Checklist for interactive installations

When deploying an interactive installation, many things can go wrong. We've compiled this checklist to avoid surprises.

It should be run progressively during the deployment, and reviewed before giving the heads-up.

Preparation

Venue

Where does the installation go? What is the exact location?

Is it properly covered (e.g. against rain)?
Are barriers for the public available?
Is the final placement of the installation decided?
- Expect last minute changes when someone doesn't like the location for whatever reason!

Times of operation

Those times are important, and might be related to electrical supply availability.

Daily times of opening/closing of the venue.
Daily times of lights on/off on the venue.

Contact people

When Murphy inevitably strikes, who are you gonna call?

Name and phone of the contact person at the venue.
Any contacts for the security responsible at the venue.
Any contacts for the maintenance people at the venue.

Electricity

Check it beforehand, so you don't get to the day and find out you have nowhere to plug anything.

Does the placement have an active, independent electric outlet?
Is it controlled by the lighting breakers (does it turn off by surprise at night with the lights of the venue)?
- This might cause unexpected reboots and damage the equipment.

Network

Ideally, you WANT A CABLED NETWORK. Avoid Wi-Fi if you can. If you can't, check at least is an independent, uncapped, separate and stable Wi-Fi.

Systems

Now, most of what we do is one or more PCs connected to other devices. This section is a basic version for a single PC, single screen/TV/projector.

PC

Have we got the PC(s)?
Have we got the power supply/adapter(s)?
Have we got Ethernet card and cable? How long?
Have we got Wi-Fi antenna (if external)?
Has the PC got USB 3.0 port(s)?

Peripherals

Have we got a Full HD USB 3.0 camera/webcam?
Have we got a keyboard and mouse?
Have we got screen?
Have we got any needed USB sensors?

BIOS

See our Bios Set Up section for more info.

Have we set "Start Up on power recovery" to Enable?
- If the power goes, we want the PC to start up as soon as the power comes back, without intervention.
Have we set an RTC Scheduled start up at morning opening time?
- The BIOS can power up the PC at a set time.

OS

Have we installed the OS?
What is the hostname of the box?
What is the local admin username?
What is the local admin password?
Has the OS been activated (if needed)?
Are all drivers up-to-date?

Remote Access

We usually install both Anydesk and Teamviewer to prevent failure of contact if one breaks. You can apply the same checklist to other remote desktop solutions.

Boot Checks

Power off the machine.
Unplug keyboard and mouse.
Unplug the power cable.
Plug back the power.
Did the machine start up automatically?
Did it not lock due to missing keyboard?
Did the OS boot?
Did the graphical session start?
Can you connect via Teamviewer/Anydesk?
Can you perform admin tasks via Teamviewer/Anydesk?

Platform Set Up

Now we start setting up the platform software.

We provide some tools for windows to clean up of unnecessary bloatware packaged by Microsoft.

On Ubuntu we recommend installing the basic system, with Firefox and no office or other packages.

Do we have admin access to the box?
Did you download the Windows Kit (windows)?
Did you decompress the Windows Kit (windows).

Cleanup (windows)

The Windows kit contains a basic script prep.cmd for Windows 10 that:

Disables sleep
Disables screensavers
Tries to disable notifications
(Windows) Have you run prep.cmd as admin, or other bloatware removal solutions?

Autologon (windows)

On Media Player machines, you want to log in into the account automatically.

The autologon.cmd tool can be used to safely enable this.

(Windows) Have you run autologon.cmd as admin, to set up automatic login?

Nightly/Morning Restart (windows)

It is good to set a nightly reboot to refresh the machine.

The schedrestart.cmd allows to add a scheduled reboot at any time.

Have you run schedrestart.cmd as admin? What time have you set the restart?

Webcam

Those are general items for webcam-based interactives. Some might not apply to you.

Have you installed the webcam drivers?

Virtual camera

If you are going to use Broox Vision Node with a virtual camera, on Windows you should install OBS Studio.

Have you installed OBS? (Virtual camera use, windows)
Have you checked the camera shows? (OBS or windows webcam viewer)

WebCams

You want to adjust the camera settings and POV.

For Logitech webcams, install Logitech G-HUB.
- Have you installed Logitech G-HUB? (Logitech cameras)
Plug In your webcam. Open Camera settings/Logitech G-Hub:
- Have you created a new mode (Logitech G-HUB)?
- Have you turned off autofocus (or not/why)?
- Have you adjusted the exposure (or not/why)?
- Have you adjusted the zoom and aperture?
- Have you disabled changes to the device (Logitech G-HUB only, gear button, uncheck)?

Broox Platform

Have you downloaded the installer(s)?
Have you executed the installation?

Broox Controller

Have you downloaded the .license file from Broox Studio?
Have you loaded the license?
Start controller. Does it show as "active" (green) in Broox Studio?
Set up for autostart (see manual).

Broox Media Player

Start up Broox Media Player (with controller running).
Does it show up in Broox Studio?
Set up for autostart (see manual).

Broox Vision Node

Start up Broox Vision Node (with controller running).
Expand the configuration and select the controller, pipeline and camera settings (see manual).
Press Play. Does it show up in Broox Studio?
Set up for autostart (see manual).

Broox Sensor Node

Start up Broox Sensor Node (with controller running).
Expand the configuration and select the controller, devices COM settings (see manual).
Press Play. Does it show up in Broox Studio?
Set up for autostart (see manual).

Validating

Reboot the machine
Has the user login been performed automatically?
Has Broox Controller started (if need be)?
Has Broox Vision Node started (if need be)?
Has Broox Sensor Node started (if need be)?
Has Broox Media Player started?
Can you access via Anydesk/Teamviewer?
Can you execute ctrl+alt+del(windows) and start the task manager?

Deployment

Day has come to place the equipment in its final destination. Are we ready?

Material Checklist

TV/Display/Projector and Remote Control (if need be)
Display support
The PC
Power supply for the PC
HDMI cable (or equiv)
Webcam (if applies)
Keyboard & Mouse (preferably wired, or check it works for BIOS access).
Power strip with 3 or more outputs.

Display Setup

Write down brand and model.
Does it have a remote (if it later goes missing, you can get an universal knowing brand and model)?
Is any eco-mode/screensaver/power off after N hours mode disabled? Check the menus.

PC Placement

If the PC is to be placed behind the TV screen/display:

Is it anchored to the back of the display?
Have you added some zip-ties for extra security?
In case it's accessible by onlookers, have you secured it with a Kensington/metal locking cable?

Network

Network in public places can be fiddly. You have to try hard beforehand to get a cabled Ethernet point.

If that's not an option, next best is a dedicated wireless access point.

Last resort is the place "free Wi-Fi" hotspot. This can be a killer, as it might have time limits, be fiddly, fall when too many people are connected, etc.

Connect to the target network.
Disconnect from other networks that might have been memorized.
Run a speed test and write down the result. That might come handy if the customer protests ;).
Restart the PC. Check it automatically connects.
Check Anydesk/Teamviewer access.
Check all services and players started.

Finishing

So that's it. No. That's far from it. Anything unexpected might happen, but at least you are better covered by following this checklist several times.