Buzz
Today, Mytour will show you how to transform your standard TV into an internet-connected media hub. To achieve this, you’ll need a smart media streaming device, such as Apple TV or Amazon Fire Stick, and an HDMI port on the back of your TV. If your TV lacks an HDMI port, you can purchase an HDMI-to-RCA adapter to connect to the red, yellow, and white ports on the back of your TV.
Steps
Using Apple TV
Locate the HDMI port on your TV. The HDMI port is a thin, flat slot with a slightly tapered bottom, typically found on the back or side of the TV screen.
- Make a note of the number next to the HDMI port, as this is the channel you’ll need to use Apple TV.
- If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can buy an HDMI-to-RCA adapter to connect to the red, yellow, and white ports on the side or back of your TV.
Purchase an HDMI cable. HDMI cables of various lengths are available online or at electronics stores.
- HDMI cables sold online are often cheaper than those in physical stores.
- With a budget of less than 345,000 VND, you can already buy a high-quality HDMI cable.
Place the Apple TV box near your TV. The Apple TV box should be positioned close enough to the TV so that the HDMI cable and power cord can easily connect to it.
- It’s important to place the Apple TV in an open area to prevent overheating and to ensure the remote control functions properly.
Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the Apple TV box. This end will fit into the HDMI port on the back of the Apple TV box, with the wider side of the cable facing upward.
- HDMI connectors only fit one way, so avoid using excessive force if the plug doesn’t align.
Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to your TV. The cable will fit into the HDMI port you previously located on your TV.
Power up the Apple TV. Plug the two-pronged end into the back of the Apple TV and the other end into a power outlet.
Turn on the TV. Press the power button on your TV.
Switch the TV input to the HDMI channel. This process varies depending on the TV, but typically involves pressing the Input button on the TV (or remote) until you reach the input number corresponding to the HDMI port. The Apple TV setup screen will appear.
- If the Apple TV setup screen doesn’t appear, press the center button on the Apple TV remote to "wake" the device.
Follow the on-screen setup instructions. Typically, you’ll need to:
- Select your language.
- Choose a Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
- Download recommended updates (if available).
Use Apple TV as a smart TV. Once Apple TV is set up and updated, you can use the Apple TV remote to switch between apps, stream media through Netflix or Hulu, and more.
Using Amazon Fire TV Stick
Locate the HDMI port on your TV. The HDMI port is a thin, flat slot with a slightly tapered bottom, usually found on the back or side of the TV screen.
- Take note of the number next to the HDMI port, as this is the channel you’ll need to use the Fire TV Stick.
- If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can purchase an HDMI-to-RCA adapter to connect to the red, yellow, and white ports on the side or back of your TV.
Connect the Fire Stick to the TV’s HDMI port. The Fire Stick plugs directly into the HDMI port on your TV.
- HDMI connectors only fit one way, so avoid using excessive force if the plug doesn’t align.
- If your TV is close to the wall or lacks space for the Fire Stick, use the included HDMI extension cable to connect the Fire Stick to the TV.
Set up the power cable. Plug the USB end of the cable into the power adapter, then straighten the power cord from the adapter.
Power up the Fire Stick. Connect one end of the cable to the side port of the Fire Stick and the other end to a power outlet.
- If the power cord isn’t long enough, use the HDMI extension cable included with the Fire Stick.
Insert batteries into the Fire Stick remote. You’ll need to install two AAA batteries into the remote’s battery compartment.
Turn on the TV. Press the power button on your TV.
Switch the TV input to the HDMI channel. This process varies depending on the TV, but typically involves pressing the Input button on the TV (or remote) until you reach the input number corresponding to the HDMI port. The Fire TV logo will appear.
Press the "Play/Pause" button on the remote when prompted. This will pair the remote with the Fire Stick.
Select a Wi-Fi network and enter the password. This step allows you to proceed with the Fire Stick setup process.
Wait for any updates (if available) to install. Especially during the initial setup of the Fire Stick, the update process may take a few minutes.
Log in to your Amazon account when prompted. Enter the email address and password associated with your Amazon account. This step ensures you can access your subscriptions and paid content on Amazon.
Use the Fire Stick TV as a smart TV. After logging into your Amazon account, you can watch purchased movies, shows, and games, as well as browse apps or stream videos on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and more.
Using Chromecast
Locate the HDMI port on your TV. The HDMI port is a thin, flat slot with a slightly tapered bottom, typically found on the back or side of the TV screen.
- Note the number next to the HDMI port, as this is the channel you’ll need to use Chromecast.
- If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can purchase an HDMI-to-RCA adapter to connect to the red, yellow, and white ports on the side or back of your TV.
Connect Chromecast to the TV’s HDMI port. The Chromecast cable plugs directly into the HDMI port on your TV.
- HDMI connectors only fit one way, so avoid using excessive force if the plug doesn’t align.
Connect the USB power cable. Plug one end of the cable into the Chromecast and the other end into the USB port on your TV.
- If your TV doesn’t have a USB port, you’ll need to use the power adapter with the USB cable to plug into a wall outlet.
- For the 4K version of Chromecast, you must use a wall outlet, as the USB port cannot provide enough power for this model.
Turn on the TV. Press the power button on your TV.
Switch the TV input to the HDMI channel. This process varies depending on the TV, but typically involves pressing the Input button on the TV (or remote) until you reach the input number corresponding to the HDMI port. The Chromecast setup screen will appear.
Download the Google Home app for iPhone or Android. The Google Home app is available for free on the iPhone App Store and the Android Google Play Store.
- If you want to use Chromecast with a computer, visit https://www.google.com/chromecast/setup/ using Google Chrome, click set up your Chromecast, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Open Google Home. Tap on the Google Home app, which features a house icon with red, yellow, green, and blue borders.
Tap ACCEPT when the option appears. You’ll be directed to the Google Home homepage.
Tap the Devices icon in the top-right corner of your phone screen.
- On iPhone, you’ll first need to tap Use without Bluetooth, then select Skip Setup to reach the Google Home app’s main page.
Wait for Chromecast to detect your phone. Once detected, a confirmation notification will appear on your phone.
Tap Continue when prompted. The Chromecast setup process will begin.
Confirm the code on your TV. Ensure the code on your TV matches the one on your phone, then press Yes (iPhone) or I SEE IT (Android).
Tap the Continue button in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- You can also name your Chromecast on this screen before tapping Continue.
Select a Wi-Fi network for Chromecast. Tap Select a network, then choose your network and enter the password. Make sure this is the same network your phone or tablet is connected to.
Follow the on-screen instructions. You may be prompted to confirm updates or log into your Google account.
Use Chromecast like a smart TV. Once Chromecast is set up, you can select apps, movies, and other content on your phone to stream to your TV via Chromecast.
Tips
- If you’ve recently used a gaming console (such as Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, or PlayStation 4), you can connect it to your TV to browse the web, download apps, stream movies, and more.
- When necessary, you can still connect a Windows or Mac computer to your TV.
Warnings
- Older TVs with only A/V cables (such as red, yellow, and white cables) cannot be converted into smart TVs.
- Older TVs with only a coaxial input (the port where you plug in the TV cable) also cannot be converted into smart TVs.
