Watching on a TV or Projector
The bigger the screen, the more convincing the fire. Fill a living-room TV or a projector with it, switch off the lights, and the whole room turns orange. Because the site needs nothing but a browser, any method that gets a browser onto the big screen will do.
Option 1. Connect a laptop by HDMI
This is the most reliable way. Connect the laptop to the TV with an HDMI cable, move the browser window onto the TV and press F for fullscreen. The sound travels over HDMI to the TV speakers as well. If it keeps coming from the laptop, change your computer's audio output to the TV.
Option 2. Send the screen wirelessly
Without a cable you can use wireless screen sharing.
- Chrome — "Cast" in the menu sends a tab to a Chromecast or a TV that supports it.
- iPhone, iPad and Mac — Screen Mirroring (AirPlay) sends the screen to a compatible TV or set-top box.
- Android phones and tablets — use the device's screen-sharing feature; the name varies by manufacturer.
Wireless is convenient, but the picture may stutter slightly or the sound may lag a little. For fire-gazing that hardly matters.
Option 3. Open it in the TV's own browser
If your smart TV has a web browser, you can type the address in directly. TV browsers are often slow, though, and the fire may look choppy. If so, lower the flame size in Sound and display to lighten the load. If it is still choppy, one of the other options will serve you better.
With a projector
A projector can turn an entire wall into a campfire, which gives the best atmosphere of all. A few points help.
- Most of the picture is dark night sky, so the room has to be properly dark for the fire to stand out.
- Aim the picture low on the wall and the fire looks as though it is sitting on the floor.
- If the projector's fan is audible, a little more wind sound will cover it.
If you leave it on for a long time
OLED TVs can show image retention when the same picture is displayed for a very long time. The flames keep moving, but the logs and the background do not, so if you plan to leave it on for hours, lower the brightness and set the sleep timer.
Screen savers and power saving — while the page is in fullscreen or the sound is on, the browser is asked to keep the screen awake, but the power settings of the device or the TV may take priority. If the screen keeps turning off, lengthen the device's sleep time.
External speakers beat TV speakers — if you have a soundbar or a Bluetooth speaker, connect it. The low roar of the fire comes through far better.