There is one thing you badly want to have – your very own home theater. You are close to making that possible, having recently bought a projector. Now the question is, “how to watch Amazon Prime on a projector?”
What is Amazon Video?
These days, it is impossible to run out of things to watch. Besides free TV, the presence of streaming sites like Netflix means your day is never dull. Even Amazon has its own streaming service called Amazon Video.
Amazon Video is the TV show and movie streaming service of Amazon. It is available on multiple devices, allowing you to rent or buy thousands of films and TV shows digitally.
Access to this service is possible through apps or streaming sticks and set-up boxes. Paying for Amazon Video is on ad hoc basis or whenever you want to use the service. Besides Amazon Video, there is also Amazon Prime Video.
With Amazon Prime Video, you pay for Prime membership to access thousands of TV shows and movies this subscriber service offers. Premium content comes with mostly homegrown TV programming that includes Amazon Originals.
Amazon Originals refer to numerous series that Amazon made itself. Some of their popular original shows are Mr. Robot and Vikings. People stream these content not only in the US but in other countries as well.
You can access Prime Video via Amazon Prime membership by paying for $119 ($79 in the UK) for an annual subscription. It is $12.99 a month for a monthly subscription. You can also start with a 30-day free trial.
Different Ways You Can Watch Amazon Prime Video
There are various ways you can do that. The usual way to watch Amazon content is through smart TVs. You simply need to download the Amazon Video app on the set, open it, and enter your credentials.
But sometimes, you want a different experience. There are times when smart TV feels too small or constricting. One way to elevate your home entertainment is the use of a projector, with features that make it easy to watch any content.
You can use a projector to watch your favorite TV shows and movies, including streamed content. That means you can use a projector to watch Amazon Prime Video.
Please take a look below to watch Amazon Prime on the projector.
Display Mirroring
Modern projectors now come equipped with smart TV features. One such feature lets you wirelessly connect a device to your projector. It enables you to share your tablet screen and audio to the projector.
Screen sharing or screen mirroring is when the projector displays the same video or other content you are playing on your device. You use Amazon Video similar to how you use its own app, but allowing it to be viewed on your wall as well.
Amazon Mirroring
Screen sharing sounds simple, but there is a bit of complexity to it when it comes to Amazon Video. This complication stems from Amazon not supporting Google’s Cast, which is why Amazon is selling Chromecasts.
Even the Amazon Video app does not let you stream to Chromecast. Your Fire TV’s software also does not have standard Cast support in it. Although you can’t use Chromecast for streaming, Amazon’s screen mirroring makes up for it.
Mirroring the screen to a projector depends on the device. Each device may have different settings that can make the steps different, as well. However, the procedure generally goes this way:
- Turn on Projector
First, make sure to turn on the projector. Also, set it up in ‘Discoverable’ mode. You can consult the manual that came with it or look for instructions online. After that, follow the steps below:
- Use HDMI Wireless Dongle
If the projector doesn’t have Wi-Fi, you can use an HDMI wireless dongle to get around it. This device helps the projector to receive data via the Miracast screen mirroring feature.
*Keep in mind two things. First, the dongle should support the tablet/laptop and projector you will use. It should also support both the resolution of the tablet/laptop and the projector. Otherwise, the picture will look grainy.
- Plugin the Dongle
In the case of using a dongle, it is best to plug it in the HDMI while the projector is still off. You may also plug in the dongle on the HDMI extension cable if the projector doesn’t have an HDMI port.
Once it is in the slot, please turn on the power of the projector. Check and make sure that your projector now has a signal source set to the HDMI port where you plugged in the dongle.
- Enable Wi-Fi or Mirroring
With mirroring, the projector and the device usually have to be in the same network. Sometimes, that’s as easy as it takes – just makes sure that the projector and the device are both connected to the same Wi-Fi.
In other times, you need to do these:
- Turn on the device and go to “Settings”
- Tap the “Display” or “Display & Sounds” setting
- Tap “Display Mirroring”
*If you cannot find this option in your device, then it doesn’t support mirroring functionality unfortunately
- Find the name of your projector in the list then tap it
- Wait for it to connect, which may take a few seconds
If you are successful, the screen of your device should show on the projector. That means you can play your Amazon Video app from your tablet and the show you are watching will play on screen.
Use Projector Companion Apps
If not through display mirroring, you can try using the companion app to your projector if it has one. With this app, you can easily connect your tablet to a projector without the need for a wireless dongle.
You can find out if your projector has an app on the user manual or ask the manufacturer instead. If it does, then download that app to your Amazon Fire, iPad, iOS, or Android device.
Please open it and follow the instructions to connect to the projector. Sometimes, you need to use QR codes, or a string of numbers and characters connect the app. Either way, you can share the screen with the projector using the companion app.
Cable Connections
The use of cables is probably the easiest or the most challenging way to watch Amazon on a projector, depending on the user. Some people find it easier to connect the cables than fumbling on apps and wireless connection.
Tech-savvy people like the other methods mentioned above. If you like the old-school approach, then the cable connections are for you. Depending on the model of the projector you are using, it should have one or two of the following types of connection:
- VGA
- DVI
- DisplayPort (DP)
- A/V Jacks (2 audio & 1 video)
- HDMI
In this method, you basically connect your device to the projector via the appropriate cord. But since tablets usually have a micro-USB port, you will need an adapter to connect it to any of the plugs mentioned above.
Here is a video on how to connect a tablet to a projector, which might help you understand.
A/V Connection
Audio/Video or A/V is an analog connection. It comes with white and red connectors that transmit the sound to the left and right channels, respectively. A separate cable – the yellow one – sends the video information.
You cannot connect your tablet to a projector this way without a converter. The converter translates the audio/video signals to analog standards from digital. Through the converter, you can connect your device through the HDMI connection.
It means you can watch Amazon Video on a projector with A/V connection if you have an HDMI to A/V converter and a micro-USB to HDMI adapter. You need these two to make your tablet and projector compatible.
Follow these steps to connect them:
- Connect the micro-USB to HDMI adapter to the tablet
- Connect the HDMI port of the HDMI adapter to the A/V converter
- Plugin the appropriate jacks of the A/V cable to the ports on the A/V converter
- Connect the appropriate A/V cables to the projector
- On the projector, choose the correct input to process the signals coming to the A/V inputs
DVI and VGA
These two are the older types of connections. DVI or Digital Video Interface can send signals digitally. On the other hand, VGA or Video Graphics Array is an analog type connection. Both pass only the video component, so you need speakers.
Connecting your tablet via either of these two will allow you to play the video through your projector. However, it does not have a sound. You can enable the audio by following one of these:
- Connecting your tablet to a Bluetooth speaker
- Using the tablet’s own stereo speakers
- Plugin headphones or external speakers to your tablet’s audio jack
HDMI and DisplayPort
More modern projectors likely have these two connections since they are also the newest digital connection types. With them, you can transfer both the video and audio of the content you want to watch at the same time.
When you have successfully connected your tablet, downloaded the app, or enabled the screen mirroring, you can now watch Amazon Video. All you need to do is hit play to whatever you want to watch and see it displayed on your wall or a screen.
Conclusion
How to watch Amazon Prime on the projector? It’s not that hard. You can do in three different ways – screen mirroring, apps, and cable connections. With the latter, you can also connect the correct streaming stick to watch your favorite Amazon shows.
