As an Amazon Prime subscriber, I was frustrated when I couldn’t watch my favorite shows and movies on my non-smart TV. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share with you how I solved this problem and other solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’ll explain how to watch Amazon Prime on a non-smart TV and the various options available.
If you have a Smart TV, it is easy to stream Amazon Prime as most modern TVs have built-in streaming applications. However, a Smart TV is not required as you can stream Amazon Prime using gaming consoles, smartphones, an Amazon Firestick, and various media players.
Table of Contents
Watching TV On A Non-Smart TV
| Option | Requirements | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Firestick | Non-smart TV with HDMI port, Wi-Fi connection | 1. Plug Firestick into power source. 2. Connect Firestick to TV’s HDMI port. 3. Connect Firestick to home Wi-Fi network. 4. Log in to Amazon Prime account. |
| Gaming consoles | Non-smart TV with HDMI port, gaming console | 1. Download Amazon Prime Video app on gaming console. 2. Connect console to TV’s HDMI port. 3. Connect console to home Wi-Fi network. 4. Log in to Amazon Prime account. |
| Smartphone | Non-smart TV with HDMI port, Amazon Prime Video app | 1. Download Amazon Prime Video app on smartphone. 2. Link smartphone to TV via screen mirroring, smart casting, or mini-HDMI cables. 3. Log in to Amazon Prime account. |
| Laptop | Non-smart TV with HDMI port, laptop | 1. Log in to Amazon Prime account on laptop’s web browser. 2. Connect laptop to TV’s HDMI port. |
| Other streaming devices | Non-smart TV with HDMI port, streaming device | 1. Download Amazon Prime Video app on streaming device. 2. Connect streaming device to TV’s HDMI port. 3. Connect streaming device to home Wi-Fi network. 4. Log in to Amazon Prime account. |
Smart TVs have been around for almost 15 years; however, they have only started becoming the norm in the last five years.
Smart TVs were always an item reserved for the elite, although, due to their popularity, economies of scale, and recent technological advancements, they are now affordable for the average consumer.
Previously, TVs were utilized to watch cable, DVDs, or even videos, with online streaming platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video, still in their infancy.
Many people, especially the older generation, are perfectly content watching cable television on non-Smart TVs. In addition, many people cannot afford to purchase a pricy modern Smart TV.
Not having a Smart TV used to be an issue regarding online on-demand steaming; however, this article will prove that many viable alternatives are currently available.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
An Amazon Firestick can be used on Smart TVs and non- Smart TVs. The amazing technology only requires an HDMI port to work, which most non-Smart TVs already have.
While there are many ways to watch Amazon Prime on non-Smart TVs, Amazon’s Firestick is the cheapest and easiest way to obtain streaming services and various smart features without a built-in operating system or internet connection.
Amazon Firesticks require a TV with a dedicated HDMI port. The Firestick should be inserted into the HDMI port, which seamlessly allows the Firestick to display its content and services on your big screen. However, for the Firestick to function optimally, the user must have an internet connection that is constantly active.
Connecting Amazon’s Firestick To A Non- Smart TV
Initially, connecting Amazon’s Firestick to electrical power would be best. The Firestick has a dedicated USB port, which should be plugged into a power strip or wall socket.
While the Firestick can be plugged directly into your TV’s USB port, most non-Smart TV’s USB ports are not powerful enough to enable the Firestick to function optimally.
To overcome this issue, users should plug the Firestick into a wall socket or power strip via its USB port, which will immediately transform your non-Smart TV into a modern streaming device.
Once the Firestick is connected to a good power source, it can be inserted into the TV’s dedicated HDMI port. Once correctly inserted into the HDMI port, users can change their TV’s HDMI input to the one with which the Firestick is associated. Users will instantly access Firestick’s endless streaming capabilities if done correctly.
Once the initial steps have been completed, users can connect their Firestick to their home Wi-Fi network. On the Firestick’s home screen, users will have the option of selecting various Wi-Fi networks. Users should then select their home Wi-Fi network, enter the correct security code, and connect their Firestick to endless online streaming capabilities.
Once the Firestick has been successfully connected to your non-Smart TV and home Wi-Fi network, the remaining steps are straightforward. Users will have to log in to their Amazon Prime account with their existing details, after which they will instantly have access to Amazon’s entire streaming library from the comfort of their homes.
Using Gaming Consoles To Watch Amazon Prime
The company allows users to seamlessly stream on PS4, PS3, and Xbox One consoles to ensure that Amazon Prime Video is available to as many people as possible.
As a company, Amazon is known for its advanced technology. The biggest company globally has designed Amazon Prime Video gaming console applications that can be easily downloaded on various devices.
Each console has access to a dedicated online store. Within these online stores, users can download Amazon Prime Video. Once downloaded, users must enter their login details, which will instantly enable them to access the entire library of on-demand streams.
However, for users to stream Amazon Prime Video through their gaming consoles, their console must be connected to their non-Smart TV through one of their dedicated HDMI ports.
Once the user has successfully downloaded the Amazon Prime Video Application, linked the console to the home WIFI network, and connected it to the TV’s HDMI port, video streaming is instantly available.
Using A Smartphone To Watch Amazon Prime Video
Using a smartphone to watch Amazon Prime Video on your TV is straightforward. Download Amazon’s mobile application, log into your account and link your smartphone to the TV.
For android smartphones, users should log into the android application store and download the Amazon Prime Video application.
Conversely, iOS users must access Apple’s application store and select the Amazon Prime Video Application before downloading it onto their mobile device. Once downloaded, users can enter their account details stream to their heart’s content.
While it is easy to steam Amazon Prime Video on mobile devices, converting the mobile stream to a non-Smart TV stream is challenging. In previous years it wasn’t easy to successfully link your cellphone to your non-Smart TV.
However, modern smartphones have made this process efficient and effortless, meaning that a smartphone can double as a streaming device if required.
Utilizing the advanced capabilities of your smartphone, such as screen mirroring, smart casting, or linking it via mini-HDMI cables, has become straightforward, even for those not technologically advanced.
Laptops And Other Streaming Devices
To stream Amazon Prime Video through a laptop and other streaming devices is a straightforward process, only requiring a strong home Wi-Fi network.
Accessing Amazon Prime Video on a laptop will require users to utilize their desired web browser to successfully log into their pre-existing account.
Once accessed, users can watch Amazon Prime Video on their laptop screens, while the laptop can easily be connected to a non-Smart TV screen through one of its dedicated HDMI ports.
Various other media streaming devices can also be used to watch Amazon Prime Video on a non-Smart TV. Streaming devices already connected to your non-Smart TVs, such as Apple TV and Google’s Chromecast, can be utilized to stream Amazon Prime Video.
Users must download Amazon’s Prime Video application on their streaming device, after which they can launch it and constantly watch any title currently offered on the extensive streaming service.
Conclusion
Due to the enormous popularity and desirability of the Amazon Prime Video streaming service, many people have canceled their traditional cable TV offerings. However, watching their desired TV shows on a non-Smart TV is challenging.
While Smart TVs remain the optimal choice for streaming services, non-Smart TVs can easily be utilized for the same purpose. By using laptops, Amazon Firesticks, smartphones, gaming consoles, and other streaming devices, people with non-Smart TVs can obtain the same functionality as people owning expensive Smart TVs.
Read more: Why are monitors more expensive than TVs?
References
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-watch-amazon-prime-on-tv
https://www.finder.com.au/amazon-prime-video-without-smart-tv
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GJKZ6DAZJ8Z93AJA
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/techtalk/how-to-stream-tv-and-movies-through-a-non-smart-tv/
