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Any way to fetch an image from HTML for weather icon?

Michael

April 03, 2012 17:33

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I know this has been touched on in some form or another over the years, but we're trying to get a simple weather icon to appear for a client.  We have a multi-zone layout and just want to add a weather 'icon' to the screen, rather than an RSS feed of just text for the forecast.  Most weather services have an option where you can generate a weather icon or image to paste on your website or blog - is there any way to get the BrightSign to 'fetch' that info and display that image?  Something like this: http://www.wunderground.com/stickers/

I've looked everywhere trying to find an MRSS weather feed that will give us an icon, but nothing has worked (because they're all RSS with HTML rather than real MRSS feeds).

Screenfeed has nothing like this, only full screen images which we don't want - and preferably don't want a subscription service if we can avoid it, since we're handing off the managment of this project to the client after we get it up and running.

Or does anyone have any other ideas/solutions?   I've seen this on other media players, but there doesn't seem to be anyway to make this work on the BrightSign. 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

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13 comments

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  Lyndon April 03, 2012 23:27

  THis would need to be down using a custom script or some custom code in script that goes along with BrightAuthor.  What brightauthor version are you using, and when would you need it? Also, is wunderground still using jpegs? 

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  Michael April 04, 2012 21:12

  As soon as possible would be great.  We have a text forecase using RSS right now which works, and the client is more-or-less happy with it, but it would be nice to have some more flexibility and a simple icon/graphic/image.  We're not sold on Weather Underground, it could be from Accuweather or whoever, as long as it can be easily 'fetched' and displayed, that'd be great.  We're using BA 2.3.0.71

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  Mkeen April 25, 2012 14:40

  I've been struggling with this same thing for a year.  We used to use FrameChannel but they went out of business.  A gentleman who can be found at http://www.streamingmeemee.com/ was kind enough to reverse engineer the FrameChannel system.  His system is called FrameAlbum.  Primarily the support is for consumer grade digital picture frames, but Brightsigns are supported through MRSS.  On my suggestion he has provided a rudimentary weather MRSS feed which shows the current radar image based on your zip code.  However, there is nothing fancy like icons or three-day forecasts.  I would love to have some source for MRSS weather graphics.  It's sort of amazing that Weather Channel or Reuters don't offer this for free to get their logos in front of captive audiences.

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  Lyndon July 11, 2012 00:29

  The refresh occurs every time the images play. So, if you set the images to display for 10 seconds, then the refresh occurs every 10 seconds. I would start with an image that wasn't your image, but with the correct name.

  Then, run the unit. If the download is working, there should be a new image in the root of your flash card. That's where the files are stored when downloaded...

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  JRB Technical July 14, 2012 02:15

  I am working on possibly offering an option for a MRSS feed for weather, and I am about halfway through programming now, with US radar, current conditions, and probably a 5 or 7 day forecast screen.  Working with the data feed from the NWS is a bit complicated unfortunately. I will try and let you know when I have things closer to ready.  I'll have to look at estimating server bandwidth costs, but probably a annual subscription for around $15-25 a year, based on generic or customized backgrounds, format size, etc., if this is of interest for people.

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  Mkeen July 14, 2012 04:22

  John, I'd be very interested in this service.  We are currently using screenfeed which is costly and doesn't do everything I'd like.  Keep us posted.  Thanks.

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  JRB Technical July 22, 2012 17:53

  I am looking to start sending out Beta test feeds for MRSS Weather within the next week.  Mainly US locations right now, but if you have a International location, please fill out the Beta Request form anyway, I am looking into getting International data as well, but that is taking longer.

  If you are interested in helping out with Beta testing, please use this link below and fill out the contact form on that page, and I will get back with you with the URL for a test feed sometime over the next week.

  http://bit.ly/MRSSWeather

  If all goes well, I can start putting out production feeds shortly thereafter. 

  Thanks for your interest and patience!

  John

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  JRB Technical December 14, 2012 17:53

  Hello:

  Just an update on this, as I have had several people contact me about this post, and I forgot that I had not made any updates to it.

  I do have Weather Media RSS feeds in production now.  Current Conditions and 5 Day Forecast are available for most locations worldwide.  US locations get the added bonus of a Radar screen and National Weather Service Alerts when active.

  The Basic Weather Package is $60 USD a year ($5 a month) for full HD Weather Screens.  I tried to keep the cost down as low as possible for me to offer this and pay for bandwidth and server costs.

  Custom screens are also available in just about any size you may want, additional fees may apply based on amount of work.

  For more information, or to place an order:

  http://bit.ly/MRSSWeather

  Thanks!

  John

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  Jeff Marshall May 10, 2013 20:34

  a few free services are http://openweathermap.org/ and http://www.weather.gov/  ( U.S. ) or in Canada http://weather.gc.ca/business/index_e.html#weatherlink . If you are handy with php you could parse the xml then send down your own html page for display in the html element.

  I am trying to avoid a monthly payment. That means doing a little work.

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  JRB Technical July 15, 2014 20:12

  Another update, I think I replied personally to all those that asked in the past, but wanted to post an update here as well.

  We are now starting to offer Weather Feeds in other languages besides English. Feeds are available in Spanish, French, German, and Dutch. Other languages may be added in the future.

  For more information:

  http://ds-weather.com/languages.html

  Thanks!

  John

   

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  Romeo July 18, 2014 08:27

  Hi John,

  Do you also offer this content in portrait mode (i.e. the images are already properly rotated for the player in the feed)?

  Thanks,

  Romeo

   

   

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  JRB Technical July 18, 2014 22:38

  Romeo:

  Lyndon just asked me that same question 2 days ago.

  Yes, I can set up feeds to be rotated 90° CW or CCW, or even 180° if needed.

  John

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  Jeremy Gavin August 13, 2018 18:52

  Hi All. This is an old post but I just wanted to let you know that Screenfeed in fact can deliver exactly what Michael is looking for.  We can deliver individual icons, weather data, HTML displays or full zone images.  We have a number of weather options available for a low monthly fee and beautiful designs and icons with a full team of designers and developers to provide support.  https://www.screenfeed.com/browse/category/weather