Turning Standard 4K Displays into Art Canvases via Apple TV and Google TV

You do not require a dedicated, frame-style television to enjoy ambient digital art. If you own a high-quality standard 4K display, you can use popular streaming devices to hijack the screensaver function, turning a blank screen into a curated gallery.

Setting Up Apple TV 4K

The Apple TV offers a seamless way to display custom art using iCloud integration. (You can find our recommended Apple TV models in the Hardware Studio).

On your iPhone or Mac, create a specific Shared Album in the Photos app and name it 'TV Art'.
Save your downloaded 16:9 master files from The Gallery into this album.
On your Apple TV, navigate to Settings > General > Screensaver.
Change the Type to 'My Photos' and select the 'TV Art' album.
Adjust the transition settings to 'Classic' or 'Ken Burns' for a subtle gallery effect, and ensure the delay timer is set to activate shortly after the television is left idle.

Setting Up Google TV & Chromecast

Google's ambient mode operates similarly through Google Photos.

Create a dedicated album in your Google Photos account and upload your 16:9 artworks.
Open the Google Home app on your mobile device.
Select your television or Chromecast device, tap the settings gear, and navigate to 'Ambient Mode'.
Choose 'Google Photos' as the source and select your dedicated art album.
Hide personal data overlays (like weather or time) in the settings to maintain a clean, uninterrupted canvas.