Step 3 of 5

Play Your Content

You might not even need a media player.

Your projector needs something to play. The good news: you may already have everything you need.

Easiest path: a USB stick

If your projector has a USB port and plays video files, you're basically done. Load a holiday loop onto a USB stick, plug it in, and set it to repeat. No computer, no extra box, nothing else to buy.

No USB playback? Easy options, cheapest first

An old laptop you already own. Plug it into the projector with an HDMI cable, play the loop full screen. Free if it's sitting in a drawer.
A cheap media player. A small Android TV box or media stick ($30–50) plays files off a USB drive or SD card.
A Raspberry Pi running FPP. More powerful and what bigger shows use, but it's more setup. Save it for when you're ready to level up — not for your first show.

For your first show: a USB stick or a laptop you already have will get you projecting tonight. Don't overthink it.

Where to get content: pre-made holiday loops are available all over, free and paid. Grab one ready-made loop to start — making your own is Step 4, and it's optional.