How to Connect a Laptop to a TV

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

The functionality of a laptop is not limited to those of a simple business laptop. By connecting it to a television, you can turn it into a media center to view streaming media from platforms such as Netflix, Sky and YouTube, or to play all the videos and music stored on your hard drive. You can take advantage of the width of the TV screen to play your favorite video game or to easily edit a document, without straining your eyes too much. Follow the advice in this guide to connect a laptop to your TV.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Basic Connections

Step 1. Determine the type of video port on your computer

There are several standards for video connection, and your laptop may adopt more than one. The video-out port is usually located on the back of the computer, but occasionally it can be on either side. If you are looking to connect a MacBook to your TV, please refer to this guide.

• The VGA port is almost rectangular in shape and consists of 15 pins arranged in three rows of 5. It is the video port that is used to connect the laptop to a docking station.

  

• The S-video port is circular in shape and can have 4 or 7 pins.

  

• The composite video port is characterized by a circular shaped connection jack, usually identified by the color yellow.

  

• The DVI (Digital Video Interface) port is rectangular in shape and has 24 connecting pins arranged in 3 rows of 8. This standard is designed for high definition video connections.

  

• The HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) port is similar to a classic USB port, but with a more elongated and thinner shape. This type of standard has been present on laptops since 2008 and is the default connection for high resolution.

  

Step 2. Check the video input ports on the TV

This figure varies according to the type of your TV: standard definition or high definition. Normally the connection ports are located on the back of the appliance, but you can also find them on one of the sides.

• A standard television usually has composite video or S-video ports. However, the image displayed on these TV models will not be as sharp as that displayed on a traditional computer monitor.

  

• HDTVs should be equipped with VGA, DVI, or HDMI ports. The VGA connection carries an analog signal, while the DVI and HDMI ports support a higher quality digital signal.

  

Step 3. Purchase the right connection cable to connect your laptop to the TV

If you have more options at your disposal (for example you can take advantage of the VGA, S-video or HDMI ports), always try to choose the connection with the highest quality. HDMI connections are the reference standard for connecting latest generation computers and televisions. The result will be a connection of the best quality and with the least configuration effort.

• If the video connection ports on your laptop and TV are the same type, purchase a connecting cable that uses the same standard.

  

• If the ports are different, buy the necessary adapter. Adapters are available for connecting a DVI port to HDMI or VGA to composite video. Alternatively, if your laptop does not support HDMI, you can purchase a cable to connect a USB port on your computer to the HDMI port on your TV. Video switches, especially analog ones, usually result in a loss in image quality, so avoid using them if possible.

  

• Branded HDMI cables, very often, have a cost significantly above average and mostly unjustified, since virtually any cable that meets the HDMI standard is able to carry the signal without loss in terms of quality.

Step 4. If necessary, get an audio connection cable

Some computers and HDTVs require a single cable to carry the audio and video signal, while most require two separate cables.

• If you use an HDMI cable to connect your laptop to the TV, you don't need anything else since, in this case, the audio and video signals are carried over the same cable. All other connection standards require a separate audio cable instead.

  

• Your laptop's audio-out port is a 3.5mm jack, usually identified with a headphone symbol. Use an audio cable to connect this port to the input port on the TV. If your TV does not have this port, use external loudspeakers.

  

• When making the audio connection, make sure you are using the connected audio input port with its video input port.

Part 2 of 2: Connect the Computer

Step 1. Turn off your computer

In the case of outdated connection standards, it is always advisable to turn off the device before connecting to the TV. In the case of an HDMI connection, you can connect while the computer is running instead.

Step 2. Connect the connecting cable to the respective ports on the computer and TV

Step 3. Select your TV's video source by setting it to the correct input port

On most televisions, the input ports are labeled with the same wording found in the menu for external audio and video sources. Select the correct input port to view the signal from your computer. If necessary, read the instruction manual of the TV for more information.

The TV must be turned on for the computer to recognize it as an external monitor

Step 4. Turn on your computer again

At this point, the procedure for enabling the television to be used as an external monitor varies from system to system. In some cases, the image from the computer appears immediately on the TV or on both screens. In other cases, the TV displays nothing.

Step 5. Send the video signal to the TV

Some laptops have a "Display" key for use via the "Fn" function key. By pressing the buttons in question, you can scroll through all the operating options of the video port. You can extend the computer screen to the TV screen or simply project the image on both the computer screen and the TV (this way both screens will display the same image). Alternatively, you can enable the operation of a single screen (that of the computer or TV).

• Users using Windows 7 or Windows 8 can use the "Windows + P" key combination to switch between display modes.
• Alternatively, select an empty spot on the desktop with the right mouse button and choose "Properties" or "Screen resolution" from the context menu that appears. Use the "Screen" menu to choose how to project the image on the TV.

Step 6. If necessary, change the video resolution

Very often the screen resolution of the TV and the computer is different. This is especially the case with older televisions. Select an empty spot on the desktop with the right mouse button and choose "Properties" or "Screen resolution" from the context menu that appeared, then choose the screen you want to change the resolution to.

• Most high-resolution TVs can support a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, although some can only go up to a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. Both of these resolutions use a 16: 9 video standard (called "widescreen" or "panoramic").
• If no recognizable image appears on the screen, you may need to temporarily disconnect your computer from the TV and adjust the resolution before reconnecting them. If you want to use only one active screen (TV or computer), the resolution adopted by the laptop must be identical to that set on the TV.

Step 7. Configure the zoom level of the TV

Some TVs try to compensate for different aspect ratios automatically by enlarging the displayed image. If you notice that the image is "cut off" by the edges of the screen while viewing, make sure that this type of function is not active.

Advice

• If your laptop is connected to a high-definition TV it is possible that some elements are only visible on the TV and not on the laptop screen. This is normal and is caused by the difference in resolution between the two devices. To get everything back to normal, just unplug the TV.
• If you have difficulty with wired cabling, you can purchase a wireless device for managing streaming media. It is a component that is simple to install and use and has a neat and clean look.