Getting Started

Everything you need to know to start using Projector to create your own

home movie video streaming service on your Smart TV.

First Steps & Installation

Account Setup

The best way to start and manage your Projector account is on our website at projectorstream.com from your computer (Chrome is preferred). After creating your account, you can begin uploading content via the “Upload” button or through the Content Dashboard. For only $79.99 a year, you can upgrade from the free tier (15 videos/5 GB) to unlimited uploads and streaming, all secured in the cloud. We also offer the Projector Uploader software for Mac and Windows to help you sync files directly from your local drives.

Watch the tutorial video below to see exactly how to get started and begin your first upload.

We film hours of family videos and thousands of family photos so that we can capture special moments then go back and view, and share these memories with others.  We now have the opportunity to make sure that each generation that comes after can also share in these cherished memories we have spent so much time capturing.  Videos and photos is how we document our lives and the lives of our loved ones.  We would all have loved the opportunity to be able to see events in the lives of the many generations of our family that came before us.  Now with Projector we can give this gift to those that come after.  Most of us keep these cherished memories, videos, and photos on computer and cloud drives.  Or perhaps they are simply stored in our mobile devices and not easy for anyone to view on the big screen like your favorite video streaming services like Netflix.  There is also no built in mechanism to make sure they are passed onto future generations.  Projector changes all of that.  With your Projector account, you can name as many successors as you would like to keep your account active forever.  To name a successor, they must first be an active invited viewer of your Projector account.

You can manage all of this in the Content Dashboard>Viewers

TV & App Setup

To enjoy the ultimate viewing experience, search for “Projector” in the App Store of your ROKU, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google TV. Look for our logo to ensure you are downloading the correct app, then simply log in using the email and password you created on our website. This transforms your home movie collection into your very own streaming service on the big screen. Refer to the device-specific tutorial videos below for assistance with the installation:

Amazon Fire: Learn how to Install the Projector TV App (play video)
Apple TV: Learn how to Install the Projector TV App (play video)
ROKU: Learn how to Install the Projector TV App (play video)
Google TV: Learn how to Install the Projector TV App (play video)

After you have created your Projector account, you have the ability to request access to view others Projector, or others can invite you to view their Projector.  You must be granted access to view others Projector.  They can also determine what videos and photo albums you have access to view.  Likewise, you determine who to grant access to view your Projector and what videos and photo albums they have access to view.

You can manage sharing your Projector in the Content Dashboard>Viewers.  Once you invite a viewer, they will receive an e-mail notification.  If they already have an existing Projector account, they can sign on to their account and accept the invitation to view by either selecting the notifications icon or in the Content Dashboard:

Screenshot 2024-02-08 at 5.24.51 PM.png

Content Management

Uploading Media

Projector  allows you to upload one video or up to 100 videos at a time, but that does not mean you can not upload many videos quickly.  Uploading one video at a time is the easiest way to enter all pertinent information including changing the title of the video, choose between multiple Thumbnails or choose your own, enter a description of the video (strongly recommended for the best viewing experience), video category for better organizing and archiving, sub-category for better viewing and searching options, and Visibility options to utilize our advance sharing options.  When uploading 2 or more videos at a time, you will have limited ability to enter all pertinent information, but can go back and edit any of the above listed information.

We highly recommend reviewing the Help Center article on Video Streaming Standards to make sure your uploading of videos is easy and successful.

We also have the Projector Uploader Software tool that you can install on your Mac or Windows computer to help you find and upload your memories from your local computer and cloud services.

To publish a video that has been uploaded and processed, we suggest you enter the following fields for each video to make the viewing experience as best possible for you and your family members:

1. Title (We auto import the file name, but you can make changes)

2. Select a Thumbnail we auto generate or you can select your own Thumbnail

3. Select a Category (If you do not select your own custom category, your video will only be seen in the “All Videos” Category)

4. Select a Visibility choice.  Because Projector is a private library meant mostly for family and close family friends, we suggest selecting “All Invited Viewers Can View” unless there are specific videos you want to avoid sharing with all your Viewers.

