# Signage ROI > Digital signage and narrowcasting guides. Guides, checklists, best-of lists and migration guides for digital signage and narrowcasting, each with its sources and the date it was last checked. Every page has a Markdown version at the same URL with .md appended. Last data refresh: 2026-10-25. ## Home - [Signage ROI](https://roitechnologies.net/index.md): Guides, checklists and calculators for digital signage and narrowcasting: what it is, how it works, what it costs and how to set it up. ## about - [About Signage ROI](https://roitechnologies.net/about.md): Signage ROI publishes practical guides on digital signage and narrowcasting: what it is, how to set it up, what it costs and which tools to use. ## alternatives - [Samsung MagicINFO alternatives in 2026: 10 platforms compared](https://roitechnologies.net/alternatives/samsung-magicinfo.md): Samsung MagicINFO alternatives in 2026: VXT, Screenbird, Yodeck, OptiSigns, ScreenCloud, NoviSign, Xibo and more, and how each one runs on Samsung screens. ## best - [Best digital signage software (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/best.md): Rankings of digital signage software with the criteria stated first: overall, for small business and for mixed screens. - [Best digital signage software in 2026: 12 platforms compared](https://roitechnologies.net/best/digital-signage-software.md): Twelve digital signage platforms checked on five published criteria: one plan, per-screen price, device families, offline play and AI. Verified 2026-10-25. - [Best digital signage software for mixed screens (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/best/mixed-screens.md): Which digital signage platforms run Fire TV, Google TV, Samsung, LG, Windows and Raspberry Pi screens in one account. 12 platforms checked 2026-10-25. - [Best digital signage software for small business (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/best/small-business.md): Twelve digital signage platforms checked for small business: one plan, public price, hardware, templates, AI and integrations. Verified 2026-10-25. ## changelog - [Changelog: data updates and corrections](https://roitechnologies.net/changelog.md): Every data refresh, correction and new page on Signage ROI, newest first. ## hardware - [Digital signage hardware guides](https://roitechnologies.net/hardware.md): Which media players work with which digital signage platforms, and how to choose between sticks, mini PCs, Raspberry Pi and built-in smart TV browsers. - [Best media players for digital signage in 2026](https://roitechnologies.net/hardware/best-media-players.md): Compare signage media players in 2026: Amazon Signage Stick, Fire TV, Google TV, Raspberry Pi, Windows mini-PC, BrightSign and Samsung or LG TV browsers. ## learn - [Learn digital signage and narrowcasting: guides and answers](https://roitechnologies.net/learn.md): Plain-language answers about digital signage and narrowcasting: what it is, how it works, what it costs, how to choose software and what to show on a screen. - [Can you use a smart TV for digital signage? Yes, how](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/can-you-use-a-smart-tv-for-digital-signage.md): A smart TV can run digital signage through its browser, a stick or a mini-PC. What each route needs, the trade-offs for all-day use, and how Screenbird fits. - [Digital signage content ideas: 24 examples that work](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/digital-signage-content-ideas.md): 24 digital signage content ideas for shops, restaurants, gyms, offices, schools, clinics and apartment buildings, with what each shows and where the data comes from. - [Digital signage FAQ: 30 questions and answers](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/digital-signage-faq.md): Digital signage FAQ with 30 short answers on narrowcasting, cost, hardware, content, scheduling, managing screens and fixing common problems. Verified 2026-10-25. - [Digital signage glossary: 45 narrowcasting terms defined](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/digital-signage-glossary.md): A digital signage glossary with 45 terms used in narrowcasting, from CMS and playlist to HDMI-CEC, proof of play, nit and pixel mapping, in short exact definitions. - [Digital signage ROI: how to calculate it, with an example](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/digital-signage-roi.md): How to calculate digital signage ROI: costs, print and ad savings, staff time and extra sales, plus a worked four-screen example with every assumption stated. - [Digital signage vs a TV with a USB stick: when to switch](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/digital-signage-vs-tv-with-usb.md): A USB stick on a loop is the simplest way to put content on a TV. What it can and cannot do next to digital signage software, and when to make the switch. - [How does digital signage work? From upload to screen](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/how-does-digital-signage-work.md): How does digital signage work? The path from upload to screen, what the player does, what happens when the internet drops, and how screens switch on and off. - [How much does digital signage cost? 2026 price guide](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/how-much-does-digital-signage-cost.md): How much does digital signage cost? Software, player, screen, installation and content costs, and what to ask a vendor. Screenbird costs EUR 12 per screen per month. - [How to choose digital signage software: 8-point checklist](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/how-to-choose-digital-signage-software.md): How to choose digital signage software: eight criteria with one question per criterion to ask any vendor, from features and players to price and trial. - [Digital signage resolution and orientation: a practical guide](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/screen-orientation-resolution-and-aspect-ratio.md): Portrait or landscape, 1080p or 4K, 16:9 or 9:16: how to match digital signage content to the screen, plus the four scaling modes and practical tips. - [What is digital signage? Definition, parts and uses](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/what-is-digital-signage.md): What is digital signage? A plain definition, the four parts of a system, the main screen types and how small organizations use it, checked 2026-10-25. - [What is narrowcasting? Meaning, origin and use](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/what-is-narrowcasting.md): What is