This article explains how to connect a TV to a computer in order to use it as an external monitor. After connecting the TV to a Mac or PC, using the appropriate cable, you can adopt the viewing mode you prefer by adjusting the video settings of the device.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Connecting a Computer to a TV
Step 1. Locate your computer's video output port
In principle, all computers on the market are equipped with at least one video output port:
-
Windows
- HDMI - is a rectangular section port with two rounded corners. The HDMI connection standard is able to carry both the video signal and the audio signal simultaneously with a single cable.
- DisplayPort - is a port similar to USB, but with a rounded corner. This type of connection is also capable of carrying both the video signal and the audio signal at the same time.
- VGA - is a trapezoidal section port with 15 pins. In this case, a second cable must be used to be able to transmit the audio signal.
-
Mac
- HDMI - this port is easier to find on Macs manufactured between 2012 and 2016. It is also present on iMacs where it is located on the rear side of the case.
- Thunderbolt 3 (better known as "USB-C") - this port is available on all modern MacBooks and iMacs. In the former it is placed along the sides, while in the latter it is placed on the back of the case. In this case, you need to purchase a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 2 Step 2. Locate the video input ports on the TV
They are usually grouped in a special section along one side of the TV or on the back. Nowadays, virtually all modern TV models are equipped with at least one HDMI port. If your TV has an HDMI port, you should use this connection standard to connect it to your computer.
Other video input ports that are normally available include: DVI, VGA and A / V (RCA, composite video or component video)
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 3 Step 3. Determine if you need to use an adapter
If your computer and TV have the same video port (for example HDMI), you won't need to buy an adapter. If not, you'll need to purchase a cable or adapter that allows you to connect your computer's video out port to your TV's video in port (for example, a USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter).
Some connection options, such as USB-C to HDMI or VGA to HDMI, are available directly as connecting cables, rather than adapters
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 4 Step 4. Purchase all connecting cables and adapters you need
You can usually buy these types of components in any electronics store - such as MediaWorld - or directly online on sites such as Amazon and eBay.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 5 Step 5. Connect one end of the cable to the computer's video port
In this case, you will need to use the video output port of the device.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 6 Step 6. Now plug the other end into your TV's video input port
If you had to buy an adapter, you will need to connect the cable coming from the computer to the appropriate port on the adapter and do the same with the cable coming from the TV
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 7 Step 7. If necessary, also use an audio cable
In case you used an HDMI cable or a DisplayPort to HDMI cable to establish the connection, you will not need to use a second cable to send the audio signal to the TV. If you have used any other video connection standard, for example from VGA to HDMI, you will need to use a second cable to transmit the audio signal to the TV as well.
In this case, use a standard 3.5mm jack audio cable that you will need to connect to your computer's Audio Out port and your TV's Audio In port, paired with the video port you are already using. Normally, the computer's audio out port is colored green with an icon depicting a stylized pair of headphones or a symbol indicating an outgoing signal
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 8 Step 8. Turn on the TV
Press the button Power
Windowspower TV to perform this step.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 9 Step 9. Select the correct TV video source
Use the remote's "Source" or "Input" button to select the video input port you connected your computer to. Video input sources are normally labeled as follows: "HDMI 1" or "1".
Typically, there is a button on the TV labeled with the words Input or Video which you can use to cyclically select one of the available video input ports.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 10 Step 10. Wait for the computer desktop image to appear on the TV screen
When the image displayed on the computer screen appears on the TV screen, you can proceed to change the video settings and how the images are displayed.
Part 2 of 3: Change Video Settings in Windows
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 11 Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking on the icon
Windowsstart It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. The menu will be displayed Start.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 12 Step 2. Launch the Settings app by clicking on the icon
Windowssettings It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 13 Step 3. Click the System icon
It is characterized by the silhouette of a stylized laptop.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 14 Step 4. Click on the Display tab
It is listed along the left side of the "Settings" window.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 15 Step 5. Scroll down the page to the "Multiple Displays" section
It is displayed at the bottom of the "Display" tab.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 16 Step 6. Click on the "Multiple Displays" drop-down menu
A list of options will be displayed.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 17 Step 7. Click on the item Extend these screens or Extend the desktop.
It is one of the options listed in the drop-down menu that appeared. This way, the TV screen will be used to enlarge the desktop area, rather than displaying exactly the same image as on the computer screen.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 18 Step 8. Use your TV as an external monitor
If you move it past the right side of the computer screen, the mouse pointer will automatically move to the TV screen. In other words, the TV screen area can be used to all intents and purposes as a contiguous portion of the computer desktop.
- All windows and contents displayed on the computer screen will remain unchanged after the extended view mode is activated
- To optimize the use of this display mode, imagine that the TV screen is physically attached to the right side of the computer screen.
Part 3 of 3: Change Video Settings on Mac
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 19 Step 1. Access the "Apple" menu by clicking on the icon
Macapple1 It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A list of options will be displayed.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 20 Step 2. Click on System Preferences…
It is visible at the top of the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 21 Step 3. Click the Monitor icon
It features a computer monitor and is displayed in the center of the "System Preferences" window.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 22 Step 4. Click on the Monitor tab
It is displayed in the upper left of the "Monitor" window.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 23 Step 5. Change the resolution of the TV
Select the "Resized" radio button, then choose the video resolution to adopt.
Remember that it is not possible to set a higher resolution than the native resolution of the TV screen (for example 4K in the case of a Full HD TV)
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 24 Step 6. Change the size of the image sent to the TV
Drag the "Underscan" slider to the left, located at the bottom of the window, to enlarge the image area transmitted to the TV; conversely, move it to the right to decrease it.
In this way, you will be able to best fit the image displayed on the Mac screen to the size of the TV screen, in case there are any cropped parts or black bands
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 25 Step 7. Click on the Arrangement tab
It is displayed at the top of the "Monitor" window.
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 26 Step 8. Uncheck the "Duplicate Monitor" checkbox
This way, the TV will not be used simply to replicate the image displayed on the Mac screen.
If the "Duplicate Monitor" button is already deselected, skip this step
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 27 Step 9. If necessary, reposition the icon corresponding to the TV screen
Normally, it is the largest colored rectangle and is displayed in the center of the "Layout" tab and should be placed to the right of the rectangle representing the Mac screen. If necessary, you can place it in the correct place by simply dragging it with the mouse.
The colored rectangular icon with a white bar across the top is the one that corresponds to the Mac screen
Use Your TV as a Second Monitor for Your Computer Step 28 Step 10. Use your TV as an external monitor
If you move it past the right side of the computer screen, the mouse pointer will automatically move to the TV screen. In other words, the TV screen area can be used to all intents and purposes as a contiguous portion of the computer desktop.
All windows and contents displayed on the computer screen before entering extended view mode will remain unchanged
Advice
- The TV is often used as an external monitor to extend the desk area, especially when it comes to playing video games or to work on audio mastering.
- Windows system users can change the way the external monitor is used at any time by simply pressing the key combination ⊞ Win + P to display the "Project" menu.
