While a regular TV is not well-suited for digital signage, you can still use it for digital signage. You can set up a regular TV for digital signage in three simple steps: hardware setup, software setup, and pairing with the content management system.

This article will discuss in detail these steps for using a regular TV for digital signage. 

At the end of the article, you’ll know how to transform the regular TV in your office into a powerful advertising and marketing tool that will help you grab the attention of your target audience and get them to engage with your business.

What is the key difference between digital signage screens and a regular TV?

All digital screens are not made equal. So, while regular TVs and digital signage screens serve a similar purpose (conveying visual messages), there are key differences between them that make the latter (digital signage displays) more suitable for professional applications.

These differences include:

Durability and reliability

People do not watch TV 24/7. As a result, consumer-grade TVs are not designed for continuous operation. But commercial digital signage screens are built to operate continuously for extended periods, often 24/7. 

If you leave your regular TV on for long periods (as digital signage application requires), it may experience issues such as overheating or premature failure. 

For example, leaving a TV on with a static image for hours may cause screen burn-in (a discolouration on areas of the screen).

On the other hand, digital signage displays/screens are built with more robust components to withstand the demands of continuous use. 

Thus, digital signage screens are resistant to screen burn-in when they show a static image for extended periods. They are also less likely to overheat.

Brightness

Regular TVs do not have the same brightness levels as commercial displays. Digital signage displays are designed with higher brightness levels to ensure visibility in various lighting conditions, including well-lit environments.

Consumer-grade (regular) TVs are designed for indoor use, where ambient light is not very bright. As a result, regular TV screens have relatively lower brightness levels, potentially limiting visibility in brighter environments.

For example, the brightness rating of regular TVs is 250 nits (up to 400 nits for HDR-compatible TVs). This is bright enough for the ambient light of residential homes. 

But in retail and office environments or outdoor spaces, lighting conditions are typically much brighter and can potentially overshadow a TV with a 250-400 nits brightness rating, making it difficult to see on-screen content.

On the other hand, digital signage displays are over ten times brighter than regular TV. These commercial displays usually have brightness ratings of 2,500 nits or more.

As a result, they can operate in well-lit environments and even outdoor spaces, with the on-screen content clearly visible. 

Many commercial digital signage screens have anti-glare technology that absorbs or redirects glare that would’ve made on-screen content difficult to see. 

Versatility

Consumer TVs come in various shapes and sizes. However, they are generally table-top or wall-mounted. But digital signage screens come in various forms, allowing for wider application to help you reach more people.

Consumer TV screens have limited application for digital signage, as they can be placed on a table-top or hung on a wall.

On the other hand, digital signage displays have a much more versatile application. Apart from wall-mounted digital screens, you can have them as tiny displays in front of retail shelves, mobile displays on top of vehicles, free-standing digital standees, video walls covering entire walls, and more.

Orientation

Regular TV displays are designed for landscape orientation and may not provide optimal performance when used in portrait mode. But digital signage screens are designed to support both landscape and portrait orientations.

Know that digital signage content often requires the flexibility of being displayed in landscape and portrait orientations. 

For example, portrait orientation may be more suitable for displaying tall and vertically oriented content, such as menu lists, product features, etc. But landscape orientations may be better for widescreen videos, graphics, and promotional visuals.

Thus, the landscape-only orientation of regular TVs means they may not effectively display some digital signage content. But with digital signage displays, you can be sure that your content will be effectively displayed regardless of its design orientation.

Controls

Regular TVs typically come with control buttons along the enclosure's edges. But digital signage screens have controls that are out of reach of passersby.

The control buttons on regular TVs are handy tools to help you operate the television when its remote runs out of batteries or goes missing. 

However, these buttons also make televisions used for digital signage susceptible to being tampered with. For example, passersby could easily push buttons to change inputs, raise/ lower volume, or turn off the display.

However, digital signage displays often come with protected controls (that is, they are out of reach of passersby). So, your digital signage display will be less prone to mischief, meaning passersby are less likely to mess around with your display.

Content Management System

Regular TVs may not be compatible with the sophisticated content management systems (CMS) of digital signage solutions required for professional digital signage applications. But commercial displays for digital signage are usually compatible with these systems.

The best digital signage solutions (like Luna Screens) usually come with content management systems that allow you to schedule, update, and manage content remotely.

Sadly, many consumer TVs do not support these systems, potentially making content management more challenging. This is one reason you should choose a top solution like Luna Screens when using a regular consumer display for digital signage. Luna Screens supports regular displays, making it a good budget option.

That said, all digital signage displays typically support content management systems. Many even come with excellent content management features of their own, allowing for easier content updating and management.

Also read: Unlocking the Power of Digital Signage: A Guide to Getting Started.

