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Embedding external sites using other methods

Using 3rd party screenshot provider​

If the webpage does not have any interaction or is otherwise a simple series of static pages we would suggest taking screenshots of the pages and using them.

tip

Using this method has the advantage to showcase external pages even on low-end or weak devices, or devices that can not use our traditional HTML based displayer, such as eInk devices.

In our example we will use PowerBI content as our usecase.

There are webservices that are specialized in it such as our example https://www.site-shot.com/.

Please note

Utilizing third-party applications may involve extra charges or pose other risks that Wallboard cannot assure.

  1. On https://www.site-shot.com/, for a monthly fee, you will have access to an API, which is parameterizable.
  2. You can create content which uses a full screen PowerBI widget
  3. Copy the Preview URL from your browser
  4. Create a File from URL type data source, which calls the shiteshot API
    • In our example the URL is the Content preview together with the parameters of shiteshot API
    • The Refresh Frequency is the frequency on how long the datasource will try to refresh itself
    Please note

    Refresh Frequency is not the same as the delay of the screenshot in shiteshot, that is a URl parameter for shiteshot API &delay_time=<number>

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  1. We download the screenshot through the datasource and save it. It can be referenced via the datasource picker of a widget. We will include the databinding of Image widget as an example

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Manual screenshot​

If the webpage does not have any interaction or is otherwise a simple series of static pages we would suggest taking screenshots of the pages and uploading them in File manager and utilizing Image widget or Gallery widget

Using pdf widget​

If the webpage does not have any interaction or is otherwise a simple series of static pages there is also the option to download the pages as pdf.

  1. In most browsers if you press CTRL+P this will bring up the Print modal of the browser

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  1. You can then save this pdf and upload it into our File manager
  2. You can utilize PDF widget or Gallery widget with PDF settings to show the file inside content