Using your smart TV for Zoom or Skype?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Using your smart TV for Zoom or Skype?

danepak

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#269696 2-Apr-2020 19:56

Can you add an HMDI (or USB) webcam to your smart TV (in this case a Sony Android TV) and then use Zoom or Skype?
Would it be safe to download an apk file for Zoom or Skype and run it through the TV (neither appears in the TV’s Google Playstore).

davidcole

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#2453318 2-Apr-2020 20:49

Samsung used to have a camera in some of their smart TVs. But I suspect they don’t work anymore cos it’s been 2 minutes since they were released.

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Handle9

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#2453342 2-Apr-2020 21:10

TVs generally don't work with video conferencing software. The apks you download will be for mobile versions. There are some hacks you can do but generally the problem is the usb microphones and usb webcams don't work

You're better off using a PC and an HDMI cable

Edit: Reference here is for Android TVs

danepak

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#2453376 2-Apr-2020 22:05

Handle9:

TVs generally don't work with video conferencing software. The apks you download will be for mobile versions. There are some hacks you can do but generally the problem is the usb microphones and usb webcams don't work

You're better off using a PC and an HDMI cable

Edit: Reference here is for Android TVs

OK, thanks.

Handle9

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#2453380 2-Apr-2020 22:07

Doesn't mean you can't try and you won't damage anything :)

danepak

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#2453381 2-Apr-2020 22:08

Handle9:

Doesn't mean you can't try and you won't damage anything :)

In these Covid-19 times with self isolation, there's definitely plenty of time to play around with it.

danepak

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#2455150 5-Apr-2020 15:07

There’s an app called Tellybean.
Available for Android and iOS.
Downloaded it on my Sony Smart TV.
Can’t find it in the iOS AppStore. Not regional restricted, as I tried with region to see to USA.

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Kiwifruta

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#2455170 5-Apr-2020 15:37

I used to have a Skype camera and mic that would connect to a telly, unfortunately Microsoft decided to stop supporting it.

I know facebook have their portal tv device.

billgates

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#2455205 5-Apr-2020 16:55

Xbox One with Kinect will let you do Skype video calls.

Do whatever you want to do man.

danepak

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#2455694 6-Apr-2020 13:02

Looks like Streamer for Chromecast is the best option.
Zoom from the iPhone onto the TV.

Dawg

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#2456569 7-Apr-2020 16:50

I used Screen cast with my Chromecast and Samsung S8 phone. Use the Home App, Mirror Screen, then open the Zoom app.

lchiu7

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#2460548 13-Apr-2020 14:29

I know the question was asked about Zoom so this is peripherally relevent.

I normally use Duo on my phone and I connected my phone to my 60" TV using a Chromecast and the Cast app on the phone. Started a call. It initially was in portrait mode which wasn't very good but when I flipped the phone to landscape so did the image on the TV and it filled up the entire TV screen( 16:9). Sound came out of the Soundbar and the mic on the phone picked up my audio.

But since then I have moved to running Zoom on a small (NUC) PC connected to the same TV with a Logitech web camera and that's a much better experience.

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