How to Make Vertical Videos Look Good on TV and Big Screens

The Big Screen Problem

TVs, monitors, and projectors are all landscape-oriented. When you play a vertical video on any of these screens, the result is a tiny sliver of content in the center surrounded by black. On a 65-inch TV, your portrait video might only use the equivalent of a 22-inch strip.

Why This Matters

Big screens amplify the black bar problem. On a phone, portrait video fills the screen perfectly. On a TV, those same videos look comically small. If you're displaying content professionally — in a store, at a conference, or in a client presentation — this is especially problematic.

The Solution: Convert Before Displaying

Before playing vertical videos on any big screen, convert them to landscape format. This replaces the black bars with a styled background and creates a proper 16:9 video that fills widescreen displays edge to edge.

Best Background Styles for Big Screens

Blurred Mirror is the best choice for TV viewing. The blurred version of your video fills the background, creating a cohesive look that's visually interesting without distracting from the main content.

Solid Color works well for branded content in retail or corporate settings.

Gradient backgrounds look stunning on large displays, especially OLED TVs where the colors really pop.

Common Use Cases

• Home TV: Convert phone videos before AirPlaying or Chromecasting
• Digital signage: Convert portrait social media content for landscape display screens
• Events: Convert attendee-submitted videos for big screen playback
• Meetings: Convert social media clips for presentation on conference room screens
• Retail: Convert user-generated TikToks/Reels for in-store displays