The Roku Stick is a tiny, inexpensive streaming media player that plugs into a TV’s HDMI port. As many people look for ways to cut their cable bills, they are increasingly choosing streaming devices like Roku as a more inexpensive way to watch movies from streaming services. While the growing popularity of Roku means that it is a practical choice for streaming content, a lot of people have wondered if it is possible to use Roku with their projectors.
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Does a Roku Stick Work with a Projector?
Can you use your Roku device with your projector? Yes! The Roku stick is one of the best ways to watch your movies, shows, and games on the big screen via your projector from streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, or any other streaming service that you want.
However, specific projectors, not all, can be used with a Roku stick. It is best to use a projector that can take high-definition streams to experience the entire depth and richness of 1080p or even 4K resolution videos with millions of pixels.
In this post, we show you how to connect your Roku stick to a projector so you can watch any movie or show on a big screen at home.
Which Roku Stick Model Should I use with my Projector?
Some people find that having a Roku TV or another type of Smart TV is ideal for using a streaming service like this. But who wouldn’t want the portability of a Roku Stick, which, aside from being compact and handy, can convert nearly any TV (with an HDMI cable) into a Smart TV?
Projectors work on the same premise. When you connect a Roku device with a projector, you can turn the projector into a smart device. It will work even better if you use a model of Roku that can pair directly to WiFi–you can even eliminate the need for the projector to connect to your WiFi.
There are two models of Roku that work well with a projector: the Roku Streaming Stick+ and the Roku Express.
WiFi direct is available on both the Roku Streaming Stick+ and the Roku Express. WiFi direct allows you to stream without buying a projector with built-in WiFi. The Roku stick will act as a WiFi connection and a streaming app. So only these two varieties of Roku sticks are advised for use with your projector. They’re designed to work with projectors and are compatible enough to be used as plug-and-play devices with your projector.
How to Connect Roku to a Projector
So you have your projector, and you have your Roku Streaming Stick. What do you do to connect Roku to your projector? How can you start watching your favorite sports and Netflix series using your projector? Not to worry, the steps to do this are pretty straightforward. Just follow our guide below:
Plug the Roku stick into the HDMI port of the projector
The most important thing for a projector is an HDMI input to be able to connect a Roku. So look for the HDMI port in your projector. Some projectors may have this labeled, but if not, you’ll have to check which port fits or matches.
Plugging in the Roku Stick to the HDMI port of your projector is the essential step, but later on, you may also have to plug your Roku stick into another device like a splitter if you need alternative audio.
If you have an overhead projector and wish to go wireless, you can connect a transmitter to the projector and a receiver to the stick. You should be able to access your Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Go, Disney+, WWE Network, or Hulu account as long as the projector gets the signal from the Roku player.
Control the Settings in the Projector
The next step is to manage your projector settings which should be pretty simple to do, too. First, look for a “Settings” button on your projector, most likely located on the top or side part. Pressing this button will let you change the input, so make sure that HDMI is selected.
If you experience issues with audio, you may need to change the source. Remember that each projector is unique, so some default settings may need to be adjusted. For example, if the volume is not working, you may need to disable the automatic HDMI input setting.
Set Up the Audio with an AVR or Sound Bar
Although the easiest way is to plug the Roku Streaming Stick into a projector directly, there is a limitation in the sound department. Your Roku stick will send audio to your projector, and while this will work, the quality will suffer because most projectors do not have good speakers or none.
You can’t rely on your projector’s built-in speaker if you want a high-quality sound from your Roku stream. Some projectors may not be compatible with the latest technology used by the shows you watch. If this is the case, the projector may not capture the best visual or audio input. The solution is to add a sound system or stream audio from another source.
You can connect your projector to speakers or soundbars. An HDMI cable is needed to secure your Roku player to an AVR. Some projectors only have one HDMI input, so if this is the case, you can connect Roku to your AVR and then to the projector to get things going. You can also use a splitter.
A splitter will split your Roku Streaming Stick signal to your AVR or soundbar and then to your projector. The video signal travels to the projector while the sound signal goes to your sound system.
Connecting Roku to Composite Port of Projector
You also have the option to use the composite port of your projector. We have outlined the steps needed if you have the Roku Express+ or the Roku Streaming Stick.
Roku Express+
If you have a Roku Express+, you can use the composite cable to connect the Roku to the projector. Once connected, you need to select Roku as the input device signal. Then, follow the succeeding instructions that you will see on the screen. Once completed, you should be good to go.
Use HDMI to RCA Converter
You will need to purchase an HDMI to RCA converter available on Amazon. First, connect your Roku stick to the converter. After this, you need to plug the HDMI to RCA converter’s composite cable into your projector’s RCA input. After this, turn on your Roku device, HDMI to RCA converter, and your projector. Lastly, you need to select RCA input in your projector.
Conclusion
The Roku Stick is an excellent device for streaming content to your TV. It’s also an ideal device for connecting to your projector. For something so handy and lightweight, we can maximize our Roku stick by connecting it to our projectors, vastly improving our streaming experience. And let’s not forget to put in a bit of work to add a sound system that, as we have learned, will work seamlessly with our Roku stick and projector.
My name is Henry Larson and I have been associated with research and development of projectors throughout my professional career. I used all my experience and expertise to create this blog so that I can guide people to get the best projector of their choice. For any further assistance, you can get in touch with me through email or comments.