Screen Media

Screen setup guide

How to connect one or more displays to your PlaylistToday Media Player.

The Media Player outputs video via a single HDMI port. For a single screen, connect it directly. For multiple screens the approach depends on the distance between the player and each display — under 20 metres uses a passive HDMI splitter; longer runs use HDMI-over-Cat5e/6 extenders.


Short distances — up to 20m

HDMI splitter — up to 4 screens

A passive HDMI splitter takes the single HDMI output from the Media Player and duplicates it to up to 4 screens simultaneously. This works reliably when every screen is within 20 metres of the splitter. No power at each screen end is required — the splitter itself is powered and handles the signal distribution.

PLAYLISTTODAY Media Player HDMI HDMI Splitter 1×4 Duplicates signal to each output port HDMI HDMI HDMI DISPLAY Screen 1 HDMI DISPLAY Screen 2 HDMI DISPLAY Screen 3 HDMI DISPLAY Screen 4 All HDMI cables must be under 20 metres from splitter to screen

Music audio is output separately via the player’s audio jack to your amplifier — not shown above.

What you need

  • PlaylistToday Media Player
  • HDMI Splitter 1×4 (powered)
  • Standard HDMI cable from player to splitter
  • One HDMI cable per screen (max 20 metres each)

Longer distances — 20m and beyond

HDMI over Cat5e/6 — up to 100m+ per screen

When screens are more than 20 metres from the player, standard HDMI cables lose signal. An HDMI-over-Cat5e/6 kit uses a transmitter unit at the player end and small receiver units at each screen. Cat5e or Cat6 network cable runs between them — reliably over 50–100 metres per leg. This is the recommended approach for large venues, multi-room setups, or any installation where cabling needs to run through walls or ceilings.

PLAYLISTTODAY Media Player HDMI HDMI OVER CAT5e/6 Transmitter / Distributor Unit Cat5e / Cat6 cable (up to 100m+) HDMI RECEIVER Unit 1 HDMI RECEIVER Unit 2 HDMI RECEIVER Unit 3 HDMI RECEIVER Unit 4 HDMI HDMI DISPLAY Screen 1 HDMI DISPLAY Screen 2 HDMI DISPLAY Screen 3 HDMI DISPLAY Screen 4 Cat5e/6 runs up to 100m+ per screen — receiver units sit at the display end

Music audio is output separately via the player’s audio jack to your amplifier — not shown above.

What you need

  • PlaylistToday Media Player
  • HDMI-over-Cat5e/6 kit: 1 transmitter unit + 1 receiver per screen
  • Cat5e or Cat6 cable — one run per screen (up to 100m+)
  • Short HDMI cable from each receiver to its screen

Need a professional installation?

For venues that need structured cabling, ceiling or wall runs, or a multi-zone setup, we recommend ExciteAV — specialist AV installers who work with venues of all sizes. They can assess your space and specify the right equipment and cabling approach.

ExciteAV and PlaylistToday refer clients to one another where relevant — if your venue needs AV installation alongside your music system, they’re a natural first call.

We have no financial interest in referrals to ExciteAV — we recommend them because we trust their work.

Ready to transform your venue’s atmosphere?

Start your free 14-day trial — no credit card required.