Unifi Connect Display Cast

[@toddmcgowan9449]

Thanks for saving me $200. I was thinking it could display my cameras on our TV.

[@JoePelayo1]

Viewport poe is what you might be looking for.

[@jameswest2322]

@@JoePelayo1 - that is what we all are looking for.

[@JoePelayo1]

@@jameswest2322 haha, right!

[@packetguy42]

Are you aware that you can use an Apple TV to run the protect app? It’s in the AppleTV App Store, and it works fantastically. We’ve been using it for a couple of years. I don’t know why Ubiquiti doesn’t advertise this, you just kind of have to find it out. And an Apple TV is cheaper than this thing anyway :-)

[@packetguy42]

Oh, and the Apple TV of course gives you Wi-Fi capability!

[@oliverpoate4865]

I would really like to use these, but unfortunately I think the features are way too limited at this stage to be considered a full digital signage solution. Unifi really needs to work on HTML5 support, as well as content design, live feeds and display zoning for it to be able to compete with established digital signage devices.

[@ro5jysc8jb5t1uz]

Hi Cody, is there a way to show a webpage url in a playlist? Maybe this will be available in the select where "Digital Signage" is the only option?

[@kennyg4744]

Having installed digital signage for 290 screens covering 55 locations, 200 is an OK price. They need to other file formats like PowerPoint. WiFi would also be good incase there is no POE available and also local storage for the playlist incase the network goes down. Then the playlist can still show content.

[@online_now6834]

it has usbC power

[@seancanady89]

The specifications show it has 16GB of storage. Maybe it is stored on the device (with limitations)?

[@boblemon2103]

Dang spent the $200, was thinking I would do the protect cameras as well, oh well, I can think of many uses at client offices… thanks for getting the video on this done so fast.

[@CameronHarris1986]

This is a good addition to the unifi environment. There are tons they could do with it. Call stats display for the unifi phones? They could create a widgetized dashboard option and open up the widgets to developers so people could create widget to display in areas. They could have default widget for digital menus etc for takeaways. The price is a little high as you can do a lot of this with a raspberry pi and a free video looper. But this does look like a good option tbh.

[@CameronHarris1986]

Another example on the widget board and have twitter/trustpilot integrations. You could follow a hashtag and display what people are saying in real time or moderated.

[@CameronHarris1986]

One last one is displaying a website, this might be tricky as it might need some interaction. I have worked in some places that had certain stats/targets looping on an internal website usually its 1 computer that is split up to multiple displays. But it would be a good feature to have if companies are thinking of using less power hungry devices and would like a possibly easier deployment and management experience.

[@MrBrandenS]

I'd spend the $200 on it if it supported my protect cameras and ability to tie into the g4 doorbell but signage alone won't do it for me

[@rodaleach]

Hey Cody. Thanks for getting this video up so quickly. I assume the playlist content sits on the internal storage of the console. It would be nice if we had a way to allocate some of the Protect storage (the UDM Pro is so limited). I like this solution (even at $199). We've done internal signage with Screenly ($11-$25 per TV per month) and Raspberry Pi devices. No recurring costs would make this a decent solution for us.

[@mikelehrer3079]

Try OptiSigns as an alternative

[@bigbigspoon]

Check out BrightSign players

[@jaredgrieve5749]

I was hyped for the $79 EA price point, when it hit the general store at $199 it was a bit of a bummer however considering most other signage solutions come with recurring monthly fees it is totally justifiable provided it meets your needs. I still need to see more of the options for designing a playlist. I assume you can set durations on images and transitions etc but I'm not spending $199 to find out. Would love to see a video that shows playlist build options a bit more. Great videos as always, thanks.

[@SypherKon]

If they made this into a home "smart screen" that could use your Protect cameras, view your calendar, and various other odds and ends this would be a killer device.

[@CPurdiePlays]

That's pretty awesome. It's cost is a bit high and I too wish it had Wi-Fi. For my digital signage I have Chromebit's deployed on multiple tv's. They are a pain to set up and change their content when necessary. I do have them set to display a local webpage that shows various content like stats. Having that ability with the Display Cast would really be nice to retain that functionality. Not sure how I would do that with this set up. I'm trying really hard to convince our CEO to let me go with Ubiquiti gear at work and this would really help that.

