We're glad to announce that Amazon has rolled out a partner level API to enable deeper integration into the FireTV operating system. With the recent update it's possible to schedule the on and off hours for the TV that is connected to the signage stick. Internally the stick sends a HDMI-CEC signal to the TV via HDMI cable. The TV needs to support HDMI-CEC and the controls need to be enabled. https://playsignage.com/support/schedule-tv-digital-signage/#tv-on-off-play

Sometimes you need to display something immediately without rebuilding a playlist or changing your regular digital signage content. Screen Sharing gives you a quick way to share a browser tab, window, or screen directly to your digital signage display. It’s especially useful for presentations, meetings, dashboards, and situations where information needs to be shown live or at short notice. When you’re finished sharing, your screen can return to its regular digital signage content. In this tutorial, you’ll see how Screen Sharing works and how you can use it when you need more flexibility from your displays. Watch the full tutorial at https://playsignage.com/support/screenshare/

When planning an outdoor digital signage project, one of the most important decisions is selecting the right display technology. Many businesses compare LCD and LED displays only by brightness, but brightness is not the only factor that determines real-world visibility and performance. The right choice depends on several factors, including: Viewing distance Screen size User interaction requirements Installation environment Maintenance expectations Operating cost For outdoor kiosks, retail displays, transportation information systems, and interactive terminals, choosing the correct display technology can significantly affect user experience and long-term reliability. This guide explains the differences between high-brightness LCD and direct-view LED displays and provides practical considerations for digital signage projects. Understanding Outdoor LCD and LED Display Technologies Although LCD and LED are often compared as competing technologies, they work in completely different ways. A high-brightness LCD display uses an LCD panel combined with a powerful LED backlight. Outdoor LCD solutions usually include additional technologies such as: High brightness backlight systems Optical bonding Anti-glare glass Anti-reflective coatings Thermal management systems These features help improve visibility under sunlight and maintain stable operation in outdoor environments. A direct-view LED display uses individual LED modules to create the image directly. Each LED acts as a light source, allowing LED displays to achieve extremely high brightness and very large screen sizes. Because of these differences, LCD and LED displays are designed for different usage scenarios. Brightness Is Important, but Not the Only Factor Outdoor display buyers often focus on brightness specifications first. Typical brightness ranges are: Display Type Typical Brightness Indoor LCD 300–700 nits High-bright LCD 1,500–3,500+ nits Outdoor LED 5,000–10,000+ nits Direct-view LED displays can achieve higher brightness levels, which makes them suitable for large outdoor environments. However, maximum brightness does not always mean better visibility. For many outdoor digital signage applications, especially where viewers stand close to the display, image quality, contrast, reflection control, and pixel density are equally important. A high-bright LCD with optical bonding and anti-reflective glass can provide excellent readability without requiring extremely high brightness levels. Consider Viewing Distance Before Selecting a Display One of the most common mistakes in digital signage projects is choosing a display based only on screen size. Viewing distance is often more important than screen dimensions. High-Brightness LCD Is Suitable For: Outdoor advertising kiosks Smart city information terminals EV charging displays Bus stop information panels Interactive wayfinding systems Retail storefront displays Self-service kiosks These applications usually involve viewers standing within a few meters of the screen. High pixel density allows users to clearly read: Text Maps Product information QR codes Interactive menus LED Displays Are Suitable For: Stadium advertising screens Large outdoor billboards Building media walls Concert displays Highway advertising Public event screens These applications require: Extremely large viewing areas Long-distance visibility High visual impact LED technology performs well when audiences are located far away. Image Quality and Content Requirements Digital signage content is becoming more interactive and visually complex. Many businesses display: Product images Promotional videos Maps Menus Brand advertisements Customer interfaces For close-range viewing, image quality becomes critical. High-bright LCD displays generally provide: Higher pixel density Sharper text More accurate colors Better image details Smooth gradients This makes LCD a strong choice for retail and interactive applications. LED displays are excellent for large-scale