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.
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.