As we move into the era of "high-definition television," televisions monitors are evolving to look more and more like computer
monitors than TV sets. Of course, this isn't just an aesthetic move;
many modern LCD, plasma and LED high-definition sets come with the
ability to connect to a PC as a standard feature. Using a TV as a
monitor for your PC is surprisingly simple, and is incredibly
affordable.
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Determine
the type of cable you need to connect your PC to your TV. Look on the
back of the TV or refer to the user's manual to learn which inputs are
available on your set. Check your PC for a matching output. If your TV
and PC don't have a matching input and output, you need to get a
converter or a cable that has attachments that will fit both. Some
common PC to TV cables are VGA, HDMI, DVI and S-Video.
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Connect
your PC to your TV using the right cable. In some instances, like when
using VGA cables, you need to screw the cable into your PC and TV for a
secure connection. This depends on the type of cable you're using.
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Power
on your TV and switch the input channel so it syncs with the connection
type you just made to your PC. Although it is slightly different
depending on the brand and type of TV you own, the input channel is
generally adjusted by pressing the "Input" or "Source" button on your
TV or TV remote control. You'll likely need to press the button several
times before you hit the right input channel.
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Power on your computer and let it load up to the desktop.
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Open the Start menu by clicking the "Start" button with your cursor, then open the Control Panel.
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Choose
"Appearance and Themes" and click "Display" if using Windows XP. Select
"Appearance and Personalization > Personalization > Display
Settings" if using a Windows Vista PC. Windows 7 users follow the same
instructions as Vista users, then click "Change Display Settings" after
selecting "Display."
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Click
the "Identify" button to see which icon represents which display. Click
and drag the icons to arrange them however you want. The arrangement of
the display affects how they appear if you opt to extend your desktop.
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Click
the "Multiple display" drop-down list and choose the monitor option
that best suits your needs. It's possible to duplicate the display, as
well as extend it or make the TV your primary monitor.
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Click "Apply > OK" when you finish configuring your settings.
There
are many reasons to connect a PC to a television. You may want to use
it as a media device to watch movies, or as a simple way to access the internet straight from your couch. Maybe you're just tired of staring at your
old monitor and want a change. Luckily, connecting your PC to your
television is just a matter of connecting a few cables. In order to do
so, you will need to have a television with a PC input on it. Most new
televisions have this.
Things You'll Need:
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VGA cable
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3.5 mm to 3.5 mm audio cable
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Television with a PC input
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Purchase
a VGA cable and a 3.5 mm audio cable. If you have an existing monitor,
you most likely already have at least the VGA cable. You may have the
audio cable if your existing monitor has built-in speakers.
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Connect the VGA cable to the output on the back of the computer and the input on the back of the television under the area labeled "PC Input."
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Connect
the 3.5 mm audio cable to the speaker output on the computer, usually
designated with an image of a speaker or the color green. Connect the
other side into the small hole under the VGA cable input on the
television.
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Change
the input of the television to "PC," usually done by pressing the input
button on your remote or the side of the television. If you are using a
laptop, you may need to activate the output on the computer. In Windows
7, go to "Control Panel" and under the section labeled "Hardware and
Sound" click "Connect to Projector."
How to Setup TV on a PC
A S-video socket has four pin holes for transmitting a PC signal to the TV.
Using a TV as a computer monitor lets you work on a bigger screen or take advantage of a larger picture for watching movies and internet
content. The setup requires a video cable to connect from the PC tower
to the television. Two common types of video outputs are S-video on
older computers and HDMI (high definition media interface), which is the better option for hooking up an HDTV set.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
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Plug
in the end of an HDMI or S-video cable into the matching port on the
computer tower. The pins in each plug line up with the small holes in
the port.
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Insert the remaining plug on the opposite end of the cable into the labeled port on the TV.
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Power on the computer and the TV.
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Press and release the source selection button on the TV remote control until you can see the PC desktop on the television.
