Playlist scheduling controls what content appears on digital signage screens at what time. SpinetiX supports time-based rules (dayparting), date-based campaigns (start/end dates), priority-based overrides (emergency alerts), and per-zone independent schedules. All rules execute locally on the player — scheduling works without network connectivity.
When to Use This Guide
- Retail campaigns — time-limited promotions with automatic start and end dates
- Corporate communications — different content for workday vs. after-hours
- Multi-tenant buildings — rotating content for different tenants
- Emergency preparedness — priority interrupts for safety alerts, incident response
How Scheduling Works on SpinetiX
Playlist Structure
A SpinetiX playlist is a sequence of content items (slides, videos, data widgets) with timing and transition rules. Each item has a duration (how long it displays) and transition effect (fade, slide, zoom). The playlist loops continuously until schedule rules change it.
Time Rules (Dayparting)
Assign time windows to playlist entries. Examples:
- Breakfast menu — 06:00–11:00
- Lunch specials — 11:00–15:00
- Evening ambiance — 15:00–22:00
- Closed message — 22:00–06:00
Each time slot maps to a different playlist. The player evaluates its local clock and switches content at the exact second.
Date Rules (Campaigns)
Set start and end dates for campaigns. "Black Friday Sale" runs November 25–30, then disappears automatically. "Ramadan Hours" activates during the holy month. No manual toggling — content manages itself.
Priority Rules
Every playlist entry has a priority level (1–10). Normal content runs at priority 5. Special promotions bump to 7. Emergency alerts set to 10 override everything — fire evacuation messages, severe weather warnings, security lockdowns. When the alert clears, normal content resumes.
Recurring Schedules
Set weekly recurring patterns: "Meeting Room Schedule" shows Monday–Friday 08:00–18:00. "Weekend Welcome" shows Saturday–Sunday. Combine with date rules for holidays — "Office Closed" on specific dates overrides the weekly pattern.
Key Parameters
| Feature | Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Time Resolution | Second-level precision | Content switches at exactly the scheduled time |
| Priority Levels | 1–10 | Emergency content always wins over normal playlists |
| Date Range | Unlimited future scheduling | Set campaigns months in advance |
| Recurrence | Daily, weekly, monthly | Set-and-forget recurring patterns |
| Offline Support | Full local evaluation | Scheduling works without any network |
| Per-Zone Scheduling | Independent timelines | Each zone follows its own rules |
Common Mistakes
- Overlapping schedules without priority. If two items cover the same time slot with equal priority, behavior is unpredictable. Always assign clear priorities to resolving overlaps deterministically.
- Forgetting time zones. A player in Dubai (GMT+4) and a player in Riyadh (GMT+3) need location-aware schedules. Set each player's time zone correctly during initial setup.
- Not testing schedule transitions. Preview your schedule in Elementi by fast-forwarding time. Verify that content switches smoothly at boundaries — no flickering, no black frames.
- Manual campaign toggling. If someone has to remember to "turn on" a campaign, it will be late or forgotten. Use date rules with automatic start/end — the system manages itself.
- No fallback content. If a scheduled campaign ends and nothing is scheduled for the next time slot, the screen may go blank. Always have a default playlist at priority 1 that covers all hours.