Are you planning to buy an Amazon Fire TV Stick and wondering what you can do with it?
Or maybe you bought a smart TV and no longer use your Fire Stick. On the other hand, maybe a smart TV isn’t in your budget, but you still want a 4K viewing experience.
No matter what your situation is, you can connect the Amazon Fire TV Stick to any projector to create a home theater experience on a budget. The setup process is quite simple and doesn’t take long to complete.
We’ve explored how you can use this device to project videos or movies in any room, giving you the ultimate viewing experience with minimal effort.
Connecting the Amazon Fire TV Stick to the projector
If your projector has an HDMI port, the process is extremely simple.
The streaming stick will provide a USB cable to connect to the power adapter. It will also come with an HDMI plug, an HDMI extender, a remote control and two AAA batteries.
To connect the Amazon Fire TV Stick to your projector:
- Insert the USB cable into the power adapter.
- Plug the other end of the USB cable into the Fire TV Stick.
- Plug the adapter cable into a nearby outlet or outlet.
- Locate the HDMI port on your projector.
- Insert the Fire Stick’s HDMI port into the HDMI port.
- Add batteries to the Fire Stick remote.
- Turn on the projector.
If you have two HDMI ports, you may need to move to the right input channel. You can then test the connection.
You can still use your Fire Stick if you have a projector without an HDMI port. However, you will need an HDMI-to-RCA adapter.
To connect an Amazon Fire Stick using an HDMI-to-RCA adapter:
- Connect your Fire Stick to the included USB power source.
- Insert the HDMI plug into the HDMI-to-RCA adapter.
- Plug the RCA cables into the adapter.
- Insert the RCA cables into the corresponding ports on the projector.
- Plug the Fire Stick and adapter into a power source.
- Turn on the projector.
When you test your connection, you should see video and hear sound coming from the projector’s speakers. If not, you can fix any problems you encounter.
Options for streaming audio from Fire TV to your speakers
There are three key solutions for getting audio from your Fire TV to external speakers.
This includes:
- Using Bluetooth enabled speakers.
- Adding an HDMI audio extractor.
- Using a wireless HDMI kit.
Which option is best for you depends on your specific setup.
bluetooth
Bluetooth technology enables a wireless connection between the Amazon Fire Stick and the Bluetooth-enabled speaker of your choice.
This option is the easiest way to connect external speakers. It can also be connected to a Bluetooth receiver with connected speakers.
The latest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K uses Bluetooth 5.0. Some older models may use Bluetooth 4.0 or 4.1.
You should have no problem connecting to other Bluetooth devices, even if the versions are different. Newer versions are backward compatible with earlier versions.
These steps will work with basic speakers and Bluetooth surround sound systems.
To connect to a Bluetooth speaker:
- Go to Bluetooth settings on the Fire TV menu.
- Turn on your wireless speakers.
- Look for speakers under the Fire TV Bluetooth connection.
- Select the speakers and select the pairing option.
After pairing, you can play audio through the wireless speakers through the Amazon Fire Stick.
If you have any pairing problems, make sure the speakers are not already paired with another device. Some speakers can be paired with multiple devices.
Check the speaker user guide to resolve any connection issues.
An HDMI audio extractor can bypass the projector’s built-in speakers.
It works by sending sound to a separate audio device such as a speaker, sound system or soundbar. At the same time, it does not interfere with video playback from your HDMI connection to the Amazon Fire TV.
This setting can be helpful if your projector speakers have poor sound.
To connect external speakers to the HDMI audio extractor:
- Insert the Fire Stick into the HDMI port on the audio extractor.
- Plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI output port on the audio extractor.
- Connect the other end to the projector’s HDMI port.
- Plug your Fire Stick and audio extractor into a power outlet.
- Turn on the projector.
- Send the extracted audio to your external sound device.
If you have a Dolby Atmos compatible sound system, you will need an optical cable to connect the optical output to the receiver.
In case you want a normal sound connection, such as a soundbar, you will need a cable to connect the 3.5mm audio jack to the sound device.
Depending on your setup, you may have to run long wires or cables to get everything connected properly.
Wireless HDMI kit
With a wireless HDMI kit, you have the flexibility of where you send your HDMI signal.
The kit includes the following:
- A transmitter for wirelessly sending video and audio to compatible devices
- An HDMI receiver that communicates wirelessly with the transmitter
There are a number of options on the market, from budget buys to high-end adapters. Your setup will determine the best HDMI kit for your needs.
Setting up a wireless HDMI projector kit
When setting up a wireless HDMI projector kit, you’ll need to plug your Amazon Fire Stick into the transmitter. You will then connect your HDMI receiver to the projector.
When both parts are on, you create a wireless connection between your Fire Stick and the projector without them touching.
You can then test the connection. You should be able to see the video and hear the audio through the speakers or sound system of your choice.
There are some advantages with this setup, including:
- It doesn’t require you to run wires through your space.
- The layout offers a clean, modern look.
- You are not limited by wires, cables and sockets.
However, there are some disadvantages, including:
- You must purchase additional equipment.
- Kits can be expensive.
- Setup takes longer than connecting to a simple Bluetooth speaker.
For this setup, you’ll also use an HDMI audio extractor. However, the difference is that you don’t have to worry about running wires everywhere.
Another benefit is that once you’ve got this setup, you can plug in another streaming device if you want, as long as it has an HDMI port.
This means you can experiment with upgraded streaming boxes if you want.
Problems connecting the Amazon Fire TV Stick to the projector
You may encounter two problems when you connect the Amazon Fire TV Stick to the projector. This includes the lack of audio or video.
Video playback
It’s not uncommon for you to have trouble getting videos to display properly when you first connect your Amazon Fire TV Stick to a projector.
If you can’t see the video, try these troubleshooting tips:
- Turn off the power to the projector. Disconnect the Amazon Fire Stick from the projector and its power source. Then reconnect everything and turn on the power.
- If there are two HDMI ports, make sure the correct port is selected on the projector.
- Check that all connections are properly and fully connected.
- Make sure the projector lens cover is off.
- Follow the manufacturer’s steps to reset the projector to factory settings.
These solutions should get you up and running in no time.
Troubleshooting sound problems
If you want to use an external portable speaker or stationary sound system instead of the projector’s built-in speakers, you may encounter some sound problems. This is because HDMI carries an audio signal. It is set to display video and play audio.
In the case of audio, to bypass the HDMI audio signal entering the projector, you’ll need to perform a few additional steps.
To deliver sound to external speakers instead of the projector’s internal speakers, you’ll need to use a wired or wireless connection.
Depending on the speakers, you may need additional wiring. Additional time will be required to ensure proper connections if you want to connect a wired surround soundbar or multi-speaker home theater sound system.
However, there are also wireless options that are quick and easy to set up.
Summary
Whether you’re planning to buy an Amazon Fire TV Stick or have one lying around, it’s good to know that you can stream your favorite video content through a projector with minimal setup.
Although some connections require more thought and equipment, you can choose a simple connection, such as pairing with Bluetooth speakers. This could be the solution to adding more ways to watch streaming content with the purchase of a TV.
Even better, it’s cheaper and offers a wide viewing area as some projectors project an image of 100 inches or more.
Before choosing how you want to connect your Amazon Fire TV Stick to your projector, consider your budget, audio needs, and whether you need a wired or wireless setup. This will help you find the best solution for your situation.