visual communication but are usually optimized for viewing from a distance. Touch Interaction Requirements Modern digital signage is increasingly becoming interactive. Examples include: Digital ordering systems Ticket terminals Navigation kiosks Product search stations Payment terminals High-bright LCD displays integrate naturally with touchscreen technologies. Common features include: PCAP touch technology Multi-touch support Glove operation Waterproof touch solutions Optical bonding Protective glass Direct-view LED displays are generally designed for visual communication rather than interactive operation. Adding touch functionality to large LED systems usually requires additional hardware complexity. For interactive outdoor signage, LCD technology is often a more practical choice. Power Consumption and Operating Costs Energy consumption is an important consideration for outdoor digital signage. LED displays use self-emitting pixels, which allows high brightness but can also result in significant power consumption when displaying bright content over large areas. High-bright LCD displays use LED backlights and can be more efficient for kiosk-sized installations. Energy-saving features may include: Automatic brightness adjustment Ambient light sensors Intelligent power management When evaluating total cost, businesses should consider: Electricity usage Maintenance requirements Repair costs Expected operating lifetime The cheapest initial solution may not always provide the lowest long-term cost. Outdoor Reliability and Environmental Protection Outdoor digital signage systems must handle challenging conditions, including: Rain Dust UV exposure Temperature changes High humidity A reliable outdoor display solution should consider: IP-rated enclosure design Waterproof protection Wide temperature operation Anti-corrosion materials Cooling management Protective glass Both LCD and LED technologies can perform well outdoors when combined with proper enclosure engineering. The complete system design is often more important than the display technology alone. Maintenance Considerations Maintenance requirements can affect the long-term success of a digital signage project. High-bright LCD systems typically require: Protective glass cleaning Cooling system inspection Seal inspection Software updates LED displays are modular, which allows individual modules to be replaced. However, maintenance may involve: LED module replacement Color calibration Cabinet inspection Power supply maintenance Large LED installations may require specialized technicians. For standalone advertising kiosks, LCD solutions are often easier to maintain. How to Select the Best Display Solution for Your Project Before selecting a display, consider the following questions: Where will people view the screen? Close viewing: High-bright LCD is usually preferred Long-distance viewing: LED is usually more suitable Will users interact with the display? Interactive applications: LCD with touch technology provides better integration Advertising-only applications: Both LCD and LED can be considered How large does the display need to be? Medium-sized kiosks: LCD is usually more practical Large video walls: LED provides better scalability What is the operating environment? Outdoor installations require attention to: Brightness Temperature range Waterproof protection Maintenance access Final Thoughts There is no single display technology that is perfect for every digital signage project. High-brightness LCD and direct-view LED displays are designed for different applications. High-bright LCD is usually the better choice for: Outdoor kiosks Interactive terminals Retail digital signage Smart city displays Applications requiring sharp images and close viewing Direct-view LED is better suited for: Large advertising screens Stadium displays Public spaces requiring maximum visibility The best solution depends on the environment, audience distance, content type, and operational requirements. For additional information about selecting high-brightness LCD solutions for outdoor advertising kiosks, this technical guide provides a useful reference: What Is the Difference Between High-Bright LCD and LED for Large Outdoor Advertising Kiosks?

Nice! This creates less clutter for my clients

The new counter plugin is nice. It would be very convenient if there were an automatic counter so you wouldn't have to enter the slider length every time you switch sliders in the playlist. Kind regards René

I want to share my experience with other users. For some days ago i used the RSS ticker in playlist. I inserted this playlist in the main template. This results in a very unsmooth ticker behavior. Now i added the ticker directly to the template and that works great. If you want to add an image of time plugin just before this ticker....The ticker always has the highest layer and the ticker info is crossing over this plugin (or image). Solution: Make a playlist and insert here the time plugin of the image. Insert this playlist in the template. Now you can have a time plugin or image before of after the ticker. Hope this helps, regards René