UrbanLoop Signage · Guides
Bring your files to the screen.
Use the photos, menus, presentations, and videos your team already makes. Prepare them once, then choose where and when they play.
How do you put files on a signage TV? Create a Files or Video slide, upload and preview the content, save it, add it to a playlist, and assign the playlist to your Apple TV.
Start with the content you already have.
Turn a menu, promotion, presentation, or product video into screen content without rebuilding it in another editor. Use the Files tab for a collection of images, videos, and documents. Use the Video tab for a dedicated local video or supported video URL.
If the source should keep updating from a shared folder, use Google Drive folder sync. If your team edits a presentation online, use Google Slides instead of repeatedly exporting the same deck.
Create a Files slide
Open a new slide
In the management app, open Slides, add a slide, and choose Files. On a supported desktop or web layout you can also drag files into the dashboard or Files area.
Choose your files
Select Local Files (or Local in a compact layout) and select the images, videos, or documents. You can select several files for one Files slide.
Review the media
Wait for uploads and processing. Check each preview, remove anything unintended, and arrange the media with the available drag or sort controls. Check the total-size indicator before saving.
Set the pacing
Review durations and the available video playback options. Give text and menus enough reading time; check that a video is not being cut off by an unintended duration setting.
Save, assign, and check
Save the slide, add it to a playlist, and assign that playlist to the intended TV. Check the actual screen after processing and download finish. Saving a slide alone does not place it in every playlist.
Supported file types
| Content | Accepted extensions |
|---|---|
| Images | JPG/JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, TIFF/TIF, HEIC/HEIF |
| Video files | MP4, MOV, M4V, AVI, FLV, MKV, MPEG/MPG, WMV, 3GP |
| Documents | PDF, TXT, RTF, DOC/DOCX, XLS/XLSX, PPT/PPTX, ODT, ODS, ODP |
The Supported Formats control in the app lists the formats available in your version. Files may be converted for TV playback. An accepted extension does not guarantee every codec, document layout, or file will render correctly on every Apple TV.
Prepare a video for reliable playback.
For a straightforward delivery copy, start with MP4, H.264 video, and AAC audio if sound is needed. A 1080p export at 25 or 30 frames per second is a practical starting point for ordinary signage; match the source and the display rather than upscaling a small original. Remove the audio track for a silent display.
Use a device-compatible export preset and test it on the oldest Apple TV in your deployment. Apple TV HD is limited to 1080p; 4K playback needs capable hardware and a compatible export. See Apple’s Apple TV HD specifications and HandBrake’s official device presets for format guidance.
Shorten unused footage and reduce an excessive bitrate before upload. Keep the original master separately. The smallest file is not always the best result: inspect fine text, product detail, motion, and gradients on the screen you will actually use.
Dedicated Video slides
In Video, choose Local File and Pick Local Video File, or choose Remote URL, enter a supported HTTPS video or YouTube URL, and select Confirm Video URL. Compact layouts shorten those labels. Preview the source and save the slide before assigning it.
A hosted file link must reach the video, not a private sharing page or signed-in website. Remote sources depend on their host and access rules. HLS streams use the separate Live Stream option; YouTube-hosted live streams are not supported by that flow.
Keep document layouts predictable.
Documents are processed into displayable pages. If a Word, spreadsheet, or presentation file shifts fonts, spacing, or objects, export it as a PDF first and upload that version. Make the page shape and text size suitable for the screen.
Split very large documents into smaller sections. Documents with more than 100 pages may time out during conversion. Review the processed pages rather than relying only on how the source file looked on your computer.
Choose the order and duration deliberately.
A Files slide can contain several media items. Arrange those items in the slide, then place the slide within the playlist’s order. Those are two different levels of organization.
Video items offer Default + Loop and Custom Duration modes, with options such as Loop Count and Progressive Playback where applicable. Check the effect on the actual TV before repeating the settings across a playlist. Use content schedules for dates and time windows; duration controls pacing while a schedule controls eligibility.
Files linked to a Google Drive folder are managed by the sync source; local add, edit, delete, and reorder controls are disabled for that folder-bound slide. Make changes in the source folder and follow the Drive guide.
Check the upload size before saving.
The current management app shows a 175 MB total limit for a Free Files slide and 300 MB for a paid account’s Files slide. The dedicated local-video picker also checks its file against the account’s upload limit. Use the limit displayed in your installed app if it differs.
These are upload limits for an individual slide or selected video, not your organization’s total storage allowance. Several large files can exceed the Files slide total even if each is small enough on its own. Split the content into separate slides or make smaller delivery copies.
If a file does not appear correctly
| What you see | What to check |
|---|---|
| Upload rejected | Extension, total size, file integrity, and the app’s displayed limit. Try a smaller export of one file first. |
| Long processing or missing preview | Allow conversion to finish. Split large documents or simplify an unusually complex file. |
| Video stalls on the TV | Try a compatible 1080p H.264 MP4 export, check the device model and network, and test the full clip on the target TV. |
| Document text or objects move | Export to PDF, then inspect the generated pages. |
| Saved slide is not playing | Check playlist membership, TV assignment, schedules, auto-advance settings, and whether the TV has received the update. |
| Old content still visible | Confirm the saved version and source, then use a fresh capture and a deliberate content refresh from the remote management guide. |
Common questions
Can images, video, and documents share one playlist?
Yes. Add supported Files and Video slides to a playlist, set a suitable order and pacing, and assign it to your TVs.
Will changing a file on my computer update the uploaded copy?
No. A local upload is a copy. Upload the changed version and save it, or use a connected source such as Google Drive folder sync for an ongoing update workflow.
Does an MP4 extension guarantee compatibility?
No. MP4 is a container. Its video/audio encoding, resolution, frame rate, and device support also matter. Use a compatible export and test the target TV.