# SceneGraph slideshow: Preventing system screensaver during active photo playback

**URL:** <https://forum.developer.roku.com/t/scenegraph-slideshow-preventing-system-screensaver-during-active-photo-playback/11707>\
**Category:** Roku Developer Program\
**Created:** [October 24, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.developer.roku.com/t/scenegraph-slideshow-preventing-system-screensaver-during-active-photo-playback/11707 "2026-10-24T22:44:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jayseattle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/roku/user_avatar/forum.developer.roku.com/jayseattle/32/206_2.png) [@jayseattle](https://forum.developer.roku.com/u/jayseattle)\
**Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.developer.roku.com/t/scenegraph-slideshow-preventing-system-screensaver-during-active-photo-playback/11707/1 "2026-10-24T22:44:39Z")

</div>

I’m developing a native BrightScript/SceneGraph Christmas ambience channel featuring a continuously running photographic slideshow with optional MP3 music.

During testing on a Roku Streaming Stick 3840R running Roku OS 15.3, Roku’s native screensaver activates after approximately 15 minutes, even though the application is continuously advancing photographs with animated crossfades.

The intended experience is to display the slideshow for up to two hours, with a “Still watching?” confirmation before continuing. The app is intended for publication in the Roku Streaming Store.

I found an older discussion suggesting that adding an otherwise inactive Video node with `disableScreenSaver = true` can prevent the system screensaver from activating:

> [@How to keep the screen on when displaying photos?](https://forum.developer.roku.com/t/how-to-keep-the-screen-on-when-displaying-photos/9334/19):
>
> [https://developer.roku.com/docs/references/scenegraph/media-playback-nodes/video.md](https://developer.roku.com/docs/references/scenegraph/media-playback-nodes/video.md) Use the disableScreenSaver field and set it to true. You must use a video player even if you never load content into it. Audio can play back in the video player just hide the player. Photos can play back just hide the player. Once the video component is fed the disableScreenSaver=true you can stay within your application.

My questions:

1. Does this approach still work with Roku OS 15.3 and modern SceneGraph applications?

2. Is using `disableScreenSaver = true` on an inactive Video node considered acceptable under Roku’s current certification requirements?

3. Is there a better, officially supported way to keep an actively updating photo slideshow visible without converting it to continuous video playback?

I’d prefer not to use invisible video loops, simulated remote activity, or other workarounds that might violate certification requirements.

Has anyone implemented and published a similar photo slideshow or ambience channel recently?

Thanks!