Supported files, sizes and limits
Which image and video formats you can upload, how large files can be, and what Billboard does to your photos to make them look sharp on a TV.
Last updated 8 July 2026
A quick reference for what you can upload and how Billboard handles it.
Image formats
You can upload JPG, PNG, WEBP and HEIC. HEIC is the format iPhones use — Billboard converts it to JPEG automatically in your browser, so you can upload straight from your phone with nothing to change first.
Video formats
Video is uploaded as-is (no conversion). For the smoothest playback on Apple TV, use H.264 or HEVC (H.265) in an MP4 or MOV — the formats tvOS plays natively. See Customise the display for playing videos in full and with audio.
File size
You can upload files up to 2 GB each, and add several at once. The bigger limit on how much you can hold overall is your plan's storage allowance — see Storage and original photos and Plans, billing & screen limits.
What happens to your photos
TVs are 16:9, so every photo is optimised for the screen when you upload it:
- It's cropped to 16:9 (you can change the framing any time — see Editing and cropping photos).
- The on-screen frame is downscaled to at most 4K (3840×2160) and compressed, so it looks crisp without wasting space — a 48-megapixel phone photo doesn't need to be stored at full size for a TV.
- A full-resolution original is kept (when Keep original photos is on) so you can re-crop later without any loss.
Recommended resolution
Upload photos at 1920×1080 (Full HD) or higher for the sharpest result on a large screen. If a photo — or a crop of it — comes out below Full HD, Billboard warns you, since it may look soft.
How many items per gallery?
There's no fixed limit on the number of items in a gallery — you're only bounded by your plan's storage allowance. A gallery plays its items in order, then loops.
Need a hand? Email support@getbillboard.app.