Xibo User Manual

The Xibo software comprises of a central Content Management System (CMS) where content is created/uploaded and scheduled to Displays. A Player application downloads new content and schedules from the CMS to display on screens:

• The Player application runs on hardware attached to each screen.
• The Player regularly connects to the CMS to check for any new/edited content or schedules which it needs to download.

This User documentation has been created to cover core concepts and CMS features to educate and showcase Xibo capabilities to Users. Pages have been catagorised into clear neat sections to make it easier to find the relevant documentation to match your User role within the CMS.

We recommend that all Users start with the Tour section of this manual to assist Users with First Time Access and to get started Navigating the CMS!

Users that are not hosting in our Xibo Cloud will need to install a CMS. Please refer to the Installation Guides to assist you in getting up and running with Xibo!

Click here to view the full list of supported versions and environments for the CMS and Players.

If you are an Administrator, further information on the Installation and Set up of the system is available from our Administration Documentation

If you are hosting in our Xibo Cloud your CMS will be set up for you. Keep a look out for an email which will be sent once your CMS is ready with your connection details!

Throughout this manual you will see tables to show Player and CMS version support for key features and functionality:

IMPORTANT: This User Manual gives a complete overview of the CMS as a Super Administrator with full access to all Features and Sharing options within the CMS. If you have any questions regarding your User access, then please contact your Administrator.

Digital Signage For All!

Xibo provides a flexible and powerful application which has a core ethos in “Digital Signage for all”, regardless of skill level or technological knowledge.

The Xibo software centers on 5 core concepts:

Users

Users are added to the CMS by Administrators and given a Username and Password to securely log in.

For a corporate environment Xibo can also integrate with SAML identity providers such as Active Directory and ADFS!

Xibo supports 3 User Types as well as User Groups and multi-level Feature and Sharing access to all system and user objects within the CMS.

Displays

A Display is the connection from the Player to the CMS which groups together content and schedule information. Each Display is uniquely identified in the CMS so that each Display can have its own Media content, Layout designs and Schedules available each with uniquely identified Reporting statistics.

Media

Media is the content we want to show on Displays which is generally split into two categories:

• File based media - media uploaded and stored in the Library (images and video files for example)
• Layout based media - media configured directly on a Layout which does not have an associated file (RSS feeds and Weather forecasts for example)

Xibo uses powerful Widgets which integrate dynamic third-party content from a variety of sources!

Layouts

A Layout is the complete content design to be shown on Displays. With a powerful Layout Editor Users can easily create eye catching content without having to leave the Xibo CMS. Layouts can then be added to Campaigns to play sequentially when scheduled.

Scheduling

Scheduling is highly flexible and supports scheduling to single Displays as well as to Display Groups. Displays check for new scheduled content periodically and will download new items in advance of playback.

Default Layouts should be assigned to Displays to be shown when nothing else is scheduled!

Core Workflows

Xibo gives Users 2 main workflow options:

1. Creating content from the Layout Editor

2. Selecting Video/Image files or saved Playlists to directly Schedule:

Open Source

The heart of the software is Open Source, including the entire CMS platform and Windows Players, and has been for many years! We’re committed to keeping it that way. The code can be downloaded and used in accordance with our AGPLv3 Licence.

Content Licensing

Please ensure that any content you wish to use complies with Copyright law and is used in the manner as described within its own license. Xibo takes no measures to regulate what is put on displays, beyond what is described in these Manual pages.

Support

If you would like further help with the information contained in the User Manual please take a look at the Troubleshooting section or our Xibo Community Forum.

Customers on a Professional, Business or Enterprise Plan have access to our experts on our Help Desk. Please open a ticket via My Account if you need assistance.

Next…

First time User Access