This wikiHow teaches you how to stream media from your computer on a smart television or LG Smart TV. You can play videos and music on your LG Smart TV using the built-in SmartShare option, or cast your computer display on your television screen wirelessly via Miracast or using an HDMI cable connection.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using SmartShare Option
Step 1. Understand the SmartShare function
SmartShare is a program built into LG Smart TVs that allows you to stream media files directly from your computer to your television over your home network. With this feature, you can enjoy movies or listen to music on your computer without having to move files to a fast drive or burn them to a DVD.
SmartShare is more effective when computers and televisions are connected to the network via an ethernet cable. Using SmartShare over a WiFi network may cause interference or poor playback quality
Step 2. Turn on the LG Smart TV
You need to turn on the device so that you can mark it as a trusted device on your computer.
Step 3. Connect PC and LG Smart TV to the same home network
In order to be able to view media files from a computer on an LG Smart TV, you need to connect both devices to the same home network.
Again, for best playback performance, both the television and the computer must be connected to the router via Ethernet
Step 4. Open the “Start” menu
on the computer.
Click the Windows logo displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen to open the menu.
Before you can use SmartShare, you need to enable the media streaming feature on your computer
Step 5. Type in media streaming options
The computer will look for the “Media Streaming Options” menu which is usually displayed in the Control Panel program.
Step 6. Click Media streaming options
It's near the top of the "Start" menu search results. Once clicked, the “Media Streaming Items” menu will be opened.
Step 7. Click Turn on media streaming
It's in the middle of the window.
Step 8. Check the box next to the LG television name
Browse the available options until you find the LG TV, then tick the appropriate box.
If the box is checked, you do not need to click the box again
Step 9. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the window. Now your computer can send content to your LG television as long as it's connected to the same network.
Step 10. Press the "Home" button
It's in the center (or lower-right corner) of the television remote control.
Step 11. Select the SmartShare option
Swipe the selection right or left until you find the SmartShare icon which looks like four colored balls (red, yellow, green, and blue), then select the icon with the cursor and press the “ OK ”.
Step 12. Select Devices
This tab is on the left side of the screen.
Step 13. Select a computer
You can see the computer name on the " Devices " page. Select your computer on the page.
Step 14. Select the media you want to play
After opening the computer page, you can browse the video, photo, and music files on your computer. Select any file to open it on the television.
The computer that is used as the source of the content must be turned on. You'll also need to be logged into your account for the list of files to be shown on your television
Method 2 of 3: Using Miracast
Step 1. Understand the Miracast function
If you only want to display computer screen content on an LG television, Miracast allows you to cast your computer screen display directly on your television without using cables.
As with the SmartShare option, Miracast is more effective when the television and computer are connected to the router via Ethernet instead of WiFi
Step 2. Turn on your LG Smart TV
Press the power button or “Power”
on the television remote control to turn on the device.
Step 3. Press the "Home" button
on the controller.
A list of applications on the television will be displayed.
Step 4. Open “Device Connector”
This application allows you to connect a Windows computer to an LG Smart TV:
- Choose " App List ”.
- Select icon " Device Connector ”.
- Press the button " OK ” on controller.
Step 5. Select PC
This option is on the “Device Connector” page.
Step 6. Select Screen Share
This option is at the bottom of the screen.
Step 7. Select Miracast
This tab appears on the left side of the page.
Step 8. Select START
This option is on the right side of the page.
Step 9. Select PC Windows 8.1 or later
This option is displayed on the right side of the screen. After that, your television can be found by the computer.
There may also be an option " Windows 10 PC " If available, select the option.
Step 10. Connect the computer to the television
Click the " Notifications " box in the lower right corner of the computer screen to display the " Action Center " pop-out menu, then follow these steps:
- Click " Project ”.
- Click " Connect to a wireless display ”.
- Select the LG Smart TV name.
- Enter the code displayed on the television screen when prompted.
- Click " Connect ”.
Step 11. Select television as the sound output option
If sound is still coming from the computer speakers instead of the television, follow these steps:
- Open menu " Start ”.
- Type in sound.
- Click the option " Sound ” with the speaker icon.
- Select your LG television on the tab “ Playback ”.
- Click " Default Set ”.
- Click " Apply, then select " OK ”.
Step 12. Use the television screen as a computer monitor extension
You can see the computer screen adjusted to the television screen. This means that you can watch online content or movies from your media library on your television and use your computer as a remote control device.
Method 3 of 3: Using an HDMI Cable
Step 1. Make sure your computer is equipped with an HDMI port
The HDMI port resembles a thin and wide hole that expands downwards so that the top is narrower. Most modern computers have at least one empty HDMI port.
Step 2. Purchase an adapter if necessary
If your computer doesn't have an HDMI port, you will need to purchase an HDMI “out” adapter that matches your computer's video output.
The most commonly used non-HDMI output options include DisplayPort, USB-C, and DVI or VGA (older models only)
Step 3. Prepare the cable at a length that allows it to be moved easily
Measure the distance between the television and the computer (if you're not using a laptop), then buy an HDMI cable that's a few meters long. This is done so that you have enough space or the cable doesn't get stretched when you need to move the device.
- There is a very small difference between an HDMI cable that sells for 20 thousand rupiah and a cable that costs hundreds of thousands of rupiah. Since HDMI is a digital signal, the connection you have has an effect on whether the device is active, and the cable used alone does not affect the signal quality. The difference in quality is only noticeable when you use a longer cable.
- Standard-compliant HDMI cables have a maximum length of 12 meters. There are actually a variety of HDMI cables that are longer and technically workable, but most don't follow the standard.
- If you need to stretch the HDMI cable a great distance, you may need an amplifier to add power.
Step 4. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the television
An HDMI cable can be plugged into one of the HDMI inputs located on the back (or side) of the television.
If your television has more than one HDMI port, a number will be assigned to each port. The number refers to the HDMI channel that you will need to access later
Step 5. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the computer
Connect the HDMI cable to the computer port.
If you are using an adapter for computer video output, connect the adapter to the computer, then connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the outside of the adapter
Step 6. Turn on the television
Press the power button or “Power”
on the LG television remote control to turn it on.
Step 7. Switch to HDMI input
Use the "Input" button on the television to switch to the HDMI channel based on the port number used to connect the HDMI cable. After that, you can see the computer screen on the television.
Step 8. Select television as sound output
If sound is still coming from the computer speakers instead of the television, follow these steps:
- Open menu " Start ”.
- Type in sound.
- Click the option " Sound ” with the speaker icon.
- Select your LG television on the tab “ Playback ”.
- Click " Default Set ”.
- Click " Apply, then select " OK ”.
Step 9. Use the television screen as a computer monitor extension
You can see the computer screen adjusted to the television screen. This means that you can watch online content or movies from your media library on your television and use your computer as a remote control device.
Tips
- HDMI cables usually don't sell for more than $100, especially when you buy them from the internet.
- All LG smart televisions (and smart televisions in general) are equipped with an HDMI port.
