3 Easy Steps to Transform your TV into a Digital Signage

8 min readJul 5, 2024

Do you know you can turn an ordinary TV into a vibrant, eye-catching display that grabs attention and drives engagement for your business?

Digital signage is transforming how businesses communicate with their audience, and with Posterooking, you can do it effortlessly.

In this guide, we’ll explore the world of digital signage, explain why PosterBooking is an excellent choice, and provide a detailed, step-by-step process to transform your TV into a dynamic digital signage display.

Understanding Digital Signage

What is Digital Signage?

Digital signage uses electronic screens to display dynamic content such as advertisements, announcements, and menus.

It’s a versatile tool used in various settings like retail stores, restaurants, offices, and public spaces to engage audiences and enhance their experience.

Benefits of Digital Signage

Captivating Displays

Dynamic visuals grab attention far better than static signs, ensuring your messages are not just seen, but remembered.

The movement and vibrant colors of dynamic visuals captivate viewers, making them pause and engage with the content.

This heightened engagement leads to better retention of information, making your messages more impactful and effective in communicating your desired outcome.

Real-Time Updates

This real-time update capability allows you to swiftly adapt to market trends, special events, or urgent announcements, keeping your messaging relevant and timely.

By providing the most current information, you maintain a dynamic connection with your audience, fostering loyalty and interest.

Whether it’s showcasing flash sales, updating event schedules, or broadcasting breaking news, this feature ensures that your content is always fresh and captivating.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Reduce printing costs associated with traditional signage and make your marketing more flexible and responsive.

By eliminating the need for constant reprints, you save money and resources, allowing for a more sustainable approach.

Additionally, digital signage offers the flexibility to update and customize content at any time, ensuring your marketing campaigns can quickly adapt to changing trends and consumer demands.

This responsiveness not only enhances the efficiency of your marketing efforts but also ensures that your messages remain relevant and impactful, providing a seamless way to engage your audience.

Why Use PosterBooking for Digital Signage?

Overview of PosterBooking

PosterBooking is a user-friendly and cost-effective digital signage solution that transforms any screen into a powerful communication tool.

Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a large network of displays, PosterBooking simplifies the process of creating, scheduling, and managing content on your digital signs.

Key Features and Advantages

Simplicity: Easy setup and operation, even for those without technical expertise.
Affordability: Budget-friendly, with no hidden costs or subscription fees for the basic plan.
Compatibility: Works with various devices, including old TVs, making it accessible to everyone.
Flexibility: Supports a wide range of content formats, including images, videos, and text.
Remote Management: Control and update your signage from anywhere using the online dashboard.

Step-by-Step Guide to Transform Your TV into Digital Signage

Ready to turn your TV into a digital signage powerhouse? Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Choose Your Screen

Any TV Will Do: Whether it’s a consumer TV or a commercial display, Posterooking works with any screen. Dust off that old TV in your garage — it’s time to give it new life.
Optimal Size and Resolution: While any TV will work, consider using a TV with a higher resolution and larger size for more impactful displays.

Step 2: Select Your Player Device

Compatible Devices: You can use an Amazon Firestick, an Android Box, a Windows Media Player, Raspberry Pi, or a Xiaomi Mi Stick.
Recommendation: The Xiaomi Mi Stick is highly recommended for its affordability and performance, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Step 3: Connect and Configure Your Devices

Connect Your Player Device: Plug the Xiaomi Stick or Fire TV Stick into your TV’s HDMI port.
Power the Device: Ensure the device is powered using the provided power adapter.
Install PosterBooking App: On your player device, navigate to the app store, search for “Posterbooking,” and install the app.
Login and Setup: Log into your PosterBooking dashboard from your computer or mobile device. Click “Add Screen,” enter your screen code, and follow the prompts to complete the setup. For other devices, follow the specific instructions provided under “Download App” in the dashboard.

Creating Amazing Digital Signage Videos with Canva

Canva is one of the most powerful and user-friendly tools for designing digital signage content.

This step-by-step guide will help you create and optimize designs for your digital signage screens.

Step 1: Create Your Canvas

Start by clicking the ‘Create a design’ button in the top right corner of Canva. Select ‘Custom Size’ to set the dimensions for your content.

Step 2: Set Content Dimensions

For landscape TV screens, set the width to 1920 pixels and the height to 1080 pixels. For portrait TV screens, set the width to 1080 pixels and the height to 1920 pixels.

Designing content smaller than these dimensions will result in stretching and a loss of quality.

For 4K screens, use 3840 x 2160 pixels for landscape and 2160 x 3840 pixels for portrait.

Step 3: Start Designing

You can use any of Canva’s pre-made templates to design your content, or create your own designs from scratch if you prefer a more personalized touch.

Step 4: Branding

Customize your signage to match your brand’s identity. Use your brand colors, logos, and fonts for a cohesive look.

Step 5: Save Your Work

Once you’re satisfied with your design, click on the ‘Share’ button in the top right corner of Canva.

Step 6: Download Your Content

Next, click on the ‘Download’ button to save your design to your device.

Step 7: Select a Format

The default image format is PNG, but for better screen rendering, we recommend saving your image as a JPG. You can choose this format from the dropdown menu.

Step 8: Saving Videos

If you’ve created a video or added animations to your image, save your content as an MP4 video file.

Step 9: Download to Your Device

Download the content to your device and store it in a safe folder.

You can now upload this image or video onto the PosterBooking dashboard for use on your digital signage screens.

Managing Content

Scheduling: Schedule content to display at specific times. This feature is perfect for promoting time-sensitive offers or displaying different content at different times of the day.
Real-Time Updates: Update your signage in real-time from anywhere. This is particularly useful for urgent announcements or last-minute changes.
Content Organization: Use folders and tags to organize your content library, making it easy to find and manage your media.

Maximizing the Impact of Your Digital Signage

Placement Tips

High-Traffic Areas: Position your screen where it will get the most attention, such as near entrances, checkout areas, or waiting rooms.
Height and Angle: Consider the height and angle for optimal visibility. The screen should be at eye level or slightly above to ensure it’s easily readable.
Lighting: Ensure good lighting around the screen to avoid glare and ensure your content is clearly visible.

Content Best Practices

Short and Clear Messages: Keep your messages short and to the point. Use concise text to ensure your audience can quickly grasp the information.
High-Quality Visuals: Use high-quality images and videos to capture attention. Poor-quality visuals can detract from the professionalism of your display.
Consistent Branding: Maintain consistent branding across all your digital signage content. This helps reinforce your brand identity and make your messages more recognizable.

PosterBooking’s Additional Features

Synchronization

Multi-Screen Sync: Sync multiple screens to display the same content simultaneously. This is ideal for creating a cohesive message across different areas of your venue.
Individual Screen Control: While you can sync multiple screens, you also have the flexibility to display different content on each screen if needed.

Top-Notch Customer Support

24/7 Support: Access 24/7 customer support to help you with any questions or issues. PosterBooking’s support team is always ready to assist you.
Comprehensive Resources: Benefit from a wealth of resources, including tutorials, FAQs, and community forums to help you make the most of your digital signage.