[@Bloodycub666]

199 for video shower pretty price. For normal user only make sense to display cameras on tv or pc. You can Google cast KZbin videos already with just wifi

[@donwicks3540]

The lack of features here are glaring and I agree if you're not offering any Unifi integration what's the point? Price wise it would be great if it wasn't lacking most signage options, HTML5...feeds, matrix. Hopefully they add more features and this one doesn't get left behind.

[@mememan1564]

Question: with those two connect casts in a group, do they play simultaneously in sync (without delay)?

[@JacksonCampbell]

This is the question, especially if you were to have something like a wide-angle video spread across several displays.

[@brettmcauliffe475]

Thank you for showing what this device was capable at the time. Now that Unifi Connect and this device has had about 18 months to mature, is it worth while seeing what this can do now?

[@trentgumpp4193]

I think $200 is price right in line with where it needs to be. I agree on needing Wifi as you wouldn't need ethernet ran. Another commenter said it needs to support powerpoint and I couldn't agree more with that as well. Having done some digital signage already I think this looks much more intuitive than using bright author or other apps to do the playlist.

[@robtaylor206]

You could save your pptx as a video file. or as individual picture files.

[@JacksonCampbell]

@@robtaylor206 Yeah, although a raft of pictures could be more cluttered than simple PowerPoint files.

[@praktekal]

We use kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5yyoJKdqJqpeNk in our warehouses to get ethernet to device locations.

[@JacksonCampbell]

@@praktekal You linked a cheap WiFi extender. So, you definitely don't use that to extend Ethernet and you shouldn't use it to extend WiFi either. Those are garbage.

[@sarhtaq]

Looks promising, one thing that could make it certain for my work, would be the ability to "cast" a webpage. (useful for eg. a campus infoscreens etc. )

[@MactelecomNetworks]

You can cast webpages i believe on the connect displays but not on the display cast

[@toughmudpi5006]

Thanks for sharing all the informative videos to the community. We are better for it. I am able to monitor our cameras through the Protect app for Apple TV. Is there one for Chromecast?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Yup there is an app for Chromecast it works ok... Nothing like the viewport which formatted the cameras in a correct position

[@seancanady89]

Considering their Touch line of phones can display the Protect cameras, surely this can via a fw update. I do wish it were a little cheaper but, at the same time, those displays aren't cheap either...

[@anthonygaming9227]

Is it correct this only works with a local OS console, and cannot work with a remote controller (self-hosted cloud controller)?

[@chanwilsonc]

This is a very interesting product. I am wondering if there is any transcoding available if we want to cast a PDF or PPT presentation in a loop. Maybe it is just a matter of time which the functionality of Display Cast will improve. I see tremendous opportunity with this solution as many offering in this space is subscription base and Ubiquiti has an opportunity to disrupt the market for mid market type customers to leverage this technology.

[@isaackvasager9957]

My thoughts exactly. I manage a school network and we need a signage option. Even with its current limitations, I'm thinking this unifi option may be better than the rest.

[@DanWarman]

Would I need any other hardware to get the Unifi Connect Display Cast working ?

[@learnblueiris]

Wow, this is an interesting product. Thanks for the video!

[@MrTechnician_]

This would be fantastic if it included supported for NDI mixed with the existing media options.

[@kbhasi]

I won't be surprised if Ubiquiti offer a SDM-S module for that which could be installed in some commercial displays, some time down the road when the software has matured and has the features users want (and liked from similar solutions offered by other companies)

[@strauss-2478]

I'm a fan of Ubiquiti, but I have to ask myself what this company prioritizes in product development. How can you waste resources on such a product? It's just my opinion

[@isaackvasager9957]

Every single school in America has signage these days, let alone every mall and moderately large business. This isn't a niche product. Just because you don't need it, doesn't mean there isn't a huge market for it.

[@klodklodo]

The screens seem to be out of EA now, can't wait for the video on those! Very little info on what they can do

[@abacojack13]

would be great if worked with Protect. Can you do a video on using Apple Tv with Protect?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Possibly maybe ill make a youtube short

[@chriscarr1791]

I know you are in ON, I live in Windsor so easy to get stuff from the States. Just wondering if there is any negatives/concerns for Canadians, in ordering this from the states and bringing it over to use ?

[@johnwaynebrooks]

Unifi makes me a lot of money per year. I love them!

[@isaackvasager9957]

Can you give a user permissions to only be able to work inside "connect" and not be able to mess with any other applications/settings on the console?

