You have more signage than a single screen can handle — so it’s time for the magic of multiscreen networks. You can use multiscreens in virtually limitless applications, from massive social media walls and digital menu boards to company TV channels.
The best part is, you don’t need to be a signage expert. The right tools and platforms can help get started in hours (and possibly minutes).
This guide explains everything you should know about setting up multiscreen digital signage networks. It also provides estimated prices and timelines so you can pick the option that makes sense for you.
Okay wait: what’s a multiscreen digital signage network again?
Multiscreen signage networks use more than one screen to display digital content to customers, coworkers, and other audiences. You might link screens together, place them a few feet apart, or operate them at long range (think an office in London and a storefront in Manchester).
You’ll need three basic ingredients to create a multiscreen signage network:
- Hardware (your screens and players)
- Software (like data streams for embeddable channels or your smart TV’s OS)
- A content management system (or CMS)
You might need multiple players to get your system off the ground, or a single CMS to embed your signage on company intranets like Slack.
Either way, your options abound.
So let’s look closer at how to set up multiscreen signage networks.
5 ways to set up a multiscreen signage network
If you’ve set up single-screen digital signage before, you’re most of the way prepared for multiscreen networks. Sure, it might take a little extra legwork, but it’s nothing you can’t handle (especially with the right software in place).
Here are five methods to try on for size:
💡 Pssst — haven't set up digital signage before? Check out our guide on how to create digital signage in 60 minutes or less.
1. Connect Multiple Screens to One Signage Player
- Best for: Close Range
- Cost: ~$300 for the player, ~$50 for extra cables
- Setup time: 15 minutes
If you’re already using a digital signage player, you can connect multiple screens to display the same content simultaneously. This won’t cost much, especially if you’re already using a player. Best-in-breed options like Fugo players run between $260 and $500 per player.
Keep in mind that:
- Some players and computers only support two or three screens, so this may not be scalable if that’s something you’ll need.
- Your screens need to be fairly close. HDMI cables should stay under 15 meters for the highest-quality signage. Fiber optic can accommodate longer lengths, but you’ll still need to find some way to run the cable (and hope nobody trips on it).
- You may need to keep your computer close to your screens. This might not be a problem depending on your setup, but it could be an issue if you’re running signage in a public space (and you’re a little worried about signage security).
All that said, however, this is still a standup method for multi screen signage. If you’re looking to connect two or more close-ish screens, this is an easy and cost-effective way to get started.
2. Use an HDMI or Wireless Signal Splitter
- Best for: Long Range Same Building
- Cost: ~ $30 to $45 for a 3-4 port HDMI splitter; ~$150 to $210 for a wireless splitter
- Setup time: 10-25 minutes (depending on distance and method)
If you’re trying to set up multiple screens in tight or tricky places, you might want to opt for a signal splitter.
You’ll have two options depending on what you’re looking for:
- HDMI splitters take HDMI signals from your computer, laptop, or signage player, then split them into multiple ports (usually a max of four). Keep in mind splitters are different from USB adapters, which are designed to make your screens more compatible and not necessarily stream content between two screens.
- Wireless signal splitters are like USB sticks for TVs. You can push images on streaming devices to other screens via radio frequencies. This means you can wirelessly transfer content you might want to two screens (like digital menu boards, for example).
So which of these tools is right for you? Let’s break it down so you can decide:
Keep in mind there are some caveats. For example, wireless signal splitters require clear lines of sight, which means screens can’t be hidden around corners or in other rooms. Wired splitters can help you get around this limitation, but remember that the longer the cable, the worse the quality.
You also have to worry about signal interference, since wireless HDMI splitters can be interrupted by routers and cell phones. If you’re in a relatively busy area, or if your screens are further than ~250 meters apart, you might want to investigate another option.
3. Get Multiple Digital Signage Players
- Best for: Remote Management
- Cost: ~$250 to $500 per player (2 to 3 screens supported each)
- Setup time: 120 minutes
It’s (probably) already crossed your mind, but another multiscreen solution is to purchase multiple signage players. Not only can you push content to multiple screens, but you can manage all the content remotely from your CMS.
There are plenty of signage players to choose from, and plenty of CMS systems you can use to manage them remotely. The scalability, of course, depends on your player and the number of screens you want to support. Something like the Fugo Chromebox can handle up to two screens, while the Fugo NUC can handle three.
It’s hard to go wrong with multiple signage players, although the price can be steep if you’re handling dozens of screens. But considering you’ll have remote access to all your content, not to mention AI-powered players like the Flash, this is one of the smartest methods for scaling your signage.
4. Try Smart TVs
- Best for: Tough Budgets
- Cost: ~$700 per screen (unless you’re repurposing existing hardware)
- Setup time: 10 minutes (with existing screens)
Want multiscreen networks on the cheap? Repurposing existing TVs could save you time and money. As long as you own new-ish smart TVs, there’s a chance you could run your digital signage directly from its browser.
If you want to test this, sign up for a 14-day free trial of Fugo and enter https://player.fugo.ai into your Smart TV's browser. If the interface comes up correctly, you can likely run your signage on multiple screens.
That’s not to say it works every time, though. We’ve found that most TV browsers become outdated quickly, which means you can’t tap into more recent signage features. In a worst case scenario, it may not be secure, which invites other problems you don’t need to worry about.
Here are a few pointers if you want to take this route:
- Check if your smart TV runs on Android. There’s a higher chance your browser will stay updated. Plus, for newer models, you can download the dedicated Fugo Android app. 😉
- Make sure your browser is as recent as possible. Use your OS to check for updates.
- Put eyes on the finer details. This should be security measures, lifespan, memory constraints, and more. If one or more of these aren’t up to snuff, it’s probably worthwhile to invest in another TV.
Does your existing TV not make the cut? Here are some options to keep costs down:
5. Create Embeddable Channels
- Best for: Internal Use Cases
- Cost: ~$20 per month for a CMS; $10-$20 for company intranets
- Setup time: 90 minutes
So you’re sick of the screens, the wires, and the cables. You’re managing a lot more than just two or three screens. You’re also managing signage overseas — and there’s no HDMI splitter in the world that can solve your thousand-mile problem.
So enter the embeddable channel: probably the easiest way to push content from anywhere, to anywhere. All you need is to create your signage — Fugo will push updates to internet browsers, websites, and company intranets like Slack.
There’s so much content you can share through embeddable channels:
- Noticeboards
- Reminders
- Social Content
- Employee Recognition
- Project and Team Tracking
- And More
This method is fast, secure, and simple. With a digital signage partner like Fugo, you can try it free for 14 days.
But keep in mind embeddable channels are mostly useful for internal teams. In other words, if you’re trying to reach external users, embeddable channels may not make sense. But if you want to display content on multiple screens via a browser connection, it still might be viable.
Setting Up For Success With the Best Multiscreen Digital Signage Software
So now you know what it takes to set up multiscreen signage (and odds are, you’ve got what you need to get started).
All that’s left is to pick your favorite avenue, then add finishing touches to bring it to life.
Of course, each of these options look a little bit different, but the one common denominator is getting a CMS to push content to your screens. And we might be biased, but we honestly believe that Fugo.ai is the easiest way to manage multiscreen digital signage networks.
No need to take our word for it, though. Try Fugo yourself with a 14-day free trial.
