If you've ever seen someone walk into a gathering and start playing videos on their phone on the host's big screen TV, you might be wondering what the meaning is. The thing is, getting something on the big screen doesn't have to be a technical challenge in 2018.
ContentsThe important pointsConnecting via a USB keyConnecting via an HDMI cablePlexFlux Wi-Fi Direct media server on your TVHere are some tips for playing your media files on a smart TV.
If you already have your media files on a USB drive, you can simply plug it into a smart TV. A modern smart TV has multiple USB ports and can automatically detect and play media files on the USB drive when plugged in.
1. Connect the PC and the TV using an HDMI cable.
2. If your smart TV has multiple HDMI ports, note the port number when you plug in the cable.
3. Use the Input option to select the HDMI input. If it offers options on multiple HDMI ports, select the one that carries and connects to your PC cable. Some users will find that their TV does this automatically.
4. Back on your PC, select "Display Settings".
5. Find and click Detect. This prompts your PC to find the TV you just connected to. There should be two squares displayed on the screen, if your PC hasn't already offered the TV as the option you're looking for.
6. Click Identify. This brings up a label on both screens so you know the number assigned to your PC monitor and the number assigned to your TV.
7. Click on the "Multiple displays" drop-down menu. You will come across the following options:
8. Select the display option you want, then click Apply. Click "Advanced Display Settings" if you want to tweak further.
Plex is described as an app, a device, and a network, so it can be a bit confusing. In a nutshell, if your PC has and uses the built-in Plex media server, most modern smart TVs will be able to detect the stream and play the media.
If your PC doesn't seem to have Plex capability, install it on your device of choice. (You can find help in the installation guide for Windows, Linux and Mac.) Any smart TV can also browse and install the app, but the majority will be able to catch streaming without additional downloads . The app appears as an option when playing media content so you can just press play and watch it all on your smart TV in the next room.
Plex is compatible with almost all brands and consumer electronic entertainment devices. Remember to make sure that both devices are connected to Wi-Fi and to the same network. Once this is established, Plex can be used for wireless streaming.
Wi-Fi Direct is a now common standard that allows multiple devices to connect to each other without a wireless access point. Wi-Fi Direct eliminates the need for a wireless router. Much like Bluetooth, this protocol allows devices to "fetch" input from each other. It applies to a multitude of activities and a very diverse range of operating systems, manufacturer differentiation and other individual nuances. Also, only one of the two paired devices needs to be Wi-Fi Direct for the process to work.
1. Make sure your phone has Wi-Fi Direct feature, and if not, install an app with such feature. There are several free apps that make up Wi-Fi Direct, such as Wi-Fi Shoot, Wi-FiShare, and SuperBeam.
2. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Open your applications folder and select Settings.
4. Select the Wi-Fi option. The next screen should show all available networks. Select Wi-Fi Direct.
5. The next screen will display all Wi-Fi enabled devices that are within range and compatible with your smartphone.
6. Select the TV by name and your phone will start connecting to the smart TV.
7. Streaming music or movies becomes simple as the Wi-Fi Direct icon appears when opening media players, allowing you to select it and stream it to the smart TV as the final destination.
Wi-Fi Direct can also stream YouTube videos or just about anything from anywhere else you want to watch on the TV. The key is the ubiquitous little icon. Each time you click on it, you will activate streaming to compatible devices available nearby.
What other methods do you use to play media files on your smart TV?
Image credit:Male hand holding TV remote control by Dmitri Ma/Shutterstock
