In the past, computers were difficult to connect to televisions. However, thanks to the advanced HDMI technology, things have become easier. Using the HDMI ports on your computer and television, these two devices can be connected with a compatible cable. If your computer doesn't have an HDMI port, you'll need an adapter to connect your computer to your television.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. View the monitor ports on your computer
Before you start setting up your TV as a second monitor, you need to make sure that your computer has an open port available. For desktops, the ports are on the back of the CPU, while on laptops, the ports are on the back or side.
- It is recommended that the computer has an open HDMI port. The process is very simple because all modern TVs have an HDMI port. HDMI looks like USB, but is wider and has a notch.
- You can also use the DVI port. This port is shaped like a traditional parallel port with a line on the right side (instead of pins). If you have DVI, you will need an adapter to connect your computer to your television.
Step 2. Find a suitable input port on the TV
Once you know the available ports on your computer, check the available ports on your television. The input ports can be found on the side or back of the television.
- If your computer and television have HDMI ports open, you can easily connect the two devices and get the best quality.
- It's possible that your television has a DVI input, which will allow your computer to connect to your television without the aid of an adapter. However, very few televisions have this port.
- You can't easily connect a computer to stereo or component A/V without some adapters.
Step 3. Prepare a cable that can connect the computer to the television
If you have the appropriate open ports, you can simply prepare a regular HDMI cable to connect the two. For example, if your television and computer have HDMI ports open, just prepare a standard HDMI cable that is long enough so that it doesn't strain when connecting the two devices.
If the two available connectors don't match, for example the DVI port on your computer and the HDMI port on your television, you'll need a special adapter or cable. You can buy a cable that has a DVI plug on one end, and an HDMI plug on the other. You can also purchase an adapter that converts the DVI port to HDMI
Step 4. Connect the cable to the computer and television
The HDMI cable can be plugged in easily, just like a USB cable. Meanwhile, the DVI cable needs to be screwed tightly on each side of the connector.
The DVI and HDMI connectors can only be inserted in one direction. So, don't plug it in by force
Step 5. Connect the audio cable if you are not using an HDMI cable
You don't need any extra cables if you connect your computer to your television using HDMI. It's a different story if you use DVI or another connection, including a DVI-to-HDMI cable. In this case, you will need a separate audio cable to transmit audio from your computer to your television.
Use a standard 3.5 mm stereo cable to connect the Audio Out (audio-out) port to the appropriate Audio In (audio-in) port on the television. The Audio Out port on a computer is usually green and has a symbol indicating it is sending a signal out of the computer
Step 6. Change the TV input accordingly
Take your television remote control and turn on the television and switch to the input your computer is connected to. Select an input that has an HDMI title, for example "HDMI 1".
Step 7. Press
Win+P on the computer to open the Projector menu (projector). This menu allows you to choose which screen will be the computer monitor.
If this doesn't work, open the Start menu and type in displayswitch." Press Enter to open the Projector menu
Step 8. Select how to use the television via the Projector menu
You have several options:
- PC screen only. This is the default option when the computer monitor is the only display connected to the computer.
- Duplicate. This option will display the same image on the computer monitor and television.
- Extend. This option will extend the desktop display so that the two monitors form one screen.
- Second screen only. The image will only appear on the television.
Step 9. Right-click on the Volume button in the system tray (bottom bar on the desktop) and select "Playback devices"
This option will allow you to set which device will make sound.
Step 10. Select the TV from the list of player devices
Maybe the title that appears is only "Digital Audio (HDMI)." The screen should show "Ready" below it.
Step 11. Click the "Set Default" button
Thus, the television will always be the default playback device when it is connected. All sound from the computer will come out of the television.
Step 12. Go to advanced display settings to set the orientation of the television
If you're extending your desktop and using a computer monitor and television, you can adjust the television's virtual positioning so that the mouse and window can move easily between the two screens. For example, if the television is to the left of the computer monitor, you can position the television virtually so that when the cursor is moved to the left side of the monitor, the cursor will appear from the right side of the television screen.
- Right-click your desktop and select "Display settings" or "Screen resolution."
