How to Watch Movies on a Projector?

Most people prefer a projector instead of a TV because the latter has a giant screen, providing a cinematic and immersive viewing experience. In this article, we will tell you how to watch movies on a projector.

How to Watch Movies on a Projector？

This guide lists 6 methods to watch movies on a projector, and you can use one of the following methods to watch movies on your projector.

Method 1: Watch Movies on a Projector via USB Drive

This method is applicable to all video projector models. Here are the details.

1. Download a movie from your PC or other devices.
2. Copy the movie file to the USB Drive.
3. Turn on the projector.
4. Plug the USB drive into the projector via the USB interface of the projector.
5. Find the file on the projector and then play the movie on the projector.

It is worthy to note that the movie format should be supported by the projector. Generally, you can find the files in the file manager or the video section.

Method 2: Watch Movies on a Projector via TV Stick

If the projector is a multi-media projector without a smart system, you can get a TV stick to access movies. You can refer to the steps below to watch movies via TV stick.

1. Turn on the projector.
2. Connect the TV stick to power by plugging the USB port into a USB power socket and the other charging port to the TV stick.
3. Plug the TV stick into the projector via the HDMI interface.
4. Select the HDMI signal as the input source of the projector.
5. Then you can watch movies on the projector via a TV stick.

Method 3: Watch Movies on a Projector via TV Box

Just like a TV stick, a TV box is also used to access more content resources. Just follow the steps below to connect the projector to the TV Box.

1. Turn on the projector.
2. Get an HDMI cable.
3. Plug one of the HDMI ports into the HDMI interface of the projector and the other port into the TV Box.
4. Enter Input and select the HDMI signal as the input source.
5. Then you can enter the homepage of the TV Box.

Use the remote control of the TV box to operate and select the movie you want to watch.

Method 4: Watch Movies on a Projector via Phone

If your projector has no system and you have no TV stick, you can watch movies on the projector via a phone. You can connect the smartphone to the projector according to the following methods.

HDMI Connection

This method works for almost all video projectors.

1. Get an HDMI adapter, a lightning to HDMI adapter for iPhone, and a Micro USB /Type C to HDMI adapter for Android phone.
2. Turn on the projector.
3. Plug the HDMI port into the projector’s HDMI interface and plug the other end into the smartphone’s interface.
4. Trust the projector according to the prompt message on the smartphone.
5. Then, the projector and smartphone are connected.
6. You can play movies on your smartphone and the image can be projected on the screen.

USB Connection

This method is only applicable to some projectors that support USB direct connection.

1. Get an original USB charging cable.
2. Turn on the projector.
3. Plug the USB port into the USB interface of the projector and the other port into the lightning port.
4. Trust the projector on your smartphone according to the pop-up window on the projector.
5. Then, you can play movies on your smartphone and the image will be displayed on the projector.

Wireless Connection

This method is applicable to projectors that support Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Miracast.

1. Connect the projector and your smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Select Screen mirroring/Cast.
3. Select the signal of the projector to connect.
4. Then, the image of your smartphone can be mirrored onto the projector screen.

Some projectors may need to download an APP to connect to a smartphone.

Method 5: Watch Movies on a Projector via Laptop

This method is applicable to various video projectors. What you need is just an HDMI cable. Here are the steps.

1. Turn on the projector and the laptop.

2. Connect the projector and the laptop by plugging the two ends of the HDMI cable to two devices via HDMI interfaces.

3. Press “Windows key” and “P key” on the laptop to access the display setting.

4. Choose “Duplicate” mode to watch movies on the projector screen.

If the image is not fit the projector screen, you can adjust the Scale on the laptop.

Method 6: Watch Movies on a Projector via Streaming Apps

This method is applicable to a projector with a smart system.

If the projector has an Android system or Tizen system, you can access streaming videos conveniently. For example, you can download YouTube in the App store of the projector to access some free movies and shows.  If the projector is powered by Android TV, you can get hundreds of streaming Apps in Play Store.  Some smart projectors have built-in Apps, such as Netflix, Disney+, and more.

Here are the detailed steps:

1. Turn on the projector.
2. Connect the projector to the network, no matter wired LAN or a Wi-Fi network.
3. Open the streaming App, and you can also download and install a new app from the App Store or Play store if the projector has no built-in Apps.
4. Search the movie you want in the App.
5. Play it on the projector.

FAQs

Why Can’t the Projector Play Netflix?

Netflix doesn’t support AirPlay anymore. Therefore, when you mirror your smartphone onto a projector screen, you can’t play Netflix.

You can use an HDMI cable to connect the projector to external devices such as computers, and TV boxes, to access Netflix content. Some smart projectors have built-in Netflix Apps, and you can watch Netflix on the projector directly.

Why Does the Projector Have No Sound During Watching Movies?

If the projector has no sound, you can check the following points.

1. Check the volume of the projector, and adjust the volume to a higher level.
2. Check the audio cable. Make sure is audio cable is well connected.
3. Check the audio format. You need to turn off the Dolby Digital sound when playing movies if the projector doesn’t support Dolby Audio.

That’s all for the guide on how to watch movies on a projector.

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