How to Install Digital Signage — Step-by-Step Installation Guide

What You Need Before You Start

Before drilling a single hole, confirm:

1. Power outlet location — Is there a socket within reach, or does an electrician need to install one?
2. Network access — Wi-Fi signal strength at the mounting point (use a phone to test), or is a wired ethernet run needed?
3. Mounting surface — Solid wall (stud or masonry), drop ceiling grid, floor stand, or pole mount?
4. Viewing distance and angle — Where do viewers stand? The screen needs to face them at eye level or slightly above.
5. Ambient lighting — Direct sunlight requires 500+ nit brightness. Indoor shaded locations work with 300–400 nits.

Choosing the Right Mount

Fixed wall mount — Best for permanent installations where the viewing angle never changes. Slim profile, lowest cost.

Tilting wall mount — Allows up to 15° downward tilt. Good for screens mounted high above eye level (above a counter, near a ceiling).

Full-motion (articulating) mount — Extends away from the wall and swings side to side. Useful for corner locations or where maintenance access is needed.

Ceiling mount — For screens mounted overhead (transit hubs, warehouses, stadium corridors). Requires structural assessment.

Floor stand — Freestanding, no drilling. Ideal for temporary events, pop-up retail, and locations where wall mounting isn’t possible.

Cable Management

Exposed cables look unprofessional and create a trip hazard. Options:

• In-wall conduit — The cleanest solution. Requires an electrician to cut a channel and install conduit before plastering.
• Surface-mount cable trunking — Plastic or metal channels that run along the skirting board or up the wall. No structural work needed.
• Wireless media player — Eliminate the signal cable entirely. The Alliance Player connects via Wi-Fi, so only the power cable needs managing.

Mounting the Screen

1. Find studs or use appropriate wall anchors for the screen weight (most 55” commercial screens weigh 20–30 kg)
2. Use a spirit level to ensure the mount is perfectly horizontal
3. Attach the mount bracket to the wall with appropriate fixings
4. Attach the VESA plate to the back of the screen
5. Hang the screen on the wall bracket
6. Run power and signal cables through the trunking

Installing the Alliance Player

The Alliance Player (or any compatible media player) connects to the screen via HDMI. For most installations:

1. Connect the HDMI cable from the player to the screen’s HDMI 1 port
2. Power the player via the included USB-C power supply, or use the screen’s built-in USB port if available
3. Connect ethernet if using wired networking, or note the Wi-Fi network SSID

First Boot and Pairing

1. The player boots and displays a pairing code on screen
2. Log into the Alliance dashboard on any browser
3. Click “Add screen” and enter the pairing code
4. Name the screen and assign it to a playlist
5. Content appears on screen within 60 seconds

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Screen shows “No Signal” — Check HDMI port selection on the TV. Press the input/source button on the remote.

Player shows pairing code but dashboard won’t connect — Check network connectivity. The player needs outbound access on port 443.

Screen turns off after a few minutes — Disable the TV’s power saving / sleep mode. Set it to remain on permanently.

Image is stretched or cropped — Set the screen’s aspect ratio to “Normal” or “Just Scan” rather than “Wide” or “Zoom.”

Commissioning Checklist

• Screen powered on, displays Alliance content
• Screen name and location set in the dashboard
• Correct playlist assigned
• Brightness set for the ambient lighting conditions
• All cables concealed or in trunking
• Screen cannot be reached and adjusted by the public
• Emergency contact number for site manager documented in the dashboard