How Do I Cast to My TV

If you don’t have a modern Smart TV and you’re looking to watch streaming or other web content on your television,you may be asking “how do I cast to my TV?” Thankfully, there are more options than ever available to you. Some are easier and quicker than others and while some will require you to buy an additional connecting device or dongle, there are a number of cost-free ways as well. The best TVs, however, allow you to quickly cast and start enjoying the shows you want to see. Keep reading to learn about a few popular options with step-by-step instructions.

Streaming Devices

One very popular way that people cast media to their TV is by using a media streaming device or dongle such as Amazon’s Firestick or the granddaddy of streaming devices, the Roku. Devices like Firestick and the Roku are relatively inexpensive and stream content directly from streaming media providers like Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, and others. It’s an easy and reliable way to cast content to your tv, if somewhat less flexible than other methods.

Dongle-type Devices

Devices like Google’s Chromecast works by transmitting data via Wi-Fi from a user’s Wi-Fi-connected smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer via a Chrome browser plugin to their TV via an HDMI connection. They’re a more flexible option than a Roku or Fire Stick because the Chromecast allows users essentially to mirror their smartphone or computer to their television, also allowing them to cast their photo albums and other media in addition to streaming content.

The drawback is that they are slightly more complicated (though still relatively easy) to set up, and require a secure Wi-Fi signal. In the case of Chromecast, you also need a Google account, and you’ll have to download, install, and set up an additional app to interface with the Chromecast device.

Direct Connection via HDMI or Displayport

Though it doesn’t exactly count as casting, one very simple way to watch streaming content on your non-Smart TV is via a digital audio/video connection from your device to your television using HDMI, DisplayPort, or other similar data streaming ports, depending on what you’re using as your media source.

That media source could be your laptop or desktop PC or Mac, using the digital video output ports on the computer’s graphics card. Depending on the age and model of the source, that connection could be DisplayPort, DisplayPort2, mini-DisplayPort, or DVI to HDMI via an adapter. This type of connection is also great if you wish to cast to your LED TV. Just find out how LED TVs work and you will be on your way to enjoying quality content.

The major advantage of this method is that you likely won’t have to purchase any extra equipment, and in many cases, you’ll be able to stream 4k video, something not all streaming devices or dongles are capable of. Since you will not have to purchase any extra equipment, you will simply have to use your remote once you cast your screen. If you are having problems with your remote then you should reset your tv remote control.

Game Consoles

One more simple but sometimes overlooked way to get streaming media to your non-Smart TV is using your Xbox One, PS4, Switch, or another game console via the streaming apps that can be installed on most modern game consoles. For example, you can install the Xbox Netflix app and use the same account you would on your laptop or smartphone to watch media from your game console. It’s the most limited option since there will be some streaming services that don’t have an associated app on your game console, but it’s a very simple and direct way using a device that’s already connected to your television.

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