With ScreenCloud OS 3.0 we’ve rebuilt ScreenCloud OS from the ground up to be based on a more up-to-date, upstream version of Linux (v6.7 vs v4.4) which unlocks the ability for us to support additional hardware features and devices in the future. We’ve also unlocked the ability to update to more up-to-date versions of Chromium (currently v110), which ensures we can continue to provide the best web experience possible to our customers.
A perfect example of the additional hardware features we can now support are the new Display Settings Control and HDMI CEC support features that come with ScreenCloud OS 3.0.
In this help article we’ll go through how to test these new features using the first pre-release version of ScreenCloud OS 3.0.
How to test pre-release versions of ScreenCloud OS using our Canary OTA update channel
Before you can test these new features, you’ll need to get the first pre-release version of ScreenCloud OS 3.0 running on one of your ScreenCloud OS devices.
To find out how to do this, check out this help article.
Audio Output Via the 3.5mm Analog Audio Jack
We've added support for audio output via the 3.5mm analog audio jack on the Station P1 / P1 Pro. To use this, simply connect your speakers to your ScreenCloud OS device via the analog audio jack.
Display Settings Control
With the new Display Settings Control feature you can now set the resolution, refresh rate and scaling of your display, and it’s possible to do this while provisioning a ScreenCloud OS device using the on screen UI, from the side menu when using a ScreenCloud OS device, or remotely via the RDM Console.
Setting display settings during provisioning
When provisioning a ScreenCloud OS using the on screen UI, it’s now possible to also set your display settings as part of the provisioning process. Please note that you’ll need to connect a mouse to your device in order to use the on screen UI.
After selecting the “Start Setup” option on the start screen and setting your date and time settings, you’ll have the option to set your display’s resolution and refresh rate.
Simply select the resolution and refresh rate you would like to use and then select “Next”.
Next, you’ll have the option to set your display’s scaling.
Select one of the 4 options and then select “Preview”.
You will then be asked if you want to keep the display settings that you set. If you would like to select “OK”.
Please note that this pop-up window will have a countdown, and if the time counts down fully your device will revert to its previous display settings. This is in case the display settings you selected cause issues for your display and cause nothing to be displayed, so that your display settings revert back to the ones that worked previously and you can try again.
After you set the display settings you want, you’ll want to complete the provisioning process by setting your network settings and allowing your device to search for any available OS updates before completing the provisioning process.
Setting display settings via the side menu
It’s now also possible to set your display settings via the side menu in ScreenCloud OS. Please note that you’ll need to connect a mouse to your device in order to do this.
To access the side menu when using ScreenCloud OS, drag your mouse cursor to the top right of the screen and you will see a settings button appear. After you select it, the side menu will open.
You’ll see a new “Display Output” section in the side menu. To change your display settings, select the “Change Resolution” button.
The “Display Output” section will expand and provide you options to set your display’s resolution, refresh rate and scaling.
Set the display settings you would like to use and then select “Preview”.
You will then be asked if you want to keep the display settings that you set. If you would like to select “OK”.
Please note that the dialog window will have a countdown, and if the time counts down fully your device will revert to its previous display settings. This is in case the display settings you selected cause issues for your display and cause nothing to be displayed, so that your display settings revert back to the ones that worked previously and you can try again.
Setting display settings via the RDM Console
It’s now also possible to set your display settings remotely via the RDM Console.
To find out how to access the RDM Console, see here.
On the device’s page in the RDM Console, select the 3 dot menu button and then select “Display Settings” (please note that it’s also possible to see this section in the sidebar of the RDM Console).
You’ll see a pop-up with options to set your display’s resolution, refresh rate and scaling.
Set the display settings you would like to use and then select “Next”.
You will then be asked if you want are sure you want to apply those specific display settings. If you would like to select “Confirm”.
You will then be told that your display settings are being updated, and to wait a few moments. Select “OK”.
After this your display settings should update. If you don’t see your display settings update you can select the reload button in the top right to reload.
HDMI CEC support
HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) is a function of the HDMI standard that allows devices connected via HDMI cables to communicate with each other.
By adding support for HDMI CEC in ScreenCloud OS 3.0, your ScreenCloud OS devices will now be able to control some of your display’s functions when connected via an HDMI cable. Please note that your display will need to support HDMI CEC and have HDMI CEC enabled. To find out how to enable HDMI CEC on your display, you’ll want to search for how to do that with your specific display model.
Currently, we have added support for only a few HDMI CEC controls to ScreenCloud OS, including the ability to use HDMI CEC to turn your display on/off, as well as the ability to use HDMI CEC to lock/unlock the input source of your display to the one used by your ScreenCloud OS device.
Using HDMI CEC to turn your display on/off via the RDM Console
It’s now possible to use HDMI CEC to turn your display on/off via the RDM Console.
To find out how to access the RDM Console, see here.
On the device’s page in the RDM Console, you’ll see a “Display Status” section (please note that it’s also possible to see this section in the sidebar of the RDM Console), which will show whether the display connected to your ScreenCloud OS device is on or on standby.
Select “Display Status”.
You will see a pop-up with options to use HDMI CEC to turn your display on/off.
To turn your display off, select “Turn Off Display”.
You will then be told that your display status is being updated, and to wait a few moments. Select “OK”.
After this your display status should update. If you don’t see your display settings update you can select the reload button in the top right to reload.
You can follow the same steps to turn your display back on.
Using HDMI CEC to lock/unlock the input source of your display via the RDM Console
It’s now possible to use HDMI CEC to lock/unlock the input source of your display to the one used by your ScreenCloud OS device via the RDM Console.
To find out how to access the RDM Console, see here.
On the device’s page in the RDM Console, you’ll see an “Input Source” section (please note that it’s also possible to see this section in the sidebar of the RDM Console), which will show whether your input source is locked/unlocked.
Select “Input Source”.
You will see a pop-up with options to use HDMI CEC to lock/unlock your display’s input source.
To lock your display’s input source, select “Lock Input Source”.
You will then be told that your display’s input source is being updated, and to wait a few moments. Select “OK”.
After this your input source should update. If you don’t see your input source update you can select the reload button in the top right to reload.
You can follow the same steps to unlock your input source.