Glossary A–ZLetter I
Idle screen content
The idle screen is the content a display shows when nothing else is scheduled or nothing else can be shown.
It prevents a black screen, an error message or the operating system's interface from being visible.
Typical cases are an empty or expired playlist, time outside scheduled content, a device that is still starting up, or a touch terminal returning to its start view after a period without use. The idle screen then shows, for example, the logo, opening hours or a friendly notice. On touch terminals it is often a short loop that invites people to touch the screen.
Operators should design the idle screen deliberately and set it up on every device rather than leaving it to chance. A still image that stays on screen for hours can burn in on some displays; slight movement or alternating between a few images helps. The idle screen is not the same as the filler content of an advertising loop: filler content completes a running sequence, whereas the idle screen replaces it when there is none.