ScreenCloud makes it easy to manage, organise, and display your content using Channels, Playlists, Set to Screen, and Cast. Here's a guide on how to use these tools for effective scheduling and display.
Key scheduling tools
Channels
Channels give you full control over when and how often content appears on your screens. You can set recurring or time-specific schedules, and combine multiple playlists and other content types into a single channel.
Channels also support zone-based layouts, allowing you to divide a screen into sections that display different content simultaneously.
Learn all about Channels here.
Scheduling of any content or playlist only occurs in a Channel.
Playlists
Playlists help you group related media (images, videos, apps, links) into simple collections. They're great for looping content or playing items in a set order when you don't need detailed scheduling.
A Playlist is an ordered collection of content that plays in a set sequence, in random order, or loops continuously based on the timing and play order you set.
Learn all about Playlists here.
Set to Screen
Set to Screen is how you apply content to a screen, whether that’s a Channel, a Playlist, or a standalone piece of content. Whatever you set to screen will display indefinitely until you manually change it.
Cast
Cast is different to Set to Screen. It lets you schedule a short window where specific content plays on a screen, after which it automatically reverts to whatever was playing before. Use Cast when you want to temporarily override what’s on screen without permanently changing it.
Learn all about Set to Screen and Cast.
When to Use Channels, Playlists, Set to Screen, or Cast
| Channels | Playlists | Set to Screen | Cast |
Best for | Recurring or time-specific content | Continuous loops or grouped media | Displaying content on a screen indefinitely | Temporarily overriding a screen before reverting |
Scheduling | By time and day; supports multiple playlists | Linear playback in order set | None — displays until manually changed | Set a duration; reverts automatically |
Advanced features | Multi-zone layouts, calendar sync | Priority playlists can override others | Supports channels, playlists, or individual media | No permanent changes — screen reverts when cast ends |
How to schedule playlists at specific times
Schedules are set inside a Channel, not on the playlist itself. To schedule playlists for specific times:
Create your playlists in the Playlists section.
Add your playlists to a Channel.
Within the Channel settings, schedule each playlist's playback times (e.g. Playlist 1 from 12:00 AM–11:59 AM and 3:01 PM–11:59 PM; Playlist 2 from 12:00 PM–3:00 PM).
Publish the Channel's settings.
Apply the Channel to your screens.
You can also set a playlist as Priority to override any other non-priority content at a designated time, without requiring complex scheduling. Learn more about this feature here.
Quick steps to build and schedule a Channel
Create a Channel — Go to Channels and create a new one.
Add Content — Click Add Content to add Playlists, media, Links, or apps.
Set Schedule — Click the content's schedule settings. Choose days, times, and recurrence patterns.
Preview & Save — Check the sequence, then save and assign it to your screen.
Cross-day scheduling
ScreenCloud scheduling works within a single 24-hour day. To run content overnight, split it into two time slots:
Slot 1: 6:00 PM–12:00 AM (Day 1)
Slot 2: 12:00 AM–6:00 AM (Day 2)
Repeat these slots weekly or as needed.
Managing expiring content
For time-sensitive content like promotions or holiday updates, use expiration dates on media (images, documents, or videos). When content expires, it is removed automatically from anywhere it is playing, keeping your displays up-to-date without extra manual work.
Best practices
Use Channels for precise, recurring schedules.
Use Playlists for easy, grouped playback.
Use Set to Screen to apply a Channel, Playlist, or standalone content to your screen continuously.
Use Cast to temporarily override what’s on screen for a set duration — it reverts automatically when done.
Plan cross-day schedules by splitting time slots at midnight.
Set expiration dates on media so it removes itself automatically when no longer needed.
By combining these features, you can keep your digital signage organised, up-to-date, and impactful, with minimal manual effort.