Connecting your computer to your TV allows you to stream your favorite TV shows and YouTube videos and watch them on a larger screen. You can also use the TV as if it were a large monitor to browse the web or watch photos and videos. This article explains how to connect a computer to a television.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Using a Wired Connection
Step 1. Check the type of video output port on your computer
This parameter will determine what is the best method for connecting the device to the TV. Check which of these video ports is present on your computer.
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HDMI:
the HDMI ports are about 2cm wide and have a trapezoidal shape, where the top is slightly longer than the bottom. HDMI ports are found on most modern flat screen televisions and on many of the laptop and desktop computers on the market.
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MiniDisplay:
this type of ports is mostly used on Macs and MacBooks. They have a rectangular shape with rounded lower corners. The MiniDisplay ports are the same shape as the Thunderbolt ports, but Not they are the same thing. Check the wording printed on each door to make sure you are using the correct one.
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VGA:
VGA ports have a rectangular and cone shape characterized by 15 pins. This is an outdated video standard that can only be found on older computers. Normally, it is still supported on modern mid-range televisions and some computers.
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DVI:
DVI ports are white, rectangular in shape and have 24 pins (in this case the holes are square). This video standard is also adopted by most older computers.
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USB:
if your computer doesn't have a video-out port, you can purchase an adapter that converts a computer USB port into an HDMI port. In this case, third-party software may also need to be installed.
Step 2. Check the video input ports on the TV
After identifying the type of video port on your computer, you will need to check which types of video connections are supported by the TV input. Check the back of the machine to see if there is the same video port installed on your computer.
Step 3. Connect the video connection cable to the computer and the TV
Once you have identified the type of video connection supported by both your computer and your TV, you will need to connect using the appropriate cable by connecting one end to the computer's output port and the other to the corresponding input port on your television.
- If you are using a VGA or DVI cable and need the audio to play from the TV, you need a second cable to carry the audio signal from the computer to the TV. To establish the connection, you can use a regular audio cable to connect to the 3.5mm jack of the computer to which you normally connect your headphones or earphones and to the audio input port on your TV.
- If you want, you can buy an adapter to adapt the HDMI, VGA or DVI port to the type of video port on your TV.
Step 4. Turn on your computer and TV
Once you have established the connection between the two devices, turn them on by pressing the power button on the computer and using the TV remote control.
Step 5. Select the correct TV input source
Press the button Source or Input on the remote control of the TV to select the video source corresponding to the port to which you connected the cable coming from the computer. Normally, modern computers are able to automatically detect when they are connected to an external monitor. If your device fails to detect the TV, please follow the steps described in the next method.
If your TV is unable to reproduce the sound signal from your computer, make sure you have connected the audio cable to the audio input port on your TV that matches the one you connected the video cable to
Part 2 of 5: Detect a Monitor in Windows 10
Step 1. Click on the button
to open the "Start" menu.
It features the Windows logo. By default of the operating system, it is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. The Windows "Start" menu will appear.
Step 2. Launch the Settings app by clicking on the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Click the System icon
It is the first icon visible at the top left of the "Settings" window. It features a stylized laptop.
Step 4. Click on the Screen item
It is the first option visible within the left sidebar of the window that appeared. The computer display settings will be displayed.
Step 5. Scroll down the list to be able to click the Detect button
It is gray in color and located at the bottom of the "Display" pane. The operating system will scan for new monitors connected to the computer.
Part 3 of 5: Detect a Monitor on Mac
Step 1. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Click on System Preferences…
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 3. Click the Monitor icon
It features a stylized computer monitor.
Step 4. Click on the Monitor tab
It is the first item displayed at the top of the "Monitor" window.
Step 5. Press and hold the ⌥ Option key on your keyboard
A button labeled "Detect Monitor" will appear in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 6. Click the Detect Monitor button
It is located in the lower right corner of the "Monitor" tab and will only be visible after pressing the "Option" key. The Mac will scan for new monitors connected to the system.