Traditionally we do not think of having photos, photo albums or playing slideshows when using a TV video streaming service like Netflix.  However, Projector is not like traditional video streaming services.  This is your content and your content is complete with many photos and photo albums.  Yet it is not always easy to find, view, or share these photos and albums.  Few people know how to play a photo album slideshow on their TV.  Projector gives you the ability to play slideshows on your TV.  Projector also gives you the ability to customize where on your Projector the Photo Albums appear to make them easily viewable by all.  You can accomplish this in the Content Dashboard>Layout.

Be sure to download the Projector TV app on your TV streaming device (Apple TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire Stick and Google TV).  Click Here for more information on how to install an App on your Smart TV Streaming Device.  Log into the Smart TV app using your same login credentials and just like that, you have your very own video streaming service for your home movies and photos on your big screen TV.  It’s Netflix for your families photos!

If you have physical media like film or VHS tapes that are not yet digitized, it is time to take on the project! We provide a directory of professionals searchable by location who can assist with both digitization and organization. These experts can even help you build your Projector account from scratch, ensuring your newly converted memories are ready for the big screen.

Technical Standards

The magic of Projector is that it allows you to create your very own video streaming app on a Smart TV—it works just like Netflix. To ensure the best experience, please follow these uploading standards.

1. General Recommendations

  • Format: We recommend standard mp4 digital files with H.264 compression (the same format used by YouTube and Netflix).

  • File Size: We strongly suggest keeping files below 3GB. While larger files are allowed, they will significantly increase upload times.

2. Video Transfer Settings

If you are converting old tapes or film, use these specifications to maintain quality while keeping the file size efficient:

VHS & Camcorder Tapes

  • Standard Definition: 720×480 | 29.97 fps | 1,500 – 2,000 kbps bitrate.

  • High Definition: 1280x720p | 29.97 fps | 3,000 kbps bitrate.

16mm, 8mm & Super 8mm Film

  • Resolution: 1440×1080 | 29.7 fps | 6,000 kbps bitrate.

  • Codec: Always set to H.264.

3. Key Definitions

  • Bitrate: The amount of data transferred per second.

  • Video Resolution: The number of pixels on the screen (Width x Height).

  • File Size: Determined by resolution and bitrate. Higher settings equal larger files.

4. Internet Speed Recommendations

Your upload speed affects how quickly your videos reach your Projector account:

  • For SD (480p) or HD (720p): Between 2 Mbps and 5 Mbps upload speed is recommended.

  • For High-End HD (720p) at 3,000 kbps: Between 7 Mbps and 15 Mbps is recommended.

Test your Internet Speed here: www.speedtest.net/

Projector allows you to upload Photo Albums and play them just like a Video Streaming Service like Netflix plays a TV Show or Movie, which makes Projector the easiest way to play a photo album slide show on your Smart TV.  Below are some standards that will assist you when uploading photo files.  Your photo file should meet all these recommendations below.  Following the suggestions below should not affect the original photo quality and play beautifully on your TV or other streaming device:

File Format Recommended: JPG, PNG

File Size Recommended: Less than 50 MB

Pixel Height: 2000 or less

Pixel Length: 2000 or less

Customizing & Sharing

Organization

Projector allows you to customize your own TV streaming service experience so your home movies and photo albums have that same professional video streaming service look and feel as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.  You get to customize your Projectors appearance, create video categories, select category background, etc.  We will continue developing new and creative ways for you to customize your Projector including adding themes, and other features.

Prior to begin uploading your content, you may want to consider organizing your videos on folders on your computer first.  Place your content in folders based on what categories you want those videos to appear in your Projector.  If you plan to have a category named Birthday’s, then put all the associated videos in a folder titled Birthday’s.  When you upload your first Birthday video, Projector allows you to create that Category and then all additional Birthday videos can easily be placed in that same category.  If you do not select a Category for a video, that video will still be able to be streamed in the “All Videos” Category on your Projector account.  Projector also allows you to assign each video a sub-category (optional) to help you identify and search for videos later on.  In addition to Categories, you can also place videos in Playlists or add to your Watchlist to help you find and enjoy videos.  Having a good title (required) and description (optional) of each video makes the video more special when you play it because it gives you that professional TV streaming service feel, like you have your own Netflix made just for your family.  You will find the upload and organizing process seamless, quick, and easy.  Especially if you first organize your content prior to uploading.  This is why using your computer (Chrome Browser Recommended) is a great way to setup your Projector account.  Then you can easily view your Projector on your favorite Smart TV streaming device with the Projector TV app (Apple TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire and Google TV).  This will be so special for your entire family to enjoy.  The same is true when uploading Photo Albums.  Your photos may already be organized in a photo application or on folders in your computer.  You can upload as many photos as you choose at one time and place them into a Projector Photo Album that you create.  You can later add additional photos to existing Photo Albums.  The Albums will exist on your Projector and can be played as Slideshows on any of your devices and TV’s.  Also see Organize Your Content.

