So you bought a projector and did not know what to do besides watching movies and showing presentations? We are here to tell you that you can watch tv on a projector without a cable box. It sounds odd, but the advanced technology made watching TV on a projector possible.

Everyone wants to spend their weekends watching live sports on tv. But watching live sports on a gigantic screen will take that experience to the next level. Not everyone has the budget to get big-screen TV with an extra cable box. However, most people do not acknowledge the fact that they can watch TV on a projector even without the hassle of getting a cable box.

If you want to set up a projector to watch tv, this article will help you achieve your tasks. Let’s dig into the article.

How to Watch TV on a Projector Without a Cable Box

Equipment:

Watching tv on a projector seems complicated, but it’s not as hard as it looks. However, you will need some essential equipment to watch tv on a projector. Some of the equipment is optional, and some of them are compulsory to watch your favorite shows through a projector.

Dont worry; the things we will mention will be already in your home. Here are tools that you need to watch tv on a projector without a cable box.

Internet Connection:

If you do not want to use a cable box, you need to rely on a streaming service to watch tv on a projector. Moreover, if you’re going to connect TV to projector wirelessly, you will need a high-speed internet connection. 

Having WIFI at home will ensure a stable internet connection 24 hours. But make sure your wifi has a high-speed internet connection. We recommend getting 25 megabytes to 50 megabytes to provide the best connectivity. A fast internet connection will allow buffer-free smooth TV shows and live sports for you to enjoy.

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HDMI Cable

An HDMI cable is an essential tool to connect the projector with a smart device. If you dont have an HDMI cable, you can buy one. It is vital to have an HDMI cable if you want to watch tv on a projector without the cable box.

The HDMI cable is just a replacement for the cable box. At least you dont need that bulky cable box if you have an HDMI cable. Furthermore, an HDMI cable is more inexpensive than a cable box; we recommend getting an HDMI cable or adapter.

Smart Device

Now that you have a fast wifi connection and an HDMI cable, you will need a smart device to connect the HDMI cable with the projector. You can stream your desired show from the device or mirror the device’s display on the projector.

You can use an Android, iPhone, TV, or Laptop device to connect with the projector. Most TV also has Hulu, amazon prime, and Netflix, which you can easily stream and watch on a projector.

External Speakers

The built-in speakers from the projector will not cover if you will watch in a big room. Speakers from projectors are not enough to cover the whole room. That’s why we recommend getting extra speakers to get clear and crisp sound.

If you plan to watch tv on a projector without a cable outside, getting a high-quality external speaker is necessary. The background sound outdoor will not allow you to enjoy your favorite show.

Streaming Devices You Need To Watch TV on a Projector Without Cable Box

Now that you have all the essential tools, we can go ahead and get a streaming device for the endless options of shows to watch. A streaming device is far better than a cable box because of the endless possibilities you get from a streaming device.

Google Chromecast

Google Chromecast is a good option if you want to have endless shows. With this smart streaming device, you can stream anything from your TV, laptop, or phone to the projector.

All you need is a Google Chromecast to connect with your projector and your device to ensure good quality shows. This smart streaming device is designed with a dongle system that can directly connect with the projector. There is no need to get the hassle of wires if you have a Google Chromecast. Suppose your projector has an HDMI port, then there is no need to get an extra cable. But old projectors with no HDMI ports need an HDMI adapter to connect with google Chromecast.

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Amazon Firestick

If you are a subscriber of Amazon prime, the Amazon firestick is the best option for a streaming device. You dont need any TV or other device to connect if you have an amazon fire stick.

Amazon fire stick also allows installing various apps, which means this stick is convenient if you want to watch tv on a projector.

Roku stick

The Roku streaming stick is another smart device of the Roku brand. You can watch various shows with live sports if you have a Roku stick. The process is as same as the amazon fire stick and googles chrome cast. 

Step-by-step Process of Watching Tv on a projector without a Cable Box

If you have collected all the essential tools, we are ready to connect the projector with your streaming device. Here are the step-by-step processes of watching tv on a projector without a cable box:

• Bring the streaming device that you want for your projector. You can choose any streaming device that we have mentioned.
• Plug your streaming device with your projector’s HDMI port. If your projector does not have an HDMI port, get an adapter.
• Plug your streaming device with an HDMI cable or an electrical socket if needed.
• Choose any intelligent device such as android, iPhone, TV, or laptop, and play the sling app if you need a TV program. You can play Netflix, Hulu, or amazon prime if you want to watch movies or series.
• Click the square TV on the display of your smartphone.
• Then choose the streaming device on your phone that you plugged in.
• Click the play button to see if the projector shows your favorite show.

 With these easy and simple steps, anyone can easily watch TV on a projector without carrying the weight of a bulky cable box. Make sure you have collected all the essential equipment to enjoy your favorite show on a projector.

How To Set Up a Projector to watch TV

If you have never used a projector, it might be confusing for you to set up a projector to watch tv. Not knowing about the projector’s setting will not help to watch tv on the projector. Follow these simple steps mentioned below to set up a projector to watch tv.

Get a Huge space

A projector’s screen can get bigger up to 300”. That means you need to find a massive wall or spot to show the big screen. The more you move the projector behind, the bigger screen it will provide. Watching live sports in a 300” screen will give you the stadium experience at home. So make sure you have the right spot to project your shows.

Set up the screen

The 2nd step is to set up the screen. After you find the right spot, turn on your projector and set the screen. Make sure the screen is visible and is throwing distance is perfect.

You can purchase an extra screen for your projector if you dont want it to show on the wall. Getting a different screen will give you more visible vision than watching directly on the wall. The picture and video quality will be much better if you get a screen for your projector.

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Connect with your device

The 3rd step is connecting the device with the projector to watch tv without a cable box. We have mentioned in the article to watch tv with a projector by a streaming device.

Make sure both devices are turned off when you are about to connect them. After turning on the devices, make sure the images and videos are visible. 

Modify the Projected Screen

Nowadays, many projectors come with convenient zoom functionality. You just have to make sure the proportion of the screen and the projected image are in the same position. Make sure to line up the focal point of the projection lens in the screen centre.

The screen has to be filled with the projected image. Use the remote that comes with the projector to control the zoom functionality.

Click the correct video mode.

By analysing the environment, you can choose the correct video mode for your projector. If the room is dark enough, you do not need to change the video mode. But if you are in a room with sunlight, you can switch the video mode to a bright video mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can you watch cable tv on a projector?

Not every projector has built-in features for TV. But you can still watch TV on a projector. You will need some essential tools such as wifi, a streaming device, and an HDMI cable to watch cable tv on a projector.

• How do I watch Tv on a projector outside?

Get a streaming device of your choice (amazon fire stick, Roku stick, Google Chromecast). Then plug the device with your projector. Make sure your projector has a wifi connection, and you can watch tv on a projector outside.

• Why can’t I watch Netflix through my projector?

Make sure your projector has a stable internet connection otherwise you cannot stream anything. Also, check if your streaming device is turned on. Sometimes the projector does not have the wifi capabilities and cannot stream movies. Moreover, get e new projector if you are using an old projector.

Final Thoughts

Movies and shows look fantastic on a big screen. Now that you know how to watch tv on a projector, you can enjoy your displays on a big screen. You are getting a cinematic experience and saving the money of buying new big tv. 
You will get so many options of TV tuner for projector, and all of them will be money-saving. Watching shows on a projector is also easier than getting a tv with a cable box. So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a projector to watch TV and hit the play button to upgrade your tv experience.