Connect PC to TV

Some early personal computers used TV sets as monitors because they came without monitors. The images displayed were simple and of low quality. Now, with the large quantity of video available on the Internet, as well as the introduction of high-definition television, it is possible to connect your PC to your TV and use them together as a digital media center. This article will teach you what you need to know.

Steps

Video Cable

1. Determine which video output port(s) your PC has. There are several possible types; your computer may have more than one.
   • A VGA port is roughly rectangular with 15 pins in three rows of five. It's how most dedicated computer monitors are connected to PCs. It looks like something that would fit this:
   • An S-video port is circular with either four, seven, or nine pins. It looks like something that would fit this:
   • A composite video port is a circular jack, usually color-coded yellow. It looks like something that would fit this:
   • A digital video interface (DVI) port is rectangular, with 24 pins in 3 rows of 8. It is designed for high-definition connections. It looks like something that would fit this:
   • A high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port resembles a USB port but is longer and thinner. Available in PCs since 2008, it is also designed for high-definition connections. It looks like something that would fit this:
2. See which video input ports your TV has. This will largely depend on whether your TV is a standard-definition or high-definition TV. Newer, especially flat screen TVs, are likely to be high-definition, while older TVs are likely to be standard definition.
   • Standard-definition TVs usually have composite video or S-video ports; however, the display will not be as sharp as through your PC's regular monitor.
   • High-definition TVs may have VGA, DVI and/or HDMI ports. VGA connections provide an analog signal, while DVI and HDMI connections provide a digital signal of higher quality.
3. Get the right video cable to connect your PC to your TV.
   • If your PC's output port is the same kind as your TV's input port, get a cable with the same kind of connector on each end.
   • If your PC's output port and your TV's input port are different, you'll need an adapter cable. Adapters are available to convert DVI to HDMI or VGA to composite video. You can also get an adapter cable to connect your computer's USB port to your TV's HDMI port if your PC has no HDMI port.
4. Obtain an audio cable if necessary. Some computers and high-definition TVs can connect to the TV's audio and video with a single cable, while most require separate audio and video cables.
   • If your PC is equipped with an HDMI port and an HDMI-enabled sound card, you don't need a separate audio cable; otherwise, you do.
   • Your PC's audio output is a 3.5-mm jack, which is either color-coded green, marked with a headset icon or marked "line out". You can connect an audio cable from here to your TV's audio input if it has one or to external speakers if it doesn't.
5. Shut down your PC.
6. Disconnect the monitor. If you have a high-definition TV and your PC has an HDTV-compatible video card, you can ignore this step if your video card has multiple video outputs.
7. Position your PC next to your TV. Leave the mouse and keyboard attached.
8. Connect the video cable to your PC and TV's video ports. Remember to attach any adapters you may need in order to establish a connection from your PC to your TV.
   • Since both PCs and TVs differ significantly across the board, there's no "typical" setup. But some setups you might see more often include:
     • An HDMI to HDMI cable
     • A VGA to VGA cable
     • An S-video to RCA
     • A DVI to VGA cable
9. Connect the audio cable from your PC's 3.5mm audio jack to the audio port on your TV. For most PCs, you can accomplish this by betting a 3.5 mm to 3 RCA AV video cable that supports audio.
10. Set your TV to the input coming from your computer. Consult your TV's user guide for instructions if necessary.
11. If your video cable does not support audio and you're using a separate audio cable, adjust the audio settings on your TV if sound isn't working. Make sure that your audio is not coming in from your HDMI, or other digital signal, if your cable does not support audio. Try changing the audio settings from digital to video if your audio up and working.
12. Turn your PC on. You should see your PC's startup screen on the TV.
13. Adjust the screen resolution if necessary. If you have connected to a high-definition TV, its 16:9 aspect ratio may cause the picture to be stretched. Use a screen resolution that matches this aspect ratio.
    • If you don't see a recognizable image, you may have to disconnect your monitor temporarily and adjust your resolution before reconnecting your PC to your TV.

Wi-Fi

1. Enable Wi-Fi mode on the TV. Usually you enable it by using the built-in controls on the TV. If you’re not sure, read the instruction manual that came with the TV.
2. Select the Wi-Fi input on the TV, just like selecting “Video 1,” “DVR,” or “PC.” This is done by also using the controls on the TV.
3. Have the PC connect to the same network the TV is connected to. You can do this by going into the PCs network menu.
4. Link the TV to your Wi-Fi network. You may need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This is done by using the TV’s built-in controls.
5. Enter a network passcode. If your network is protected by a passcode, enter it so that the connection process may continue.
6. Go to the Control Panel of the PC. It can be found in the Start menu.
7. Look for the Display option. It will bring you to a window that shows different options on how you can view whatever is displayed on your TV or Monitor.
8. Select “Adjust screen resolution” or “Adjust resolution.” It can be found on the left side of the window.
9. Look for the “Detect” button and click on it. This will detect other displays in the immediate vicinity that are turned on.
   • After clicking on “Detect”, another box beside the main box will appear. Click on it, and the TV will display what is on your monitor.
10. Click “Apply.”
    • If prompted, click “Keep display settings.”

HDMI

1. Know where your HDMI port or ports are at.
2. Note whether or not the HDMI is normal or is a 'mini-HDMI' connection.
3. Make sure that you have the appropriate HDMI cable. You can find them from 3 feet to 20 feet to possibly even longer. It's recommended to get the longer ones from online. If a store has them, they are pricy.
4. Connect the HDMI cable to both the computer and the TV.
5. Make any necessary adjustments (such as changing the Input) on your TV.
6. Change the video display to the appropriate display on your computer.

Tips

• If you have your PC connected to both a monitor and a high-definition TV, you may see certain items only on the HDTV and not on your monitor. This is normal; to see those items on the monitor again, disconnect the TV.

Warnings

• If your PC doesn't support the video connection that you need to connect to your TV, you may need to install a new video card.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-connect-your-laptoppccomputer-to-your-tv/
• http://en.kioskea.net/faq/228-how-to-connect-your-pc-to-your-tv-set

See also

• Start a Record Player
• Transfer Cassette Tape to Computer
• Hook Up a Laptop to a TV
• Program a DirecTV Genie Remote
• Set Up a Home Theater System
• Make a High Performance Indoor/Attic Dtv Antenna
• Program an RCA RCR312W Remote
• Check if a Remote Control is Transmitting an Infrared Signal
• Turn on a Device With a Universal Remote
• Clean a Cassette Deck

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