---
title: Use Serial / UDP commands
slug: hardware/use-serial-udp-commands
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-03-11T06:58:11.201Z
---

BrightSign players support sending and receiving unlimited Serial and UDP commands. To set up the player to receive these commands, you must define the serial/UDP strings in BrightSign Author. The strings can be used to switch from one file to another, pause, resume, change volume, send output, etc.

BrightSign players also support HTTP communication over TCP through custom scripts.

# UDP (Ethernet/Wireless) Commands

UDP command use for BrightSign Author (formerly BrightAuthor\:connected) is described in this video:

::embed[]{url="https://vimeo.com/555971192"}

 Related pages include:

- [Variables](docId\:a6Ali6u-szxHuansk6T3-) 
- [Send a Serial Command on Receiving a UDP Message](docId\:bSdmFhjelfvz8zVepqxya) 
- See [this page](docId\:a6Ali6u-szxHuansk6T3-) for how to set the **UDP Destination Port** and **UDP Receiver Port**.

# Serial Commands

BrightSign players with a serial port support the sending and receiving of bytes as well as strings (see the [this FAQ](docId\:wh5JszpX3mpN06c12Zz4N) for more info). When sending or receiving bytes, you must use decimal values. Many websites have tools for converting between decimal, hex, and ASCII values (see [here](https://www.easycalculation.com/hex-converter.php) or [here](https://www.asciitable.com/)). You can also use a standard Windows calculator (select **Programmer** mode in **View**) to convert between hex and decimal.

To send bytes from a player over the serial port, use the **Send - Serial byte** or **Send - Serial bytes (comma separated)** commands in BrightSign Author (you can also use a custom script). This is the same option you would use for [sending hex commands](docId\:us6qFlvaE7vOiI-NcClep).

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In BrightSign Author, you must select an Advanced Zone and use the commands (available under the **Advanced** tab of a state or event) to send a byte or bytes. The serial **Protocol** should be set to **ASCII** mode under the **Presentation Settings > Interactive > Connectors** tab in a presentation. 

You can also receive bytes by setting the serial **Protocol** to **Binary** mode in **Presentation Settings > Interactive > Connectors** in a presentation. 
:::

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You can then use **Serial Input** events to trigger transitions and other events in an Interactive playlist. Separate the serial values with a comma within the **Specify Serial Input** field, for example, "31 0D" in hex would be "49,13" in decimal.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0prk6SO2dy9LdU77jB8D1/8IuS8HR_PpObOT7NOYHZa_image.png)

# Scripts

You can also control a player through a script. The sample control script below defines a fixed set of playback commands (Play, Stop, Search, Loop, Pause, Resume, etc), and a Readme. Just copy the *autorun.brs* script and your content to a microSD card, and you're ready to send/receive commands. The script also provides feedback when a command is received, when a file is found, when a file loops, etc.

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