For digital signage, the best device is often the one you already have. MisterSignage runs in a plain browser: any screen that can open a web page can broadcast, with no proprietary software or forced box. Here are the common options, their strengths, and the one detail to know for each.
Smart TV: the simplest
Most recent smart TVs (Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Android TV, Google TV) ship with a browser. Open it, type the player address, enter the code, and the screen plays. It is the ideal option for a fixed screen in a window, a room or a reception. Good to know: disable the TV's auto standby so it stays on, and on some very old models the browser can be limited, a small external box then solves everything.
Android box or tablet: versatile and cheap
A €30-50 Android box (an HDMI TV box) plugged into any screen, even a non-smart TV, makes an excellent player: full-screen browser, kiosk mode, auto restart. An old tablet on a stand also works nicely for a small counter screen. Bonus: you pick the screen (size, brightness) independently of the player.
Raspberry Pi: the tinkerer favourite
A Raspberry Pi in kiosk mode (full-screen Chromium at boot) is a reliable, low-power signage player, very popular for screen fleets. Point it at the player address, and that is it, no server setup on our side. If you were searching for “free Raspberry Pi digital signage”, this is exactly that scenario, plus a real back office.
PC or mini-PC: when the screen already has a computer
A PC or mini-PC (Windows, Mac, Linux) already sitting behind a screen works perfectly: open the browser full screen on the player address. Handy in a lobby or a room where a computer already drives the display. For Windows specifics: digital signage on Windows.
What about orientation, portrait or landscape?
Both, set per screen from your account. Portrait for a narrow window or a welcome message, landscape for a menu or a video. You can mix orientations across one fleet.
To connect your first screen, follow the Add a screen guide, learn how to set up digital signage in 3 steps, or see the pricing (1 free screen for life).