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Display Registration and Setup

Complete guide to registering displays, managing display sessions, and ensuring secure, reliable display connections.

Overview​

Display registration connects your physical display devices to your BrandCast account securely. Once registered, displays receive content updates automatically and remain managed through your dashboard.

Registration Methods:

  • Code-Based (Recommended): 6-character code entry
  • QR Code: Scan to register instantly
  • Auto-Discovery: Network-based registration (Enterprise)

Prerequisites​

Hardware Requirements​

Minimum Specifications:

  • Display: Any screen with HDMI input (TV, monitor, tablet)
  • Device: Computer, tablet, or dedicated media player
  • Memory: 2GB RAM minimum (4GB+ recommended)
  • Storage: 500MB available space
  • Network: WiFi or Ethernet connection

Supported Devices:

  • Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony with browser)
  • Amazon Fire TV/Fire Tablets
  • Apple TV / iPads
  • Android TV / Android Tablets
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Windows/Mac/Linux computers
  • Chrome OS devices
  • Dedicated digital signage players

Network Requirements​

Connectivity:

  • Internet: Broadband connection (5+ Mbps recommended)
  • Ports: HTTPS (443), WebSocket (443)
  • Firewall: Allow brandcast.app and *.brandcast.app
  • DNS: Working DNS resolution

Network Types:

  • Home WiFi: Works great
  • Business WiFi: May need IT to whitelist
  • Guest Networks: Usually work
  • Cellular: LTE/5G supported (data usage considerations)
  • VPN: Compatible (may need configuration)

Account Setup​

Before Registering Displays:

  1. Create BrandCast account (brandcast.app)
  2. Verify email address
  3. Complete account setup
  4. Create at least one layout
  5. Have registration code ready

Registration Process​

Step 1: Generate Registration Code

  1. Log into BrandCast dashboard
  2. Navigate to Displays → Register New Display
  3. Click Generate Registration Code
  4. 6-character code appears (e.g., ABC123)
  5. Code valid for 15 minutes

Step 2: Prepare Display Device

  1. Connect display device to internet
  2. Open web browser
  3. Navigate to: https://display.brandcast.app
  4. Display shows registration screen

Step 3: Enter Registration Code

  1. On display device, enter 6-character code
  2. Click Register
  3. System validates code
  4. Display name prompt appears

Step 4: Name Your Display

  1. Enter descriptive name:
    • Location: "Front Window Display"
    • Function: "Menu Board - Main"
    • Number: "Store Display #3"
  2. Click Complete Registration

Step 5: Verification

  1. Registration success message
  2. Display immediately shows assigned content
  3. Dashboard shows display online (green dot)
  4. Ready to use!

Time to Complete: 2-3 minutes

Method 2: QR Code Registration​

Step 1: Generate QR Code

  1. Displays → Register New Display
  2. Click Generate QR Code
  3. QR code appears on screen
  4. Valid for 15 minutes

Step 2: Scan QR Code

  1. On display device, navigate to https://display.brandcast.app
  2. Click Scan QR Code
  3. Allow camera access
  4. Point camera at QR code on dashboard
  5. Auto-registers instantly

Step 3: Name Display

  1. Enter display name
  2. Click Complete
  3. Done!

Advantages:

  • Fastest method (30 seconds)
  • No typing required
  • Great for multiple displays
  • Reduced registration errors

Requirements:

  • Display device must have camera
  • Or use phone to scan, then transfer session

Method 3: Auto-Discovery (Enterprise)​

Network-Based Registration:

  1. Connect display device to designated network
  2. Device auto-detects BrandCast environment
  3. Requests registration approval
  4. Admin approves from dashboard
  5. Display auto-configures

Requirements:

  • Enterprise plan
  • Network infrastructure setup
  • IT configuration
  • See Enterprise documentation

Display Configuration​

Basic Settings​

After Registration:

  1. Go to Displays → Select display
  2. Configure core settings:

Display Information:

  • Name: Change anytime
  • Type: Store Front, Break Room, etc.
  • Location: Physical location description
  • Description: Notes about display

Display Settings:

  • Orientation: Landscape (16:9) or Portrait (9:16)
  • Resolution: Auto-detect or manual
  • Timezone: Display's local timezone
  • Language: Display language preference