How to select a suitable regular TV for digital signage

A regular TV isn’t suited to the operating demands of digital signage. But you can use it for digital signage in certain situations. 

If you decide to use a regular TV for digital signage, there are several factors you should consider to ensure you get a suitable TV for the job. They are as follows: 

Durability and quality

One reason regular TVs are unsuitable for digital signage is that they are not built to withstand the demand of continuous operation. Thus, when planning to use a regular TV for digital signage, go for one with a durable build and solid construction.

While a regular TV with solid construction does not match the durability of digital signage screens, robust components contribute to longevity, ensuring the regular TV will last longer when used for digital signage.

Brightness levels

When planning to use a regular TV for digital signage, go for one with sufficient brightness levels. This is especially so when you plan to place the digital displays in well-lit areas. 

The higher the brightness level of the television, the more it is able to overcome the ambient light and ensure better visibility and readability of on-screen content.

Connectivity options

The TV is just one of the three main components of a digital signage system, which also includes a media player and digital signage software. When choosing a regular TV for digital signage, ensure its input ports are compatible with your content sources and media players.

Common ports include USB, HDMI, and Wi-Fi or Ethernet for network connectivity.

Smart TVs (like the Android TV) come with built-in media players. So, you’ll not need an external digital signage player. But you’ll need network connectivity to connect the TV to the digital signage solution/ software.

Also Read: The Benefits of Using Smart TVs for Digital Signage.

Size and aspect ratio

Another thing to consider when selecting a regular TV for digital signage is the size and aspect ratio of the screen. Your TV should be big enough for your content to be visible from the viewing distance, and it must have an aspect ratio matching the content to ensure proper visual presentation.

Know that your target audience may not be directly in front of your digital signs when viewing them. Therefore, when selecting a TV for digital signage, consider how far viewers will be from your digital signs and choose a TV big enough to ensure the visibility of on-screen content from that distance.

Also, aspect ratio (the width-to-height ratio of a screen) ensures proper visual presentation. If the aspect ratio of your TV  screen does not match that of the content, the content may be cropped or stretched to fit the screen, diminishing the quality of the visual presentation.

How to use a regular TV for digital signage 

After selecting the right TV for your digital signage implementation, follow these steps to set up the TV for digital signage: 

Hardware setup

The first thing to do to use your regular TV for digital signage is to connect an external media player to the TV (this is for non-smart TVs that do not have built-in media players).

Simply connect the media player (which can be an Amazon Fire TV Stick) to the TV using the appropriate cable (HDMI or USB). Then, power the TV and player device on and ensure the TV is set to the correct input source.

When using a smart TV with a built-in media player, completing this step only requires turning on the TV. 

Software setup

After setting up the hardware component of your signage system, the next step is to set up the software. First, connect your TV to the internet. Then, download and install your digital signage software. You may use Wi-Fi or Ethernet for this.

Ensure that your digital signage solution is compatible with the operating system of your smart TV or external signage player (when using a non-smart regular TV).

Also read: Cost-Effective Digital Signage Solutions (Read This First!).

Pair your TV with the CMS

Installing the digital signage solution on your TV practically turns it into digital signage. But to distribute content, you need to connect your TV to the content management system (CMS) of the software.

You do this during the initial setup. With Luna Screens, it’s a simple process that is like pairing two devices using Bluetooth. You simply log in to your Luna Screen account and enter the on-screen pairing code. 

You can now begin uploading content to the CMS dashboard. There,  you can organise the content and play anything you want, and it will be displayed on the TV screen.

You can also set a playlist (if you have multiple pieces of content to display), automate when the content is displayed (if your TV has scheduling capabilities), and more.

Takeaway: Set up your regular TV for digital signage using the reliable Luna Screens software 

You can use your regular TV for digital signage to deliver dynamic and interactive content for advertising, communication, informational, or entertainment purposes.

While not ideally suited for the operating demands of digital signage, a regular TV can be a viable option for certain situations, particularly for small businesses with indoor signage needs that don't require constant display. 

Follow the recommendations above to select a suitable regular TV for your digital signage. To set up your regular TV for digital signage, you can’t go wrong with Luna Screens digital signage software. 

It supports Android systems, the Amazon Fire Stick, and some web browsers, with support for Raspberry Pi and additional players coming soon.

Luna Screens also has an advanced but user-friendly content management dashboard. With simple drag-and-drop elements, even less-technical individuals can use Luna Screens to create visually attractive digital signage content easily.

It is a reliable software with one of the most impressive uptime in the digital signage industry. Your screens will not go blank on you when they should be up. Moreover, you’ll not need other software when you increase your screens or enter locations because Luna Screens is a scalable platform that accommodates the growth of digital signage systems.

Ready to turn your regular TV into a powerful digital signage marketing and advertising tool? Get Started with Luna Screens today!