Displaying your presentation on a large screen TV is a great way to enhance visibility and professionalism. Whether you are hosting a meeting at work or teaching a class, projecting slides on a TV screen helps everyone to see your point clearly.
And the best part? You don’t need any fancy equipment to display your presentation on a large screen. We will show you how to play PowerPoint on TV using an HDMI cable, AirPlay, wireless screen mirroring, Chromecast, and a USB in this detailed guide.
What You Need to Play PowerPoint on TV?
You will just need a few basic things to play a slideshow on a TV. First, check whether your TV supports casting or screen mirroring. Alternatively, you can select a streaming device such as Apple TV, Chromecast, or Fire Stick.
Even your phone can do the trick: just install PowerPoint, and then try one of the following methods to connect to the TV screen.
- HDMI Cable – simply plug and play.
- Chromecast/Google Cast – project your mobile phone or Chrome screen to TV.
- Screen mirroring – cast to any TV that supports Miracast.
- USB – download the PPT to USB and play.
- AirPlay – screen mirror from your Apple device.
Method 1: Play PowerPoint on TV via HDMI Cable
If you want a rock-solid way to play PPT on TV, an HDMI cable is your best option. A wired connection offers the best quality video playback with zero lag. If you are presenting for a meeting where you cannot risk a technical glitch, HDMI is the perfect match.
Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Plug one end of the HDMI cable into your PC/laptop and the other end into the TV.
Step 2: Turn on the TV. Use the Input/ Source button on the remote to select the correct HDMI port ( Most Smart TVs have multiple HDMI ports). Your PC screen will now appear on the TV.
Step 3: Open PowerPoint on your computer and click Slide Show > From Beginning. Your presentation will now play on the Big Screen! Check your PowerPoint slides size and display settings to ensure they match the TV resolution for optimal visuals.
Method 2: Play PPT on TV with Wireless Screen Mirroring
If you plan to move around while presenting, consider using wireless screen mirroring or Miracast to give you more flexibility. In this method, both your computer or phone and the TV will be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for cables.
Your presentation area will look much cleaner, but the slideshow might lag if the load is heavy or if connected over an unsteady Wi-Fi network. If you are presenting from a phone, closing other apps might help.
Let’s see how to play PowerPoint on TV using screen mirroring.
Step 1: Turn on the TV. If you are using a Miracast dongle, plug it in. Press Windows+K or go to Settings > System > Display > Connect to a wireless display.
Step 2: Your Computer will search for available displays. Select the TV from the list.
Now you are all set to mirror the presentation!
Method 3. Cast PowerPoint to TV via Chromecast/Google Cast
Chromecast is one of the best options available due to its ease of connection across multiple platforms, including Windows, Android, macOS, and even iOS devices.
Chromecast and Google Cast enable TVs to work wirelessly, making them perfect for meetings and classrooms.
Follow the steps below to connect to your TV using Chromecast.
Step 1: Plug your Chromecast into the TV’s HDMI port. Ensure it’s connected to the same WiFi network as your computer or phone.
Step 2: Open the PowerPoint presentation on your Device. Click Windows + K to start casting. Or, if you are using PowerPoint Online, click the three-dot menu at the top right of the tab. Go to Cast, Save, and Share > Cast.
Select your TV from the list and start the presentation! Remember to check Wi-Fi connectivity and how the slides will appear on TV before the live presentation. If you made your PowerPoint portrait before, the words may be small when they are displayed on TV.
Method 4. Play PowerPoint on TV with USB
This one is easy! Playing PowerPoint on TV from USB is one of the most reliable offline methods. Imagine yourself in a classroom or at a trade fair without an internet connection – a good old USB will save the day!
However, the TV must support video/image playback from a USB device, and the USB must be formatted FAT32 or exFAT for compatibility. Please note that advanced animations and transitions may not display as intended when you play PowerPoint on TV with USB.
Let’s start right away.
Step 1: The first step is to save the PPT as a video so that the TV can play the file. Go to File > Export > Create a Video. Select the desired video resolution and then click the Create Video button. Select “MP4” as the file type when saving the video.
Step 2: Copy the exported video file to the USB drive and plug it into the TV. Use the Media Player app on the TV to select the file and play the video.
Method 5. Cast a PowerPoint to TV Using AirPlay
If you are a Mac or iPhone user, AirPlay (Screen Mirroring) is the easiest method to play your PowerPoint presentation on TV. No cables are involved, and all you need is an AirPlay-enabled TV or Apple TV.
Simply follow the steps below.
Step 1: Ensure your Mac/iPhone and the TV are connected to the same WiFi network. On a Mac, go to Control Center > Screen Mirroring or the AirPlay/ Screen Mirroring icon on your iPhone.
Step 2: Your iPhone will search for available devices. Select your Apple TV from the list. Wait a few seconds, and you will see your iPhone screen on the target TV.
Step 3: Open your PowerPoint presentation and switch to SlideShow mode. Click the From Beginning button. Your screen will be mirrored on the TV!
Conclusion
We have just learned how to play PowerPoint on TV like a pro! From plugging in a USB or HDMI cable to screen mirroring, we have studied five methods with detailed steps.
Once your slides are on the big screen, the presentation immediately feels more engaging and professional. So, the next time you are hosting a meeting or presenting to friends, don’t forget to skip the tiny laptop screen and cast the slideshow on the TV! Your audience is going to love it!
More About Playing PowerPoint on TV
Want to learn more about PowerPoint presentations? Here are some frequently asked questions.
1. What is the best projector for PowerPoint presentations?
You can take the following standards as references:
- Consider the clarity, brightness, and reliable connectivity when selecting a projector for PowerPoint presentations.
- Look for a projector with at least 3000 lumens so the presentation stays bright even under typical office lighting.
- Full HD 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080) is ideal for crisp, clear images.
- Does it offer USB and HDMI connectivity, allowing you to connect the laptop without any fuss? WiFi would be a plus as it will enable seamless connectivity with devices.
2. How to project a PowerPoint presentation from a laptop?
The steps for projecting a PPT from laptop are also easy to follow.
- Open the presentation on your laptop.
- Connect the laptop to the TV or projector using an HDMI cable for a reliable and fast connection.
- If HDMI is not available, you can connect using Miracast or the Project Screen (Windows + P) option. Remember to connect both the TV and laptop to the same WiFi.
- Run the SlideShow and your presentation will appear on the big screen!
3. How to view slides without a projector?
Instead of casting a PPT to the TV, there are 4 ways to share your PPT with others.
- Run the presentation on your laptop by pressing the F5 key. For a small group, you can even view the slides in full-screen mode on the computer.
- Mirror presentation to a monitor or a TV screen. You can opt for an HDMI or USB-C connection between the two devices or mirror the laptop screen using Miracast.
- You can share it online with your collaborators by uploading it to OneDrive or Google Drive.
- Convert PPT to PDF by going to File >Export > Create PDF, and share it with others.
