Digital signage technology has come a long way in a short time. Just a handful of years ago, having a digital signage system was cost-prohibitive for small businesses. It was a luxury reserved for large corporations with massive marketing budgets. 

These days, digital signage is easily accessible to just about anybody who has a need for it. With a simple display and an Amazon Fire Stick, you can set up and start using digital signage in a matter of minutes. 

Here’s all you need to know about using an Amazon Fire Stick for digital signage. 

What is an Amazon Fire Stick?

The Amazon Fire TV Stick (shortened to Amazon Fire Stick or just Fire Stick) is a device that plugs into any TV via the HDMI port to turn it into a fully functional smart TV. It allows you to transform a display that was previously incapable of installing and running its own apps into one that can. 

Even if you already have a smart TV, it might not allow you to install the apps you need. Only certain smart TVs can support app stores that allow you to pick and choose which apps you’d like to install and run. 

That’s where the Amazon Fire Stick comes in handy. 

Which Version of Amazon Fire TV Stick Should You Use for Digital Signage? 

There are currently four options to choose from when it comes to Amazon Fire TV Sticks:

• Fire TV Stick 4k Max

• Fire TV Stick 4K

• Fire TV Stick 

• Fire TV Stick Lite

The 4K Max costs around double the cheapest one, which is of course the Lite model. Without diving too deep into the specs of each one and the relatively minor differences, the 4K Max is the most powerful and best for running high quality videos.

If you can afford to spend a bit more, the 4K Max is the best option among the four for digital signage, hands down. But if you’re trying to keep costs down as much as you can, the Lite model would suffice. You’d be able to display playlists full of high quality images without any problems. For the simplest signage use cases, it’d do just fine. 

If you plan to display video content frequently though, it’s better to opt for either the 4K Max or the 4K model. 

Alternatively, Amazon manufactures and sells Amazon Fire TVs, which are smart displays with the Amazon Fire OS included. They’re basically TVs with the hardware of an Amazon Fire Stick built right in. So if you don’t have enough displays at the moment, you could consider buying some of those to use for digital signage.

What Do You Need in Order to Use an Amazon Fire Stick for Digital Signage? 

All you need in order to use a Fire Stick for digital signage is an internet connection, the device itself, a display with an HDMI port, and digital signage software. 

Amazon Fire Stick digital signage is simple enough for just about anyone to set up, and doesn’t require technical knowhow. 

What is Digital Signage Software and How Does it Work? 

Digital signage software, like Luna Screens, is what runs on your displays. It encompasses your CMS (content management system), which includes a user interface and a content editor so you can create your playlists right within the app. 

You can log into your account from any device and use your digital signage software as needed, even from a web browser. Once you’ve paired your device with the software using a simple code, you can start displaying your content, and even schedule it ahead of time for hands-free content changes at preset intervals. 

How to Set Up Amazon Fire TV Stick for Digital Signage

Setting up your Amazon Fire TV Stick for digital signage only takes a couple of minutes. Here’s a step by step walkthrough:

1. Connect your Fire Stick to the HDMI extension that’s included (if you prefer to use the extension)

2. Plug your Fire Stick device into your TV’s HDMI port, with or without the extension

3. Plug the included power cable into the device, and then plug the other end into a power outlet

4. Turn on your display, and with your remote control, select the HDMI input that you’ve plugged the device into

5. Pair your remote if it doesn’t pair automatically by pressing the ‘Home’ icon

6. Select language, connect to your wi-fi network, and then log into your Amazon account

7. Open the Amazon app store, search for “Luna Screens” and install it. The Luna Screens Player should be the first result that pops up

8. Pair your screen

9. Add media, create playlists and start scheduling your content

How Do You Create Digital Signage Playlists? 

With attractive templates that are included with your digital signage software, you can quickly put together a professional looking playlist with little to no experience. Once you’ve added your own media files, such as pictures and videos of your products, you can use Luna Screens’ intuitive content editor to craft content with ease. 

Using the included templates will save you time, but you can also import other templates you might have found on the internet if you want even more options. You can even import entire playlists if you already have some. 

Pros and Cons of Using an Amazon Fire Stick for Digital Signage

Pros

• Extremely cost effective 

• Allows you to use whatever screens you already have

• Quick and painless to set up and use

• Portable, so you can disconnect it from one screen and set it up on another if you so choose

Cons

• No pre-installed digital signage software, must set up manually 

• Isn’t as powerful as some other media players that are designed for powering things like 4K video walls on a constant basis

What Are the Alternatives to Using an Amazon Fire Stick for Digital Signage? 

To be clear, Amazon TV Fire Sticks aren’t purpose-built as digital signage media players. A plug-and-play digital signage media player would come with the digital signage software pre-installed. 

Purpose-built digital signage media players tend to come with upper tier contracts though that are intended for larger corporations. So if you’re a small business looking for a low cost digital signage option, using an Amazon Fire Stick is a smart move. 

Here are a few other options. 

• Chromecast with Google TV

• Android TV

• Apple TV

• Raspberry Pi 

Using Chromecast for digital signage is also very easy and the process is quite similar to using an Amazon Fire Stick. With that said, any of the alternatives above should be manageable, even for someone who has no prior experience with setting up their own digital signage. 

Conclusion

An Amazon Fire TV stick is an easy to use, cheap, and overall good way to create your own digital signage solution. Just be sure you choose the best digital signage software for your specific needs. If you’re an SMB, you’ll probably want something free or at least affordable to use on a relatively small scale. 

Luna Screens caters to small and medium sized businesses that need a simple to use digital signage solution. Luna Screens digital signage software can be used totally free, or as a subscription to remove the watermark from any of the content you display. 

With Luna Screens, you can do things like craft playlists in-app using templates, schedule content as far ahead of time as you want, manage your digital signage remotely, and much more. 

Try Luna Screens now and see how intuitive it is, even for total beginners. Then, you’ll be able to create and manage your very own digital signs, and reap the many benefits they provide.