Installing Splash Player on Windows

Use a standardized Windows OS image configured in an embedded fashion. Examples include:

  • Specific computer model configuration that OS image is intended for is known.
  • Windows Notifications Disabled.
  • Windows Automatic Updates Disabled.
  • Windows Screen Saver and Power Management Disabled.
  • Remote Access Solution Installed.
  • Software (with version number) contained in the OS image is known (for example, Windows, Remote Access, et cetera, and their version numbers).

.NET Framework 4.7.1 – This is automatically installed by the Splash Player installer if not already present on the system. This is the minimum version required to use TLS 1.2 to communicate with the server.

.NET Framework v4.8 – Recommended version to install.

Note: If you are using a Windows version other than Windows 10, the .NET Framework update will not be performed automatically as part of Windows Updates and must be installed manually.

  • Windows 11
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 7

Splash Player is capable of leveraging the video decoding capabilities of MPV. MPV is an open source media player capable of decoding a vast multitude of digital video formats.

  1. Download the Splash Player package from the Splash Matrix by accessing the following URL, replacing the domain name with the one assigned to your company: https://[domain name].ayudacloud/preview.com/opensplash.

    2. Note: Splash Matrix address and login information were provided to primary contact. An example of the Splash Player Package file name: “Ayuda SplashPlayer_#.#.#.#_windows_x86_install.zip" where # is the build version.

  2. Extract/Decompress the downloaded Splash Player package.
  3. In the extracted/decompressed Splash Player folder, run the Setup.exe program.
  4. Complete the installation wizard: For Windows 7, in the Program Compatibility Assistant pop-up window. Confirm that the program installed correctly.
  5. Manually configure the automatic logon of the player user.

    6. You can rely on this page to do so: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autologon.

  6. Ensure the video output resolution is configured correctly.
  7. Ensure that the system has internet access (specifically over the https protocol) and take note of the system's MAC address.
  8. Restart Windows.

The Splash Player should automatically start in Full Screen mode once Windows has completed its manually configured auto-login process. The screen will display be default a Splash Player logo when the player starts, until content as no content has yet been scheduled.

The first time the Splash Player starts with an internet connection, it automatically registers itself on the Splash Cloud.

  1. Log in to the Splash NOC Connector.
  2. Click the NOC tab. Click the Players sub-tab. This presents a search screen.
  3. Type in the MAC address (no spaces or separators) of the system.
  4. Click Apply. If the Splash Player is running, and was able to contact the Splash Cloud, it should appear as on line.
Area Item
Operating System
  • Dedicated user account configured to auto-login without a password prompt.
  • The dedicated user account is Local Administrator.
  • UAC (User Account Control) is disabled.
  • Problem Reporting Settings disabled (Never check for solution).
  • Turn off all Security Messages.
  • Turn off Customer Experience Improvement Program.
  • Turn off automatic updates (Never check for updates).
Splash Player Software Prerequisites
  • .NET Framework 3.5 installed from Windows features AND
  • Install the latest .NET Framework. (This is backwards compatible with earlier versions.)
Services
  • Disable Automatic Updates service.
  • Disable Windows Defender service.
  • Disable Windows Error Reporting Service.
  • Disable any 3rd-party auto-update services.
  • Disable Sharp Touch Panel Service.
System Properties

Disable error reporting & error pop-up windows:

  1. Go to the Control Panel/System/Advanced tab.
  2. Click the Error Reporting button.
  3. Enable the Disable error reporting radio button.
  4. Uncheck But notify me when critical errors occur.
  5. Click OK.

(Windows registry should resemble: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting

"Disabled"=dword:00000001

"DontShowUI"=dword:00000001)

Advanced/Startup and Recovery/Automatically restart on system failure:

  1. Go to Control Panel/System/Advanced/Startup and Recovery/Settings.
  2. Uncheck Time to display list of operating systems.
  3. Uncheck Time to display recovery options when needed.
  4. Check Write an event to the system log.
  5. Uncheck Send an administrative alert.
  6. Check Automatically restart.
Advanced | Performance | Visual Effects: Adjust for best performance.
Remote: Allow users to connect remotely.
Automatic Updates: Turn off automatic updates.
System Restore: Disable system restore.
User Profile
  • Turn off the screen saver.
  • Hide all desktop icons.
  • Set neutral desktop background (black).
  • Hide the taskbar.
  • Remove all startup folder items.
Power Options
Registry

Disable Balloon Tips:

  1. Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
  2. Add a new DWord named EnableBalloonTips and give it a value of 0 (zero).
Windows Features

Turn off any unnecessary Windows Features, including:

  • Games
  • Internet Information Services (crucial for security)
  • Windows DVD Maker
  • Windows Media Center
  • Print and Document Services
  • Tablet PC Components
  • Telnet Client/Server
  • TFTP Client
  • Windows Gadget Platform
  • XPS Services/Viewer
Third Party Software
  • Install a remote access solution (for example, LogMeIn, VNC, TeamViewer).
  • Ensure that automatic updates, notifications, etc. are disabled for any other 3rd party software.
  • Do not install: Adobe products, Apple Quicktime or Anti-Virus Software.

See Also: