The unit has not successfully contacted an NTP time server. For example, the unit may run on a subnet that does not have access to the pre-configured NTP server, or it may not have internet access. The device configuration may have turned off the time display, but typically in those cases, the colon would not display. Check your internet connection, as well as your NTP server settings.
Configure the NTP server on the device’s web page server in Device Settings –> General. You can set the NTP server to nearly any NTP server (see some examples below). Note that you should really use the first two listed.

NTP Server Description
Static IP of the PC running ClockWise Campus ClockWise Campus uses a built-in NTP server – the machine running ClockWise Campus must have a static-IP to properly use this feature
0.anetd.pool.ntp.org An ANetD-created server – the preferred server for non-static-IP installations
1.anetd.pool.ntp.org Another ANetD server
131.107.13.100 Microsoft, Seattle, WA (time-nw.nist.gov)
132.163.4.101 NIST, Boulder, CO (time-a.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov)
130.126.24.53 Urbana-Champaign, IL (ntp-0.cso.uiuc.edu)
64.236.96.53 AOL, Dulles, VA (nist1.aol-va.truetime.com)
64.90.182.55 New York City, NY (nist1-ny.witime.net)

The display defaults to full bright (a setting of 100). Configure this parameter in the web server of each device. The web server also includes a built-in scheduler to select different brightness for different times of day. In addition, you can use ClockWise Campus and some third-party software to modify the brightness.
Possible Causes

An incorrect default brightness setting in the device’s Device Settings –> General web page or configuration file. An incorrect scheduler brightness setting in the device’s Device Settings –> Scheduler web page or configuration file.

Your application requires a better chosen color scheme. For example, long distance viewing works best with the brightest colors, orange and yellow. If using AND ClockWise Campus software, check to make sure each time of day shows the correct brightness on the Chimes tab, and also ensure that ClockWise Campus has not triggered an event or alert that modifies the brightness down inappropriately. If using third-party software (such as Singlewire, IPCelerate, Syn-Apps, etc.), ensure that the settings in the respective application has not modified the brightness inappropriately. As part of power management, if using only PoE (as this issue should not occur with PoE+), very loud sounds sent to the device may cause the display to dim during the audio playback.

Solutions

Turn the brightness to the maximum setting in the device’s Device Settings –> General web page or configuration file. Use the brightest colors of orange or yellow (orange as the brighter of the two). Choose these colors for scrolling text and/or the time, or you can even change the default text and/or clock color in the device’s Device Settings –> General web page or configuration file. Use ClockWise Campus to turn up the brightness on the Chimes tab, or use an Alert or Event to modify the brightness. If the unit dims due to loud sounds (power management), power the unit with PoE+ (25.5W) instead of PoE (15.4W) to improve brightness. Consider using AND’s bright-white model, which allows for the maximum range viewing (although they do not have color as an option). On a large clock, the time can be viewed as legible at 200+ feet. Un-clutter the display (since cluttered can make viewing difficult at long distances) by using large fonts and/or removing AM/PM or seconds. This approach can greatly increase the viewing distance.

The display will automatically dim itself when the device does not receive enough power (and then revert back once enough power returns). This intended “feature” results from optimizing the ANetD device to send the loudest possible audio when necessary, as well as to show the display at maximum brightness when possible. The optimized device makes maximum use of the power available.
However, in a situation with all factors at a maximum, the device must make trade-offs, which can occur in the following scenarios.

Possible Causes

Very Bright Display with Maximum Audio: using only PoE (as opposed to PoE+), while setting the display bright and sending very loud audio, can exceed the power available on PoE. Very Bright Display with Flashers / Strobes and Loud Audio: using only PoE (as opposed to PoE+), while setting the display bright and using flashers or strobes, as well as sending loud audio, can exceed the power available on PoE. Basically, the common factor involves using only PoE (instead of PoE+), along with other high power features.

Solutions

Using PoE+ switches or injectors to connect an AND device completely eliminates this issue. So, if you need to set a display to maximum brightness, and you intend to send very loud audio or use other high power features (flashers or strobes), AND recommends using a PoE+ switch or injector (instead of PoE).

If you cannot use a PoE+ switch or injector (you must use PoE), and you wish to minimize dimming of the display, consider the following mitigation techniques: Don’t set the display to maximum brightness. Lower settings will save significant power, and because how power in LEDs works, minor tweaks can result in big power savings. Don’t send audio at the maximum volumes settings. A few notches lower, and the display will not dim. The audio will play quieter, but perhaps acceptable. Don’t set the flashers to maximum brightness. A few settings below maximum will require significantly less power. Use PoE+ switches or injectors whenever possible. All major manufacturers make them, and they experience widespread use.

Either the display resolution is not high enough, or the DPI settings are set too high. The Windows text DPI settings must be at the “Smaller” setting of 100% in order for the ClockWise Campus interface to render correctly. In the Windows Control Panel, choose the Display settings. Set the text DPI to 100%. You may need to log off of your Windows profile to see the changes.