How to turn any projector into a Smart TV | TechTree.com

How to turn any projector into a Smart TV

For years now, the smart TV has been the king of the living room, offering a large, vibrant display with integrated streaming and smart features. But what if you could achieve an even grander, more immersive viewing experience in your existing space. The good news is you absolutely can. By strategically adding a few smart accessories and optimizing your projector, you can transform any room into a cinematic powerhouse.

 

By Mr. Vijay Sharma, Managing Director, Optoma Technology (I) Pvt Ltd

 

For years now, the smart TV has been the king of the living room, offering a large, vibrant display with integrated streaming and smart features. But what if you could achieve an even grander, more immersive viewing experience in your existing space. The good news is you absolutely can. By strategically adding a few smart accessories and optimizing your projector, you can transform any room into a cinematic powerhouse.

Before diving into the "how-to," let's acknowledge why a projector, once smartified, can indeed be "better." The most obvious advantage is screen size. While a modern smart TV is substantial, a projector can easily throw an image of 100 inches, 120 inches, or even larger, limited only by your wall space. This creates a truly cinematic, immersive experience that a fixed-size TV simply cannot replicate. With a little ingenuity, you can transform almost any projector into a powerhouse smart TV, opening up a world of entertainment right on your wall.

Most of the new generation projectors are Smart Projector i.e. they come with built-in smart features and integrated app support. These are designed to be your all-in-one entertainment hubs, straight out of the box. Imagine streaming your favourite 4K content with stunning clarity and vibrant colours, right from your projector!  However, what if you have an older generation projector that you absolutely adore, that lacks those integrated smart capabilities? Or maybe you're just dipping your toes into the world of projection and picked up a value-packed model? The good news is, you don't need to rush out and buy a brand-new "smart" projector. The power to transform your current setup into a Smart Projection is largely in your hands, and it’s surprisingly straightforward.

The secret lies in external streaming devices. Think of them as the brains that bring all your favourite apps and content to your big screen. These compact gadgets, readily available on the market, simply plug into your projector’s HDMI port, much like you’d connect a Blu-ray player.

Most projectors have rudimentary built-in speakers. To rival, let alone surpass, a TV's audio (which often isn't fantastic either), you need external sound, for that truly cinematic feel, we recommend connecting your projector to an external sound system. This could be a soundbar, a home theatre receiver, or even a Bluetooth speaker (if your streaming device or projector supports Bluetooth output).

Turning a projector into a smart TV is now more straightforward than ever with the right equipment. Just connect a streaming device such as a Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, or Android TV box, and you can immediately access your favourite apps, movies, and shows without needing a traditional television. For better sound quality, you can add a Bluetooth speaker or soundbar, creating a complete smart home theatre setup.

Whether you're enjoying a cosy movie night indoors or setting up an outdoor cinema, this simple upgrade offers convenience, flexibility, and modern streaming capabilities to any projector. Experience the big screen with all the features of a smart TV—without the need to purchase a new television.


TAGS: projector

 
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