Need a bigger screen? Maybe you need to make a presentation, but don't have a projector, so you have to do it on your 50-inch high-definition television. Or maybe you want to turn your laptop into a desktop computer, and don't have a monitor. Most modern computers can connect to newer televisions and become large screens.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Decide how to connect your computer to the television
You must connect the computer and television with a video cable. On the back side of your computer, there are various ports and connectors. This video port may be located near the USB, speaker, and Ethernet ports. Your computer may also have a separate graphics card, so the ports will be located slightly down on the back of your computer. There are three ports you need to look for on your computer:
- HDMI - This port has now become the standard connector between high definition (HD) devices. Most computers have an HDMI port on the back. HDMI is capable of delivering both video and audio signals. The HDMI port looks like a longer USB port.
- DVI - This port is a kind of digital connector for connecting display devices. The DVI port is rectangular with eight pins in three rows. DVI only transmits the video signal.
- VGA - This port is the old standard connector for display devices. This port is trapezoidal in shape with 15 pins in three rows and is usually blue. Avoid using this connector if you have a DVI or HDMI connector, as VGA connectors are usually of low quality. VGA only delivers video signals, and that's not in high definition either.
Step 2. Decide how to connect your television to the computer
Now that you know what types of connectors are available on your computer, now find out what types of connectors are available on your television. Most televisions have ports on the back. However, there are also those that have a port on one side.
- Most high-definition televisions have one or more HDMI ports. Connecting a computer to a television with this port is the fastest and easiest way. In addition, the quality is also the highest. HDMI is the only connector that delivers both audio and video over a single cable.
- The use of DVI is not as widespread as it used to be, but it can still be found on many standard and high definition televisions.
- VGA is usually not available on high-definition televisions, but can be found on standard-definition televisions.
Step 3. Pay attention to the input label on your television
This label will help you choose the right input source when you want to display the computer screen on the television.
Step 4. Prepare the correct cable for the type of connector you have chosen
Shopping for cables can be confusing, as companies usually use complicated words to make their cables look like they're better than the rest. When used, most people will not realize the difference between cheap and expensive cables. If you buy an HDMI cable, the only thing that matters is whether the cable is working or not. The quality delivered by an HDMI cable for 70 thousand will be the same as an HDMI cable for 1 million.
If there is no suitable connector between your computer and television, you will need to use an adapter. For example, if you have a DVI port on your computer but only an HDMI port is available on your television, you can purchase a DVI-to-HDMI adapter or cable. The HDMI cable will then not transmit audio signals because DVI does not transmit audio signals
Step 5. Connect the computer to the television with a cable
If you connect your computer and television with an HDMI cable, you don't need another cable. If you are connecting by any other method, you will also need an audio cable.
- To connect an audio cable from a laptop, use a 3.5 mm audio cable and plug it into the speaker port on your laptop. On a desktop computer, use the green audio port on the back of the computer. You can use a standard 3.5 mm audio cable or a 2-head RCA cable to connect audio to the TV.
- If you are using a VGA connector, first turn off your television and computer. You don't have to do this for DVI and HDMI connections.
Step 6. Change the input source of your television to the correct source
On the TV controller there will usually be an " Input " or " Source " button that you can use to change the input source.
Step 7. Change your computer display device
There are several ways to do this, depending on the type of computer you are using.
- Many laptops have a "Display" button that will change the display device of your computer. You may have to press the Fn key to access this key and it may only be marked with a symbol instead of Display.
- In Windows 7 and later, you can press Windows key + P to open the Project menu. In this menu, you can select the display device you want to use (computer, TV, long desktop [extended desktop], or duplicate display [duplicate displays]).
- In any version of Windows, you can right-click on the desktop, then select " Screen Resolution " or " Properties ". You can select the display device you want to use in the " Multiple displays " menu, between computers, TVs, extended desktops, or duplicate displays.
Step 8. If necessary, adjust your screen resolution
Your computer monitor and television may have different resolutions, and your television screen may appear blurry when in use. Use the " Resolution " slider in the " Screen Resolution " or " Properties " window to adjust to the proper resolution.
The resolution of most high-definition televisions is 1920x1080. We recommend selecting the recommended resolution ("Recommended") if available
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Find an available video port on your Mac computer
There are four types of connectors your Mac desktop computer or Macbook laptop may have. You will need to know the available connectors to determine the equipment you need.
- HDMI - The HDMI port looks like a longer, flatter USB port, with slight indents on either side. Above this port is written "HDMI". This port is the current standard for connecting high-definition devices, and most Macs and Macbooks manufactured after 2012 will have this port. The HDMI port does not require a special adapter.
- Thunderbolt - This port is smaller than the USB port. Above this port was printed a small thunder image. You'll need a Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter to connect your Mac to most high-definition televisions.
- Mini DisplayPort - This port is similar to the Thunderbolt port. Nearby was a drawing of a small square with a line on either side.
- Micro-DVI - This port is an older type of port that you may encounter. The accompanying image is the same as the image for the Mini DisplayPort, but the port is shaped like a smaller USB port.
Step 2. Find an available port on your television
These ports are usually located on the back or on the sides. The ports that are often encountered are HDMI, DVI, and VGA. If you can connect HDMI-to-HDMI, you'll only need one cable for video and audio. For the other connectors, you will need a separate audio cable.
Pay attention to the input labels so that you can choose the right television input source when you want to display the computer screen on the television
Step 3. If necessary, prepare the right adapter
Now that you know which ports your Mac and television have, you can now set up the adapter you need.
- If your Mac and television have HDMI ports, all you need is a standard HDMI cable.
- If your TV has an HDMI port but your Mac has a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort port, you'll need a Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter.
Step 4. Prepare the proper cables
After setting up the adapter, you now need the right cable. If the port provided by your adapter is HDMI, purchase an HDMI cable. Cheap HDMI cables are the same as expensive HDMI cables. If you are connecting your computer and television via DVI or VGA, you will also need an audio cable.
Step 5. Attach the adapter to the Mac
Connect the video adapter to the video port on your Mac.
Step 6. Use a video cable to connect the adapter to the television
If both your computer and television have HDMI ports, you can simply use a standard HDMI cable to connect the two.
If you're not using HDMI to connect your computer to your television, you'll need an audio cable to transfer sound from your Mac to your television or home theater system. Use a 3.5 mm audio cable to connect the speaker port on your Mac to the Audio In port on your TV or device
Step 7. Change the input source of your television
Select the input source connected to your computer. Some televisions have more than one input source of the same type; make sure you choose the right one.
Your desktop will usually extend directly to the television
Step 8. Click the Apple menu on your Mac and select "System Preferences"
Step 9. Select the "Displays" option in the System Preferences menu
Step 10. Select the “Best for external display” option in the “Display” tab
This will optimize the resolution of your television.
Step 11. Select the "Arrangement" tab
This tab will display the position of each monitor. This affects how your cursor moves between the two monitors.
Step 12. Click, hold, and then release the white menu line from the computer monitor to the TV
This will move your primary display to the TV.
Step 13. Return to the System Preferences window and select "Sound"
In the "Output" tab, select "HDMI" if you connected the computer with an HDMI cable. If you connect with another cable, select the audio cable as the input source.
