I'm looking for some recommendations on how to set up TVs that I can control remotely for displaying ads, short clips, and information. I'm aware of options like Samsung Magicinfo (now called VXT), but the costs for the TVs and licenses seem pretty high – around $10 to $40 per month per TV, on top of the initial price of $1000 to $2000 each. I'm wondering if I could go for cheaper TVs with similar specs and connect them through a 4-way HDMI splitter. Would that work with a computer looping ads/videos? Also, how could I manage this setup remotely?
5 Answers
Just search for 'digital signage Raspberry Pi' online. There are tons of DIY solutions or pay-as-you-go options. Any TV with an HDMI port should work fine!
We use Ubiquiti Connect for our setup. It just needs a USB-C power source and connects via HDMI to any TV. They offer a CloudKey to manage everything, and you can even schedule on/off times using HDMI-CEC, which is super handy. Each device costs about $200 with no licensing fees, so it's a solid option if you're looking to keep costs down. You can create slideshows or display a website that refreshes. Works great for our needs!
Awesome, I like the TV on/off schedule. Thank you! What kind of TVs do you use, if you don’t mind me asking?
I was considering using Yodeck on a Raspberry Pi. They have a lot of features available, and you can find their pricing on their site. It's a pretty good option for digital signage!
Oh wow, that's a big feature list. Thank you! Good to see there are options to choose from.
The HDMI splitter will definitely work, but keep in mind that cable length can limit where you place the screens. Sometimes the connections can be a bit finicky with all four TVs running. By the way, if you have Zoom Room licenses, their signage module is free and pretty user-friendly. You could just attach a small computer to each screen to run it.
Yeah, I saw the cable length limitation. It will be pushed close to the max since the HDMI cables run through the ceiling and into the server room. Maybe I should look for an adapter to boost the HDMI signal? I used to have Zoom Room licenses, but everything here is very budget-focused.
If you're looking for a super low-effort solution, consider using a Gmail account with a slideshow or presentation set up in a web browser for each TV. I think it’s called Google Slides. It's a neat trick if you need an easy way to display content!
I never knew you could do that. If I get shut down on the budget side, I need to try this. Thank you!
Awesome, alright. So there are many working options. I was just scared since I have to manage TVs with ads in multiple city centers, and I thought changing the ad every few weeks would be a real hassle.