Are you ready to auto-start your digital signage solution? Digital signage automation means that you can set everything up one time and no longer worry about your signage turning on at the right time.
With the proper hardware and software, it is easier than ever to add as many screens as you need to your digital signage solution. However, you may begin to realize that it is taking you or your employees quite a bit of time to turn them all on every day. There are always many tasks to complete at the beginning of the workday. So, instead of tasking staff to ensure your digital signage is up and running, auto-start digital signage, save time and ensure it is always on when it is supposed to be.
Fortunately, if you use OptiSigns as your digital signage solution, you can ensure all your signs turn on at the right time and show the right pre-scheduled content with no extra work for you or your staff. You can set it up once, and rest assured the right content will be displayed where and when you want it. Even better, you can auto-start digital signage with just three easy steps.
Here is what you will need:
- An OptiSigns account – It will also work with the free trial if you want to test it out.
- A Fire TV, Android TV, or Raspberry Pi connected to a display.
- A smart plug – We recommend the Gosund Mini WiFi Outlet, but most WiFI smart plugs will work.
Auto Start Digital Signage Guide
Step 1
To get started with digital signage automation, you will need to set your devices to take advantage of the auto-start feature, which will set the app to start when you turn the device on. This process is a little different depending on the device you are using.
Auto Start Fire TV
When you run the OptiSigns app for the first time on your device, it will ask you want the app to start when the device starts. Select Yes. If you didn't enable Autostart when you first installed the app, you could turn it on at any time from the side menu. Just click the three-bar menu on the remote to access the side menu and then move the slider to enable Autostart. You can see the full instructions for Fire TV on our website. There are also some third-party apps available for Fire TV that have the same function.
Auto Start Android TV
If you are running Android TV on a device like Chromecast with Android TV, Mi Stick, or others, start by clicking on the gear icon to access settings. First, go to App > Special app access and select Display over other apps. Be sure the slider next to OptiSigns
is switched on. You can read the full instructions for setting Autostart on Android TV on our website.
Remember, OptiSigns sells pre-configured Android players shipped already connected to your account.
Auto Start Raspberry Pi
When you install the OptiSigns on a Raspberry Pi, it is set to auto-start by default. If you need to, you can access the feature by clicking on the three-bar button and toggling the Autostart command on and off. On the OptiSigns website, you will find complete instructions for installing the OptiSigns app on a Raspberry Pi.
Step 2
Now that your signage is set to auto-start when it turns on, you can use a smart plug to turn on the power to your device. Configure your smart plug per the manufacturer's instructions and connect it to the WiFi. Plug your Fire TV, Android TV, or Raspberry Pi
into the smart plug. Next, change the settings on your display to sleep after a certain amount of time without a signal. Now you can turn the power on and off to your digital signage device remotely. With your display sleep setting setup, the TV will automatically sleep when the device is turned off and wake up when powered back on. In addition to the remote control, you can now schedule your display to turn on and off automatically at the beginning and end of the day. See the full instructions on our website.
Step 3
The final step of digital signage automation is scheduling your content. With your devices set to auto-start and scheduled to turn on and off, all you need to do next is ensure that the right content is showing on the right screens at the right time. You can do this using OptiSigns playlists. In the OptiSigns portal, you can set up and schedule as many playlists as you want and assign them to the specific screens where you would like them to show. You can also use the Schedule feature to set certain content or playlists to display on your screens at the appointed time. You may have a playlist of content that runs in the morning and another in the afternoon. That can be preset on the schedule. Even better, you can set the playlist or schedule days, weeks, or even months in advance and easily make changes on the fly whenever you need to. Learn more about playlists and schedules on our website.
Automatically turn on, run different content throughout the day, and shut down your screens with OptiSigns.
Get Started With Auto Start Digital Signage Now
By using autos start along with a smart plug, playlists, and schedules, you can not only auto-start digital signage, but you can also have full digital signage automation. For example, your screens can turn on in the morning, run different content throughout the day, and shut off at the end of the day. If you haven't tried OptiSigns, be sure to take advantage of the 14-day, fully-functional free trial today. While you are at, take a look at the pre-configured devices available to get you up and running in just a few minutes.
