One thing we all agree on is that entertainment is better on a large screen. You can turn the fun up a notch by watching your favorite sport or TV show on a projector screen.
Do you want to have your cable TV displayed on your projector? You only need a few cables to connect both devices and set up your cable TV.
In this article, you’ll learn different ways to set up cable TV on your Epson projector. First, a little insight into cable TV.
Quick Navigation
Can I Connect My Cable TV to an Epson Projector?
Click for more info
Yes, you can connect your cable TV to an Epson projector. However, there are a few things to straighten out.
Modern TVs have HDMI output ports that allow you to connect them to another display device. You can send video signals from your TV to the Epson projector via HDMI.
However, this is a three-step connection: Cable box — TV — Epson projector. It also means that you will have two displays instead of one.
The best way to watch cable TV on your projector screen is by connecting the cable box directly to your projector.
A cable box is a device that allows access to encrypted channels on television satellites. It unscrambles digital TV signals before it sends them to your television or projector.
Cable boxes and Epson projectors often come with several connectivity options. Keep reading to discover the different ways to connect cable TV to your Epson projector.
Connectivity Ports for Setting Up Cable TV
Click image for more info
Connectivity ports determine how data is exchanged between devices. You need to connect your projector and cable box via the right ports.
There are several connectivity ports on the Epson projector. The HDMI connector is the most important of them.
Invented in 2002, HDMI is the standard for modern video devices. It transmits high-quality digital audiovisual signals.
If you want to watch Cable TV in HD or 4K, HDMI is the best connector for you.
Cable boxes manufactured in the last decade come with HDMI ports that allow you to connect one directly to your projector.
Many other connectivity ports allow media transmission for cable TV. Some transmit only analog signals, which means your video quality may be noticeably lower.
Below is a list of all the connectors you can use to set up cable TV.
On a cable box:
- HDMI port
- Composite AV ports
On an Epson projector:
- HDMI port
- DisplayPort
- DVI-D
- Composite AV port
- VGA port
How Do I Connect My Epson Projector to the Cable TV
The cable box is the video output source, while the projector is the input destination. All you need is to find matching ports on both devices.
The HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the connector of choice. However, it is not the only connector.
The following sections will explain how to set up cable TV on your projector with and without HDMI.
How to Connect Cable Box to Epson Projector With HDMI
Click image for more info
HDMI connectors allow hot-plugging; you can create and break the connections even when both devices are turned on.
Step 1: Plug one end of a high-quality HDMI cable into your Epson projector.
Step 2: Plug the other end of the cable into the HDMI port on your cable box.
Step 3: Plug the Epson projector into a power source.
Step 4: Turn on the projector and remove the lens cover.
Step 5: Press the Source button on the projector remote repeatedly until HDMI is displayed as the input source.
Some Epson projectors automatically detect the HDMI connection and switch the input source.
Step 6: Plug the cable box into a power source and power it on.
How to Connect Cable Box to Epson Projector Without HDMI
If your projector and cable box are older models that do not have HDMI ports, you can connect both devices over other available ports like S-video or AV ports.
Older cable boxes and projectors came with composite (RCA) AV ports.
Click image for more info
The composite AV cable has three wires whose plugs have three different colors: Yellow, White, and Red. These wires equip the cable with video and audio functionality.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to connect with the composite RCA connector.
Step 1: Locate the Composite AV ports on your cable box and Epson projector. They are usually colored yellow, white, and red.
Step 2: Plug one end of the composite cable into the cable box. Match each plug to the port with the same color.
Step 3: Plug the other end of the cable into the Epson projector. Match the plugs on that end to their respective ports.
Step 4: Connect the projector to a power outlet and power it on.
Step 5: Press the Source button on your projector’s remote repeatedly until the display is set to ‘Video.’
Step 6: Connect the cable box to a power outlet and power it on.
The projector screen will display the cable TV’s default screen on the projector screen.
Step 7: Use the cable box’s remote controller to select your desired channel.
Note: The Composite RCA ports on both devices may not have colors that match the cable. Look out for these labels too: Video (Yellow), L-Audio (White), and R-Audio (Red).
How To Use HDMI With an Adapter
Click image for more info
If we lived in a perfect world, you would skip this section. However, the world is far from perfect, and sometimes the connector ports on your devices don’t match.
If your Epson projector is an old model without HDMI, how do you connect to your cable box with HDMI?
All you need is an adapter/converter.
Adapters allow you to connect otherwise incompatible devices. They connect to the available port and provide the required connector.
If your projector doesn’t have an HDMI port, you may need one of the following:
- HDMI to DisplayPort adapter
- HDMI to VGA adapter
- HDMI to AV/Composite converter
Steps to connect your devices with an adapter:
Step 1: Purchase an adapter that converts from HDMI to a connector on your Epson projector (VGA, AV, DisplayPort, etc.).
Step 2: Buy a cable that matches the output connector on the adapter (VGA, AV, or DisplayPort).
Step 3: Plug the HDMI end of the adapter into the HDMI port on the cable box.
Step 4: Plug one end of the cable into the adapter, and plug the other end into your Epson projector.
Note: Usually, the adapter’s HDMI connector is male (plug-in). However, use an HDMI cable to connect the adapter to your cable box if it is female.
Using HDMI-to-VGA adapter to connect an Epson projector (VGA port) to Cable Box
FAQ
Can I watch TV on my projector without using a cable box?
Click image for more info
Several cable TV providers have apps and websites that allow you to stream their channels online.
Other companies like Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, and Sling TV allow you to stream movies and shows.
You can access these services through devices almost as small as a USB stick. These devices include:
- Google Chromecast
- Roku streaming stick
- Amazon FireStick
Google Chromecast is an HDMI-enabled device that allows you to stream TV shows and movies on your projector over Wi-Fi.
You can cast video and audio from your phone or laptop onto the projector screen using the app.
The Roku and Amazon streaming sticks also connect to the projector via HDMI. They allow users to download and access various streaming apps and services.
Conclusion
You can watch cable TV on your projector screen by connecting the cable box to your projector. If both devices do not have matching ports, you can make the connection with suitable adapters.
HDMI is the new standard for video streaming across devices, and older AV connectors are phasing out rapidly.
You may use the Composite RCA connector if your HDMI port is damaged. However, we advise that you fix your HDMI port as soon as you can.
Cheers!
Gabriella ‘Diogo is a content writer with a vested interest in tech hardware and equipment. She shares her knowledge and processes in an easy-to-grasp, lighthearted style. When she’s not testing or researching device performance, you’ll find her writing short stories or rewatching episodes of her favorite sitcoms.