Digital signage on Windows and Linux PCs in kiosk mode
The mini PC or kiosk computer behind the screen becomes a MIA player. A browser opens in kiosk mode and plays full screen; if the server runs on the same computer, you can use the Windows app's own player window.
- Windows and Linux
- Browser in kiosk mode
- Full screen player in the Windows app
Setup steps
- Install a current Chromium-based browser on the computer, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Chromium.
- Create a shortcut that opens the browser in kiosk mode at the MIA Player address on your server. Kiosk mode hides the address bar and menus.
- Add this shortcut to start-up so it runs automatically when the operating system starts.
- Turn off sleep mode and the screen saver, and set operating system updates to install outside working hours.
- Enter the 6-character code shown on screen on the Screens page in the panel, assign a location and program, and deploy the change.
Windows desktop app
If you installed the MIA server with the Windows desktop app, you can use the app's own full screen player window on the same computer. In a small venue, one computer becomes both server and player. In that case, switching the computer off affects both the panel and that screen; as your installation grows, keep the server on a separate machine.
Pairing and outages
Pairing works as with every other player: you enter the code once, and from then on name, location, tags and program are managed in the panel. As long as the browser stays open, the player keeps the last program in memory and local storage, and playback continues when the network or server drops. After the computer restarts, it may need to reach the server to open the page. Time rules follow the server's clock, so scenes change on time even if the computer clock drifts.
Good to know
The Windows app is not code-signed, so you may see a SmartScreen warning on first run. Touch and interactive kiosk scenarios are not ready today and can be built for your installation. For many screens, compare the cost per computer and the maintenance effort with Android boxes. Mini PCs are powerful and handle busy video layouts with ease, but operating system updates, power settings and the browser version need regular attention. Organisations on Linux follow the same steps with their distribution's session start-up tools; the logic is the same as on Windows.
Requirements
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows or Linux |
| Recommended browser | A current Chromium-based browser, in kiosk mode |
| Start-up | The browser shortcut is added to system start-up |
| Windows app | Its own full screen player window when the server runs on the same computer |
| Power settings | Sleep mode and screen saver off |
| Outages | The last program plays while the page stays open |
About the PC and kiosk player
We recommend a current Chromium-based browser: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Chromium. Opening it in kiosk mode hides the address bar and menus.
Yes. The Windows desktop app runs the server in the background and can open its own full screen player window. It is practical for small installations; for larger ones we recommend keeping the server separate.
If you added the browser shortcut to system start-up, the player opens by itself. It may need to reach the server to load the page; after that, playback continues even if the network drops.
Connect your kiosk computers to the screen
Start with the computers you have; we will prepare a quote for installation and licensing based on your screen count.