[@norcobf]

Where is the video clip you used "stored"? I'm thinking 🤔 that some of the video I might use, would be fairly large? Can you leave the file in a Google Drive or NAS and run it via the Connect Cast? Or do I need to use the HD in Cloud Key or UDM?

[@yourpcmd]

Storage: 16 GB. So presumably, if the total size of your files doesn't exceed 16Gb, they are stored on the Display Cast from what I see.

[@seancanady89]

It has 16GB of local storage. Obviously, if it is storing the content locally, there would be some limitations.

[@directorbrandx]

I have been looking at digital signage options. While I believe the UniFi DisplayCast is cost effective, the UniFi Connect application needs more features. I would love to have the option to display our UniFi network application's dashboard in our IT Office. This way, when someone complains they have poor network connectivity, I could quickly view this dashboard and see if there is any immediate trouble. I would also like to see the ability to schedule different playlists. Maybe that exists already, but I couldn't tell in this video.

[@SmokinMoaksBBQ]

$199 is high but most lower cost options have a subscription attached to it.

[@QuikTechSolutions]

Neat device. Thanks for the video Cody!

[@mdd83646]

If they add the feature to turn 12 TVs (in vertical configuration) into one large display, I would totally get these and replace the archaic system I'm currently using (and crossing my fingers that it doesn't die anytime soon).

[@oddholstensson212]

Lets hope that Unifi does not abandon hardware and products in advance, as they tend to do with other product groups....

[@rosspeebles6756]

200 is mid range, you can run digital signage on raspberryPI or a firestick, but premium platform players can be upwards of 1000 with full resilience built in.

[@NashPowersports]

Is there a way to remove black screen between elements in the playlist if they are images?... And as they playlist loops it has a black screen as well... Is there a setting to fix this?

[@chadgarceau8109]

I think 200 is a bit pricey, you can do similar on a 25 dollar fire stick , fire TV or Android tv.

[@davepurdy1407]

does this work with unifi hosted? (right now we have a unifi key that does not have a harddrive so cannot adopt the device)

[@morristabush]

Does connect allow you to specify, in a playlist, a default time for each piece of media (JPG) of 2-5 minutes? basically creating a very slow slideshow of JPG's which loops continuously.

[@nicholaslacovara2381]

Another great Video - BUT I have a problem. 5:31. Uploading media problem. I have a USG Pro and with the Display Cast, I get to the point where you upload media and I get an error that says “ add external storage” when I try to upload content. There is no way to add such a method for storage to a USG pro that I know of. So I assume I have to control this from a local server or cloud server. So this is a deal breaker unless I can figure out a way around this. I tried dragging and dropping with no luck. Also, I would need a horizontal format. But that does not seem to be available yet. I also tried the connect app on an iPhone but I got the same error

[@bwxjranger2003]

I have an issue like this on a UDM Pro. Added a 2 tb hardrive and nothing!

[@nicholaslacovara2381]

@@bwxjranger2003 I still how no solution to the problem.

[@Zach_Miller]

The markup on these devices after leaving EA is absolutely ridiculous. Keeping the cast under $100 would've made them a game changer in this space

[@richacevedo660]

Cody, thanks for the video it only makes sense for Unifi protect and their at the same price point... come on firmware update lol

[@RossOnTheLand]

Is this only over LAN? Is there WiFi onboard?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Only lan

[@JasonsLabVideos]

Good video Cody, neat feature.

[@TheHandyTek]

Like UniFi, can you remote adopt and manage? Example, you run the controller in your office. You install at client site and set inform address to your controller.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Hey, thanks for watching. I am unsure if you can do that I will have to test later on

[@waynenocton]

I’ve had Ike of these for over a year and just got another one for another location, but I can’t really find much in KZbin showing how to do that things, what the heck is an automation? I did get a viewport too, it seems to work ok, haven’t used it much yet.

[@SimoAtlas]

The price is much cheaper but doesn't offer too many features compared to industry standards. I can see its potential.

[@mbround18]

i wish they would let you just load a website to it for something like home assistant or such

[@brot3933]

Hello and Happy new Year. I am right that i didnt See any Option to make a play list for Websites!?! I Look after for Home Assistant. Thanks for answer

[@wyattgulick2448]

I haven't seen where you can change the picture to portrait mode. Am I missing something?

[@courtenayblair2279]

Can you create video walls with the groups?

