Image & Video Best Practices
Get the best quality on your screens
Resolution
Use 1920x1080 (Full HD) for the best results. This matches the native resolution of most TVs and displays. Content at other resolutions will still play, but it may be scaled to fit, which can reduce sharpness.
Aspect ratio
16:9 works best for most TVs and displays. If you upload content with a different aspect ratio (such as 4:3 or 1:1), it will be letterboxed — black bars will appear on the sides or top and bottom to fill the screen.
Image duration
The right display duration depends on where your screen is and what it's showing:
- Lobby displays and waiting areas: 10-15 seconds per image works well for people passing through
- Informational slides with text: 15-30 seconds gives viewers enough time to read the content
- Simple graphics or logos: 5-10 seconds is usually sufficient
Video length
- Lobby and waiting areas: Keep videos under 2 minutes. Shorter clips create a better experience for people passing through.
- Dedicated viewing areas: Longer videos work well when people are seated and attentive, such as in a waiting room or before a service.
File size
Large, uncompressed files will take significantly longer to upload — especially on slower connections. If you're uploading a video straight from a camera or editing tool, consider exporting at 1080p and compressing it first to keep upload times reasonable.
That said, Roomcaster automatically transcodes uploaded videos to optimized H.264 MP4 for reliable playback, and anything above 1080p (such as 4K) is downscaled to 1080p since that's the maximum resolution used on screens. Videos also stream progressively on your TV devices, so even longer videos begin playing right away without needing to download the full file first.
Text on images
If your content includes text, make sure it's readable from a distance:
- Use large, bold fonts — content viewed from 10+ feet away should have text at least 48pt
- Choose high-contrast colors — dark text on light backgrounds or light text on dark backgrounds
- Keep messages short and simple — viewers typically only glance at screens for a few seconds
For optimal display: images at 1920x1080 pixels, videos at 1080p (H.264 MP4). This combination gives you the best quality with the most reliable playback across all devices.
Quick reference
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920x1080 (Full HD) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Image duration | 10-15 seconds (lobby), 15-30 seconds (informational) |
| Video length | Under 2 minutes (lobby), longer for dedicated areas |
| Video format | H.264 MP4 at 1080p |
| Text size | 48pt minimum for distance viewing |
Still stuck?
Our support team is here to help.