Case Study: QR codes and the Smart TV experience
We explore how Magine Pro incorporated QR technology to enhance the Smart TV streaming experience for end users.
What is a QR code?
Quick Response (QR) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that are readable by smartphones and tablet devices. QR codes contain information in the form of text, hyperlinks, and images, which are designed to be scanned and accessed quickly. This makes them ideal for streaming operators who want to provide their users with quick access to important information, including sign-up and sign-in forms, without needing to type into their devices.
QR codes are convenient, easy to use, and unique for each task, service, or landing page required.
Motive
To simplify the signup and login process on native Smart TV streaming apps for end users, eliminating the need to manually input details using the TV remote.
End User Benefits
- A seamless sign-in experience for registered users.
- Quicker and more convenient than typing in details with a TV remote to sign in or for new users to sign up.
- An effortless way for users to connect their TV to their streaming service account.
Approach
The QR code project was conceptualised during a Magine Pro engineering Hackday and began development in Q2 2022. Our engineers focused on front-end changes and took a Backend For Frontend (BFF) approach to development to avoid impacting the platform’s existing end-user login flow. In order to successfully deploy QR sign-up and sign-in, the decision to utilise Long Polling over WebSockets was made for backward compatibility reasons that could impact ongoing engineering projects.
The QR End User Journey
The steps to sign in to the TV app using a QR code
- The user downloads the compatible native app onto their Vizio, LG or Samsung Smart TV.
- Once loaded, users will be asked to scan the QR code for convenience or manually enter a sign-in code via their mobile device to connect their account to their Smart TV.
- Users can then confirm the linkage and immediately begin streaming through the TV app.
Check out our findings and what we discovered during the QR technology build, including engineering lessons and UX/UI challenges in our latest white paper, Go big or stay small? Why the Smart TV experience is essential for online streaming services.
Download the white paper now and explore why Magine Pro is best positioned to help OTT operators capitalise on the big-screen experience, enabling them to reach more viewers and grow their OTT business. We discuss why offering native Smart TV apps is essential for online streaming services and dive into the complexities of building TV apps. We also share insights from one of our partners, Passionflix founder Tosca Musk, on the realities of running a specialist streaming service on multiple devices, including the big screen.
Head over to our homepage to find out more about Magine Pro’s extensive library of technical resources and experienced team that enable our partners to deliver seamless streaming experiences on all devices, including the big screen. You can also check out our experience page to learn more about our partners.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Magine Pro e-newsletter to stay up-to-date with our latest news, partners, and products and discover which industry events we’ll be attending next.
