I finally figured it out – how to display digital art without a Smart TV! Over the last few years, I’ve loved seeing art displayed in homes on Pinterest and Instagram only to learn it’s not art, it’s a TV. We don’t have a fancy Frame TV or even a Smart TV, but now we won’t be missing out. So, I’m sharing all the details on how to display digital art without a Smart TV and a few of my favorite FREE art prints below. (post contains affiliate links, see disclosure)
I’ve been obsessed with the Samsung Frame TV that has become super popular over the last few years. However, I’m not obsessed with the price tag and our new-ish tv is working just fine. But thanks to Caitlin Marie Design and her post, I learned how to display art on our tv using the Roku.
There are many other ways to display the art, but most require a Smart TV that can access Youtube, Apple, and various other apps. We’ve had a Roku for years and I don’t know why I didn’t know this before! Our Roku is hooked up to the TV using an HDMI cord, but Roku also has a Streaming Stick, similar to the Amazon Firestick.
I took some of my favorite FREE vintage art prints and set them to a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is perfect for a widescreen tv. Below, you can click to download, save, and display them too!
FREE DIGITAL ART PRINTS
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | I picked art that can be displayed for each season. This one is perfect for fall, and I love this one for spring or summer. This one and this one are perfect for Christmas and winter. As I find more free art prints for each season, I’ll update them for tv art too.
Download the print and save it to your phone or computer. Then, create a new or use an existing Google account to upload the art prints to Google Photos. I created a separate album for easy access. Then, on the Roku install the Photo View channel, sign in with Google, and select the album you just created. It will display the art print or prints as a slideshow. Or you can make it as a screensaver in the Roku settings.
You don’t have the option of adding a photo mat or frame this way. But I think it’s equally beautiful. On our TV we have a custom mode for the display brightness, saturation, etc., so I played around with those until the art print looked as realistic as it can.
I’ve noticed even with the Frame TV, they still look like TVs to me. In-person, it looks more realistic, but on camera, it doesn’t. Either way, I think this is a great option to display digital art without a Smart TV!
