Create a playlist

A playlist is an ordered collection of images and videos that your displays cycle through, each shown for a duration you set. Once a playlist is saved, you can assign it to one or more displays, or drop it into a schedule.

Before you start

You'll need:

• A STQRY account with access to a Signage project.
• The media you want to show. See Supported media formats. Most common image and video formats work. You can upload new files while building the playlist, or pick existing ones from your Content Library.

Step 1: Open the Playlists page

From the left-hand navigation, go to Projects and open your Signage project. Select the Playlists tab from the inner sidebar.

You'll see any playlists that already exist, the displays they're assigned to, and their schedule status.

The Playlists tab lists every playlist in the project and where each one is playing.

Step 2: Create the playlist

In the top right, click the magenta Create playlist button. The playlist editor opens in a modal window, titled Untitled playlist.

A new, empty playlist.

Step 3: Name your playlist

At the top left of the editor, click the pencil icon next to Untitled playlist and type a descriptive name. For example, Lobby Morning, Exhibit Promo Loop or Cafe Specials.

A clear name makes the playlist much easier to find when you're assigning displays or building a schedule.

Step 4: Add media

There are three ways to add media:

1. Drag and drop files onto the dashed media area.

2. Click Upload to browse files on your computer.

3. Click Library to pick existing assets from your Content Library.

You can mix uploaded files and Library assets in the same playlist. The drop zone stays at the bottom of the list, so you can add more at any time.

Playlists support images and videos only. Audio files can't be added. If you need sound, include it in the video file itself, or add audio through a schedule or a location program.

Step 5: Set the order and duration

Each item appears as a row showing a thumbnail, file name, file type, file size and dimensions.

Each row carries its own duration. Drag the handle on the right to reorder.

• The Duration field sets how many seconds the item stays on screen. The minimum is 1 second and there's no maximum. New images default to 10 seconds.
• The drag handle on the right reorders items. The playlist plays top to bottom, then loops back to the start.
• The pencil icon renames the item. The unlink icon removes it from the playlist without deleting it from your Content Library.

Duration only applies to still images. A video plays for its own full length, whatever you type in the field. When you add a video the duration is pre-filled with the clip's actual length, so what you see matches what will happen.

Step 6: Save the playlist

At the bottom right, Save keeps the editor open and Save & Close returns you to the Playlists page. Cancel at the bottom left discards the playlist.

Step 7: Confirm your playlist appears

Your playlist is now listed with the name you gave it. Until you assign displays and a schedule, both columns show Unassigned.

A new playlist starts out unassigned.

The icons under Actions let you preview the playlist, reopen the editor, or delete it.

Behaviour notes

• A playlist loops continuously. The last item is followed by the first, with no gap.
• Items cut straight from one to the next. There are no fades, wipes or crossfades.
• Images fill the screen and crop to fit. To show a whole image letterboxed instead, turn on Don't transform on the media item in your Content Library.
• Displays stay in sync with the playlist. If a screen goes offline briefly or is throttled by its operating system, it rejoins at the correct position rather than starting over.
• There is no mute control. Video sound comes from the video's own audio track.

FAQ

Can I add audio to a playlist?

No. Assign the audio media item to the display directly, or use it in a schedule or a location program.

Can I use the same playlist on several displays?

Yes, on as many as you like. Assign it to each display record.

Why is my video shorter or longer than the duration I set?

The duration field only governs still images. Videos always play their full length.

Next steps

• Assign content to a display: give the playlist somewhere to play.
• Create a schedule: play it at specific times or on specific days.
• Synchronised playback across multiple displays: keep several screens on the same slide.