narrowcasting? Its meaning, where the word comes from, how it differs from broadcasting and digital signage, and how to start. Checked 2026-10-25. - [Display Excel, Google Sheets, Power BI and a calendar on a TV](https://roitechnologies.net/learn/what-to-show-on-digital-signage.md): What you can show on a digital signage screen and how: Excel, Google Sheets, Power BI, calendars, slides, Canva, Instagram and websites, with a guide for each. ## methodology - [Methodology: how Signage ROI writes and verifies its guides](https://roitechnologies.net/methodology.md): How Signage ROI sources its facts, how often it re-verifies them and how rankings and comparisons are built. ## migrate - [Digital signage migration guides: end of sale and shutdowns](https://roitechnologies.net/migrate.md): Guides for buyers whose digital signage platform is being retired: Samsung MagicINFO end of sale, the X2O Media and Real Digital Media shutdowns, and Fire TV Stick changes. - [Fire TV Stick for digital signage: what changed (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/migrate/fire-tv-stick.md): Which Fire TV models work for digital signage in 2026, which run Vega OS, what the Amazon Signage Stick adds and which platforms support each. - [Samsung MagicINFO end of sale: what to do before Dec 31, 2026](https://roitechnologies.net/migrate/samsung-magicinfo.md): Samsung ends MagicINFO On-Premise sales on December 31, 2026. Official dates, three routes (stay, VXT, other platform) and a decision tree. Checked Oct 2026. - [X2O Media and RDM shut down: what to do with your signage](https://roitechnologies.net/migrate/x2o-and-rdm.md): X2O Media filed for bankruptcy on 31 March 2026 and RDM is winding down. A 2026 guide to saving content, checking players and moving to a new platform. ## tools - [Digital signage calculators: cost, energy, storage and screen size](https://roitechnologies.net/tools.md): Free digital signage calculators: cost per screen, energy cost, storage and bandwidth, and screen size for your viewing distance. Each shows its formula and sources. - [Digital signage storage and bandwidth calculator](https://roitechnologies.net/tools/content-storage-and-bandwidth.md): Calculate how much storage a digital signage playlist needs per screen and how much internet traffic your screens use for updates or streaming. - [Digital signage cost per screen calculator](https://roitechnologies.net/tools/cost-per-screen.md): Work out what one digital signage screen costs per month and per year: display, player, installation, software, content time, power and upkeep. - [Screen size and viewing distance calculator for signage](https://roitechnologies.net/tools/screen-size-and-viewing-distance.md): Find the farthest viewing distance for a given screen size and text height, or the smallest screen for your distance, using the AVIXA DISCAS rules. - [Digital signage energy cost calculator](https://roitechnologies.net/tools/signage-energy-cost.md): Calculate what a digital signage screen and its player cost in electricity per month and per year, with business electricity prices for ten European markets. ## use-cases - [Digital signage for restaurants, gyms, churches, schools and more](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases.md): Step-by-step guides to set up digital signage for restaurants, gyms, churches, schools, waiting rooms, shops, hotels, offices, healthcare, apartment buildings and sports venues. - [Digital signage for apartment buildings: resident notice board](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/apartment-buildings.md): How to use digital signage for apartment buildings as a digital notice board for residents: maintenance, waste schedules and events, with setup steps. Updated 2026. - [Digital signage for churches: notices, events, services (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/churches.md): Digital signage for churches: show announcements, service times and events from Google Slides or PowerPoint, and let volunteers keep the screens current. - [Digital signage for gyms: timetables, notices, sponsors (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/gyms.md): Digital signage for gyms and fitness clubs: show class timetables from a calendar, member notices and sponsors, and switch screens on and off on a schedule. - [Digital signage for healthcare: a practical guide (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/healthcare.md): How hospitals, clinics and practices use digital signage for healthcare: waiting room screens, wayfinding, patient information and staff notices. Updated 2026. - [Digital signage for hotels: lobby, events, restaurant (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/hotels.md): How hotels use digital signage: welcome screens, event boards, restaurant menus, directions and local tips. A practical setup guide, updated 2026-10-25. - [Digital signage for offices and internal communications (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/offices.md): How offices use digital signage for internal communications: welcome screens, KPI dashboards from Power BI or Excel, announcements and a cafeteria menu. - [Digital menu board for restaurants: a setup guide (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/restaurants.md): How a digital menu board for restaurants and cafes works: change prices from a spreadsheet, schedule menus by time of day, add photos and keep playing offline. - [Digital signage for retail stores: a practical guide (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/retail.md): How to use digital signage in a retail store: window and in-store screens, promotions by time of day, proof of play and a setup in steps. Updated 2026-10-25. - [Digital signage for schools: timetables and notices (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/schools.md): Digital signage for schools: show timetable changes, announcements and reception messages from a spreadsheet or calendar, across one or more buildings. - [Digital signage for sports venues and stadiums: a guide](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/sports-venues.md): How sports clubs and stadiums use digital signage: canteen menus, sponsor loops, match schedules, training rosters and leaderboards. Setup guide, updated 2026. - [Waiting room TV: digital signage for waiting rooms (2026)](https://roitechnologies.net/use-cases/waiting-rooms.md): How to set up a waiting room TV with digital signage: calm content, opening hours, your own films, a quiet player and screens that switch off on a schedule.