Install OptiSigns as Channel or App on Roku

In this article, we'll install the OptiSigns channel on a Roku device and pair it with your OptiSigns account.

• Choose How to Run OptiSigns on Roku
• What the Roku Channel Supports
• What the Roku Channel Doesn't Support
• Prepare Your Roku
• Install the OptiSigns Channel
  • Add It from Your Roku Account
  • Add It on Your Roku Device
• Open the Channel
• Use the Channel Menu
• Pair the Player with Your Account
• Start OptiSigns Automatically
• Turn Off the Clicking Sound
• Next Steps

The OptiSigns channel turns a Roku device or Roku TV into a digital signage player. It works best for static menus and simple slideshows.

Roku has a lot of platform restrictions. For better compatibility and reliability, we recommend a dedicated player such as the OptiSigns Android Stick Player, or a Windows, Mac or Linux device.

Choose How to Run OptiSigns on Roku

You can run OptiSigns on Roku in two ways:

• Channel/app: plays images, videos and documents, but doesn't start by itself. This article covers the channel.
• Screensaver: starts by itself when the Roku is idle, but plays images only. Videos are skipped. See How to Install OptiSigns as Screensaver on Roku.

What the Roku Channel Supports

• Images (except GIF and SVG), videos and documents. Documents play one page at a time.
• Canvas apps.
• Playlists and schedules.
• Landscape and portrait, with rotation of 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

What the Roku Channel Doesn't Support

• Most other apps, such as social media, YouTube, news and streaming video.
• Split Screen.
• Large content libraries. Roku has little storage, so keep the content you assign to it small.

For the full list, see Roku Release Notes & Limitations.

Prepare Your Roku

Before you install the channel, change these settings on your Roku:

1. Go to Settings > System > Power > Auto Power Saving and clear Reduce power after 15 minutes and Turn off after 4 hours.
2. Go to Settings > Network > Bandwidth saver and set it to Off.

Install the OptiSigns Channel

Add the channel in one of two ways.

Add It from Your Roku Account

1. Go to my.roku.com/add/optisigns and sign in to your Roku account.
2. Add the channel. Roku adds it to the devices on your account.

Add It on Your Roku Device

1. On your Roku, open Search and type OptiSigns.
2. Select OptiSigns Digital Signage.

3. Select Add channel.

Open the Channel

Open the OptiSigns channel from the Roku Home screen. The first time it opens, it shows a pairing code. Keep it on screen; you'll need it to pair.

Note: To watch a how-to video on the pairing screen, press OK on the Roku remote. You can also watch the setup video on YouTube.

Use the Channel Menu

On the pairing screen, press Back or the * (Options) button on the Roku remote to open the menu. It includes:

• Play: start playing your assigned content.
• Refresh: reload the content from your OptiSigns account.
• Unpair: remove the screen from your account and show a new pairing code.
• Orientation: choose Landscape, Rotate 90 degrees, Rotate 180 degrees or Rotate 270 degrees.
• Version: the channel version.

Pair the Player with Your Account

1. Go to app.optisigns.com and log in. If you don't have an account yet, select Create Account. You can also log in with Google, Microsoft or Facebook.

2. On the Screens page, select Add Screen.

3. Enter the pairing code shown on the player in Pair code, then select Pair.

Note: Codes are case-sensitive, and the portal enters them in capitals. If the code on your player has lowercase letters, select Use lowercase pairing code and type it exactly as shown. If pairing fails with a case error, the portal switches this on for you, so check the code and select Pair again.

The player changes to show Paired. When you assign content to the screen, the channel starts playing it.

Start OptiSigns Automatically

The Roku channel doesn't open by itself when the Roku turns on. To have OptiSigns start on its own, also set it as your Roku screensaver. See How to Install OptiSigns as Screensaver on Roku.

Turn Off the Clicking Sound

If you hear a periodic clicking sound while the channel is running, it's a simulated button press that keeps your display from going idle. To turn it off on the Roku, go to Settings > Audio > Menu volume and set it to Off.

Next Steps

Your player is ready to show content. To get started:

• How to Upload & Manage Your Files/ Assets
• How to Create & Use Playlists
• Creating and Using Schedules with OptiSigns
• Set up & add a screen
• Roku Troubleshooting guide

If you have questions or feedback, contact our support team at support@optisigns.com.

That’s all!

OptiSigns is the leader in digital signage software. If you have any additional questions, concerns or any feedback about OptiSigns, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@optisigns.com.