Making a older TV into a smart TV

[Tink9721]

Ah, now I know what my problem was. I had researched this before. I also have an old tablet - Android 4.2 (jelly bean.) So, it is so old it may not work with the Chromecast dongle.

The article RamblingMad linked to kept saying, "Make sure your [device] is capable of Miracast." And I know my tablet isn't capable of it or other of the latest casting apps. So I had given up on the idea of a dongle since I have two dinosaur devices.

I DO have later generation devices. I know they wouldn't hook up directly to the TV via their pre-installed casting apps or any I downloaded: Smart View, Miracast, Samsung Cast, etc. Tried all of them. Now, off to see which one I can hook up using a dongle.

Thanks guys!

We just got a "real" smart TV, but our old one was about the same age as yours, maybe even a little older. I used a FireStick (plugged into the HDMI port) for years and it worked great. I think any of the problems I had with it were because of our crappy WiFi, not the TV

 

[RamblingMad]

So I watched Twitch this way over lunch since my ROKU doesn't have a Twitch app.

Anyway, you simply go to settings->display. Then scroll down and click connect to wireless display. Then choose your ROKU, and you're done. It's that simple. As long as your PC and ROKU are on the same wireless network, you shouldn't have any trouble.

 

[tileman]

Well I stopped by Best Buy and got a Roku
Was on sale for 39.00
It plugged right into my TVs Hdm port and about 15 minutes later I’m up and working I’m watching the Duck guys now lol
Good looking picture and the remote works my Tv on/off and sound control
Thanks guys for all your help and information on this.

 

[Imzadi]

I would suggest a Roku, it includes basically any of the apps you'd want and you can cast your laptop. Instead of getting something that just does one thing.

@FlightlessDuck Will Roku cast what's on a browser screen? Like kdonnel said Chromecast will cast any Chrome tab. I sometimes watch some stuff that streams directly on a web page, not an app. I need something that literally mirrors what's on my device's screen.

 

[RamblingMad]

@FlightlessDuck Will Roku cast what's on a browser screen? Like kdonnel said Chromecast will cast any Chrome tab. I sometimes watch some stuff that streams directly on a web page, not an app. I need something that literally mirrors what's on my device's screen.

This is how I watch Twitch. I set my Twitch in my browser to full screen and cast it to my TV.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

@FlightlessDuck Will Roku cast what's on a browser screen? Like kdonnel said Chromecast will cast any Chrome tab. I sometimes watch some stuff that streams directly on a web page, not an app. I need something that literally mirrors what's on my device's screen.

Looks like it

https://www.howtogeek.com/214868/how-to-mirror-your-windows-or-android-devices-screen-on-your-roku/

 

[Imzadi]

This is how I watch Twitch. I set my Twitch in my browser to full screen and cast it to my TV.

Thank you!

 

[kdonnel]

@FlightlessDuck Will Roku cast what's on a browser screen? Like kdonnel said Chromecast will cast any Chrome tab. I sometimes watch some stuff that streams directly on a web page, not an app. I need something that literally mirrors what's on my device's screen.

I believe miracast (the technology Roku uses) only casts the entire desktop. It is not compatible with MacOS or iOS.

Chromcasts are more platform agnostic in that respect since Chrome runs on seemingly everything.

 

[elgerber]

As long as it has an HDMI port, I don't know why it would matter.

It doesn't. We have a 52 inch from late 2008, we just moved it from the basement to the bedroom to make room for our new one. We use Roku on it, and use it for all our service, YouTube TV, Netflix etc.

 

[Imzadi]

I believe miracast (the technology Roku uses) only casts the entire desktop. It is not compatible with MacOS or iOS.

Chromcasts are more platform agnostic in that respect since Chrome runs on seemingly everything.

Thanks. You actually reminded me that Chrome, Chromecast and Android are all part of Google, (whatever the Alphabet parent company name is.) All my devices are Android and (theoretically,) they'd make a point to make sure all three work together. I'm now leaning back towards Chromecast.

 

[bcla]

As long as it has an HDMI port, I don't know why it would matter.

The only thing that might matter is that some of the suggestions are for devices that need a USB port for power. Most of the time they'll just be plugged into the port present on the TV. This particular TV has a USB port that's only meant for factory service use, although I'm not sure if it will supply power or not. However, one could probably just use a USB power adapter.

But yeah - the basic idea here would be to turn it into just a monitor with sound.

 

[Moliphino]

The only thing that might matter is that some of the suggestions are for devices that need a USB port for power. Most of the time they'll just be plugged into the port present on the TV. This particular TV has a USB port that's only meant for factory service use, although I'm not sure if it will supply power or not. However, one could probably just use a USB power adapter.

But yeah - the basic idea here would be to turn it into just a monitor with sound.

I just bought a Roku Express for my parents's TV and it has a power cable. Hooks up to HDMI on the TV and plugs into a power strip they have behind the tv.

 

[kdonnel]

The only thing that might matter is that some of the suggestions are for devices that need a USB port for power. Most of the time they'll just be plugged into the port present on the TV. This particular TV has a USB port that's only meant for factory service use, although I'm not sure if it will supply power or not. However, one could probably just use a USB power adapter.

But yeah - the basic idea here would be to turn it into just a monitor with sound.

It’s usually a bad idea to use the USB port of tvs for power purposes. In many cases the port is only powered when the tv is on. So every time you turn on the tv you also have to wait for the stick to boot.

Often times the TV USB ports also do not provide enough amps to reliably power the roku/chromcast/fire stick/etc creating a frustrating experience. This is especially the case in older TV's, think 2017 or older.

 

[Imzadi]

The only thing that might matter is that some of the suggestions are for devices that need a USB port for power. Most of the time they'll just be plugged into the port present on the TV.

Maybe this is why I got confused that a dongle uses a USB port.

 

[bcla]

Maybe this is why I got confused that a dongle uses a USB port.

Some come with a USB power adapter and a long cable. But I’d think a few people are tempted to use the USB port on a TV for power.

I once helped a friend set up a powered TV antenna. It had this split coax connection and USB power connection. The TV had three USB ports And seemed to provide power.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We have 2 TVs that are not smart TVs. We use an Apple TV for one and an Amazon Fire Stick for the other.

 

[sam_gordon]

USB ports should provide power. Granted, they would only work when the TV is on, but that may/may not be an issue. If it is, you can get a USB wall wart pretty easy. Just make sure it has enough amps to power your device.

 

[bcla]

USB ports should provide power. Granted, they would only work when the TV is on, but that may/may not be an issue. If it is, you can get a USB wall wart pretty easy. Just make sure it has enough amps to power your device.

Depends on the setup. Most do come with USB power adapters, although sometimes the included cable isn't long enough. I think most of these will handle a 2.5W USB power output just fine.

However, a lot of older TVs (and this one is circa 2007) have special USB ports that are marked for "Service" only. They should only work with special diagnostic equipment meant for factory service and may not be powered.