---
title: How to Turn Any TV into Digital Signage
description: Turn any TV with an HDMI port into a managed digital sign — pick a player, connect it, install Loopvew, pair the screen and publish your first playlist.
type: howto
date: 2026-09-24
authors:
  - Loopvew Team
category: Setup
visual: tv
tags: [any TV, HDMI, media player, getting started]
totalTime: PT20M
requirements:
  - A TV with a free HDMI input.
  - An Android, Windows or Linux media player supported by Loopvew.
  - Power for the player and a network connection.
  - A Loopvew account — the first three screens are free.
steps:
  - name: Choose a media player
    text: Pick an Android, Windows or Linux device that fits your content — Android for most screens, Windows for heavy dashboards or video walls, Linux for locked-down fleets.
  - name: Connect the player to the TV
    text: Plug the player into the TV's HDMI input and power, connect it to the network, and switch the TV to that HDMI input.
  - name: Install the Loopvew player
    text: Install the Loopvew player on the device using the official installation source for your platform.
  - name: Pair the screen
    text: Open the player to see a 6-digit code, then register the screen in the Loopvew CMS Screens tab using that code.
  - name: Publish a playlist
    text: Upload media, build a playlist and publish it to the screen. The player downloads it and starts playing.
faq:
  - question: Can a non-smart TV be used for digital signage?
    answer: Yes. Any TV with an HDMI input can become a digital sign by connecting an external media player that runs the Loopvew player. The TV simply displays what the player outputs.
  - question: Do I need a smart TV for digital signage?
    answer: No. A smart TV can save you a separate device if it's a supported commercial platform like Samsung Tizen or LG webOS, but any TV works with an external Android, Windows or Linux player.
---

Any TV with an HDMI input can become a managed digital sign. The TV displays the picture; a small media player behind it runs the Loopvew player and pulls content from the cloud. Here's how to set it up.

## Step 1 — Choose a media player

| Player | Choose it when |
| --- | --- |
| Android / Android TV device | Most screens — affordable, compact, easy to hide |
| Windows mini PC | Heavy dashboards, video walls, existing Windows estates |
| Linux device | Locked-down kiosks and standardised fleets |

Our [media player guide](/blog/choosing-a-media-player) goes deeper on the trade-offs.

## Step 2 — Connect the player to the TV

1. Mount or place the player behind the TV, with airflow around it.
2. Connect HDMI from the player to the TV.
3. Connect power — use a proper power supply, not the TV's USB port, which may not supply enough current.
4. Connect the network — wired ethernet is the most reliable.
5. Switch the TV to the correct HDMI input.

## Step 3 — Install the Loopvew player

Install the player on the device using the official source for your platform — see [downloads](/downloads). Android and Fire TV players install from Google Play and the Amazon Appstore; for other platforms the team supplies the correct build for your device.

## Step 4 — Pair the screen

When the player opens, it shows a 6-digit pairing code. In the [Loopvew CMS](https://app.loopvew.com/), open **Screens**, select **Register Screen**, then enter a name, the code, the time zone and the location.

## Step 5 — Publish a playlist

Upload your media in the **Library** tab, build a playlist and publish it to the new screen. It starts playing as soon as the content downloads.

## Make it reliable

- **Set the TV to power on automatically** after an outage, if it supports it.
- **Enable auto-start** so the player launches after a restart — see the setup notes for your platform.
- **Turn off TV sleep timers and eco modes** that switch the screen off.
- **Disable on-screen TV notifications** where possible, so pop-ups never cover your content.
- **Test a power cut** — unplug everything, plug it back in, and confirm content returns by itself.

## Next steps

- [Set up a portrait screen](/how-to/set-up-a-portrait-screen)
- [Schedule content by time of day](/how-to/schedule-content-by-time-of-day)