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How to set up Twitch streams as signage

  • Updated

Twitch is a popular live streaming service used for broadcasts of esports competitions, creative content, and "in real life" streams. Using the Website app on Airtame, live Twitch streams can be displayed as digital signage.

This setup relies on a specific embed URL to bypass the standard Twitch interface, allowing the video to play full-screen without chat or sidebars. This is useful for break rooms, gaming lounges, or common areas wanting to showcase live events.

Twitch Embed URL

To display a Twitch stream cleanly on digital signage, the standard URL found in a browser cannot be used. Instead, a specific "player" URL is required to handle autoplay and formatting.

The URL pattern:

https://player.twitch.tv/?channel=YOUR_CHANNEL&parent=twitch.tv&autoplay=true

Example URL (using the "dashducks" channel): 

https://player.twitch.tv/?channel=dashducks&parent=twitch.tv&autoplay=true

Why these parameters are used:

  • channel=...: Defines which Twitch channel to load.

  • parent=twitch.tv: Twitch security blocks embeds that do not declare a "parent" website. Using twitch.tv acts as a bypass to allow the link to load directly.

  • autoplay=true: Tells the browser to attempt starting the video immediately upon loading.

How to set up the Website app

  1. Log in to the Airtame Cloud organization.

  2. Select one or multiple screens to update.

  3. Click the Edit settings button.

  4. Click the Signage menu.

  5. Click the Add button under the Playlist section.

  6. Select the Website app.

  7. In the URL field, insert the modified Twitch URL (e.g., https://player.twitch.tv/?channel=dashducks&parent=twitch.tv&autoplay=true).

  8. Click the Save button to save the app.

  9. Optional: Set the duration of the website app to 1 hour or more. This prevents the stream from timing out if the broadcast runs for a long time.

  10. Click the Apply button to apply the playlist changes.

After the settings are applied, the Airtame screen will load the specific Twitch player. The stream will automatically start playing in full-screen mode. If the channel is offline, Twitch will typically display an "Offline" placeholder image or the channel's offline video trailer.

Requirements

  • No Audio Support: Due to modern browser security policies regarding autoplay, video content that loads without user interaction is automatically muted. As Airtame signage is non-interactive, audio cannot be enabled for Twitch streams. The stream will always play silently.

  • Internet Connection: Streaming video requires a stable and fast internet connection (approx. 4-6 Mbps for 1080p).

  • Cookie Consent: Twitch does not allow disabling the cookie consent banner via URL parameters. In regions with strict privacy laws (like the EU or California), a cookie banner may appear over the video stream until accepted. As signage is non-interactive, this banner cannot be closed .

Other notes

  • The "Parent" Parameter: The parent=twitch.tv part of the URL is critical. If this is missing, Twitch will block the video from loading.

  • Stream Delay: Live streams typically have a delay of 15-30 seconds compared to real-time events.

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