Slideshow Frequently Asked Questions
This article answers the most commonly asked questions about AccuArk's slideshow system.
Can I use the same slide in multiple playlists?
Yes. When you add a slide to a playlist, it creates a link — not a copy. The same slide can be in as many playlists as you want. If you edit the slide, the changes are reflected in all playlists that include it.
What happens when I delete a slide that is in a playlist?
The system warns you that the slide is currently in one or more playlists. If you proceed with deletion, the slide is removed from all playlists automatically. The playlists continue to work with the remaining slides.
Can multiple schedules be active at the same time?
Yes, but only the one with the highest priority number plays. The scheduling service evaluates all active schedules and selects the highest-priority one. If two schedules have the same priority and are both active, the behavior is unpredictable — this is a conflict that should be resolved by assigning different priorities.
Does the player need to stay in focus?
The player window is set to TopMost, which means it stays on top of other windows on its target monitor. You can use other applications on your primary monitor while the player runs on a secondary monitor. The player does not need keyboard focus to continue playing — it runs independently.
Can I run the player on multiple monitors at once?
Each launch of the player targets one monitor. To display on multiple monitors, launch the player multiple times, selecting a different monitor each time. Each player instance runs independently with its own playlist and polling.
What image formats are supported for backgrounds?
The system supports JPEG, PNG, and BMP images through the FileDrive upload system. PNG is recommended for images that need transparency (like logos). JPEG is recommended for photographic backgrounds. Use images at 1920x1080 or higher resolution for Full HD displays.
How quickly do content changes appear on the player?
The player polls the database every 30 seconds. After you make a change in the Slideshow Manager, the player will detect it within 30 seconds. You can press F5 in the player to force an immediate refresh.
Can I preview a slide before deploying it?
The Slide Editor shows your text and overlay configuration as you build the slide. For a full-screen preview, create a test playlist with just the slide you want to preview and launch the player.
What is the maximum slide duration?
The maximum slide duration is 3600 seconds (1 hour). The minimum is 1 second. For most signage use cases, 5-20 seconds per slide is optimal.
Do schedules with validity dates automatically clean up?
Date Range schedules that have passed their end date are automatically excluded from evaluation — the player ignores them. However, they remain in the schedule list unless you manually delete them or enable the Auto-Disable option. Use Auto-Disable on One-Time schedules to automatically mark them as disabled after their time window passes.
What happens if all slides in a playlist are disabled?
The player treats an all-disabled playlist the same as an empty playlist and displays the fallback screen (black background). Enable at least one slide in the active playlist to display content.
How long does an emergency override last?
An emergency override lasts until it is manually deactivated or until its expiration time passes (if one was set). If no expiration was set, the override continues indefinitely until someone deactivates it. Always set an expiration as a safety measure.
Can I schedule different content for specific days of the week?
Yes. Use the Day of Week schedule mode to play a playlist only on selected days. For example, you can create a "Taco Tuesday" playlist and schedule it to play only on Tuesdays. Combine this with the Combined mode if you also want to restrict the time window.
What to Read Next
- Getting Started with the Slideshow System for a complete overview.
- Slideshow Troubleshooting Guide for resolving specific issues.