I'm working on a project to showcase information in a waiting room using my smart TV, specifically a Magnavox 32MV304X/F7 model. I have a USB thumb drive with images and PDF files on it, and I want to connect it to the TV so it can scroll through the files like a digital photo frame. However, the TV only allows me to open one image at a time and doesn't seem to have any options for cycling through them. Since the TV can't connect to the internet for security reasons, I'm wondering if there's a specific program or app I can install via the thumb drive to enable this functionality. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
A Chromecast or similar streaming stick is also a really straightforward option if you have one! It allows you to set up a slideshow without much hassle.
You could check out the Micca Speck. I haven’t personally used it, but it’s one of those devices designed for photo slideshows. If your needs are simple, it could be a good fit!
Yeah, most TVs don't handle slideshows very well through USB. If you can connect an external device, I’d recommend using an Apple TV or a Roku. They have apps specifically for digital photo frames that can loop through your images seamlessly. No fiddling with menus or clicking through files!
Could I use an old Roku device I have at home for this? I’d prefer not to buy anything new if possible.
With no internet access, can I still transfer photos from my computer to the Roku like I would with a USB, and will it still work for this purpose?
Using a Raspberry Pi might be a great option! It could act as a bridge to run a slideshow without having to rely on your TV’s USB player, which usually has limited functionality. You can control everything right from the Pi.
That sounds like a solid plan, but I’m not sure where to start with a Raspberry Pi. Any tips?
Definitely the best way to go for this type of project!
So basically any streaming device like a Roku or Firestick would do the trick, right? I have an old Roku lying around, so that's perfect!