[@davidgrasscutter6545]

Is display cast usb ? I could use a wireless transmitter to tv

[@Scott22222]

Can this thing power your TV on and off if you're using scheduling to run playlists at certain times?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

I don't think that is an option as of yet

[@Foiliagegaming]

I have no idea but I do think that this is kind of pricy for what you get. Unless they add a bunch of new features, you could have a cheap SBC running this on repeat.

[@nrjonesy]

Would be good to see Connect in the UK.. no idea why it's not available, not even in EA atm.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Canada is the same way we don’t have any connect here yet

[@kensingh9527]

199 is a good price if the software is VERY featureful. So at the current moment the price is okay and its a alright buy in terms of usability.

[@RCSDTY]

It needs a live feed

[@kevinwinklaar6273]

Price wise its perfect compare to other signage products .

[@kylebondo5928]

Would be really cool if i could actually buy one of these. Sold out forever, and amazon charging $100 over price.

[@AlchemyGlobalSTEM]

I do think $199 is high. I'd feel better about $129 or even $149. If you the use case involves multiple TV's it adds up quickly. It will also be a problem in that scenario because it currently says on the product page, "This product has a maximum quantity limit of 2 per customer," and they are out of stock anyway.

[@JerryPena]

Hmm.. A Google Cast can do more for 1/6 of the price. And it's 4K too. Not sure if this is?

[@walkwgod7]

I would really want to have WIFI with that But, what we use are brightsigns and they go for about 250 USD each for the tv side box, no wifi on that either

[@theguru0]

A little too pricy for just digital signage. Would love to use in my church, but would need four of them.

[@peterhelpme]

1. Picture slideshow - Transition between pictures is concerning to say the least. Certainly not suitable for public use. 2. Picture slideshow - Background music limited to one track. 3. Playlists - First list created no problem. Second playlist creation always fails with "Failed to Apply Changes Please ensure that you are still connected to your network." 4. Adding items to a playlist - Default time for one slide is 5 seconds. If you add lots of pictures, get ready for a lot of clicking to extend the delay. No bulk edit option available. Not ready for prime time. Tested with Connect 2.3.8

[@_intrepid]

This is cool but needs much, much more than just videos and pictures. Needs widgets, floor plans, directories, meetings etc.

[@olpa99011]

These are neat, but worthless to me unless I can display subscribed calendars (like an ics file, that has the facility calendar) and also URLs for live video streams or embedded video streams.

[@carsonwolf2022]

Thank you

[@mikelehrer3079]

I can not find how to set to Portrait mode.

[@backupaddict1356]

I just use a PC to do this now with protect. I think it's a little over priced at the moment.

[@johnwfmak]

I was going to say PiSignage but now pi is hard to find and much higher price. Last I play with there is a 1gb limit on the playlist.

[@soremekun]

I could use something like this however, there's no way to get it to work with the UXG.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

You could use it with the cloudkey gen 2 plus

[@MrSamucbr]

Yeah having the cameras is pretty nice, but they could have just added an app to most of the TVOS and just cast it without the need of a device..

[@The_Tech_Ninja]

It is to expensive only for this functionality! Show protect should be a must have feature for this device! Wifi i agree would be nice, but i think the problem is the streaming quality because „a cable is a cable“! Its like fibre or 5G! 😂

[@griffic37]

The unifi's digital signage is too costly. Some companies use devices such as roku or fire stick and a subscription from platforms that are free. Maybe the cost of adding POE and USB-C power options killed the design price but they are more convenient than others.

[@isaackvasager9957]

non of the digital signage platforms that do anything worth anything are free. They all have a yearly subscription cost...usually around $100-$200 per device (per year!). This unifi system is much cheaper than people in this comment section seem to understand. Plus it's all handled locally, instead of relying on some bullcrap cloud server that may or may not work tomorrow and may or may not exist in a year.

[@ronm6585]

Thanks.

[@matteovogilini8845]

For just shoving vids is pretty pricey… you could put a thumb drive in the tv or I usually used pi’s with vlc local streaming using a basic 200€ pc as the streaming box , couple of raspberry’s and you have the same sistem for cheaper

[@isaackvasager9957]

yea, if you can find a pi to buy. Doing it the pi way takes much more skill than this unifi system. this system is good for the non technical people.

[@markloughtonUK]

For that sort of money I would want offline compatibility so I could configure it then take it away to exhibitions.

