Xibo User Manual

Revision: 3

Management of a solution as flexible as Xibo requires a powerful CMS (Content Management System) to control the core concepts. The Xibo CMS is packed full of features to help you get the very best out of the Xibo solution.

This User Manual covers the core concepts and CMS features and starts with a "Tour" to further explain what Xibo can actually do...

Please note: The User Manual gives a complete overview of the CMS as a Super Administrator with full access to all Features and Sharing options within the CMS.

If you have any questions regarding your User access, then please contact your Administrator.

If you are an Administrator and require information regarding the Installation and Set up of the system, please refer to the Administration Documentation

If you are not a Xibo in the Cloud User and need to install a CMS then please refer to the Installation Guides to get up and running with Xibo!

Welcome to the Tour!

Xibo is a flexible and powerful application with a core ethos in Digital Signage for all, regardless of skill level or technological knowledge.

The software itself center's on 5 core concepts:

  1. Users
  2. Displays
  3. Layouts
  4. Media
  5. Scheduling

Using these 5 concepts we can sum up what Xibo can do in a simple sentence;

"Xibo enables a User to upload Media and arrange it in a Layout which is then Scheduled to one or more authorised Displays".

Xibo has many more features to take advantage of which are covered within this User Manual, but to get started let's take a quick look at the main 5.

1. Users

Users are the people that are granted access to the CMS and are identified by a Username and Password to securely log in.

Xibo supports 3 User Types, User Groups as well as multi-level Feature and Sharing access to all parts and items stored within the CMS.

For a corporate environment Xibo can also integrate with SAML identity providers such as Active Directory via ADFS.

2. Displays

Displays represent the hardware connected to the TV/Projector/Tablet that is displaying the Scheduled end content. Each Display is uniquely identified in the CMS so that every Display can have its own content, Layout designs and Schedules set with uniquely identified reporting statistics available.

3. Layouts

Layouts are the complete design that is seen on the screen. Layouts are made up of Regions which allows you to split the screen/position how you choose, with each Region containing its own Playlist/Timeline to which Media Widgets are assigned. A Layout will remain on screen until all Regions have finished playing their assigned content through once, then an entirely fresh Scheduled Layout can be loaded that has different positioning/sizing of Regions and different Playlists/Timelines.

This flexibility drives the dynamic nature of a Xibo display screen.

4. Media

Media content is at the core of the Xibo solution and has many different types which can be generally split into two categories:

File-based media - uploaded and stored in the Library, for example, image and video files.

Layout based media - does not have an associated file and is configured directly on a Layout; RSS feeds and free Text

Xibo uses powerful Widgets which allow you to show your content as well as integrating dynamic third-party information from a variety of sources.

A look at some of the CMS features can be found here.

5. Scheduling

Scheduling is highly flexible and supports Schedules to single Displays as well as to Display Groups. Each Display will check for new Scheduled content periodically, and download Scheduled Items in advance of playback. Default Layouts are shown on Displays when nothing else is Scheduled.

Open Source

The heart of the software is open source, including the entire CMS platform,Windows and Ubuntu Players, and has been for many years! We're committed to keeping it that way. The code can be downloaded and used in accordance with our AGPLv3 licence.

Content Licensing

Please ensure that any content you wish to use complies with Copyright law and is used in the manner as described within its own license. Xibo takes no measures to regulate what is put on displays, beyond what is described in these Manual pages.


If you would like further help with the information contained in the User Manual please take a look at the Troubleshooting section or our Xibo Community Forum.

Xibo in the Cloud customers have free access to our experts at our Help Desk so please open a ticket if you need assistance.

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This documentation is licensed under the Creative Commons Licence.