Part 4 of 5: Using a Wireless Connection in Windows
Step 1. Connect both the TV and the computer to the same Wi-Fi LAN
Before you can connect the TV to your computer using a wireless connection, you will need to connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network so that they can communicate with each other. You will need to access the network settings of your computer and TV to be able to connect.
Step 2. Make sure the TV is visible via Bluetooth connection
The procedure to follow to complete this step varies depending on the model of TV you have. In some cases you may need to select the "Screen Mirroring" input video source (or similar), in others you may need to select a specific setting in the TV's Bluetooth menu and in others you may not need to perform any operation. Check your device's user manual or go to the manufacturer's website to find out how to connect a Bluetooth device to your TV.
Remember that not all TVs support streaming video wirelessly from a computer. If you are unable to connect the TV via Bluetooth connection, you will need to purchase an external device that controls the wireless connection with the computer such as the Roku or Google Chromecast
Step 3. Access the "Start" menu by clicking on the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 4. Launch the Settings app by clicking on the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 5. Click the Devices icon
It is the second option displayed in the upper left of the Settings window. It features a stylized keyboard and iPod.
Step 6. Click on the Bluetooth and other devices tab
It is the first option displayed at the top of the left sidebar of the window. The list of Bluetooth connectivity configuration settings will be shown.
Step 7. Click the + Add Bluetooth or other device button
It is the first option displayed at the top of the "Bluetooth and other devices" pane. A pop-up will appear that you can use to install a Bluetooth device.
Step 8. Click on the Wireless Display or Dock entry
It is the second item in the "Add a device" menu. The area will be scanned for monitors or wireless devices.
Step 9. Click on the name of the TV or streaming device
As soon as the name of the TV or device that manages the streaming connection (Roku, Google Chromecast, etc.) appears in the "Add a device" window, click on it with the mouse to establish the connection.
Step 10. Follow the instructions that appear on the TV screen
You may need to enter the PIN code displayed on the TV. When the connection is successful, you should see the image shown on your computer screen appear on your TV.
In some cases, there may be a slight delay between the image displayed on the computer monitor and that displayed on the TV screen
Part 5 of 5: Connecting an External Monitor to a Mac Using the AirPlay Function
Step 1. Connect both the Mac and the TV to the same Wi-Fi network
In order to take advantage of the AirPlay function, both devices in question must first be connected to the same wireless LAN network. Check your TV's user manual or visit the manufacturer's website to find out how you can connect it to a Wi-Fi network. Read this article to find out how you can connect a Mac to a wireless network.
Remember that not all TVs support AirPlay functionality. If your device is not compatible with this feature, you will need to purchase an Apple TV that will manage the wireless connection with the Mac and use the TV as an external monitor. In this case, make sure the Apple TV is connected to the same Wi-Fi network that the Mac is connected to
Step 2. Access the "Apple" menu by clicking on the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Click on System Preferences…
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 4. Click the Monitor icon
It features a stylized computer monitor.
Step 5. Click the check button
displayed at the bottom of the "Monitor" window.
It is located to the left of the "Show duplicate options on menu bar when available" entry. This way, the AirPlay feature icon will be displayed directly on the menu bar at the top of the Mac screen.
Step 6. Click on the AirPlay icon displayed in the menu bar
It features a stylized monitor and a triangle positioned at the bottom. The list of operation modes of the connection via AirPlay will be displayed.
Step 7. Click on the name of the external monitor you want to connect the Mac to
Two options will be shown within a drop-down menu.
Step 8. Click on the Duplicate Integrated Retina Monitor item or Use as a separate monitor.
If you need the image displayed on your Mac screen to be reproduced identically on your TV, choose the "Duplicate Integrated Retina Monitor" option. If you want to use the TV as a second external monitor, choose the "Use as separate monitor" option. The Mac will be connected to the TV using the AirPlay feature.
