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PADS4 Viewer on Sharp/NEC CM4 & CM5

This article describes how to install and configure the PADS4 Viewer on Sharp/NEC Compute Module 4 (CM4) and Compute Module 5 (CM5) devices.

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Installing the Sharp/NEC Compute Module Image

Sharp/NEC provides a custom Raspberry Pi image that is required to run web applications on the Compute Module. If your device is not running the Sharp/NEC image, install it by following the Manual flashing the Raspberry Pi over USB section of the Quick Reference Guide for Sharp MPi4 Kit 4.1. During the installation:
  1. Select Custom Image.
  2. Select the current Sharp/NEC image.
Note At the time of writing the current image is: Sharp_4.1_EU_20250501.img This image version may change in future releases.
After installation, configure a unique hostname for the device.

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Allowing Access to the Sharp/NEC API

By default, the Sharp/NEC image only allows applications running on localhost to access the API. Connect to the Compute Module using SSH. Default credentials
SettingValue
Usernameuser
PasswordCM@SHARPdisplays
Open the configuration file: 
cd /sharp/controls
sudo nano web-comms.py
Locate the CORS configuration: 
CORS(
    app,
    resources={r"/*": {"origins": "http://127.0.0.1"}},
    methods=["GET", "POST"]
)
Replace http://127.0.0.1 with the URL of your PADS4 environment. For example: 
CORS(
    app,
    resources={r"/*": {"origins": "https://pads4.contoso.com"}},
    methods=["GET", "POST"]
)
To allow all origins, use: 
resources={r"/*": {"origins": "*"}}
Save the file and reboot the device.

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Configuring the Viewer

The Sharp/NEC image contains a configuration endpoint that is used to configure the browser startup behavior. Open: 
http://<ip-address-or-hostname>/config
Download the configuration file. Default credentials
SettingValue
Usernameuser
PasswordCM@SHARPdisplays
Open the configuration file in a text editor and configure the settings.

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host

Specifies the PADS4 Server. Possible values:
  • 127.0.0.1
  • IP address of the PADS4 Server
  • Hostname of the PADS4 Server
When an IP address or hostname is specified, the Viewer waits until the server is reachable. When 127.0.0.1 is specified, the Viewer starts even when the device is offline.
Note Using 127.0.0.1 requires the Viewer application to be hosted using HTTPS.

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auto_close_browser

Recommended value: 
false

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wait_for_time_server

When enabled, the Viewer starts only after time synchronization has completed.

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url

URL of the PADS4 Viewer application. Example: 
https://<server>/pads4/apps/viewer/

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incognito_mode

Recommended value: 
false

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autorefresh

Recommended value: 
false

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ntp_server

Specifies the NTP server. The PADS4 Server can also be used as the NTP server. Upload the modified configuration file and reboot the device.

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Updating the Viewer

After the initial installation, Viewer updates are installed automatically. When the PADS4 Server is upgraded, the Viewer automatically updates to the version available on the server.

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Supported Features

FeatureSupport
Display ModelsSupported
Portrait ModeSupported
HTTPSSupported
TextSupported
Formatted TextSupported
Scrolling TextSupported
LineSupported
ShapeSupported
TableSupported
Interactive ButtonSupported
ScreenshotSupported
Web ContentSupported*
ColorsSupported*
Property BindingsSupported
Viewer VariablesSupported
RulesSupported
Offline Content LibrarySupported
Offline SchedulesSupported
Offline DataSupported
Automatic Viewer UpdatesSupported
Turn Off DisplaySupported
PADS4 Ctrl CenterSupported
* Interactive address bar is not supported. * Texture and pattern colors are not supported.

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Video Support

FeatureSupport
Video PlaybackSupported
HTTP StreamingSupported
RTP StreamingNot Supported
RTSP StreamingNot Supported
MMS StreamingNot Supported
UDP StreamingNot Supported

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Image Support

FormatSupport
JPGSupported
PNGSupported
SVGSupported
GIFSupported

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Unsupported Features

Feature
Block Remote Control
Flash
LED
NFC
Wake-on-LAN
Shutdown Device from Ctrl Center

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PADS4 Ctrl Center Support

Supported functionality:
  • Screenshot
  • Viewer Log
  • Synchronization Log
  • Viewer Settings
  • System Information
  • Viewer Blackbox
  • Proof of Play
  • Refresh Device
  • Reboot Device
  • Viewer Variables
  • Monitoring & Alerts
  • Current Connection State

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Supported Features & Limitations

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General Features

FeatureDescription
✅Automatic Software Updates – The Viewer updates automatically when the PADS4 Server is updated.
✅Offline Mode – Plays scheduled content for 7 days while offline.

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Device Features

FeatureDescription
✅Portrait Mode – Device automatically adjusts rotation.
✅Cluster Viewer – Can be used in a cluster setup.
✅Block Remote Control – Prevent unauthorized screen control.
✅Turn Off Display – When no presentation is scheduled.

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Video & Content Support

FeatureDescription
✅2 Videos Per Page – Supports seamless playback.
✅Video Rotation, Reflection, Skew, Flip – Supported.
✅HTTP Streaming – Supported.
❌Flash Element Support – Not supported.

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Device Management

FeatureDescription
✅Remote Management via PADS4 CTRL Center
✅Connection State Monitoring & Alerts
✅Reboot Support – Supported.
✅Remote Screenshot Capture
❌Shutdown Support – Not supported.

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General Limitations

FeatureDescription
❌Local File Playback – Only supports files from PADS4 Content Library.
❌Local Proof of Play Storage – Limited to 50,000 records.
❌PowerBI Support – Not supported.