Do you want to make your IT experience a little… bigger? Maybe you need to give a presentation and you don't have a projector, so you're thinking about using your 50-inch HD TV. Or maybe you've decided to convert your laptop to a desktop computer and don't have an external monitor. Most modern computers can be easily connected to newer televisions, giving you the option of using a much larger monitor.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Determine how the computer can connect to the television
This connection requires a video cable. On the back of the computer, you will see many ports and connectors. The video connectors might be near the USB ports, audio inputs, and Ethernet port, or you might have a dedicated graphics card further down the back of your computer. You will need to look for one of these three main connectors:
- HDMI - this is the current standard for connecting HD devices and almost all modern computers have an HDMI port on the back. This technology transmits images and audio. The port looks like a longer USB port.
- DVI - this is a digital connection that uses pins. DVI connectors are rectangular and have three rows of eight pins. This technology only transmits images.
- VGA - this is the old monitor connection standard. It is a keystone port with 15 pins arranged in three rows, typically blue. Avoid using this connection if you have the ability to take advantage of the other two technologies, because the VGA connection is the lower quality one. It only outputs the video signal and cannot play HD images.
Step 2. Determine how the television can connect to the computer
Once you have made a note of the connections supported by your computer, you will need to find out which connections your television supports. Most TVs have rear entry doors, although some models have them on the side.
- Almost all modern HD televisions have one or more HDMI ports. This is the quickest and most painless way to connect the two systems, and offers the highest quality. HDMI is the only connection method that transmits audio and video with a single cable.
- DVI technology isn't as common anymore, but you can still find it on many HD and SD TVs today.
- VGA technology isn't usually available on HD TVs, but you can find it on standard definition televisions.
Step 3. Make a note of the port name on your TV
This will help you choose the correct input when you want to view the computer desktop.
Step 4. Get a suitable video cable for your chosen connection
Buying a cable takes some experience, as companies often use confusing terms to make their products look better than the competition. In most applications, you won't notice the difference between a cheap and an expensive cable. If you have to buy an HDMI cable, the cable will or won't work, so a $ 5 cable will offer the same quality as an 80 one.
If no two ports are alike on your computer and television, you will need an adapter. For example, if you have a DVI connector on your computer, but only an HDMI port on your TV, you can purchase a DVI-HDMI adapter or cable. In this case, you will not be able to transfer audio with the cable, because DVI does not support audio
Step 5. Connect the computer to the TV with the chosen cable
If you are connecting HDMI-HDMI, you will not need any other cables. If you are using a different connection method, you will also need to use an audio cable.
- To connect an audio cable from a laptop, use a 3.5mm jack cable and plug it into the headphone jack. On a desktop, use the green audio jack on the back of the computer. When connecting the audio cable to your TV, you may be using a single 3.5mm jack cable, or you may need to use a two-pin stereo (RCA) cable.
- If you are connecting systems with a VGA cable, turn off your computer and television first. If you are going to use DVI or HDMI you won't have to worry about this step.
Step 6. Change channel on TV and select the right input
Make sure you choose the input you connected the cable to. Most televisions remotes have an "Input" or "Source" button that lets you choose.
Step 7. Switch your computer desktop to television
There are many ways to do this, depending on the computer you are using.
- Many laptops have a "Display" button that allows you to switch between connected monitors. You may have to press the Fn key to use it, and it may only show a symbol instead of the word "Display".
- On Windows 7 and later, you can press ⊞ Win + P to open the Project menu. You will be able to choose which display mode to use (computer, television, extended desktop or screen mirroring).
- In all versions of Windows, you can right click on the desktop and select "Screen Resolution" or "Properties". The "Multiple Displays" menu allows you to choose between different display modes (computer, television, extended desktop or duplicate screen).
Step 8. Adjust the monitor resolution (if needed)
The computer monitor and TV may support different resolutions, and the picture on the TV may be blurry initially. Use the "Resolution" selector in the "Screen Resolution / Properties" window to choose a lighter resolution.
Almost all HD TVs offer a native resolution of 1920x1080. Choose the "Recommended" resolution if possible
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Find out which video ports your Mac has
Macs and Macbooks can have four main types of connectors. Knowing which connections you have will help you figure out which cables you will need.
- HDMI - the HDMI port looks like a slimmer and longer USB port, with small indentations on the sides. Above the port you will find the words "HDMI". This is the current standard for connecting HD devices, and almost all Macs and Macbooks built after 2012 have such a port. HDMI does not require any special adapters.
- Thunderbolt - this is a slightly smaller port than a USB. Above it you will notice a small lightning bolt icon. You will need a Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter to connect your computer to a TV using this port.
- Mini DisplayPort - this port looks identical to the Thunderbolt port. The logo is a small square with a line on each side.
- Micro-DVI - this is the oldest port you can find. The icon is the same as the Mini DisplayPort output, but the port looks like a smaller USB port.
Step 2. Find the entrance doors on the TV
They may be on the back or sides. The most common TV input ports are HDMI, DVI and VGA. If you can connect the systems via HDMI, you will only need a cable for audio and video. For all other connections, you will need a separate audio cable.
Make a note of the door name so you can easily find the input channel on the television later
Step 3. Get the correct adapter (if needed)
Once you've made a note of the ports on your Mac and TV, you can buy the adapter you need.
- If your Mac and TV both have an HDMI port, a standard HDMI cable will suffice.
- If your TV supports HDMI, but your Mac has a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort, you'll need a Thunderbolt / Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
Step 4. Get the correct cable
When you have the adapter you need, you can buy the cable. If the adapter has an HDMI port, purchase an HDMI cable. Cheap cables offer the same quality as more expensive ones. If you're connecting via DVI or VGA, you'll also need an audio cable.
Step 5. Connect the adapter to your Mac
Connect the video adapter to the monitor output of the Mac.
Step 6. Use the video cable to connect the adapter to the TV
If both systems have HDMI ports, simply connect the HDMI cable between the two.
If you're not using HDMI technology to connect your computer to your TV, you'll need an audio cable to transfer audio from your Mac to your TV or home theater. Use a 3.5mm jack audio cable to connect your Mac's headphone port to the Audio IN port on your TV or receiver
Step 7. Change the channel on the TV and select the right input
Choose the input your computer is connected to. Some TVs will have multiple inputs of the same type, so make sure you choose the right one.
In most cases, the desktop will automatically extend to the TV screen
Step 8. Click on the Mac's Apple menu and select "System Preferences"
Step 9. Select the "Screens" option in the menu
Step 10. Select the "Best for External Display" item in the "Display" tab
The resolution will be optimized for the connected TV.
Step 11. Click on the "Composition" tab
You will be able to see how the two screens are oriented in relative terms. Thanks to this option you can decide how to move the mouse between the two screens.
Step 12. Drag the white menu bar from the computer screen to the TV
This will make the TV the primary screen.
Step 13. Go back to the System Preferences window and select "Sounds"
In the "Output" tab, select "HDMI" if you have connected devices with an HDMI cable. If you used another cable, select the audio cable as the source.
