How to Add RSS (XML) Zones to your Signagelive Layouts

Keeping your digital signage fresh and relevant is crucial, and RSS (XML) Zones, often referred to as "Ticker Zones," are perfect for delivering dynamic, text-based content in real-time. Whether you want to display the latest news headlines, stock market updates, or your own custom messages, an RSS Zone makes it easy.

What is an RSS (Ticker) Zone?

An RSS (Ticker) Zone allows you to pull in external RSS feeds (like local news, sports scores, or weather alerts) or even your own custom RSS feeds created using Signagelive's Message Manager. This content is then displayed as scrolling or fading text within a designated area of your Layout.

Adding a Ticker zone works similarly to adding any other zone within the Layout Designer. If you're new to the designer, you can find out more by reviewing the Introduction to the Layout Designer article.

You can also watch this video to learn more about adding and customising a Ticker zone using the Layout Designer:

How to Add an RSS (Ticker) Zone to a Layout Canvas:

Follow these steps to integrate a dynamic text feed into your display:

Log in to your Signagelive Network.
Select Content from the main menu.
Choose Layouts.
Open an existing Layout or create a new Layout.
In the Layout Designer, locate and select the 'Ticker zone' option from the menu ribbon.
A new Ticker zone will appear on your canvas. You can then move and resize this zone by dragging it to your desired position and dimensions on the Layout canvas.

How do I customise the Appearance and Content of My Ticker?

Once your Ticker zone is added to the Layout, you can open its Zone Properties to configure its appearance and the content it displays fully. Click on the Ticker zone to select it, then open the 'Zone Properties' sidebar (usually from a ribbon menu).

Here are the key options you can configure:

Size and Position	Size & Position: Adjust the width, height, and X/Y coordinates of the Ticker zone in pixels to perfectly fit your Layout.
Background	Colour: Select a single colour to fill the background of your Ticker zone. Opacity: Set the transparency of the Ticker zone, allowing the Layout background or other zones beneath to show through.
Font	Font: Choose a font from the dropdown list of available fonts. (If the chosen font is unavailable on the Player you publish this Layout to, it will revert to the default 'Arial' font to ensure readability). Colour: Select a colour for the text that will appear within the Ticker zone. Size: Use the slider bar to adjust the font size (typically from 1 to 150).
Animation	Animation Direction: Control how the text moves through the zone: Left to Right Right to Left Top to Bottom Bottom to Top Fade In/Out (text fades in, stays, then fades out before the next item appears)
Speed:	You can use the slider to adjust how fast the Ticker text scrolls or animates.
Pause:	You can use the slider to adjust the duration of the pause between each item of the Ticker, giving viewers time to read.
Asset	Asset: This is where you connect your RSS feed! Select an existing RSS feed from your Asset Library. If you have a new RSS feed URL or XML file, upload it here to make it available. This selected feed will be shown when no other scheduled content is active in this zone. Separator: Choose a `.jpg` or `.png` image to add that will show in between each item of your chosen RSS feed once published, offering a visual break between headlines or messages.

By configuring your RSS (Ticker) Zones effectively, you can provide dynamic, constantly updating information that keeps your audience engaged and informed.