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RDMueller's avatar
RDMueller
Explorer
Aug 23, 2017

Watching computer's content on smart TV

Not really an RV question in this case, but I know someone here will have a good suggestion or two!

I have home videos from my GoPro and camcorder as well as some movies on my Windows 10 desktop computer that I'd like to be able to watch on my Samsung smart TV in a different room. The TV is connected wirelessly to the home network and the ability exists to "Cast to device" in the Windows 10 media player. In fact, under cast to device, "Samsung LED 55" always shows up as an option. Only problem, about 75% of the time, when I try to connect I get, "An unknown error occurred." Not particularly helpful...

Any ideas why I'm getting this error, or how to fix it? Or a workaround? I have brought the computer to the TV and connected the TV to the HDMI port, but that's kind of a pain. I know that wireless HDMI extenders exist, but I'm just curious what other options exist. I'm sure there's probably an easy way to do this!
  • tchil's avatar
    tchil
    Explorer
    Aug 23, 2017
    I have noticed that having a ROKU hooked up to the TV seems to make casting much more reliable. Also if you want to play those files directly from a hard drive there is a device I use called a MICCA purchased on Amazon. It plays virtually every format and eliminates the need for a laptop. I use that in my trailer and have a 640GB HD full of movies for those rainy days. Between the ROKU Streaming stick and the Micca we have all the entertainment we can use while camping.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Aug 23, 2017
    Once connected does it play everything you want to play
    Or do you mean that it won't play 75% of selected files

    It might be a file format problem
    Just because the PC plays everything, doesn't mean the TV will play all the same files
    Hdmi the PC is playing the file ,
    When using the TV remote to select file over the network, the TV becomes the player not just an external display
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Aug 23, 2017
    Casting from a computer is often a pain and a carpshoot

    On your laptop see if you can find the option "connect to wireless display" or maybe "connect to network projector"

    This is how I connect my HP laptop to my LG Smart TV. The TV ends up as a second monitor for the laptop.

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