How to Connect PC to HDMI TVThere are now many ways to enjoy your favorite movies and television shows over a broadband Internet connection on your computer
for a small amount of money, or even for free. Unfortunately, watching
such media in the confines of your home office does not always make for
the most enjoyable experience. If you would like to escape the office,
however, and enjoy your entertainment on the big screen in the living room, you can connect a PC to an HDMI TV.
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Turn
your computer off, and turn it around to view the rear of the unit.
Find the cable that comes from the computer's monitor, and follow it to
the back of the PC. The cable will be plugged into the output of the
video card, which will be either a 15-pin VGA port or a 29-pin DVI
port. If you are fortunate, there will be a second port directly next
to it, of either the DVI or VGA variety. On the newest machines, you
may even find a regular HDMI port on the card.
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Choose
the connection for video output. If your computer has an HDMI port, you
can simply connect an HDMI cord of the correct length between the
computer and the TV. Otherwise, you will need to make a few decisions.
If your computer has only a single video output and it will not be used
solely with the television, you may want to invest in a new video card.
Purchase one with either a DVI or an HDMI output, and install it in an
available slot, according the instructions included with it. If you
intend to use the VGA output on a single-output or dual-output card to
drive the HDMI display, then a special device will be needed to convert
between the formats. The price of the converter is actually about the
same price as an entry-level video card that will be easier to use with
your TV. In that case, it may be a wise idea to upgrade the card in
order to obtain a DVI or HDMI port. However, if your chosen output port
is DVI, an inexpensive DVI to HDMI cable can convert your computer's
output into the proper HDMI input for your TV.
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Connect
the HDMI cable from your television to your computer. Install the
correct adapter or converter for your computer, if necessary. Unless
your computer has HDMI output, cords will also need to be connected
from the sound card output to the HDMI video cable or adapter, because
HDMI carries both video and audio signals.
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Boot
your PC, and configure the new display by selecting "Control Panel"
from the "Start" Menu. Double-click the "Display" icon and click the
"Settings" tab. The manual for your HDMI TV will list the screen
resolutions it supports, along with the refresh rates. Configure the
resolution in the "Settings" tab, and then click the "Advanced" button
to set the refresh rate. If you are using the HDMI TV as the second
monitor, you will also have to configure how it is used by Windows,
according to the instructions pertaining to your video card. Most cards
offer a "Clone" or "Mirror" mode, where both screens display the same
content. Alternately, the "Extended Desktop" mode will allow each
monitor to operate independently.
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Reboot
your PC to apply the changes, if necessary, and prepare to relax on
your couch and watch movies on the big-screen HDMI TV.
How to Connect a Philips TV to a PC
Philips TVs have multiple video inputs that are compatible with PCs.
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Philips is an electronics
company that produces several lines of high-definition televisions. All
of these televisions have several video input options that would be
compatible with a PC, including S-Video, composite and HDMI. You may
need a video adapter cable if your PC only has a VGA video port and not
an S-Video or HDMI video port.
Things You'll Need:
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Compatible video cable (S-Video, HDMI or VGA-to-composite)
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3.5-to-RCA audio cable
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Choose
a video cable that is compatible with your PC and your Philips TV. If
your PC has an HDMI video port, use an HDMI cable. If it has an S-Video
port, use an S-Video cable. If it only has a VGA port, use a
VGA-to-composite cable.
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Insert
the video cable into your PC's video port. Video ports are typically
located on the back or sides of the laptop PCs and on the back of
desktop PCs.
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Connect
the opposite end of the video cable into the Philips TV's video input
port. Note the input label you've plugged into. For example, the
S-Video port is labeled "AV3" on many Philips TVs.
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Change
the video source on your television. Press the "Input" button on your
remote until it matches the video input you've plugged your computer into.
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Activate
the video port if you are connecting a laptop to your Philips TV. To do
this, click the "CTRL" button on your laptop keyboard and then the
"CRT/LCD" button. This is typically one of the function buttons along
the top of the keyboard.
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Change
your PCs video settings. Open "Display Settings" by clicking "Start,"
"Control Panel," "Appearance and Personalization" and "Adjust Screen
Resolution." You can increase the resolution on your computer to make
the picture appear sharper on your Philips TV.
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