Samsung E-Paper + PinToMind

What is Samsung E-Paper?

Samsung E-Paper is a digital display with a paper-like appearance and very low power consumption. The display is battery-powered but can also be connected to a power source.

The Samsung E-Paper display remains in sleep mode most of the time. It therefore operates differently from a standard information display, which is continuously connected and constantly fetches new content.

The e-paper display normally wakes up once a day, connects to the network, and retrieves updated content from PinToMind. It then displays the content and returns to sleep mode.

This results in very low power consumption but also entails certain limitations. The screen is primarily suited for static content that does not require frequent updates. Consequently, content requiring a continuous network connection or frequent updates will not function in the same way as on a standard information display.

Screen setup

Setup is done using the Samsung E-Paper mobile app (Samsung's own app). It can be downloaded from Google Play Store or AppStore. The app is used to pair the device, connect to Wi-Fi, and install our app on the screen.

1. Download the mobile app Samsung E-Paper to your mobile phone, from Google Play Store or AppStore.

2. When you turn on the screen for the first time (Press POWER on the back.) a startup page with QR codes and a pairing code will appear.

   You can keep the charger connected during the entire initial setup. The setup keeps the screen awake for a long time, and it costs battery.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair the screen with your mobile phone.

After connecting the screen to the mobile phone, follow the instructions below:

1. Select network. The mobile phone must be on the same network as the display.
2. Enter the password. The IP address is normally assigned via DHCP.
3. Accept the terms and conditions (T&Cs). Do not press "Skip". If you skip this step, the Custom App will not be installed, and the setup process will have to be repeated.
4. Device registration: Select the "Manual setup" installation type.
5. Content source: Select "Custom" and enter the URL: https://p2m.tv/samsung/epaper
6. Enter PIN code.
7. Give the device a name.
8. After registration: Access the device in the mobile app.
9. Under Custom App is the URL -> Press "Install" to install the app. The app is downloaded and installed on the screen.

10. The app is launched and displays a code on the screen.

    The screen is deliberately kept active for longer during this phase (up to 30 minutes) to allow time to complete the pairing. If you do not complete it in time, the device goes into sleep mode. Press POWER to wake it up and generate a new code.

11. Log in to your PinToMind account. Go to "Screens" in the menu on the left and click "+ CONNECT A NEW SCREEN".
12. Enter the code shown on the screen to link the device to your PinToMind account.

13. Select which channel to display on this device.

    See the tips below regarding content and settings for channels best suited for E-Paper.

14. The channel you selected is now displaying on your device.

What type of content can be displayed?

E-paper functions differently from a standard information screen and can only display a static image. Consequently, content involving movement—such as video, animations, scrolling, and fading—cannot be displayed.

PinToMind does not currently have a dedicated channel type for E-Paper. You must therefore make sure that the channel you display on the E-Paper screen is adapted to the screen.

👉 We recommend a simple channel with a maximum of one post in each area, and no moving content.

Standard posts, posters, images/PDFs, scores & fixtures, and calendars are well-suited for this purpose. Since the screen normally retrieves new content once a day, you should avoid content that requires updating multiple times throughout the day.

Please note that screen burn-in is not covered by Samsung's warranty. We therefore recommend avoiding displaying the same static content—such as a logo—in the same location for extended periods. Feel free to vary the layout.

When is the content updated?

The content is updated once every 24 hours, at a random time between 01:00 and 03:00 local time.

Therefore, if you make changes to the channel in PinToMind during the day, they will not appear on the screen until the following night.

If you wish to update the content immediately, you can press the POWER button on the screen; the screen will then fetch new content right away. While this consumes a little extra battery power, it can certainly be done when needed.

How does the PinToMind Player app for E-Paper work?

We have a dedicated Samsung Tizen PinToMind app for E-Paper. The app is configured to wake up once a day at a random time between 01:00 and 03:00 local time. Upon waking, it first verifies the connection to the server, loads the content, and waits a few minutes to ensure everything is ready on the screen. It then enters sleep mode.

The total wake time is around 3 minutes. If the network is down, the app retries every 10 seconds for up to 15 minutes before going to sleep to save battery.

You can force an immediate update by pressing POWER on the screen. This wakes up the app and reloads the content. While starting the screen up consumes a small amount of battery, it is a perfectly viable way to force changes right away.

Useful tips and tricks

Operations

• A single daily update is a design feature, not a limitation to be worked around. Content requiring multiple daily changes is not suited for the e-paper.
• The screen can often be very slow to respond, so you need to be patient when using it.
• To wake the screen manually: Press POWER on the back.
• Device information and updates: In the mobile app → Select the device → General → Device settings. Here you will find network status, date/time, firmware upgrade, and reset options.
• You can only use the app in conjunction with the screen when the device is awake—either by manually pressing the POWER button or during the night.
• Ensure good Wi-Fi coverage where the screen is placed.
• Set the correct time zone for your PinToMind account so that the nightly update occurs during the night.

Design

• We recommend high contrast, large areas. Dark text on a light background works best.
• Use large font sizes. Thin, small text and fine lines disappear in the panel.
• Avoid soft gradients and highly detailed photographs. The color palette is limited; images appear flat and muddy. Flat colors, icons, and clear typography are the strengths of E-Paper.
• No video, animation, or scrolling. The panel renders one image at a time. Anything that moves is a waste.

Battery

• The battery is used only when the screen is active and rendering a new image. The image itself does not consume battery power to remain visible.
• Poor Wi-Fi coverage is the most common hidden battery drainer: the screen stays on longer while trying to establish a connection.
• Samsung states a battery life of up to approximately 200 days, but our experience so far shows that battery life can be significantly shorter when used with PinToMind.
• It is possible to connect the screen to power and then it works very well.

Burn-In

• Samsung recommends a stabilization period of approximately 5 minutes after an image change. The app accounts for this in its own sleep routine—which is why you should not manually force frequent updates.
• Static content remaining in the same spot over time accelerates burn-in. We therefore recommend avoiding displaying the same stativ content - such as fixed logos, fixed headings, and borders in the same location for extended periods. Consider varying the layout between pages.
• Please note that screen burn-in is not covered by the Samsung warranty.
• Leave "Screen protection time" enabled (default 23:00, runs every 3 days).

Reset to Factory Settings

1. Hold PAIRING + MODE simultaneously for 5-10 seconds.
2. Wait 10 seconds.

3. Press POWER.

   The screen is then restored to factory settings and can be set up again. (This can also be done from the Samsung E-Paper app on your phone).

   This is also the solution when the PIN code has been forgotten.

Questions? Contact us at support@pintomind.com!