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Playback Slot

Playback Slot controls how many items your channels play consecutively before rotating to other channels in your display rotation. This feature gives you precise control over content scheduling, allowing channels to play multiple items in sequence rather than switching after every single item.

What You Can Do with Playback Slot​

With Playback Slot, you can:

  • Control how many items play from each channel before rotation
  • Create content blocks for better organization
  • Ensure important content gets adequate display time
  • Customize playback patterns for different channel types

How It Works​

Playback Slot determines how long each channel "holds" the display during its turn in the rotation:

One Item (Default): Traditional mode where each channel plays one item before rotating to the next channel, creating a balanced round-robin rotation.

Specific Number: Channel plays a defined number of items or for a specific duration before yielding to other channels, creating content blocks.

All Items: Channel plays all its available items before rotating to the next channel, ensuring complete content coverage.

note

Each channel type has slightly different configuration options based on the type of content it manages.

Configuring Playback Slot​

Accessing the Settings​

  1. Navigate to the Channels menu
  2. Select an existing channel or create a new channel
  3. In the channel editor, click the How to Play button (press the cog icon)
  4. Look for the In the playback slot card in the modal

Setting the Playback Mode​

In the How to Play modal, you'll see the playback slot configuration as a bordered card with a rectangle icon and selection options on the right side.

For Content Channels:

  • One Page - Play one content page before rotating (default)
  • Specific Number of Pages - Play a defined number of pages
  • All Contents - Play all content pages before rotating

For Media Channels:

  • One Media - Play one media item before rotating (default)
  • Specific Number of Media - Play a defined number of media items
  • All Media - Play all media items before rotating

For Sub-Channel Channels:

  • One Item - Play one sub-channel item before rotating (default)
  • Specific Number of Items - Play a defined number of items
  • All Groups - Play all sub-channel groups before rotating

For DSP (SSP) Channels:

  • One Item - Single item playback mode
  • Specific - Specific number configuration

Configuring Specific Number Settings​

When you select "Specific Number" mode, two additional fields become available:

Slot Duration (Not available for DSP channels)

  • Set how long the channel can play items (in seconds)
  • Default: 360 seconds (6 minutes)
  • Minimum value enforced for system stability

Elements per Slot

  • Set how many items the channel can play consecutively
  • Default: 10 elements
  • Minimum value enforced to prevent system issues

Saving Your Configuration​

Click Confirm in the How to Play modal to save your playback slot settings. The changes will take effect when the channel is saved and republished to your devices.

Playback Examples​

One Item Mode Example​

You have 3 channels (News, Weather, Ads) with multiple items each:

Playback Order:

  1. News - Item 1
  2. Weather - Item 1
  3. Ads - Item 1
  4. News - Item 2
  5. Weather - Item 2
  6. Ads - Item 2
  7. (cycle continues)

This creates balanced exposure for all channels.

Specific Number Mode Example​

Same 3 channels, but News is set to play 3 items per slot:

Playback Order:

  1. News - Item 1
  2. News - Item 2
  3. News - Item 3
  4. Weather - Item 1
  5. Ads - Item 1
  6. News - Item 4
  7. News - Item 5
  8. News - Item 6
  9. Weather - Item 2
  10. (cycle continues)

This gives News more consecutive time while still rotating to other channels.

All Items Mode Example​

News channel set to "All Contents":

Playback Order:

  1. News - Item 1
  2. News - Item 2
  3. News - Item 3
  4. News - Item 4
  5. News - Item 5
  6. News - Item 6 (all news items)
  7. Weather - Item 1
  8. Ads - Item 1
  9. (back to News for all items again)

This ensures viewers see all news content before moving to other channels.

Choosing the Right Mode​

Use One Item Mode When:​

Balanced Content Mix

  • Equal importance for all channels
  • Maximum variety is desired
  • Testing new content combinations

General Information Displays

  • Lobby displays with mixed content
  • Break room announcements
  • General corporate communications
  • Mixed promotional content

Use Specific Number Mode When:​

Content Blocks

  • News segments that work better together
  • Product catalogs that need more exposure
  • Training materials with related topics
  • Promotional channels requiring emphasis

Time-Based Content

  • Content that needs specific durations
  • Matching commercial break patterns
  • Coordinating with external schedules

Use All Items Mode When:​

Complete Coverage

  • Important announcements that must be seen
  • Safety information that needs full exposure
  • Menu boards that need complete display
  • Educational content requiring full sequence

Priority Channels

  • Emergency notifications
  • Critical business updates
  • Regulatory compliance content
  • Time-sensitive information

Best Practices​

Content Planning​

  • Match slot size to content importance - More critical content gets larger slots
  • Consider total rotation time - Avoid slots so large that other channels rarely appear
  • Group related content - Use specific numbers for content that works better together
  • Plan for content updates - "All Items" mode adapts automatically to new content

Performance Considerations​

  • Monitor total rotation time - Ensure viewers see variety within reasonable timeframes
  • Balance channel priorities - Avoid one channel dominating the display
  • Test with actual content - Verify timing works with your specific content mix
  • Consider network impact - Larger slots may require more content buffering

Audience Optimization​

  • Match viewer patterns - Align slot timing with how long people typically watch
  • Consider location context - Waiting areas can handle longer slots than walkways
  • Adjust for content type - Complex information may need longer exposure
  • Monitor engagement - Track which slot sizes work best for your audience

Important Notes​

Channels Restart from Beginning​

Changes to Playback Slot settings require channels to restart from the beginning for changes to take effect. Your devices will automatically update when the channel is saved and republished.

Default Behavior​

  • All channels default to "One Item" mode if not configured
  • Settings apply to all devices playing the channel
  • Configuration cannot be changed during active playback
  • Changes are preserved when copying or duplicating channels

System Limitations​

  • Minimum values are enforced for duration and element count
  • DSP channels have limited configuration options
  • Very large slot sizes may impact system performance
  • Settings cannot exceed reasonable operational limits

Getting Help​

If you need assistance with Playback Slot configuration:

  1. Verify your channel type and content are set up correctly
  2. Test with simple settings before using complex configurations
  3. Check device logs to understand current playback behavior
  4. Contact support at support@wallboard.us with:
    • Channel configuration screenshots
    • Description of expected vs. actual behavior
    • Device playback logs
    • List of content items in the channel
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