The short answer
Open your TacBoard gallery's Display Live view in Chrome on your laptop, open Chrome's menu, choose Cast, and pick your Chromecast or Google TV. The laptop keeps running the stream and Chrome sends the picture to the TV over Wi-Fi. It works well on a strong network. If the venue's Wi-Fi is busy, use an HDMI cable instead.
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Test before the event.
- Runs on
- A laptop in Chrome. The TV or projector is the display.
What you need
- A Chromecast, a Google TV streamer or a TV with Chromecast built in
- A laptop with Chrome on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast
- A strong Wi-Fi network (casting adds load to it)
Before you start
- A laptop (Windows or Mac) with Chrome. Safari and Edge also work, but Chrome is recommended. Close other tabs.
- Your own laptop, not a work-issued one. Company and school laptops often block the screen sharing and sites you need.
- Reliable internet for the laptop: venue Wi-Fi or a phone hotspot. Weak Wi-Fi is the most common reason photos are slow to appear.
- Cell signal for guests if they will text photos. Test both at the venue with Try TacBoard.
- Your gallery open in Live mode. Log in at tacboard.com, open your gallery and click Display Live.
Step by step: Chromecast or Google TV
- 1
Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi
The Chromecast and the laptop must be on the same network. Venue guest networks sometimes block casting, so test it beforehand.
- 2
Open the live stream in Chrome
Log in at tacboard.com, open your gallery and click Display Live.
- 3
Cast the tab
Click Chrome's three-dot menu, choose Cast, save and share > Cast, then pick your device. Under Sources, choose Cast tab.
- 4
Fill the screen
Press F11 (Windows) or Control+Command+F (Mac) so the stream fills the TV.
- 5
Keep the laptop awake
Plug it in and turn off sleep. If the laptop sleeps, the cast stops.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photos take a long time to appear | The laptop's internet is weak. Move closer to the router or switch to a phone hotspot. |
| The stream stops scrolling at the bottom instead of looping | Change the browser zoom: Ctrl and + or - on Windows, Command and + or - on Mac. Some screen sizes need 110%. |
| The TV shows "No signal" | Select the right HDMI input with the TV remote's Input or Source button. |
| The picture does not fill the screen | Enter full screen in Chrome (F11 on Windows, Control+Command+F on Mac), and set the display to Duplicate or Mirror. |
| The laptop goes to sleep | Plug in the charger and turn off sleep and the screen saver for the event. |
Other displays
Frequently asked questions
Can I run the stream on the Chromecast without a laptop?
No. The laptop runs the live stream and the Chromecast displays it.
Why does the picture stutter?
Casting shares the Wi-Fi with everything else at the venue. Move the laptop closer to the router, or switch to an HDMI cable.
Can I cast from my phone?
We recommend a laptop. The live stream is designed for a laptop browser, and phones tend to lock or switch apps mid-event.
Do I need Wi-Fi at the venue?
The laptop running the stream needs internet: venue Wi-Fi or a hotspot. Test it at the venue beforehand with Try TacBoard.
Will TacBoard set up the equipment for us?
No. TacBoard does not provide or set up equipment, but most DJs, AV companies and venues can connect a laptop to their screen.
Last reviewed by the TacBoard team.