Projector TV - How Do You Watch TV Through a Projector?

Is There Freeview on a Projector?

There are two main ways to watch TV through a projector:

1. Through apps using a third-party media player such as Apple TV, Chromecast or a similar streaming device.
2. Through a traditional TV antenna using an external TV tuner.

Nowadays in Australia, many TV channels have digitised their video content and made it available online. Major Australian TV networks, including 7, Nine, 10, SBS and ABC, have their own apps for watching their programs.

Many home projectors have their own brand of wireless stick / smart TV stick that allows you to download apps and watch services such as Netflix, Kayo Sports and YouTube directly through the projector. If your home projector does not include a wireless stick, you can also get a third-party wireless stick such as Google TV Streamer 4K, Fire TV Stick or Apple TV.

1. Watch Freeview TV Through Apps via the Projector's Wireless Stick or Third-Party Wireless Device

Unlike a TV, projectors generally do not have a built-in TV tuner. A projector accepts a video signal and displays the content sent to it through an input such as HDMI.

Most Freeview TV channels, including 7, Nine, 10, SBS and ABC, have their own apps available through platforms such as Apple or Google app stores. You can download these apps to the projector's wireless stick or connect the projector to an Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, Google TV Streamer 4K or another compatible smart media device, then use the remote control to browse each TV station's available programs and select what you want to watch.

Most programs are available as pre-recorded, on-demand content, while many channels also provide live streaming.

2. Watch TV Through a Traditional TV Antenna

If you do not have an internet connection, or your internet connection is not fast enough for streaming, you can still watch TV through a traditional TV antenna. You can consider using a TV tuner or media player such as the one below:

The TV antenna cable plugs into the coaxial input at the back of the TV tuner. An HDMI cable then connects the HDMI output of the TV tuner to the HDMI input on the projector.

Watch Music Content on a Projector

Besides Freeview, there is also a large amount of music content available online for personal viewing, not commercial use. You can stream a playlist or music videos from your favourite musicians and display them on the projector's big screen. Some projectors also include high-quality built-in speakers from brands such as Harman Kardon, Yamaha or Bose.

Can You Watch Overseas TV Programs on a Projector?

Besides SBS and local Freeview channels, you can also watch TV dramas and news from overseas, including content from Europe, the Middle East, America and Asia, with many programs available for free.

If you are connecting through one of the smart media players mentioned above, you can also watch overseas TV dramas and news through YouTube.

After a local TV drama has aired for a few months, many overseas TV stations upload the program online. Some broadcasters even provide live broadcasts at the same time the program airs in its home country.

Nowadays, you do not always have to pay for an expensive subscription to watch overseas programs.

What If I Don't Like YouTube Advertisements?

If you do not like advertisements, you can also subscribe to YouTube Premium for ad-free, uninterrupted streaming.