Projector is your own personal video streaming service.  Once you set-up your projector and start uploading content, you now have your own “Netflix” to easily view and share your content.  Having your own Video Streaming service for your own home movies and photos is awesome.  We wanted to help make it as cool as possible by allowing you to customize Projector as much as possible. We are committed to continue developing more customizations including soon to be announced themes and other really cool stuff.  For now, you can create your own video Categories, just like you see in Netflix, Disney+ and others and place your videos to help make the viewing experience for you, your family and those you share your Projector with truly special.  By giving each video you upload a specific well thought out title (required) and a full description (optional) of the video, it makes your home movies look just like a Movie or TV Show you see on your favorite video streaming apps.

Once you have created your Projector account, go to our easy to navigate Content Dashboard to customize your videos, layouts, and other options soon to come.  You can manage all things in the Projector Dashboard.  You can choose the order of the video categories and the order of the videos in each category.  Youc an also control the placement of the Photo Albums you upload.

Privacy & Sharing

Projector makes it easy for your family and friends to view your Projector account on their Smart TV streaming device.  Likewise, friends and family can easily share their content with you.  After you have created your Projector account, you can invite others to view your Projector and the content you have chosen to give them access too.  You decide what content each viewer has access to see using our Groups feature.   This is known as “Visibility” settings in Projector.  When you upload a video or photo album, you can decide right then if everyone who has access to your Projector can see that content, if only you have access, or choose a specific Group of people who have access to view that content.  You can set up as many different Group’s as you like (Content Dashboard>Viewers>Groups).  Once you begin using Projector you will see just how easy it to invite users, set up which content they have access to, and the ability to delete viewers.

Remember, this is not social media so creating groups is to block or limit certain videos from being seen by some of your followers.  If you want a video to only be seen by some of your viewers, you assign that video to a group.

After you have created your Projector account, you have the ability to request access to view others Projector, or others can invite you to view their Projector.  You must be granted access to view others Projector.  They can also determine what videos and photo albums you have access to view.  Likewise, you determine who to grant access to view your Projector and what videos and photo albums they have access to view.

You can manage sharing your Projector in the Content Dashboard>Viewers.  Once you invite a viewer, they will receive an e-mail notification.  If they already have an existing Projector account, they can sign on to their account and accept the invitation to view by either selecting the notifications icon or in the Content Dashboard:

The best way to manage your Projector account is on our web site at projectorstream.com from your computer (Chrome Internet browser is preferred).

To delete a photo from a Photo Album:
 
1.    Log into your Projector account on your computer
2.    In the upper right hand corner, click on Content Dashboard
3.    Click on Content
4.    Along the top left of your Content screen you will see Videos, Photo Albums, Drafts
5.    Click on Photo Albums
6.    Click on the circle to the left of the Photo Album you want to delete from
7.    Click on the down arrow to the right of the Photo Album thumbnail
8.    Click on Edit Album which will bring you to Manage Album
9.    You will see each photo in that album with an option to Remove, located under the word Draft, along the right-hand side of each photo
10.   Click Remove
11.   Click Back to get back to your Content
 
If you want to delete an entire album:
 
1.    Follow above instructions 1-6
2.    Click on More Actions just above the Content Preview of the photo album you activated to edit
3.     Click Delete
4.    Click Delete again when you are asked if you’re sure you want to delete
 
If you want to delete a video:
 
1.    Follow the same instructions as deleting an entire photo album, except you will click on Videos along the top left of your Content screen.