The Android operating system is distinguished by its functionality and many features. You can customize it almost as you like. And there is a feature due to which the majority of users prefer this particular platform. This is the ability to connect a phone or tablet to a TV to control the latter without any additional manipulation. In this article, we will take a closer look at the question of how to connect Android to a TV.
Connection methods
Consider the main ways to connect a mobile gadget to TV.
to the content
With a USB cable
You can connect Android to a TV via USB using a standard cable that comes with the kit. After connecting, select 'USB Device' from the TV menu. The smartphone or tablet will simply be recognized as an external medium (if a memory card is inserted). In this mode, you can watch a video or photo.
to the content
With HDMI cable
This format has become very popular in the last 5 years. However, an important point is that not every gadget is equipped with such a port. Usually on the phone it is microHDMI, and on the TV it is standard. After connecting, you need to select on the TV one of several ports to which the device was connected (usually there are 3-4 of them). Both sound and video are transmitted through the cable, but if you connect to an Android TV in this way, it is important to remember that not everything played on the phone will be played on the TV screen.
If nothing is displayed on the screen, you need to select the format that the TV supports in the settings. If the gadget does not have a special port, you can buy an adapter. It is connected to a phone or tablet via microUSB.
to the content
Wireless connections
Another way to connect Android to a TV is via a wireless Wi-Fi module. I can't give specific advice on how to do this: many TV models today have a built-in wireless module and the necessary software for it from the factory. How to connect a mobile or tablet to such a device, you can find out from the instructions for the TV. If there is no built-in module, you can buy a special set-top box: in addition to the module, it also contains special programs that allow you to integrate a portable device with a TV.
The last method is the most exotic and practically unused one – Bluetooth. A special module is bought for the TV and information is exchanged through this channel.
to the content
Controlling TV from your phone
Now let's take a look at our main topic: TV control with an Android device.
To do this, you need a cell phone with Wi-Fi support and a TV that is equipped with a SmartTV function and the same Wi-Fi module.
Next, you need to download a special application – RemoteControlforTV from GooglePlay. You can find it here. The utility does not support all models, but only devices Sony, LG, Samsung, Panasonic and some others. However, the developers of this application are constantly improving their creation and the list of supported brands is constantly growing. The connection is very simple; usually everything can be found in the instruction manual supplied with the TV.
In cases where the TV does not have a Smart TV function, you can buy the set-top box, which was written above: it will provide almost a full set of options, like models with this function, and even more. The phone can be configured to display various information of interest: sound, current channel and many others. Many TV companies already apply special remotes to their models, which are practically not inferior in functionality to smartphones, which gradually eliminates the need to connect the latter.
to the content