[@FirstLastOne]

That I believe is called a USB storage device with a playlist. MUCH CHEAPER! 😉😉

[@kingsleytechconsultants3361]

Cost effective because the status quo in commercial business IME is Google Chromebox.

[@joejoe6949]

Yea they got rid of the nfc on the screens bummer.

[@elitheelectronicsguy]

Look at yodeck they use raspberry pi for display units

[@tld8102]

they need to work on the UI. doesn’t feel right setting up the signage.

[@akshajhui]

its just a Chromecast but for enterprise

[@MaxJupiter]

Without Protect and wifi I think its a bit pricey and glade I watched this video before I purchased this it would have been a waste of money for me.

[@alc5440]

I bought 10 of these because it looked like a perfect fit for us and they are beyond half baked. They will not work if they aren't in the same broadcast domain as the UniFi controller. As such, they are completely useless for all but the smallest of businesses with the most basic networks.

[@isaackvasager9957]

I mean...learn how to use a router, and they will work just fine.

[@1of152]

It went from $79EA to $199 no way. This is way overpriced for a remote video player. You can get free versions that charge a monthly fee to run the service completely remotely over IP without the output TV needing to be on the same network. $199USD is a mad price.

[@FirstLastOne]

If that price increase made you angry, just wait until you see the unlocked prices of their two phones that more than doubled in price. There old unlocked prices are now the locked prices. Doubt very much they improved the call quality of their Ubiquiti VoIP to justify making their unlocked prices so high.

[@1of152]

@@FirstLastOne That is the Ubiquiti public lifestyle now. The lack of global fulfilment + price increases. You gotta wonder if someone will come and take out the bottom tier pricing again.

[@MrMcMuffinJr1999]

Lemme guess……won’t work as a viewport

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Good guess

[@armisis]

Yeah just show my security cams on it very poorly

[@cameronhill2true]

Proxy

[@curranhouse]

Another product that is instantly out of stock and unavailable... Strange company ubiquiti....

[@takeonetheater]

are you kidding me?????? no protect video yet the viewport continues to be MIA or ETA ....thanks for a product with limited features

[@BryanHowieSIGNGURU]

At 199.00 it’s over priced !

[@arynnakaoka8720]

cost effective

[@handlealreadytaken]

Another half baked product launch.

[@Jason-mk3nn]

Just don't. Ubiquiti is a brilliant hype machine. They have incredible ideas, but are one of the absolute WORST companies for follow through that I have ever worked with. I got really excited a couple years ago when I first started working with their gear. Since then, with multiple large sites and small sites deployed, I will say that until they make massive changes, I will not put another penny into them. They have the. single. worst. support. of any platform. When you buy UniFi, you have absolutely no idea if or how long it will be supported. Products and services that were designed for reliability or resiliency are quickly tabled for new fads or extreme niche headline grabbers Their naming conventions are a disaster and non-consistent Products touted to be the heart of their ecosystem lose support as soon as they grow bored with them They tease solutions through their ER program and threaten all-but first-born to anyone that so much as breathes anything The premise behind Ubiquiti is a good one. But, the follow through undoes almost every bit of good the ideas and ideals held. Cody, if you want to be so hot to trot on UI, that is good. But, be honest to people that watch and see your content as full-on endorsements. Ubiquiti is far from the stellar company you make it out to be. They like you, because you give them sales. But, the average customer DOES NOT get the support you get. If you want to harness that power, make it known how the UDM-Pro is treated like a pariah, despite still being sold and still promoted. If you are going to be a spokesperson for Ubiquiti, then start saying that, so people don't judge based upon perceived unbiased content, that while maybe not directly paid for, but indirectly brings you work and subscribers. I am sorry for being so hard on you and Ubiquiti, but someone needs to be fair and honest about how the company really operates.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Fair points I think enough people know by now I like Ubiquiti. This isn’t sponsored content at all and people know how support is. I like making Ubiquiti video because I like Ubiquiti. I support Ubiquiti networks in my consulting so of course I am going to advertise it . The price increases are happening to most companies . The price increases to the unifi talk should not be as much as they are

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Also as for the average customer does not get the same support as I do they most definitely do. Anyone who does KZbin content about gets no special treatment as far as support is concerned. We still have to submit tickets and wait. The difference is we’ve learned the product and rarely have to open support tickets unless it’s something like an RMA