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CONNECT PC TO TV

How to Connect PC to HDMI TV

There 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.

Instructions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.


Tips & Warnings

  • Now that the PC is connected to the HDMI TV, a cordless mouse and keyboard would make convenient additions to the setup, so that the computer may be controlled from the couch.


How to Connect a Philips TV to a PC

Philips TVs have multiple video inputs that are compatible with PCs.
Philips TVs have multiple video inputs that are compatible with PCs.
black lcd silver image by Nicemonkey from Fotolia.com

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:

  • Compatible video cable (S-Video, HDMI or VGA-to-composite)
  • 3.5-to-RCA audio cable

Instructions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.


Category: Computer Zone | Views: 909 | Added by: seniorkoa | Rating: 5.0/1
Total comments: 1
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1 seniorkoa   (2011-06-04 9:34 AM) [Gurus Entry]
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