How to Set Up Multiscreen Digital Signage

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By Kurt Dupont

What is Multiscreen Digital Signage?

Multiscreen digital signage is when you have your messages or any other content shown on more than one screen in your facility. This approach ensures that your messages and information can be seen throughout your facility so that you can keep all your employees, management, and patrons informed. Multiscreen digital signage is also used when you have more information than can be shown on one screen, such as a restaurant showing its entire menu or a large conference center showing many events.

How Does Multiscreen Digital Signage Show on More Than One Screen?

We are going to show you multiple ways of getting your digital signage to show on more than a single screen and we will discuss the advantages and drawbacks of each.

Option 1: Single Player – Multiple Monitors

How it Works

You have multiple monitors connected to one computer, laptop, or another type of player with a wired connection out to each. Anyone who has ever had multiple monitors on their desk connected to their computer or laptop has worked with this configuration. You simply plug two different monitors into the back of your computer or laptop and then you can control what shows on each screen.

Advantages

• No extra software or player costs, and you can use your existing computer equipment as a player

Drawbacks

• Ties up a computer or laptop or you can purchase one especially for this purpose
• If you want the additional screens far away from the computer, you have to run cabling
• Long cabling to reach faraway screens can cause signal degradation
• Limited to two screens unless you purchase special graphics cards

Needed Equipment and Software

• Computer with multiple monitor capability. Most standard computers and laptops can handle a limit of two monitors.

Option 2: HDMI Signal Splitter

The second option for multiscreen digital signage is to use an HDMI signal splitter.

How it Works

• An electronic box takes the HDMI input signal and then duplicates it and outputs it to additional HDMI out ports – 2 port or 4 port options available. Here is an example of an HDMI signal splitter on Amazon.

Advantages

• Low cost – about $30 US for output to 2 hdmi ports, about $46 for 4 ports

Drawbacks

• Still have to run wires to each monitor
• Useful to only about 10 m or 30 ft from player
• Some splitters have lower resolution
• Same output on each screen – no control over what is shown on the additional screens

Needed Equipment and Software

• HDMI signal splitter – about $30 US for output to 2 HDMI ports, about $46 for 4 ports
• Additional screens and monitors with HDMI inputs

Option 3: Split the HDMI Signal – Wireless

The first two solutions included messy wires. If you prefer to set up your multiscreen digital signage without running wires, you can also split the HDMI signal wirelessly.

How it Works

• An electronic box takes the HDMI signal, duplicates the signal then casts it wirelessly to a receiver. You can use a single receiver on the other end or multiple receivers to receive the signal on multiple monitors

Advantages

• Cost – $150-$210 US
• No messy wires to worry about

Drawbacks

• Have to show the same output on each screen
• Might be limited in output resolution. Some I looked at were 1080p output with no 4K available
• May be have interference with transmission as it uses the 5 GHz band

Needed Equipment and Software

• Wireless HDMI signal splitter – about $150-$210 US

Option 4: Digital Signage Players

How it Works

• Each screen or TV has a digital signage player connected. You can use a computer, laptop, tablet, stick PC, or smartphone as a player.

Advantages

• The playlist is locally cached so it continues to play if there is a network problem
• You can show different playlists on each monitor. So you can show different messages on the factory floor, in the reception area, and in the conference rooms.

Drawbacks

• Need a hardware player for each monitor (Windows, Android computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone)

Needed Equipment and Software

• Hardware player for each screen. This can be a repurposed computer, tablet, laptop or a stick PC. Stick PCs, run about $110-$170 each. You can also use an Android smartphone if you are using SignageTube as your playlist manager. For Windows-based players, you can use iPoint or SignageTube.

Option 5: Smart TVs & Signage Tube

How it Works

• Most smart TVs have the capability to add digital signage player software like SignageTube to them.

Advantages

• No extra player to buy

Drawbacks

• Must use smart TVs instead of regular TVs

Needed Equipment and Software

• Android-based Smart TV and SignageTube

Multiscreen Digital Signage Case Studies

Here are some of our other case studies and articles on multiscreen digital signage:

• Multiscreen Digital Menu Boards
• Dynamic Digital Signage at Arts Center Hasselt
• Museum Digital Signage: The Wild Center
• Information Boards: VINCI Energies Case Study

Help With Your Multiscreen Digital Signage Setup

If you would like help with your multiscreen digital signage setup, please contact us. We are always happy to help.

  Kurt Dupont is a solution provider who would go out of his way just to ensure he brings out the best when it comes to issues that have to deal with data-driven presentations, data visualization, and digital signage software.

He started by working at airports worldwide to set up airport databases and flight information screens. This evolved to become the basis for PresentationPoint.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post or content are those of the authors or the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company.