Multi-zone layouts divide a single digital signage screen into independent content areas — each zone displays different content simultaneously. Typical patterns include L-bar (main + ticker + sidebar), split-screen (2–4 equal areas), and picture-in-picture (PiP). SpinetiX handles multi-zone natively through the layer system — each zone is an independent layer with its own data source, playlist, and schedule.
When to Use This Guide
- Corporate lobbies — welcome message + clock + news ticker + company video
- Production floors — KPI dashboard + safety alerts + shift schedule
- Control rooms — multiple data sources visible simultaneously
- Retail storefronts — product promo + pricing + brand loop
How Multi-Zone Works on SpinetiX
The Layer System
In Elementi, your project canvas is a stack of layers. Each layer occupies a rectangular area defined by X, Y, width, and height coordinates. Layers can overlap (for PiP effects) or tile side-by-side (for split screens). Each layer runs its own content independently — a video in one zone doesn't affect a data feed in another.
Common Layout Patterns
L-Bar Layout
The most popular corporate layout. Three zones:
- Main area (top-left, 80% × 85%) — video loop, news slides, announcements
- Sidebar (right, 20% × 100%) — clock, weather, logo, QR code
- Ticker bar (bottom, 80% × 15%) — scrolling text from RSS or API
Split-Screen (2-up or 4-up)
Equal zones for side-by-side content. Two-up: each zone 50% × 100%. Four-up: each zone 50% × 50%. Used in control rooms, comparison displays, and multi-brand retail.
Picture-in-Picture (PiP)
Small overlay zone on top of a full-screen background. Common for live video + logo overlay, or background ambiance + data dashboard inset. The overlay layer has a higher z-index than the background layer.
Full-Screen with Scheduled Takeover
Multi-zone most of the time, but switches to full-screen for emergency alerts, VIP messages, or live event broadcasts. Use priority scheduling to override normal zones with urgent content.
Key Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Max Zones | 8–12 practical (hardware dependent) | Balance information density with readability |
| Layout Mode | Absolute positioning (X, Y, W, H) | Pixel-perfect control over zone placement |
| Independent Playlists | Per-zone scheduling | Each zone can have its own content lifecycle |
| Resolution | Match display native (1080p / 4K) | Avoid scaling artifacts in multi-zone layouts |
| Orientation | Landscape (16:9) or Portrait (9:16) | Same hardware, different layouts per use case |
| Z-Index | Layer stacking order | Controls which zone displays on top for overlaps |
Common Mistakes
- Too many zones. More zones = more visual noise. Viewers process 3–4 zones effectively. Beyond that, attention fragments. Design for the viewing distance and purpose — a control room needs more zones than a lobby.
- Mismatched refresh rates. A video zone at 30 fps next to a data feed refreshing every 5 seconds creates visual dissonance. Align transition timing across zones for a cohesive experience.
- Ignoring safe areas. Commercial displays often have slight overscan — the outer 5% of pixels may be cut off by the bezel. Keep critical text and data within the safe zone (90% of canvas area).
- Font sizes too small in zones. A zone that's 50% of a 1080p screen is only 960×540 effective pixels. Text designed for full-screen looks tiny in a half-screen zone. Increase font sizes proportionally to zone size.
- No visual hierarchy. If every zone screams for attention equally, nothing stands out. Designate one zone as the "hero" (larger, more prominent) and support zones as secondary (smaller, muted colors).