How to Display Photos from Your Laptop on a TV
You have a folder of photos on your laptop and want to show them on the big screen. Here are the four most common methods — and which one actually works best for a photo slideshow.
PictaCast Team
Updated June 2026 · 4 min read
Method 1: HDMI Cable
The most obvious approach. Plug an HDMI cable from your laptop into the TV and your laptop screen is mirrored or extended to the TV.
Pros
- Works with any TV that has HDMI input
- No Wi-Fi or internet required
- Zero latency
Cons
- Cable length limits where you can sit
- No slideshow features — you have to manually advance photos
- Your entire screen is visible (notifications, desktop, etc.)
Method 2: Screen Mirroring (AirPlay / Miracast)
Built into macOS (AirPlay) and Windows (Miracast), screen mirroring broadcasts your entire display to a compatible TV wirelessly.
Pros
- No cable needed
- Built into the OS — no extra software
Cons
- Laggy — compresses your display in real-time
- Everything on your screen is visible
- No slideshow automation
- Connection drops frequently
Method 3: USB Thumb Drive
Copy your photos to a USB flash drive, plug it into your TV's USB port, and use the TV's built-in media player. Simple, but clunky.
Pros
- No internet or Wi-Fi required
- Works on most TVs
Cons
- Have to copy photos manually every time
- TV media players have terrible slideshow UIs
- No background music support on most TVs
- Format compatibility issues (exFAT, NTFS, HEIC)
Method 4: Wireless Casting with PictaCast
RecommendedPictaCast is a web app that reads photos directly from a folder on your laptop and streams them wirelessly to your Chromecast or Smart TV. No cables, no cloud uploads, no copying files.
Open PictaCast in your browser
Navigate to app.pictacast.com in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on your laptop. Sign in with your Google account.
Pick a photo folder from your laptop
Click the folder picker and select any folder on your laptop — Desktop, Pictures, an external drive, anywhere. Your photos never leave your computer.
Cast to your TV and enjoy
Click the Cast icon and pick your TV. Your slideshow starts instantly with crossfade transitions. Add background music, choose layouts, and use your laptop freely while it plays.
Pros
- 100% wireless — no cables
- Full slideshow with transitions & music
- Photos never leave your laptop
- You can keep using your laptop while casting
- Works on Mac & Windows
Cons
- Requires a Chromecast or Cast-enabled TV
- Needs Chrome or Edge browser
Quick Comparison
| Feature | HDMI | Mirror | USB | PictaCast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless | ||||
| Auto-slideshow | Basic | |||
| Background music | ||||
| Use laptop freely | Extended only | |||
| Photos stay local |
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