How to get PC recognized device (smart TV) onto PC's network?

If in explorer you find a movies then right click on the file is there an option to cast to the TV? What else do you want to do?

flycaster said:

As I don't do these things often, I quickly forget how to do it.....

There are two ways to stream media (video, music, photos etc.) between a PC and a Smart TV. One is to set the PC up as a media server. Then from the TV remote control you can browse the network for media servers and request media from it.

The second (and IMHO the easiest) is to initiate the streaming from the PC. This requires no setting up (except, perhaps, on the TV to turn on DLNA in its setting menu). As Samuria said, you right-click on a video and select Cast to Device, as I do for my Panasonic Viera Smart TV.

Bree said:

The second (and IMHO the easiest) is to initiate the streaming from the PC. This requires no setting up (except, perhaps, on the TV to turn on DLNA in its setting menu). As Samuria said, you right-click on a video and select Cast to Device, as I do for my Panasonic Viera Smart TV.

I don't have any videos, but I do have pictures. So, on the PC I chose a pic, right clicked and selected device (the TV) to cast to. then went to the TV which showed my computer's name and various photo, music, etc folders. But, all were empty. I really suck at this stuff, so I don't know what I'm talking about; but I do think the problem is...as was the purpose of starting this thread...that I need to have the TV on my network. It is on the PC, but its network status is NOT CONNECTED.

flycaster said:

I don't have any videos, but I do have pictures. So, on the PC I chose a pic, right clicked and selected device (the TV) to cast to. then went to the TV which showed my computer's name and various photo, music, etc folders....

Ah, you should not have to do anything in the TV, all the control is done from the PC. Just turn on the TV and let it show any normal program. As soon as you 'Cast to...' from the PC the picture(s) should appear on the TV screen. The most you may have to do on the TV is to confirm that you want it to accept an incoming connection.

A tip: If you cast the folder containing the pictures rather than an individual picture you will see a slideshow of all the pictures in the folder.

It is on the PC, but its network status is NOT CONNECTED.

That is as it should be. If you are not actually casting to the TV then the PC is not actively connected to it. That will change to 'NOW PLAYING' only while you are casting.

Bree said:

Ah, you should not have to do anything in the TV, all the control is done from the PC. Just turn on the TV and let it show any normal program. As soon as you 'Cast to...' from the PC the picture(s) should appear on the TV screen. The most you may have to do on the TV is to confirm that you want it to accept an incoming connection.

That is as it should be. If you are not actually casting to the TV then the PC is not actively connected to it. That will change to 'NOW PLAYING' only while you are casting.

I won't be able to test this morning as furniture that holds the wiring is going to be delivered and I've unhooked everything in preparation. But, by this afternoon I should have a reply. But, nonetheless, let me ask for some clarification.

Right now, the TV shows "not connected," but as you are saying, once I do the casting, the that status will change to "Now playing?" Would this then mean that "not connected" means not connected to the TV? If so, then it is my mis-understanding of "not connected" as I thought it meant not connected to the network that has lead to my issue.. Furthermore, I have BT "On." Should it be "Off?"

flycaster said:

...If so, then it is my mis-understanding of "not connected" as I thought it meant not connected to the network that has lead to my issue..

The simplest way to check that the TV is on the network is to open File Explorer. It should be visible in 'Network'.

Furthermore, I have BT "On." Should it be "Off?"

Makes no difference, they are completely independent protocols. The only reason BlueTooth is on the same settings page is that they are both classed as 'devices'.

Bree said:

The simplest way to check that the TV is on the network is to open File Explorer. It should be visible in 'Network'.

Makes no difference, they are completely independent protocols. The only reason BlueTooth is on the same settings page is that they are both classed as 'devices'.

Network in File Explorer only shows the desktop computer. However, when I go tto "add a device" in FEx, the TV is listed and has "not connected". Clicking on it only offers to remove it. Looks like the TV is not on the network, eh? I believe that I have correctly configured "Change advanced sharing settings" in "Network and Sharing," in preparation for adding the TV to the network. So now the root of my confusion is that although the TV is not networked, it still is seen when I go to add a device and I just don't know how to get it onto the network??? Here's a screen shot of what I'm talking about:

I am now able to see pictures via Miracast, but in Settings still says not connected??? Now I'm not sure how to work it. What if i want to see all the files in my Documents folder? Do I have to click on that folder and cast?

flycaster said:

What if i want to see all the files in my Documents folder? Do I have to click on that folder and cast?

As I said in Post #3, there are two ways to show your pictures/videos on the TV.

Casting (and Miracast) is all controlled from the PC. You send files from the PC TO the TV. For my purposes, that is sufficient for my needs. What you are asking to do is to use the TV to browse the PC and call files FROM it. For that you first need to configure the PC as a Media Server.




While there is a rudimentary media streaming function build into Windows, most prefer to install something more sophisticated, such as Plex.

How-To Geek |How to Set Up Plex (and Watch Your Movies on Any Device)