What you need

Before you start, check that you have the following to hand:

  • An Android device: a TV with Android TV or Google TV, an Android TV box or stick connected to your screen via HDMI, or an Android tablet.
  • Access to Google Play on that device, with a Google account.
  • Internet via Wi-Fi or a network cable, where the screen is located.
  • A screen in the dashboard at dashboard.narrow.tv, with its pairing code. Not created a screen yet? First follow creating and pairing your first screen, or do both at the same time.

The player does not work on Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TVs with Tizen, LG TVs with webOS, Windows, iOS or Chromecast. If you have one of those TVs, connect an Android TV box or stick to it. More about choosing hardware can be found in which screen for digital signage.

Installing the player, step by step

  1. Switch on the screen and the Android device and check that the device is connected to the internet.
  2. Open the Google Play Store on the device.
  3. Search for Narrow.TV Player.
  4. Install the app and wait for the installation to finish.
  5. Open the Narrow.TV Player.
  6. On a computer or phone, create a screen in the dashboard if you have not done so already. The dashboard then shows a pairing code.
  7. Enter that pairing code in the player, using the remote control or the device's keyboard.
  8. The screen is paired and starts playing the content you have assigned to that screen.

If you have not created any slides yet, now is the time to do so in the dashboard. The player checks for new content every 60 seconds, so you will see your changes on screen within about a minute.

Setting the player as the home screen

A screen that gets stuck in the Android menu after a power cut or after being switched on is one of the most common annoyances with digital signage. The most reliable solution is to set the Narrow.TV Player as the device's home screen (home app). The player then opens as the main app as soon as the device starts up.

  1. In the Narrow.TV Player, choose the option to set the app as the home screen.
  2. Android asks which app you want to use as the home screen. Choose the Narrow.TV Player and confirm that this should always be the case.
  3. Test it: switch the device off completely and back on again, and check that the player opens by itself.

The exact screens and wording differ by manufacturer and device. If you cannot find the home screen option, look in the device settings under default apps.

Tips for a stable screen

  • Turn off power saving and sleep mode in the settings of the device and the TV, so the screen does not go black after a while.
  • Use a network cable if possible if the device has that port, or make sure there is a strong Wi-Fi signal where the screen is.
  • Power a stick from a wall socket rather than the TV's USB port, if the manufacturer recommends it. Some TVs switch off USB power in standby.
  • Keep the device accessible in case you want to restart or update it later.

During a short network interruption, the player keeps playing the most recently loaded content.

Troubleshooting

  • You cannot find the app in the Play Store: check that the device really runs Android TV, Google TV or Android and has access to Google Play. The app is not available on Fire TV, Tizen or webOS.
  • The pairing code is not accepted: check that you have copied the code exactly as the dashboard shows it, and that the device has internet.
  • The screen shows old content: wait about a minute after your change and check the device's network connection.
  • You are replacing the device: install the player on the new device and pair it with the same screen. The old device is then unpaired.

Still stuck? Email info@narrow.tv, call +31 (0)85 401 81 62 or use the contact page. Mention which device you are using.

No account yet? Start the free 30-day trial and pair your first screen. Everything you can do with the software is described under digital signage software.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I download the Narrow.TV Player?

The Narrow.TV Player is on Google Play. On the Android device, search the Play Store for Narrow.TV Player and install the app.

Which devices does the Narrow.TV Player work on?

On Android TV and Google TV, Android TV boxes and sticks, and Android tablets. Not on Fire TV, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Windows, iOS or Chromecast.

Why does the player not start automatically when switched on?

Set the Narrow.TV Player as the device's home screen. It will then open as the main app as soon as the device starts up.

What happens if the internet drops out briefly?

During a short network interruption, the player keeps playing the most recently loaded content.