Getting Started with SignageStudio
This guide will walk you through setting up your first digital sign in just a few minutes. By the end, you'll have content playing on your screen.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, you'll need:
- A display: Any TV or monitor with HDMI input
- A media player: Computer, Android device, Raspberry Pi, or System-on-Chip display
- Internet connection: For initial setup and content sync
- Web browser: For accessing SignageStudio (Chrome recommended)
Step 1: Create Your Account
- Go to digitalsignage.com/get_started.html
- Click "Start Free"
- Enter your email address
- Create a password
- Verify your email
You now have access to SignageStudio with a free single-screen account.
Step 2: Log Into SignageStudio
- Go to SignageStudio
- Enter your credentials
- You'll see the main dashboard
Dashboard Overview
- Screens - Manage your displays and players
- Scenes - Create and edit content layouts
- Resources - Upload and manage media files
- Campaigns - Build playlists and schedules
- Settings - Account and system configuration
Step 3: Download & Install the Player
Windows Player
- In SignageStudio, go to Screens → Install Player
- Download the Windows installer
- Run the installer on your Windows PC
- Follow the installation wizard
- The player will start automatically
Android Player
- On your Android device, open Google Play Store
- Search for "SignagePlayer"
- Install the app
- Open the app and grant required permissions
Raspberry Pi Player
- Download the Raspberry Pi image from the player installation page
- Flash the image to an SD card using Raspberry Pi Imager
- Insert the SD card into your Pi
- Connect to display and power on
System-on-Chip (Samsung/LG)
- On your commercial display, open the app store
- Search for SignagePlayer
- Install and launch
Step 4: Register Your Player
When the player starts, it will display a registration code (e.g., ABC123).
- In SignageStudio, go to Screens
- Click "Add Screen"
- Enter the registration code from your player
- Give your screen a name (e.g., "Lobby Display")
- Click "Register"
Your player is now connected to your account.
Step 5: Create Your First Content
Let's create a simple layout to display on your screen.
Create a New Scene
- Go to Scenes → New Scene
- Choose a resolution (e.g., 1920x1080 for HD)
- Name your scene (e.g., "Welcome Message")
Add Content
- You'll see the Scene Editor with a blank canvas
- From the left panel, drag a Label component onto the canvas
- Double-click to edit the text: "Welcome to Our Business"
- Resize and position as desired
Add a Background
- Drag an Image component onto the canvas
- Click "Select Media" → "Upload"
- Upload a background image
- Right-click the image → "Send to Back"
Add the Date/Time
- Drag a Clock component onto the canvas
- Position it in a corner
- Configure the format in the properties panel
Save Your Scene
Click "Save" in the top toolbar.
Step 6: Assign Content to Your Screen
Create a Campaign
- Go to Campaigns → New Campaign
- Name it (e.g., "Main Content")
- Drag your scene from Scenes into the campaign timeline
- Set the duration (how long each item plays)
Assign to Screen
- Go to Screens
- Click on your registered screen
- Under "Assigned Campaign", select your new campaign
- Click "Save"
Step 7: Watch Your Content Play
Within a few seconds, your player will:
- Download the new content
- Start displaying your scene
- Show a green status indicator in SignageStudio
Congratulations! You've set up your first digital sign.
Next Steps
Now that you have the basics working, explore these features:
Add More Media
- Upload videos (MP4, WebM)
- Add images (JPG, PNG, GIF)
- Include web content (HTML, URLs)
Use Components
Explore the component library:
- Weather - Current conditions and forecasts
- News/RSS - Live news feeds
- Social Media - Twitter, Instagram feeds
- Clock - Various styles and time zones
- Calendar - Event schedules
Schedule Content
- Set different content for different times (dayparting)
- Schedule campaigns for specific dates
- Create priority overrides for emergencies
Manage Multiple Screens
- Add more players to your account
- Group screens by location or purpose
- Target content to specific groups
Troubleshooting
Player Shows "Offline"
- Check internet connectivity
- Verify firewall allows outbound HTTPS (port 443)
- Restart the player application
Content Not Updating
- Check that the campaign is assigned to the screen
- Click "Force Refresh" on the screen in SignageStudio
- Verify the player has sufficient storage space
Video Not Playing
- Ensure video is H.264 encoded MP4
- Check that player hardware supports the resolution
- Try transcoding with HandBrake (free tool)
Need More Help?
- Documentation: Explore these docs
- Support: digitalsignage.com/support.html
- Community: Ask in our forums
Quick Reference
| Task | Location |
|---|---|
| Add a screen | Screens → Add Screen |
| Create content | Scenes → New Scene |
| Upload media | Resources → Upload |
| Build playlist | Campaigns → New Campaign |
| Assign to screen | Screens → [Screen] → Assigned Campaign |
| Monitor status | Screens (green = online) |
| View playback | Screens → [Screen] → Screenshot |
Need help? Contact support at digitalsignage.com/support.html