Getting started: Kanopy on a TV

Step-by-step instructions (Printable version)

Create your Kanopy account

Go to kanopy.com and click Get Started. Follow the steps to set up your account:

  1. Find and select Jefferson County Public Library.
  2. Enter your library card number.
  3. Enter name, email address and a password.
  4. Find the verification email in your inbox and click on the link to verify your email.
AirPlay
  1. After you create your Kanopy account, go to the iTunes app store on your device, search for the “kanopy” app, and install it.
  2. Open the app and sign into your account.
  3. Select a film and tap Play.
  4. Select the Airplay icon at the top right of the screen.
  5. Choose the Apple TV you would like to connect to.
  6. Once the film begins playing on your TV select Done on your iOS device.
  7. You will be able to control closed caption and subtitles (if available) using the icon to the right of the Airplay icon.
  8. To stop Airplay, select the Airplay icon again and select your mobile device.
Amazon Fire TV
  1. After you create your Kanopy account, go to the Amazon Fire TV store, search for Kanopy and install the app. Log in with your account.
  2. When you first open the Kanopy app, you will be able to browse content, but not play the films. In order to play, you will need to link your Kanopy account. To do this:
    1. Go to Settings
    2. Select “Link My Account”
    3. Go to www.kanopy.com/link OR to the “Link Your Device” section of the Kanopy iOS/Android/Fire Tablet app and enter the code that you see on your TV screen.
    4. If the linking is successful, your TV screen will update to confirm that your account has been successfully linked.
    5. Select “Start Watching”
Android TV
  1. After you create your Kanopy account, go to the Google Play Store on your Android TV, search for Kanopy and install the app. Sign into your Android account, then choose the device you would like to install the app on.
  2. When you first open the Kanopy app, you will be able to browse content, but not play the films. In order to play, you will need to link your Kanopy account. To do this:
    1. Go to Settings.
    2. Select “Link My Account.”
    3. Go to www.kanopy.com/link OR to the “Link Your Device” section of the Kanopy iOS/Android/Fire Tablet app and enter the code that you see on your TV screen.
    4. If the linking is successful, your TV screen will update to confirm that your account has been successfully linked. Select "Start Watching."
Apple TV
  1. After you create your Kanopy account, go to the App Store on your Apple TV, search for Kanopy and install the app.
  2. Open the app and sign into your account.
  3. Go to kanopy.com/link using a computer or mobile device.
  4. Enter the code displayed on the left side of your TV screen and submit.
  5. If the linking is successful, the message will change on your TV screen to let you know that you can select “Watch Now” with your Apple TV remote to start viewing films. Once this is complete, you will be able to start viewing films on your Apple TV.
Chromecast

Using the iOS or Android app

  1. After you create your Kanopy account, make sure your smartphone or tablet is connected to the same wifi network as your Chromecast device.
  2. In the app on your device, tap the “Cast” button at the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Select the Chromecast device that is connected to your television. Once the connection is established, your TV screen will display “Ready to cast.”
  4. Start playing a film on the app and it will be played via Chromecast on your TV screen.

Using a computer

  1. Make sure your smartphone or tablet is connected to the same wifi network as your Chromecast device.
  2. Log into your Kanopy account on the computer using the Chrome browser, and click Play on a borrowed title.
  3. The Cast icon will appear at the bottom right of the video player. 
  4. Click the Cast icon, select your Chromecast device, and the film will start playing on your TV.
Roku
  1. After you create your Kanopy account and you have your Roku device  set up, add the Kanopy channel to your Roku by going to Streaming Channels > Search Channels, and search for Kanopy. Select Kanopy from the search results, then Add Channel. The Kanopy channel will now appear on your Roku’s home screen. Log in with your account.
  2. When you first open the Kanopy channel, you will be able to browse content, but not play the films. In order to play, you will need to link your Kanopy account. To do this:
    • Select any film and press play. This will trigger the linking process and display further instructions on screen (outlined in the following steps).
    • Go to kanopy.com/link using a computer or mobile device. If you are not signed into your account, you will be prompted to do so before you can enter the code.
    • Enter the code displayed on the left side of your TV screen, and click Submit.
  3. If the linking is successful, the message will change on your Roku to let you know that you can press the OK button to start viewing films. Once this is complete, you will be able to start viewing films on your Roku. If you need to generate a new code, click the back arrow button on the Roku remote and select the film again.
Samsung Smart TV
  1. After you create your Kanopy account, download the Kanopy app to your Samsung Smart TV. You can find this by searching for Kanopy in the Apps section of your Samsung Smart TV, or through the general TV search. TVs from 2015-2016 will need to be running webkit r152340 while TVs from 2017-present will need to be running chromium M47 (Chrome 47) in order to download the app.
  2. The first time you open the app you will be able to browse content, however you will not be able to watch any films until you link your Kanopy account to your Samsung TV. To do this:
    1. Go to Settings
    2. Select “Link My Account”
    3. Go to www.kanopy.com/link OR to the “Link Your Device” section of the Kanopy iOS/Android/Fire Tablet app and enter the code that you see on your TV screen
    4. If the linking is successful, your TV screen will update to confirm that your account has been successfully linked
    5. Select “Start Watching”
Telstra TV
  1. After you create your Kanopy account, add the Kanopy app to your Telstra TV by downloading it from the App Store. The Kanopy application will now appear on your Telstra TV’s home screen.
  2. When you first open the Kanopy app, you will be able to browse content, but not play the films. In order to play, you will need to link your Kanopy account. To do this:
    1. Select any film and press play. This will trigger the linking process and display further instructions on screen (outlined in the following steps).
    2. Go to kanopy.com/link using a computer or mobile device. If you are not signed into your account, you will be prompted to do so before you can enter the code.
    3. Enter the code displayed on the left side of your TV screen.
    4. If the linking is successful, the message will change on your Telstra TV to let you know that you can press the OK button to start viewing films. Once this is complete, you will be able to start viewing films on your Telstra TV. If you need to generate a new code, click the back arrow button on the Telstra TV remote and select the film again.
TV via HDMI cable
  1. After you create your Kanopy account, attach the HDMI cable to your TV: You will find HDMI ports on all newer Televisions (typically on the side or back panels). Plug the HDMI cable into one of the ports (e.g. HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc).
  2. Attach the HDMI cable to your computer: attached the other end of the HDMI cable to your computer / device.
  3. Set your TV settings to the HDMI port: Change the "input source" setting on your TV to the HDMI port you are using with the cord.