What the RS-232 plugin does
The viewneo RS-232 plugin is a hardware-control add-on that schedules screen power on and off times from the viewneo CMS, using the RS-232 serial interface as the command channel. Instead of relying on physical timers or asking staff to switch displays manually, you set a schedule once and the system handles it. Screens in the same device group share one schedule, so a chain of retail locations or a floor of meeting rooms all follow the same routine without separate configuration.
The plugin is particularly useful for installations where screens are mounted in hard-to-reach positions or where staff hours and display hours do not align. Pair it with the Kiosk Mode plugin if you also need to lock touch input during operating hours.
How it works
- Connect player to screen — run an RS-232 cable from the viewneo player’s serial port to the matching port on the display. This is a one-time hardware step.
- Activate the plugin — enable the RS-232 plugin in your viewneo account and assign it to the relevant devices or device group.
- Set your schedule — define daily or weekly on/off times in the viewneo CMS. The player receives the schedule over the network and sends power commands to the screen at the configured times.
Example use cases
- Retail stores — screens power on 15 minutes before opening and off 10 minutes after closing, every day, without staff involvement.
- Corporate lobbies — lobby displays follow office hours automatically, saving energy overnight and at weekends.
- Restaurant digital menus — kitchen or menu screens turn on with service and off at close, regardless of whether staff remember to switch them.
Compatible with
- viewneo Professional and viewneo Enterprise — bookable per player, transferable to other players
- Displays with RS-232 serial input
- viewneo players with RS-232 port (physical cable connection required)
