Hello Everyone, I've recently watched a video on YouTube demonstrating how FTV SE can send different HMI pages to various monitors. We're considering installing large overview and critical information screens throughout our factory, and this appears to be a promising solution. However, I have several questions that I hope someone here can help clarify: 1. Can multiple screens be utilized with a standard FTV SE installation? 2. What is the best way to connect the monitors to the server or PC running FTV SE? 3. What type of screens are needed for this setup? 4. Is the Viewpoint add-on necessary for publishing screens to web browsers? 5. Are Smart TVs with built-in web browsers suitable for viewing the screens or web pages? 6. How effective are the proposed setups in your experience? I would greatly appreciate any insights or experiences you can share! Thanks, Ian
I’m relying on my memory here, and it’s been some time since I last worked with FTView, but I believe I can address some of your questions. 1. You typically need to purchase a separate license for each client. Each client can select its preferred 'screen', and access to specific screens can be limited based on the user’s login credentials or client permissions. 2. Generally, clients connect through a PC over the network. 3. Compatibility is key; ensure that the hardware you’re using works seamlessly with the client PC. If you plan to display the same visuals across multiple locations, maintaining a consistent aspect ratio is crucial for a professional appearance and to avoid managing duplicate displays. 4. Yes, publishing a webpage requires the use of Viewpoint. 5. I’m not entirely certain about this. A few versions back, Viewpoint utilized Silverlight, which may not function properly on smart TVs. I’d also recommend caution regarding any auto-login features. The login system can effectively limit which displays are accessible and determine their starting behavior. 6. In my experience, Viewpoint had its limitations. While it provided quick access for users needing to check information from their offices, a more effective solution might be a compact PC mounted behind a television screen with the client software installed. 7. If you're utilizing multiple displays from a single PC, you'll need to manually start each client on the designated screen. This can be tricky, especially with machines set up for auto-login, as the client may launch wherever the mouse cursor is located, potentially resulting in multiple clients stacked on top of each other (you can run several instances of the client on the same machine with only one license). By addressing these points, I hope to enhance your understanding of FTView and its functionalities.
Subject: Follow-Up on System Experience Hi Bryan, Thank you for your response. I appreciate your insights, though it seems your experience with this system hasn't been entirely satisfactory. You mentioned that it has been some time since you last used it—could you clarify how long ago that was? The primary screens are designed to display a single page continuously, 24/7, without any user interaction, which might limit the occurrence of login issues. In contrast, other screens will be available on demand for lookup purposes. To be candid, I was hoping to minimize the reliance on client PCs, potentially utilizing Android TVs, as the documentation indicates compatibility with Android tablets. I plan to connect with our Account Manager from AB this week, but I also value customer feedback since real-world experiences can differ significantly from the marketing claims. Best regards, Ian
My experience with FactoryTalk View has been fairly neutral—not exceptionally positive, but not negative either. I last used the software around three years ago, so there may have been important updates since that time, particularly concerning ViewPoint, especially considering that Silverlight was already outdated back then. One question that arises is whether all clients will display the same page or differ in content. If you're utilizing a client, you can easily configure it to launch a specific display upon startup. However, with ViewPoint, it seems that all users would start on the same page unless unique logins are employed. I can’t imagine wanting to manually select the preferred display each time the TV is powered off. Regarding the Android app, my assumption is that it would require a purchase to access, though I don't have any direct experience with that particular aspect.
Every display will not necessarily show the same content simultaneously; instead, each screen is likely to exhibit a consistent page, featuring alarm notifications that appear and disappear after a short duration. At this point, I haven’t given much consideration to the implications of a screen being turned off, but I intend to add that to my list of queries. My understanding is that the server can issue multiple licenses (one for each client), yet I believe that a login may not be mandatory. Users might simply navigate via HTTP to a valid server page without needing to log in. These insights are derived mainly from my research on Rockwell’s product pages. To be candid, this is still an unrefined plan. Best regards, Cheerian.
If you don't require different access levels, such as when a viewpoint is intended for read-only use, you may not need to implement logins. If you're comfortable with all users, including those who haven't signed in, starting from the same page, it may not be a significant issue. Since users must open their browser and navigate to the website regardless, this lack of login requirements could simplify the experience. However, it's important to note that in the past, if you wanted to provide login access to some users, all users were typically required to have accounts. This meant that you couldn't set a default view for users who were not logged in if you wanted some individuals to have editing privileges. Keep in mind, there may have been changes to this system in recent years.
Hi Ian, great questions! Yes, you can definitely use multiple screens with a standard FTV SE installation—just make sure your PC has enough video outputs or consider using video splitters. For connecting the monitors, HDMI or DisplayPort are generally the best options as they provide both great quality and are widely supported. As for the screens, industrial-grade monitors are often recommended due to their durability and consistent performance in demanding environments. The Viewpoint add-on is not strictly necessary for web browser publishing, but it can simplify the process if you're looking to deploy screens on the web easily. Smart TVs with built-in browsers can work for displaying simple web pages but may not be ideal for all interactive features or constant data updates. Overall, many users have had success with such setups, especially when they tailor the monitors to their specific needs—just ensure network stability and consider the layout for optimal visibility! Hope this helps!
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