- Click and drag the square that represents your television screen across the screen until it's positioned where you want it. If you don't know which square represents the television screen, click "Identify" and match the numbers that appear on the screen.
Step 13. Adjust the television resolution in the Display Settings menu
By default, your television will automatically select the correct resolution, especially if it's connected via HDMI.
- Right-click your desktop and select “Display settings” or “Screen resolution” to open the “Display Settings” window. Click the " Advanced display settings " setting if you do not find the Resolution menu.
- Choose your television. If you're not sure, click "Identify" to define your television screen.
- Select a resolution from the drop down menu. Most modern televisions display a resolution of 1920x1080.
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Locate the video port on your Mac
Every Mac computer has a different video port. The port you have will determine what is needed to connect a computer to a television. Most Mac computers have one of the following ports:
- USB-C. This port can be found on most recent Mac computers. You'll need USB C-to-HDMI, and no additional audio cables are needed.
- HDMI. This port is found on most newer MacBooks. The shape is similar to a USB port that is wide and has notches on each side. Cables are usually also labeled "HDMI". This port is ideal because you don't need a special adapter. In addition, HDMI transfers video and sound.
- Thunderbolt. This port is smaller than USB and has a lightning symbol. Thunderbolt supports Thunderbolt and Mini DisplayPort adapters. A Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter can transfer audio.
- Mini DisplayPort. This port is similar to the Thunderbolt port, but has a rectangular icon with a vertical line on each side. This port is only compatible with Mini DisplayPort adapters.
- Micro-DVI. This port is thin, and slightly larger than the USB port. This port has a square icon with two vertical lines, similar to Mini DisplayPort. This port only supports Micro-DVI adapter.
Step 2. Identify the open input ports on your television
Once you've identified one or more ports on your Mac, you'll need to see what ports are available on your television. It's a good idea to use an open HDMI port, especially if you're also using an HDMI port on your Mac.
If you don't have an HDMI port, look for a DVI port. You'll get the second best picture quality after HDMI, but you'll need a separate audio cable
Step 3. Prepare the adapter (if needed)
If you have Thunderbolt, Mini DisplayPort, or Micro-DVI ports, you'll need an adapter that converts those ports into HDMI ports. If your computer and television have HDMI ports, you won't need an adapter.
If your television has a DVI port, but no HDMI port, you will need a DVI adapter
Step 4. Connect your Mac with the television
After pairing the adapter (if needed), connect your Mac to your television using an HDMI or DVI cable.
Step 5. Plug in the audio cable (if needed)
When using a connection other than HDMI-to-HDMI, you'll need a separate cable to connect the Audio Out port on your Mac with the Audio In port on your television. You can use a standard 3.5 mm stereo cable. Make sure you are using the correct Audio In port on the television (the audio input must match the video input).
Step 6. Replace your television input
Turn on the television and use the remote control to select the input your Mac is connected to. The input label should be displayed on the television screen. If your television has multiple inputs of the same type, such as an HDMI port, make sure you select the input your Mac is connected to.
Usually, you will see the desktop extending automatically on the television screen
Step 7. Click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences" to change the display settings
This menu is in the upper-right corner of your Mac's screen. Use this menu to adjust the orientation of the television, as well as choose how to split the screen display.
Step 8. Select the "Display" option in the System Preferences menu
The “display settings” window will open.
Step 9. Click the "Arrangement" label
That way, you can customize how you use the second screen.
Step 10. Slide your screens until they match the physical display on the television and monitor
This is done so that the mouse transition between the two screens becomes more natural. For example, if your television is placed on top of the computer, under the Arrangements label, place the virtual television screen on top of the virtual computer screen.
You can slide the small virtual menu bar between the two screens to determine where the menu bar will appear
Step 11. Check the "Mirror Displays" box if you want to display the same image on the monitor and television
At the default setting, your desktop will extend to the television. If you want to display the same image on both the television screen and the computer monitor, check the " Mirror Displays " box.
Step 12. Return to the System Preferences menu and select "Sound. " This way, you can determine which device will make sound,
Step 13. Select the "Output" label and select "HDMI
" Sound from the Mac computer will come out through the television's speakers.
