • Marketing materials

Configuration:

  • Canva URL: Shareable Canva link
  • Auto-Refresh: Check for updates
  • Duration: Display time (if in playlist)

Requirements:

  • Canva design must be published/shared
  • Design should be 1920x1080 for best quality
  • Static designs only (no Canva animations in BrandCast)

REVIEWS​

Description: Display customer reviews from Google Business Profile

Details: See Google Business Reviews Integration for full guide

Use Cases:

  • Build credibility
  • Showcase satisfaction
  • Social proof
  • Customer feedback

Display Styles:

  • Cards with star ratings
  • Slideshow (one review at a time)
  • List of reviews
  • Ticker with review snippets

Configuration:

  • Location: Which Google Business location
  • Filter: Minimum star rating (e.g., 4-5 stars only)
  • Show Replies: Include business responses
  • Max Reviews: How many to display
  • Update: Sync frequency

TASKS​

Description: Display task lists from Google Tasks or Cozi Lists

Use Cases:

  • Team todo lists
  • Project task tracking
  • Employee checklists
  • Daily task boards

Configuration:

  • Source: Google Tasks or Cozi
  • List: Which task list to show
  • Filter: Completed, Pending, All
  • Sort: By due date, priority, or manual
  • Show Completed: Yes/No

Display:

  • Checkbox + task name
  • Due date (if set)
  • Priority indicator
  • Progress bar (% complete)

Engagement Content Types​

DAD_JOKE​

Description: Display family-friendly dad jokes for entertainment

Use Cases:

  • Break rooms
  • Waiting areas
  • Family-friendly businesses
  • Ice breakers
  • Light-hearted content

Configuration:

  • Rotation: How often to change joke
  • Category: General, puns, one-liners
  • Display Style: Simple text, card format, Q&A format

Source:

  • Curated joke database
  • Safe-for-work content
  • Regularly updated

Best Practices:

  • Rotate every 30-60 seconds
  • Use as filler content
  • Good for low-stress environments
  • Pairs well with other content types

QUOTES​

Description: Display inspirational or motivational quotes

Use Cases:

  • Employee motivation
  • Brand values
  • Inspirational content
  • Waiting area entertainment

Configuration:

  • Category: Motivational, Leadership, Success, Teamwork, Custom
  • Source: Curated database or custom quotes
  • Rotation: Change frequency
  • Show Author: Yes/No
  • Style: Text-only, with background image, card format

Custom Quotes:

  • Add your own quote library
  • Company-specific messaging
  • Leadership quotes
  • Brand mantras

SOCIAL_EMBED​

Description: Display social media content (Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

Use Cases:

  • Brand social feeds
  • User-generated content
  • Hashtag campaigns
  • Social proof
  • Event streams

Supported Platforms:

  • Twitter/X posts
  • Instagram posts
  • Facebook posts (public)
  • LinkedIn posts

Configuration:

  • Source: Social media URL or username
  • Type: Single post, user timeline, hashtag feed
  • Filter: Keyword filtering
  • Update: Fetch frequency
  • Moderation: Approve before display

Important:

  • Follow platform terms of service
  • Respect privacy settings
  • Moderate user content
  • Copyright considerations

Content Type Combinations​

Layout Strategies​

Single Content Type (Fullscreen):

  • Large video demonstrations
  • Full-screen presentations
  • Immersive image displays

Multiple Content Types (Split Screen):

  • Main area: Video/Slides (70%)
  • Sidebar: Clock + Weather (30%)

Grid Layouts:

  • Quadrants with different content types
  • Example: News (RSS), Weather, Calendar, Announcements

Ticker + Main Content:

  • Bottom ticker: Stock quotes or RSS
  • Main area: Video or slides
  • Common in corporate environments

Rotating Content Types:

  • Playlist of different content types
  • Variety keeps attention
  • Mix static and dynamic

Best Practices by Industry​

Retail​

Recommended Types:

  • IMAGE: Product photos, sales graphics
  • VIDEO: Product demos, brand stories
  • COUNTDOWN: Sale ending soon
  • REVIEWS: Customer testimonials
  • SOCIAL_EMBED: User photos with products

Corporate/Office​

Recommended Types:

  • CALENDAR: Meeting schedules
  • CLOCK: Current time, multiple time zones
  • WEATHER: Local conditions
  • STOCK_TICKER: Company stock + indices
  • RSS: Company news, industry updates
  • SLIDES: Presentations, metrics dashboards

Restaurants/QSR​

Recommended Types:

  • IMAGE/VIDEO: Menu items, food photography
  • TEXT: Daily specials
  • SLIDES: Full menu rotation
  • REVIEWS: Customer reviews
  • COUNTDOWN: Limited time offers
  • SOCIAL_EMBED: Customer food photos

Fitness/Wellness​

Recommended Types:

  • CLOCK: Class timing
  • CALENDAR: Class schedules
  • VIDEO: Exercise demonstrations
  • QUOTES: Motivational content
  • COUNTDOWN: Challenge countdowns
  • WEATHER: Outdoor workout conditions

Healthcare​

Recommended Types:

  • TEXT: Announcements, instructions
  • CALENDAR: Appointment schedules
  • CLOCK: Current time
  • VIDEO: Patient education
  • WEATHER: For patient planning
  • QUOTES: Wellness inspiration

Performance Considerations​

Content Type Impact​

Lightweight (Low Resource):

  • TEXT
  • CLOCK
  • COUNTDOWN
  • DAD_JOKE
  • QUOTES

Medium (Moderate Resource):

  • IMAGE
  • CALENDAR
  • WEATHER
  • RSS (text only)

Heavy (High Resource):

  • VIDEO
  • SLIDES (complex presentations)
  • STOCK_CHART (real-time updates)
  • RSS (with images)
  • SOCIAL_EMBED

Optimization Tips​

For Slower Displays:

  • Use more static content types
  • Reduce update frequencies
  • Optimize image sizes
  • Limit simultaneous dynamic sources

For Fast Displays:

  • Mix content types freely
  • Higher update frequencies
  • Complex layouts supported
  • Multiple video sources possible

Network Considerations:

  • Dynamic types require consistent internet
  • Cache where possible
  • Graceful degradation if connection lost
  • Local fallback content

Troubleshooting by Content Type​

Static Content Not Displaying​

IMAGE/VIDEO:

  • Check file format supported
  • Verify file not corrupted
  • Check file size (too large?)
  • Confirm upload completed
  • Verify URL accessible

TEXT:

  • Check for special characters
  • Verify font available
  • Check color contrast (text visible?)
  • Confirm size fits area

Dynamic Content Not Updating​

WEATHER/STOCK:

  • Check internet connection
  • Verify API key valid
  • Review rate limits
  • Confirm location/symbol correct

RSS/CALENDAR:

  • Test feed URL in browser
  • Verify feed format valid
  • Check update interval setting
  • Confirm no fetch errors

Integration Content Issues​

SLIDES/CANVA:

  • Verify sharing permissions
  • Check presentation published
  • Test URL in browser
  • Confirm OAuth connected

REVIEWS/TASKS:

  • Check OAuth connection status
  • Verify account permissions
  • Confirm location/list selected
  • Test sync manually

Next Steps​