Content Assignment​

What to Display:

Option 1: Layout

  • Assign single, static layout
  • Content never changes (unless you update layout)
  • Good for: Simple signage

Option 2: Playlist

  • Assign rotating playlist
  • Layouts auto-rotate
  • Good for: Dynamic content, variety

Option 3: Schedule

  • Time-based content switching
  • Different content at different times
  • Good for: Day-part content, menus

Priority:

  • Schedule > Playlist > Layout
  • If schedule assigned, it controls everything
  • Playlist only active during unscheduled times
  • Layout is fallback if nothing else assigned

Advanced Settings​

Performance:

  • Refresh Interval: How often to check for updates
  • Cache Duration: Content caching strategy
  • Preload: Preload next content
  • Quality: Auto, High, Medium, Low

Behavior:

  • Auto-Restart: Daily restart time
  • Sleep Schedule: Turn off during closed hours
  • Offline Mode: Show cached content if disconnected
  • Error Display: How to handle errors

Security:

  • Session Timeout: Auto-logout after inactivity
  • PIN Protection: Require PIN for settings
  • Restricted Mode: Lock down display settings
  • Remote Management: Allow/deny remote access

Display Sessions​

What are Display Sessions?​

A session is an active, authenticated connection between a display device and BrandCast servers.

Session Lifecycle:

  1. Created: During registration
  2. Active: Display connected and receiving content
  3. Idle: Connected but inactive (>30 minutes)
  4. Expired: Session timeout or logout
  5. Revoked: Manually terminated

Session Information:

  • Session Token: Unique identifier
  • IP Address: Display's network address
  • User Agent: Browser/device information
  • Created: When session started
  • Last Active: Most recent activity
  • Expires: When session auto-expires (if set)

Managing Sessions​

View Active Sessions:

  1. Displays → Select display
  2. Sessions tab
  3. See all active and recent sessions

Session Details:

  • Device fingerprint
  • IP address
  • Geographic location
  • Browser type
  • Connection method
  • Activity status

Terminating Sessions:

Single Session:

  1. Find session in list
  2. Click Revoke
  3. Confirm termination
  4. Display disconnects immediately

All Sessions (Display Reset):

  1. Display settings → Security
  2. Click Revoke All Sessions
  3. Confirm
  4. All sessions terminated
  5. Display must re-register

Use Cases:

  • Device stolen or lost
  • Security concern
  • Moving display to new location
  • Troubleshooting connection issues

Session Security​

Security Features:

Device Fingerprinting:

  • Tracks unique device characteristics
  • Prevents unauthorized access
  • Detects if display device changed
  • Alerts on suspicious activity

Session Expiration:

  • Auto-expire after inactivity period
  • Default: Never (for continuous displays)
  • Optional: 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days
  • Good for: Temporary displays, demos

IP Restrictions:

  • Limit sessions to specific IP ranges
  • Enterprise feature
  • Prevents remote access from unauthorized networks

Two-Factor Registration:

  • Require second verification step
  • Email or SMS confirmation
  • Extra security for sensitive locations

Multi-Display Management​

Bulk Registration​

Register Many Displays Quickly:

Step 1: Prepare Registration List

  1. Create spreadsheet with display names and locations
  2. Generate codes in advance
  3. Print code list for technicians

Step 2: Parallel Registration

  1. Multiple technicians can register simultaneously
  2. Each uses unique code from list
  3. Coordinate via shared document

Step 3: Verification

  1. Check all displays online in dashboard
  2. Verify names and assignments
  3. Test content displays correctly

Tools:

  • Bulk registration spreadsheet template
  • QR code sheets (multiple per page)
  • Mobile registration app (coming soon)

Grouping Displays​

Display Groups:

Create logical groups for easier management:

By Location:

  • "Store #123 Displays"
  • "Main Street Location"
  • "Corporate HQ"

By Function:

  • "Menu Boards"
  • "Promotional Displays"
  • "Employee Information"

By Content:

  • "Product Showcase Group"
  • "Corporate Communications"
  • "Entertainment Displays"

Group Actions:

  • Assign content to all displays in group
  • Update settings across group
  • Monitor group health
  • Generate group reports

Naming Conventions​

Best Practices:

