Set Up a Digital Signage Screen for Under $200
What you actually need to buy, what you don't, and what it typically costs.
A first digital signage screen doesn't need special "commercial-grade" hardware. For a screen that's on during business hours in a normal indoor spot, a consumer TV and a cheap player device is genuinely enough. Here's the real shopping list.
1. A TV or monitor
Any TV with an HDMI input works. A basic 32–40" TV from a budget brand is typically the single biggest line item here, but prices vary a lot by size, sale timing, and region — check current prices locally rather than trusting a fixed number here. If you already have a spare TV or monitor sitting in storage, start with that instead of buying anything.
2. A player device
This is the small computer that actually runs the signage software and drives what's on screen. Reasonable budget options, roughly in order of cost:
- A Raspberry Pi — small, cheap, low power draw, widely available. Needs a case, power supply, and a microSD card if those aren't already included in a kit.
- A budget Android TV box — plugs straight into the TV's HDMI port, no separate mouse/keyboard needed for setup on most models.
- An old laptop or mini PC you already own — free, if you have one gathering dust. Windows, macOS, and Linux are all supported.
3. Mounting
A basic fixed wall mount is inexpensive and takes ten minutes to install with a stud finder and a drill. If the screen is going on a counter or shelf instead of a wall, skip this entirely — most TVs include a stand.
What you don't need
- A "commercial display" — those are built for 24/7 always-on use in demanding environments (retail windows, outdoor enclosures). For a screen that's on during business hours indoors, a consumer TV holds up fine.
- A dedicated network cable run, in most cases — Wi-Fi is enough for a player pulling scheduled content, unless your location has particularly unreliable Wi-Fi.
- Vendor-specific hardware — any device that runs Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, or Raspberry Pi OS can be a CastWize player. You're not locked into a specific box sold by the signage company.
The software side
Hardware is a one-time cost; the signage software is the ongoing part. CastWize is $5 per screen per month, and the first screen is free for 30 days with no credit card required — so you can get the hardware running and build a real layout before paying anything at all. See what digital signage actually is for the bigger picture, or jump straight to signing up.
More from the blog
What Is Digital Signage?
What digital signage actually is, how it differs from a TV playing a slideshow, and what it takes to run one.
Digital Signage Pricing Guide
What a digital signage screen really costs — software, hardware and setup — with first-year examples for 1 to 100 screens.
Digital Signage Buyer's Checklist
The questions worth asking before you commit to a digital signage platform, from pricing model to player hardware.
Ready to put your first screen up?
First screen free for 30 days, no credit card required.