Laptops are not just portable work devices. If you connect a laptop to a TV, the laptop will turn into a media center that can be used to watch streaming from Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, as well as various media that you store on your laptop. You can play games with the sensation of a larger screen or edit documents without hurting the eyes. The following are the steps to connect the laptop to the TV:
Step
Part 1 of 2: Connection Basics
Step 1. First determine the type of port on your laptop
There are several types of ports; your laptop may have more than 1. These ports are usually located on the side or side of the laptop.
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VGA port is shaped like a trapezoid with 15 pins divided into 3 rows, with 5 pins on each row. That's how to connect a laptop with a docking station.
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The S-video port is circular with 4 or 7 pins.
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A composite video port is a round jack channel, usually color coded yellow.
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The digital video interface (DVI) port is square, with 24 pins divided into 3 rows of 8 pins. This port is made for high-definition connections.
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High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports are similar to USB ports, but are longer and thinner. An HDMI port has been embedded in laptops released in 2008 and above and this port is also designed for high-definition connections.
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Step 2. Check what kind of input port your TV has
The available ports will depend on your TV type, whether it is a standard definition TV or a high definition TV. The video input port is usually on the back of the TV, but it can also be on the side of your TV.
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Standard-definition TVs usually have a composite video port or an S-video port. The display that you get may not be as sharp as the display on the monitor you are used to for computers.
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High-definition TVs usually have VGA, DVI or HDMI ports. Connections via the VGA port produce analog signals, while connections via DVI and HDMI produce digital signals that produce better quality.
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Step 3. Use the appropriate cable to connect the laptop to your TV
If you have several options (eg VGA, S-video and HDMI), use the highest quality connection. The standard used for new high-definition laptops and TVs is HDMI, so you'll get the best connection and simple setup.
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If the output port on your laptop is the same as the input port on your TV, use a cable with the same end on each.
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If the output port on your laptop is different from the input port on your TV, you will need to use an adapter. The adapter can be used to convert DVI to HDMI or VGA to composite video. You can also use an adapter cable to USB-connect a computer with an HDMI port on the TV if your laptop doesn't have an HDMI port. Converters, especially analog converters, usually result in quality degradation, avoid this method as much as possible.
Hook Up a Laptop to a TV Step 3Bullet2 - Branded HDMI cables are usually very expensive, but basically all HDMI cables can send signals to your TV without compromising quality.
Step 4. If necessary, use an audio cable
Some computers and high-definition TVs require only one cable, while others require a separate audio cable.
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If you connect your laptop to your TV via an HDMI cable, you no longer need to use an audio cable because an HDMI cable can transmit both audio and video signals. Other types of connection require an additional audio cable.
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The sound output on the laptop is a jack hole with a size of 3.5 mm which is marked with a headset icon. You can connect the audio cable from that jack to the sound input on the TV provided your TV has a sound input jack or you can also connect the jack to external speakers.
Hook Up a Laptop to a TV Step 4Bullet2 - When connecting the audio cable, make sure you connect it to the appropriate audio port for the video input.
Part 2 of 2: Connecting the Laptop
Step 1. Turn off the power on the laptop
For the old type of connection, it would be better if you turn off the power when connecting to the TV. For connection via HDMI, you do not need to turn off the laptop power.
Step 2. Connect the video cable with your laptop and TV
Step 3. Set the video input on your TV properly
Almost all TVs write a description on the connector. Use the appropriate input for your laptop connection. If necessary, read your TV's user manual.
The TV must be on for your computer to recognize the TV as a display mode
Step 4. Turn on your laptop
Furthermore, each computer operating system has a different way of displaying the image on the TV. Some will immediately display the image on the TV, or the image will appear on both the TV and laptop. Other operating systems will not display the image directly on the TV.
Step 5. Switch the display to the TV
Some laptops have a “display key” that can be accessed by pressing the Fn (function) key. This button allows you to select a view from the available options. You can set the TV and laptop to display the picture, or choose one of them (display only on TV or only on laptop).
- Windows 8 and 7 users can press Windows key + P to bring up a menu that lets you select a display mode.
- If you can't use this option, right click on the desktop and select Properties/Screen Resolution. Use the “Multiple displays” option to select the display you want for your TV.
Step 6. Adjust the screen resolution if needed
Often the resolutions that your TV and laptop have are different. This is especially true for older TVs. Right-click on the desktop and select Properties/Screen Resolution and select the resolution you want.
- Most high-definition TVs can display resolutions up to 1920 x 1080, but some can only display resolutions up to 1280 x 720. Both resolutions have an aspect ratio of 16:9 (widescreen).
- If the image does not appear, temporarily disconnect the cable and then adjust the resolution before reconnecting the cable. If you switch between one active display, your laptop should be using the same resolution as your TV.
Step 7. Adjust the zoom level on your TV
Some TVs will enlarge the image (zoom) due to the difference in ratio. If the display picture on your TV looks cropped, check the TV settings and make sure your TV is not enlarging the picture.
Tips
- If your laptop is connected to a high-definition TV, you will sometimes see some pictures on the TV that don't appear on the laptop. This is natural; to view the image on the laptop screen, you just need to disconnect from your TV.
- If you find it difficult to attach cables as described above, purchase a wireless streaming device so you don't have to worry about wiring and to give a neat impression.