Format: [Location] - [Type] - [Number]

Examples:

  • "Store 101 - Menu Board - 1"
  • "Main St - Window Display - Front"
  • "HQ - Lobby - Reception"
  • "Break Room - TV - Employee"

Benefits:

  • Easy sorting and filtering
  • Clear identification
  • Scalable naming
  • Team understanding

Troubleshooting Registration​

Registration Code Not Working​

Symptoms:

  • "Invalid code" error
  • Code not recognized
  • Registration fails

Causes & Solutions:

Code Expired:

  • Codes valid 15 minutes
  • Generate new code
  • Complete registration within time limit

Typo in Code:

  • Double-check characters
  • Codes are case-insensitive
  • Watch for similar characters (0 vs O, 1 vs I)

Code Already Used:

  • Each code single-use
  • Generate new code
  • Cannot reuse old codes

Account Issue:

  • Verify account active
  • Check quota limits (max displays reached?)
  • Confirm email verified

Display Won't Connect​

Symptoms:

  • Stuck on "Connecting..." screen
  • "Unable to reach server" message
  • Display never appears in dashboard

Check:

Internet Connection:

  • Verify device connected to network
  • Test by browsing to google.com
  • Check WiFi password correct
  • Ethernet cable properly connected

Firewall/Network:

  • Corporate networks may block
  • Contact IT to whitelist brandcast.app
  • Check proxy settings
  • Try guest network if available

Browser Compatibility:

  • Use modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  • Update to latest version
  • Clear browser cache
  • Try different browser

Account Status:

  • Verify account in good standing
  • Check subscription active
  • Confirm not exceeding display limits
  • Look for account restrictions

Display Appears Offline​

Immediately After Registration:

Wait 30-60 seconds for initial sync. If still offline:

  1. Refresh dashboard (Ctrl/Cmd + R)
  2. Check display device still connected
  3. Look at display - any error messages?
  4. View display logs (if accessible)

Solutions:

  • Restart display browser
  • Re-enter display URL
  • Check internet connection
  • Revoke and re-register if needed

Display Replacement​

Moving Display to New Device​

Scenario: Replacing hardware but keeping same display profile

Method 1: Session Transfer

  1. Open new device browser
  2. Go to https://display.brandcast.app
  3. Click Link Existing Display
  4. Enter display code or scan QR
  5. Old session auto-revoked
  6. New device takes over

Method 2: Manual Re-Registration

  1. Revoke all sessions for old display
  2. Register new device with same name
  3. Re-assign content
  4. Old device disconnected

Retiring a Display​

Proper Decommissioning:

  1. Displays → Select display
  2. Note any assigned content (for records)
  3. Click Delete Display
  4. Confirm deletion
  5. All sessions revoked
  6. Display removed from account
  7. Cannot be recovered (register as new if needed later)

Before Deleting:

  • Document configuration
  • Screenshot settings
  • Note content assignments
  • Export analytics data (if needed)
  • Remove from any groups

Best Practices​

Registration​

Do:

  • ✅ Use descriptive, consistent names
  • ✅ Register in batches for efficiency
  • ✅ Document each display (location, device type)
  • ✅ Test immediately after registration
  • ✅ Assign content right away

Don't:

  • ❌ Use generic names ("Display 1", "Display 2")
  • ❌ Skip configuration steps
  • ❌ Leave displays unassigned
  • ❌ Forget to test connection
  • ❌ Rush through setup

Security​

Physical Security:

  • Mount displays securely
  • Hide device access (behind display or in locked cabinet)
  • Use kiosk mode browsers
  • Disable physical buttons if possible

Network Security:

  • Use dedicated network for displays (optional)
  • Enable WPA2/WPA3 WiFi security
  • Monitor for unauthorized access
  • Regular security audits

Session Management:

  • Review active sessions monthly
  • Revoke suspicious sessions immediately
  • Set expiration for temporary displays
  • Document display movements

Maintenance​

Regular Checks:

  • Weekly: Verify all displays online
  • Monthly: Review session list
  • Quarterly: Audit display names and assignments
  • Annually: Hardware refresh cycle

Health Monitoring:

  • Enable display health alerts
  • Monitor uptime percentage
  • Track connection quality
  • Review error logs

Next Steps​