The short answer
Connect your laptop to the TV with an HDMI cable, switch the TV to that HDMI input, open your TacBoard gallery in Chrome, click Display Live and go full screen. This wired setup is the one we recommend for every event because it does not depend on screen-casting over Wi-Fi.
- Difficulty
- Easy, about five minutes
- Runs on
- A laptop in Chrome. The TV or projector is the display.
What you need
- A TV with an HDMI input (almost every TV made since 2010)
- An HDMI cable long enough to reach the laptop (10 to 25 ft is typical)
- An adapter if your laptop has only USB-C or Thunderbolt ports (USB-C to HDMI)
- The laptop's charger
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: TV with HDMI
- 1
Plug in the HDMI cable
Connect one end to the laptop (through an adapter if needed) and the other to an HDMI port on the TV. Note the port number.
- 2
Choose the TV input
Press Input or Source on the TV remote and pick the HDMI port you used. You should see the laptop's desktop.
- 3
Duplicate the display
On Windows press Windows+P and choose Duplicate. On a Mac, open System Settings > Displays and set the TV to mirror the built-in display.
- 4
Open the live stream
In Chrome, log in at tacboard.com, open your gallery and click Display Live.
- 5
Go full screen
Press F11 on Windows or Control+Command+F on a Mac.
- 6
Send a test photo
Text a photo to your event number or upload one with the QR code, and watch it appear.
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
What HDMI cable do I need?
Any standard HDMI cable works. Buy one long enough to reach from the TV to wherever the laptop can sit safely, usually 10 to 25 feet.
My laptop has no HDMI port. What do I do?
Use a USB-C to HDMI adapter (most modern laptops and MacBooks), or a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter for older Macs.
Can I use the TV's built-in browser instead?
We do not recommend it. Smart TV browsers are underpowered and tend to freeze as the gallery grows. See smart TV setup.
Can I run the live stream on my phone or iPad?
No. The live stream runs on a laptop browser. Connect the laptop to the TV or projector, by HDMI or by casting or mirroring from the laptop.
Why do photos take a while to appear on the screen?
Almost always a weak Wi-Fi signal on the laptop. Move it closer to the router or switch to a phone hotspot. Guests also need cell signal to text photos.
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.