The process described in this article below will still work, but if you have access to Beta PRT 3.15 for your players, please use the process described here - Playlist Priority Scheduling - Interrupt and Override for the latest and easiest way to schedule a takeover

While Korbyt allows for content programming to be heavily automated, there may be times in your signage system that you wish to override that normal content, suppressing it, so that only special messaging plays.

Perhaps there is a VIP visitor or a special event at 1 location, and you wish to stop the normal business-as-usual content so that specific messages for the event are the only ones seen.

This article reviews the steps to set up a Screen Takeover in Korbyt so that the limited content can play without removing content that is normally automated to the screen, so that after the special messaging is no longer needed, the system returns to its normal programming.

The steps you need to take will depend on how many items you wish to show during the takeover

If your take over only shows 1 item you can skip to step 3

Step 1 - Create the Playlist of Takeover Media

• This is the collection of items (images, videos, layouts) you wish to be played in the Takeover

  • If your Takeover will consist of only 1 item, you can move to Step 3

• Create your Playlist and select content as normal

  • It can be a Clever or Standard Playlist

  • It can have as many items as you wish

  • For more details on creating a playlist, see Creating and Managing Playlists

• Do not select any players to receive this playlist

  • It will be embedded into a Layout in Step 2

• You do not need to set any schedule information in this Playlist, as that will be handled in Step 3

• Save your Playlist and take note of its name

Step 2 - Create a Layout and use the Playlist Element

• Create a new Layout in Korbyt

  • A notable name will be helpful

  • For more detailed instructions on creating a Layout see Using The Builder Tool For Layouts Or Messages

• In your Layout, you only need to add the Playlist Element

  • When adding the Playlist Element, select the Playlist of Takeover Media created in Step 1

    • How To Use a Playlist Element

• Make the Playlist Element full-screen by using the Maximize option in the Element’s Properties Menu

  • Properties Menu For Elements In The Builder Tool

• Publish your new Layout

Step 3 - Create a Playlist that Will Interrupt and Block Other Content

In this step, you will be creating a Playlist with your 1 item and scheduling it specifically to interrupt at a specific time. The time setting on this 1 item will stop other content from rotating in

• Create a new Playlist

  • The playlist can be Clever or Simple

  • Creating and Managing Playlists for more information

• Add the Takeover Layout you created in Step 2

  • OR the single media item that you want to hold the screen

  • This playlist needs to be limited to 1 single item

• Set the Duration for the single item to Zero seconds

  

  • This will cause a warning letting you know that this item will play forever once it starts

  • This setting is required to block the other normal content from coming back on the screen during the takeover period

• Set the Scheduling for the Takeover to interrupt what was already playing

  • Use the dropdown to select the Schedule Type and Schedule Priority

    • Priority will be used when multiple playlists have the same type - Interrupt and Override Only

  • Click the +Add button

    

  • A pop-up will open to set the schedule details

    • An interrupting or overriding playlist should not be scheduled for Always, and should instead be set for a Specific date range, or an advanced schedule

    • Date Range will allow a simple Start and End date and time

    • Advanced will allow for a start and end date, but can also be easily set to repeat on specific days of the week, and hour windows of those days

  • Once you have added your schedule details, click the Save button

    

  • You will be warned that this new schedule will replace the standard Daily - All Day schedule, click Proceed

    

  • You will now see your Scheduling Type, Priority, and Times/Dates applied

    

  • Reminder – Times are evaluated by the Player receiving the instruction against their local timezone. This requires the players to know the correct time to act correctly.

• Select the Players that should receive the Interrupt Playlist

  • As normal, select players or player groups in the lower left of the playlist

• Save the Playlist

Now, when the Interrupting Playlist’s schedule begins, it will interrupt the content that was already scheduled and hold the screen until its scheduled time ends.

Some Limits and Notes on Interrupts and Takeovers

• The Interrupt Playlist should be created adequately in advance

  • The player needs to receive the Interrupt Playlist before the scheduled start time to interrupt

• Interrupting Playlists can themselves be Interrupted

  • If another playlist has a scheduled start time on that player with the Interrupt turned on, it will interrupt this playlist

• If your player is using a PRT version lower than 3.9, there may be limits on the Interupting Playlist “breaking in” mid-video or mid clever rule

  • These limits are not present in PRT 3.9 or higher