Why aren't HDTVs used to display images from a PC

Rickysa · 02-13-2020, 09:48 AM

You know, as a type of screen saver, but also an "always open" photo album?

I've searched for ways that it can be clumsily done with various streaming add-ons, but why not hook an USB or HDMI cable direct and randomly (via some software) select images from a chosen folder.

I've seen some cheepo-looking "digital photo albums" that you stick an USB drive into...but why not use that big ole' monitor over the fireplace?

Curious minds....

john70t · 10:00 AM

Just use a cable.

Or port to the tv wirelessly. $100-250
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1431219-REG/iogear_gwhdkit11sw_wireless_tv_connection_kit.html/?msclkid=1250bc23ae0217ef95bee26635bc7222

Rickysa · 02-13-2020, 10:12 AM

my tv isn't wireless, but that looks to be a good idea.

Sooner or later · 02-13-2020, 10:16 AM

I have used my big screen tv as my computer monitor for 20 years. Wireless mouse and I am good to go.

stealthn · 02-13-2020, 10:18 AM

Microsoft makes a wireless display adapter that has both USB and HDMI ports on your TV so you can stream from a pc.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

up close, the dot size and spacing is not (yet) adequate

but it is easy to run a signal to your TV for easy chair viewing (esp. if you use Snapple products)

also newer TVs have a web browser and other stuff builtin - my LG does

JackDidley · JackDidley's Garage

I have a smart tV and a wireless keyboard. I like it for watching youtube videos. I use the youtube app. The web browser is not that user friendly. Every time it updates, it seems to get worse. It started with Opera and it was not too bad. It went to another browser that sucked.. Now its a Chrome browser that sucks slightly less. I can stream from my laptop but it slows down going through the router so I have not done that in years. This is all 7 year old electronics so maybe newer is better.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

I have a long HDMI cable that I can hookup to my computer to get the image on the TV. Problem is, my TV faces the front windows and I don't like the neighbors looking at what I'm browsing.

Rickysa · 02-13-2020, 12:01 PM

Quote:

I have a long HDMI cable that I can hookup to my computer to get the image on the TV

In reviewing the owners manual of the TV and the motherboard, I believe this is my only way. I know folks use their TVs as computer monitors, just haven't seen many use them just to display photos (I guess we can't say photograph, cause that means printed???

)

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

I would look at the video card out puts on your computer to see if you have an HDMI out.

masraum · 02-13-2020, 12:14 PM

A lot probably depends on the TV. I think my TV is a 2007 or 2008 model. I think it'll play movies in a small set of codecs from a flash drive plugged into USB. I've never tried. I do have an Apple TV and have done exactly what you're talking about. I've got a folder of images that are the Apple TV screen saver. But that's not on permanently.

I think there are TVs now that will default to an "art" mode when not in use. I think some of the new Samsungs.

Rickysa · 02-13-2020, 12:30 PM

Quote:

I would look at the video card out puts on your computer to see if you have an HDMI out.

Yep, checked at lunch...supports HDMI 1.4

Rickysa · 02-13-2020, 12:35 PM

Quote:

I think it'll play movies in a small set of codecs from a flash drive plugged into USB

Provided it's formatted correctly (FAT32 i think??) Spoke with Samsung this am and found out I cannot go USB (computer) to USB (TV), but a USB drive can be used.\

Quote:

I do have an Apple TV and have done exactly what you're talking about. I've got a folder of images that are the Apple TV screen saver. But that's not on permanently.

I found some software (Parrot something or other) that will let me send a slideshow created in Lightroom Classic from the computer thru it to the apple TV plugged into the TV.

Supposedly Apple TV is developing an app for Windows...we'll see.

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

up close, the dot size and spacing is not (yet) adequate

but it is easy to run a signal to your TV for easy chair viewing (esp. if you use Snapple prodIt sounds like ucts)

also newer TVs have a web browser and other stuff builtin - my LG does

I think he is talking displaying photos on teh screen when not used as a tv. Like having revolving art above the fireplace so any 1080p will be fine or if people want to look atr it close up, you can get a 4k TV for $250 if you look around. Ours was an LG found in the after SB sale.

Chromecast works well as a wireless connection as well, but the app on the PC has to support it. Then you can use the build in windows photo slide show to display your photos.

You can also get devices like LiteShow that will connect your computer wirelessly to the TV but they don't do movies very well. Most any wireless will do high res photos just fine. Some gaming consoles will do a slideshow from a SD card with photos as well. Lots of options out there. You could even put a Nook on the backside out of the way.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

ok, for photo display there are several ways...

- put tv on same network as pics, the pull or push - may need a plug in or box (apple TV box - mine was $40 refurbed)

- put pics on a USB stick and plug into TV

need specifics for more

spuggy · 02-13-2020, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickysa

You know, as a type of screen saver, but also an "always open" photo album?

My 20 year old Sony TV lets me plug in a USB thumb drive of photos and/or music files.

My HTPC will also play music or a slideshow of photos, if the TV is so old/cheap it doesn't have that capability built-in.

ChromeCast or Amazon stick will do the slideshow thing with photos uploaded to the cloud, play music etc. Or you can cast from your phone/tablet/laptop/whatever to the stick.

maxnine11 · maxnine11's Garage

https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/tvs/the-frame/design/

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by spuggy

My 20 year old Sony TV lets me plug in a USB thumb drive of photos and/or music files.

My HTPC will also play music or a slideshow of photos, if the TV is so old/cheap it doesn't have that capability built-in.

ChromeCast or Amazon stick will do the slideshow thing with photos uploaded to the cloud, play music etc. Or you can cast from your phone/tablet/laptop/whatever to the stick.

We have a HTPC also which is why I suggested a Nuc, which I misspelled. You can get HTPC keyboards which makes it real easy.

greglepore · 02-13-2020, 01:47 PM

I have an inexpensive tcs tv that I do this with all the time. Roku is loaded and has a native slideshow app. Have cycling photos on one folder and photo art in another and i use it as a photo display when I m not actively viewing tv

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

masraum · 02-13-2020, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

up close, the dot size and spacing is not (yet) adequate

but it is easy to run a signal to your TV for easy chair viewing (esp. if you use Snapple products)

also newer TVs have a web browser and other stuff builtin - my LG does

This is the main reason. Computer monitors are designed to be viewed from up close, maybe 1-3' away. TVs are generally made to be viewed from across a room, probably 6-20'. Consequently, if you sit really close to a TV, it doesn't usually look nearly as good as a computer monitor. There are other specs that I suspect are very different as well. So as long as you want to use your TV from across the room, it'll be fine assuming you can get the signal from your PC to the TV. But if you were wanting to sit the TV on your desk and sit 2' away, I suspect you'd be unhappy with things.