In light of the conversation about controlling your RV from your phone, maybe now is not the time to ask this :-) But, I'm of the thought that if I want to truly disconnect, I'll tent camp.My wife and I have shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. that we watch most nights at home.We would like to be able to on some nights in our trailer. I have unlimited data on my phone, so I was thinking of using it. Netflix and Amazon Prime both allow downloading of shows in advance, so it might work without cell service.I purchased a Chromecast, but didn't realize it needed a wifi network to connect to. I tried using my phone as a hotspot, but that only seems to work if I have cell service. I think I could add a cheap wifi router and it might work, but then I definitely couldn't use my phone to stream anything since I can'tconnect to both wifi and 4g. I could only watch downloadable items.I also purchased a USB-C to HDMI adapter and that kinda works, but the sound is rather dim despite turning everything up on my phone. It at least works, though.How do you all watch things like Netflix, etc, in your trailer when you have no wifi/cell service, and/or stream videos when you have cell service but no wifi?

I use a DVD player. I guess that means I’m old.

We do exactly what you are talking about with downloading and watching on the tv later. We use an inexpensive tablet that has an mini HDMI connection available. We can stop for lunch somewhere and while we eat 2 or 3 episodes are loaded for viewing that night. Were using the RCA tablets from Walmart. 10.1" RCA viking pro. I just ordered another because they are on sale now for $60. They only last about 2.5 to 3 years so we rotate a new one in about once a year and it gives us 2 for general use, and the oldest is our Video unit.

I'm not old by any means, but my daughter still uses VHS at home, if that makes you feel better...

I might have to get a tablet. It's also a little inconvenient to not be able to use my phone while the show is playing (I know...first world problems...).

i download shows form netflix on my laptop.currenlty watching Longmire and The Frankenstine Chronicles.i watch them when i do overnights in the semi.i dont even fire up my wifi hot spot. that way i dont use up my data(i only have 14 megs of data)

Connecting phone to TV (as in television, not tow vehicle)

ncrowley
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2018
I download the programs to my Android phone. I use Miracast to sent the movie to the TV. You purchase a Miracast dongle that connects to the TV. The phone has it built in. It uses a standard called "WiFi direct" but you are not using any connection to the internet to stream. There is a lot of information about how it works on the web.

You can use it on your phone, or tablet. I have used the phone and it works great. You can move the dongle between TVs so I can move it from the front TV to the back one.
jplante4
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2018
oyarsa wrote:
Thanks for all the suggestions. Gives me some things to investigate.

We've decided we'd like to add a TV in the "bedroom," so I suppose that might give me some extra options if I get a Samsung TV...

Well then, just get a TV with WiFi and be done with it. Use you phone as a hot spot and connect from the TV.
oyarsa
Explorer
Apr 03, 2018
Thanks for all the suggestions. Gives me some things to investigate.

We've decided we'd like to add a TV in the "bedroom," so I suppose that might give me some extra options if I get a Samsung TV...
mobeewan
Explorer
Apr 03, 2018
oyarsa wrote:
In light of the conversation about controlling your RV from your phone, maybe now is not the time to ask this :-) But, I'm of the thought that if I want to truly disconnect, I'll tent camp.

My wife and I have shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. that we watch most nights at home.

We would like to be able to on some nights in our trailer. I have unlimited data on my phone, so I was thinking of using it. Netflix and Amazon Prime both allow downloading of shows in advance, so it might work without cell service.

I purchased a Chromecast, but didn't realize it needed a wifi network to connect to. I tried using my phone as a hotspot, but that only seems to work if I have cell service. I think I could add a cheap wifi router and it might work, but then I definitely couldn't use my phone to stream anything since I can'tconnect to both wifi and 4g. I could only watch downloadable items.

I also purchased a USB-C to HDMI adapter and that kinda works, but the sound is rather dim despite turning everything up on my phone. It at least works, though.

How do you all watch things like Netflix, etc, in your trailer when you have no wifi/cell service, and/or stream videos when you have cell service but no wifi?

RedRollingRoadblock wrote:
We use Roku and setup a phone for it to hot spot to. If we don't have a decent cell connection, and that is rare, we are just SOL.

Tried the CromeCast route and it was a bigger PIA than it was worth. Seems as though we figured out a work around for the WiFi but have forgotten what it was.

You can play stored downloaded video from an andriod phone or andriod tablet to your Roku to view on a tv, if the andriod version is 4.4.2 or later and you have a Roku 3, Roku Streaming Stick or Roku 2 (2015 or later).

I download Netflix content to my phone and tablet for viewing, but have not mirrored it to my Roku 3 yet. Netflix allows 3 devices on your account. My primary is my Roku 3. I added my phone and tablet.

Andriod mirroring to Roku.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2018
You can use your phone for a hotspot and watch on a table or laptop or computer monitor.
GordonThree
Explorer
Apr 03, 2018
Not every phone supports HDMI out via the USB connector.

If you have a micro usb (type b) device, there are two options... the newer standard is MHL which is a competing standard against SlimPort

SlimPort specific list here: http://us.slimportconnect.com/slimport-supported-devices/
MHL specific list here: http://www.mhltech.org/devices.aspx?tid=1

If you have a usb type c device, the feature is called DisplayPort over USB-C. The dongle / cable then has a DP to HDMI translator chip inside.

To make things more complicated, some type b and most type c devices can also be a USB host, and will drive a USB to HDMI or USB to DisplayPort adapter, which is different than the the previously mentioned interfaces. This adapter functions as an external "graphics card" for the device, on phones, it usually mirrors the display, on more advanced devices, it can function as a separate display.
gbopp
Explorer
Apr 02, 2018
bukhrn wrote:
b17drvr wrote:
I use a DVD player. I guess that means I’m old.
Glad I'm not the only old one on here, all this phone, streaming and whatever is too technical for me, I'll just watch our 200+ DVD's when we don't get an OTA signal.

I just go to the truck, put in an 8-Track and turn up the volume. :B
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Apr 02, 2018
How do I watch Internet streaming video? I don't

But if I wished to there are two or 3 ways (Depending on the phone) to hook 'er up to a tv
WIRED 1: The phone's charging/multi function port Be it the micro USB on an android or the larger Apple connector contains all that's needed to feed a Video driver. There are plug in adapters to HDMI to your TV
Wired 2: A/V to the TV (See 1

Casting: Both Android and Apply have some form of "Casting" (Like Chromecast) this leaves the port open so you can keep the battery on the phone charged.

I do have the ability to Chromecast
punomatic
Explorer
Apr 02, 2018
I built a Kodi media center with a raspberry-pi computer and a portable hard drive. We have our collection of movies and music as well as family photos on the hard drive. The r-pi connects to the TV via HDMI cable. I can upload stuff from my computer when the TT is at home, and Kodi can connect to a wi-fi feed, if one is available.

At home, we are cord cutters, so we use a Tablo, which is small enough that if you wanted to you could easily move it from home to RV and access all your recorded shows. Or better yet, get another one for the RV for when you have a good TV signal on your antenna. (It seems like all our favorite shows are on when we don't have time to watch them.)
GordonThree
Explorer
Apr 02, 2018
Hmm, I use type-c to HDMI as well, and the sound is fine.

X2 on the previous post for checking out options under settings, aka the gear icon

Forum Discussion

Connecting phone to TV (as in television, not tow vehicle)

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

television...help!

Television

Television Mount

Television Mounting

Chinese Vehicles