How to setup GPS dimming on DMP or VIP controlled display

GPS dimming can be used to allow a display to brighten and dim on its own until the light sensor can be installed or repaired.  While in GPS dimming mode the display will change from the minimum configured brightness level to the maximum based on the time of day and the location it is configured for.  Brightness levels will not change throughout the day based on ambient lighting.

Perform the following steps based on the version of the web interface in use.

Silverlight Interface

1. Log into the VIP (if working on a GP3 display you will log into the DMP-4060 instead).
2. Go to the "Configuration" tab.
3. Click the Clock submenu.
4. Verify that the "Time Zone" is set correct for the location the display is in.
   • If display has an internet connection it is recommended to set the "Clock Source" to Network Time Protocol to keep the clock accurate.
     • If they are not entered already, 0.daktronics.pool.ntp.org and 1.daktronics.pool.ntp.org can be used.
   • If the display does not have an internet connection Real Time Clock should be used.
5. Click the GPS submenu.
6. Make sure the correct Continent/Country/State/City are in place.
   • If the specific city is not listed the GPS coordinates for it can be manually entered in or a nearby city can be used instead.
7. If any changes in clock or GPS settings have been made click the "send configuration" button now to save them.
8. Verify that the date and time shown in the upper right hand corner of the VIP web interface are correct.
   • If they are not, click the "Tools" tab and then click the Set Time/Date button, this will sync the time on the VIP with that of the computer being used to connect to it
      

At this point with the "Dimming mode" on "Auto" the DMP/VIP should automatically enter GPS dimming if the connection to the light sensor is lost.  It can be verified that GPS dimming is being used by looking for "GPS" as the "Dimming" value on the "Tools" tab.

👉If the display does not appear to automatically switch to GPS dimming it can be set manually or forced.  To manually set it, change the "Dimming Mode" to GPS (if the option is present on the "Display Control" tab).  To force the display to switch, remove the light sensor (usually listed as "Light 2") from the "Peripherals" submenu under the "Configuration" tab and send configuration.  Once the light sensor has been repaired it will need to be added back to the peripherals for the display to use it.

 

HTML interface

1. Log into the VIP.
2. Click the "Time" tile.
3. Verify that the "Time Zone" is set correct for the location that the display is in.
   1. If display has an internet connection it is recommended that NTP Servers be set to Active. 
   2. If they are not entered already, 0.daktronics.pool.ntp.org and 1.daktronics.pool.ntp.org can be used.
   3. Verify that the Current Date and Current Time are correct.
      • If they are not click the Synchronize button to sync it with the computer being used to connect to it.
4. Click the Location sub menu.
   1. Make sure the correct Continent/Country/State/City are set in place.
      • If the specific city is not listed the GPS coordinates for it can be manually entered in or a nearby city can be used instead.
   2. If any changes to the clock or GPS settings have been made click the blue Save button in the upper left below the "Configuration" heading.

At this point with the "Dimming mode" on "Automatic" the VIP will enter GPS dimming if the connection to the light sensor is lost.  It can be verified that GPS dimming is being used by looking for "Astronomical" as the "Current Output" value on the "Brightness" tile. 👉If the display does not appear to automatically switch to GPS dimming it can be forced to do so by removing the light sensor from the "Peripherals" submenu in the "Configuration" tab.  Making this adjustment and saving will force the VIP to adjust to GPS.  Once the light sensor has been repaired it will need to be added back to the peripherals for the display to use it.