BrightSign has announced two enhancements to its BrightSign range of digital media players: a new live video support module along with BrightAuthor, a new desktop application to easily create playlists.

Both additions work with BrightSign's range of low cost, high definition, solid state, digital signage players.

The new Live Video Module enables live video to be played back on BrightSign and mixed with recorded BrightSign content including video, still images and animations. The live video playback can also be mixed with other content sources including Internet-delivered content and SD flash card content.

Live video can be displayed in full screen or within a zone display while other content sources play around it. Brightness, contrast, saturation and hue of the input video are all adjustable.

Also new, the BrightAuthor PC application makes it easier to create playlists and improves the accessibility and implementation of existing BrightSign features.

Its simple tools and wizards take users step-by-step through the process of creating presentations
. Effortless zone templates and custom layout tools are provided, helping content authors make eye-catching displays without manually configuring coordinates and image sizes.

BrightAuthor supports scheduling and day-parting of multiple playlists in a simple calendar format, eliminating the need to create playlists manually. And, completed presentations are quicker and easier to prepare for publication, as the software automatically creates the playlist file and bundles it with the selected content, ready to drop onto an SD card for BrightSign playback.

The software is compatible with all BrightSign compact-size models. BrightAuthor will be free of charge to BrightSign customers, re-emphasising the BrightSign commitment to providing all-in-one solutions for digital signage with no hidden fees.