> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pads4.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install PADS4 Viewer on Sharp/NEC CM4 and CM5

> Install, configure, and update the PADS4 HTML5 Viewer on Sharp/NEC Compute Module 4 and CM5 digital signage devices running the Sharp/NEC Pi image.

# 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.

## 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.

## 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**

| Setting  | Value              |
| :------- | :----------------- |
| Username | `user`             |
| Password | `CM@SHARPdisplays` |

Open the configuration file:

```bash theme={null}
cd /sharp/controls
sudo nano web-comms.py
```

Locate the CORS configuration:

```python theme={null}
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:

```python theme={null}
CORS(
    app,
    resources={r"/*": {"origins": "https://pads4.contoso.com"}},
    methods=["GET", "POST"]
)
```

To allow all origins, use:

```python theme={null}
resources={r"/*": {"origins": "*"}}
```

Save the file and reboot the device.

## Configuring the Viewer

The Sharp/NEC image contains a configuration endpoint that is used to configure the browser startup behavior.

Open:

```text theme={null}
http://<ip-address-or-hostname>/config
```

Download the configuration file.

**Default credentials**

| Setting  | Value              |
| :------- | :----------------- |
| Username | `user`             |
| Password | `CM@SHARPdisplays` |

Open the configuration file in a text editor and configure the settings.

### 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.

### auto\_close\_browser

Recommended value:

```text theme={null}
false
```

### wait\_for\_time\_server

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

### url

URL of the PADS4 Viewer application.

Example:

```text theme={null}
https://<server>/pads4/apps/viewer/
```

### incognito\_mode

Recommended value:

```text theme={null}
false
```

### autorefresh

Recommended value:

```text theme={null}
false
```

### 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.

## 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.

## Supported Features

| Feature                  | Support     |
| :----------------------- | :---------- |
| Display Models           | Supported   |
| Portrait Mode            | Supported   |
| HTTPS                    | Supported   |
| Text                     | Supported   |
| Formatted Text           | Supported   |
| Scrolling Text           | Supported   |
| Line                     | Supported   |
| Shape                    | Supported   |
| Table                    | Supported   |
| Interactive Button       | Supported   |
| Screenshot               | Supported   |
| Web Content              | Supported\* |
| Colors                   | Supported\* |
| Property Bindings        | Supported   |
| Viewer Variables         | Supported   |
| Rules                    | Supported   |
| Offline Content Library  | Supported   |
| Offline Schedules        | Supported   |
| Offline Data             | Supported   |
| Automatic Viewer Updates | Supported   |
| Turn Off Display         | Supported   |
| PADS4 Ctrl Center        | Supported   |

\* Interactive address bar is not supported.

\* Texture and pattern colors are not supported.

## Video Support

| Feature        | Support       |
| :------------- | :------------ |
| Video Playback | Supported     |
| HTTP Streaming | Supported     |
| RTP Streaming  | Not Supported |
| RTSP Streaming | Not Supported |
| MMS Streaming  | Not Supported |
| UDP Streaming  | Not Supported |

## Image Support

| Format | Support   |
| :----- | :-------- |
| JPG    | Supported |
| PNG    | Supported |
| SVG    | Supported |
| GIF    | Supported |

## Unsupported Features

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

## 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

## Supported Features & Limitations

### General Features

| **Feature** | **Description**                                                                                     |
| :---------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|      ✅      | **Automatic Software Updates** – The Viewer updates automatically when the PADS4 Server is updated. |
|      ✅      | **Offline Mode** – Plays scheduled content for **7 days** while offline.                            |

### Device Features

| **Feature** | **Description**                                                 |
| :---------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------- |
|      ✅      | **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.       |

### Video & Content Support

| **Feature** | **Description**                                         |
| :---------: | :------------------------------------------------------ |
|      ✅      | **2 Videos Per Page** – Supports seamless playback.     |
|      ✅      | **Video Rotation, Reflection, Skew, Flip** – Supported. |
|      ✅      | **HTTP Streaming** – Supported.                         |
|      ❌      | **Flash Element Support** – Not supported.              |

### Device Management

| **Feature** | **Description**                             |
| :---------: | :------------------------------------------ |
|      ✅      | **Remote Management via PADS4 CTRL Center** |
|      ✅      | **Connection State Monitoring & Alerts**    |
|      ✅      | **Reboot Support** – Supported.             |
|      ✅      | **Remote Screenshot Capture**               |
|      ❌      | **Shutdown Support** – Not supported.       |

### General Limitations

| **Feature** | **Description**                                                           |
| :---------: | :------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|      ❌      | **Local File Playback** – Only supports files from PADS4 Content Library. |
|      ❌      | **Local Proof of Play Storage** – Limited to **50,000 records**.          |
|      ❌      | **PowerBI Support** – Not supported.                                      |