Pair a screen

Pairing links a TV to your CastWize account. The player app shows a code on the TV, you type that code into CastWize Studio, and from then on you control the screen from your browser.

What you need

• A TV or monitor with HDMI.
• A player device plugged into it: an Android TV or Android box, a Windows PC, an Apple Silicon Mac, a Linux PC or a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5.
• An internet connection on the player. Wired Ethernet is the most reliable.
• A CastWize account. Your first screen is free for 30 days, no credit card needed.

Steps

1. Install the player. Download the CastWize Player for your device from the support page. It isn't in the Google Play Store yet, so on Android you allow the install from an unknown source the first time.
2. Open the player. It goes full screen and shows "Enter this code in CastWize Studio" with a 6-character code, for example K7M2QX. Codes never use easy-to-confuse characters such as O, 0, I or 1.
3. Open Studio. On your computer or phone, sign in to CastWize and go to Screens.
4. Click Add screen. In the Add a screen window, type the code under Pairing code.
5. Name the screen. Under Screen name, type something you'll recognise, such as "Counter TV" or "Lobby left".
6. Click Add screen. Within a few seconds the code disappears from the TV and the screen shows up in your list as Online.
7. Give it something to play. Click the screen to open its settings, pick a playlist for the Main zone and click Publish. See Build a playlist if you don't have one yet.

How long is a pairing code valid?

15 minutes. If nobody enters it in time, the player gets a new code by itself and shows that one instead. Just type the code that's on the TV now.

Why does Studio ask for a payment method?

Your first screen is free for 30 days. To add a second screen, the account owner adds a payment method first. Every screen is $5 per month with everything included. If your team already has a subscription, Studio shows what the extra screen costs and asks you to confirm with Confirm & add screen before anything changes.

What do the pairing errors mean?

• Unknown pairing code: check for a typo, or the code may have been replaced by a newer one. Type the code shown on the TV right now.
• Code expired: more than 15 minutes passed. Wait a moment for the TV to show a fresh code.
• This code has already been claimed: the screen is already paired, probably on your first click. Look for it in your Screens list.

Does the screen come back after a power cut?

Yes, once it is set up for that. The Android player starts when the device boots. The Windows, Mac and Linux players add themselves to start when the computer signs in, so set the computer to sign in automatically. The screen stays paired; you don't enter a code again. See the setup guides for Windows and Mac and Raspberry Pi.

How do I move a screen to a different TV or account?

In Studio, open the screen's ... menu and choose Remove screen. The player goes back to showing a pairing code, and you can pair it again wherever you like.