Many a time I have looked over at my 32" television and thought, why can't I just hook up my computer to that thing and play my PC games on a huge screen? I figured it would beat buying a huge computer monitor for a ton of cash, right? I mean, I can already watch TV on my computer by using Pro Video 2008 - why can't I just switch it around?
Well, I looked into it and it can be done. In fact, more and more homes are using a TV screen as a computer monitor. You can now watch movies, download on-demand movies from places like Netflix, watch YouTube videos on a big screen, watch a slide show of your own stored digital images, view home videos and more! For most folks, it is just a matter of hooking up some cables or using a converter. For others, WiFi may be used in the connection. Either way, there can be some limitations.
This article will explain how to get started -- as well as the benefits and limitations -- so you can decide for yourself if using your TV as a computer monitor is worth your while.
Computer to TV Connection: The Basics
First, you connect and can use your TV as a monitor using Windows, Mac or Linux computers. You can do this either by using cables or by connecting wirelessly. The method you choose to connect the two depends on how compatible the connections are between your TV and computer (the inputs and the outputs) as well as how much money you want to spend buying additional hardware.
First, you connect and can use your TV as a monitor using Windows, Mac or Linux computers. You can do this either by using cables or by connecting wirelessly. The method you choose to connect the two depends on how compatible the connections are between your TV and computer (the inputs and the outputs) as well as how much money you want to spend buying additional hardware.
Before You Get Started.
Before you get started, be sure to install the latest drivers for your computer’s video card. To do so, go to the manufacturer’s website of your particular computer’s video card to download and install it. If you have cable or satellite TV, make sure that your provider offers a cable box with a DVI or HDMI output. Also consider how you will hook up sound/audio since computer speakers may not provide enough volume for certain uses. Your computer has a sound card speaker jack. Hooking up the monitor to a separate stereo can work so you can control volume through a cable/satellite box volume control.
Before you get started, be sure to install the latest drivers for your computer’s video card. To do so, go to the manufacturer’s website of your particular computer’s video card to download and install it. If you have cable or satellite TV, make sure that your provider offers a cable box with a DVI or HDMI output. Also consider how you will hook up sound/audio since computer speakers may not provide enough volume for certain uses. Your computer has a sound card speaker jack. Hooking up the monitor to a separate stereo can work so you can control volume through a cable/satellite box volume control.
One last thing. It might make sense to provide the meaning of the many acronyms used with this technology and within this article. Without these, this topic can be confusing. Feel free to refer to this list as you read down through the rest of the information below.
Acronymns
- Video Graphics Array (VGA/XGA)
- Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
- Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
- High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
- S-Video = Super-Video
- DLP = Digital Light Processing
- RGB: red, green, blue (video signals)
- Digital Media Receiver (DMR)
Connecting with Cables
If you are going to connect your computer to your TV using cables, you can start by identifying inputs and outputs on the TV and the computer to see if the connections match. For example, check to see if your TV has a VGA input and your computer has a VGA output. If so, you will need a cable to connect the two. If not, you may need a converter so the computer and the TV can communicate. Next, identify the type of TV you have. Do you have an analog TV or a digital TV? An analog one will have an S-video input. Newer, digital televisions will have an S-Video, Component Video, VGA (15-prongs), DVI (29 prongs), or HDMI inputs. Plasma, DLP, or LCD televisions and other newer TVs should have a PC compatible VGA input.
If you are going to connect your computer to your TV using cables, you can start by identifying inputs and outputs on the TV and the computer to see if the connections match. For example, check to see if your TV has a VGA input and your computer has a VGA output. If so, you will need a cable to connect the two. If not, you may need a converter so the computer and the TV can communicate. Next, identify the type of TV you have. Do you have an analog TV or a digital TV? An analog one will have an S-video input. Newer, digital televisions will have an S-Video, Component Video, VGA (15-prongs), DVI (29 prongs), or HDMI inputs. Plasma, DLP, or LCD televisions and other newer TVs should have a PC compatible VGA input.
So let’s get started…
- Identify your TV's input connections. Most TVs these days have three basic types of inputs.1) A coaxial cable input (the same input as is used for your cable box or satellite)
2) An RCA composite input (the yellow, red and white inputs)
3) An S-Video input connector - Identify your computer's output connections. These days, computer manufacturers are adding TV compatible outputs on their products, making it easy to have a computer to TV connection when you hook it up. The “S-video” output in particular seems to be popping up on more and more computers, making a S-video connector, perhaps, just what you need. You can shop for S-video cables all over the place online. Mostly you will find the usual VGA output that a regular computer monitor hooks up to (see more later on VGA cables*). The newer multimedia computers will probably have all high definition outputs that connect directly to your High Density Television (HDTV). However, for now, we will discuss what most people have for both computers and televisions. To help you decide which connection you should use, consider taking a look at the list of connection combinations listed on this site:http://www.addictivetips.com/hardware/how-to-connect-your-computerpc-or-laptop-to-your-tv/*A note on cables: Be careful not to buy a cheap VGA cable at a discount store. You might find a VGA cable being sold cheaply ($20 or so) that looks like a typical VGA cable. However, this one will not allow you to connect a computer to a TV's component video input unless it is also RGB capable. The signal format is different so don’t be fooled even if the physical connections on this cable match your VGA output and component video input. This cheaper cable is usually used to connect things like a DVD player to a projector.
- Find the appropriate adapter for your connections. You may need to get a computer to TV cable, or adapter, so you can hook up your computer to the TV. If you have an HDTV, you may need a VGA to component cable. This cable connects your computer to an HDTV and acts as a converter. (Again, that computer can be either a Mac or a PC.)You should be able to find a PC/computer to TV connector that has a VGA adapter on one end and (usually) a selection of connectors on the other (S-video, RCA composite and Component). The good thing about this connector is that you should be able to hook up a computer to any TV in your home.
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