The Amazon Signage Display is supported in landscape (horizontal) only. Amazon's technical sheet and FAQ say portrait (vertical) orientation is not supported, and the screen has no rotation setting. For a tall screen, the supported setup is a TV or commercial display mounted on its side with an Amazon Signage Stick, with portrait set in your signage software (CMS). Some CMSs can also rotate content on a Display hung on its side, but that is outside Amazon's support.
Your options for a vertical screen
| Setup | Supported by Amazon | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV on its side + Signage Stick, portrait set in the CMS | Yes | TV + $99.99 | The usual way. Any size. |
| Commercial display rated for portrait + Signage Stick | Yes | Higher | Best for 24/7 or bright spots. |
| Signage Display on its side, content rotated by the CMS | No | $699.99 | Check the warranty first. |
| Signage Display in landscape with portrait content | Yes | $699.99 | Content plays small with bars at the sides. Not worth it. |
Why landscape only?
Amazon does not give a reason. Two likely ones apply to most TVs: the stand and VESA mount are placed for a horizontal screen, and a panel on its side cools differently, because heat rises along the long edge instead of the short one. Many TV makers do not support portrait for the same reasons. Commercial signage displays that do support it say so on their spec sheet.
How do you set up portrait with a Signage Stick?
- Pick a TV or display that its maker supports in portrait, or accept the same warranty question as above.
- Mount it on its side. Note which edge is on top: it decides 90° or 270°.
- Plug in the Signage Stick, set it up in the Amazon Signage app and pick your CMS.
- In the CMS, set the screen to portrait.
- Play a video to check that video turns too, not only images.
The full steps are in Amazon Signage Stick portrait mode.
When landscape is the better choice anyway
A 55-inch screen in landscape fits most menu boards above a counter, promotions screens and lobby welcomes. Portrait suits posters, single-item promos and narrow walls. If you were going to show landscape content most of the time, keep the Display in landscape and design for it.
Where Brix fits
Brix sets orientation per screen: open Screens, select the screen and choose Landscape, Portrait or a flipped version of either. On a Signage Stick, Brix rotates the whole display through Amazon's device agent, so video turns with images and text. On a Signage Display hung on its side, Brix keeps the content upright the same way, but Amazon does not support the screen in that position, so the decision and the warranty risk are yours.
If the content is the wrong shape for the screen, Brix warns you under the orientation picker and links to templates in the right shape. See design a sign.
For the Display's full specs and limits, see the Amazon Signage Display review. Start a free 7-day Brix trial. No card needed.