How to Set Up HDMI on a Samsung Plasma

By Matt Skaggs

Updated August 23, 2017

i Ethan Miller/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Plasma TVs create crisp, detailed images from high-definition (HD) sources, such as Blu-ray players and HD gaming consoles. Getting everything set up for a plasma TV may seem overwhelming, but there are actually just a few steps to get your plasma TV ready to go. Physically setting up HDMI is easier than hooking up other audio/video cables because HDMI only uses one cable. Getting your display set up correctly after that requires only a few more steps.

HDMI Setup

Turn off your plasma TV and the output device you're connecting it to, such as a gaming console or Blu-ray player.

Locate the HDMI ports on both your TV and the output device. An HDMI port is a rectangular opening, usually labeled "HDMI," "HD" or "High Definition."

Insert either end of the HDMI cable in the output device's HDMI port. You should be able to easily slide it in until it is held securely in place. Remove any other output cables, like RCA or component; these can be replaced after setting up your TV.

Insert the other end of the HDMI cable into the Samsung plasma TV's HDMI port. If you have multiple HDMI ports on your TV, note the label on the one you use, such as "HDMI1" or "HDMI2."

Picture Setup

Turn on your plasma TV and the output device. The device should detect the HDMI cable and automatically output the picture and audio to your TV.

Select the correct input on your TV, if necessary. If you see the loading or menu screen from your output device, you don't need to change the input. If you see a blank screen or anything other than the startup screen for your output device, press the "Menu" button near the center of your remote and use the navigation keys below the "Menu" button to select "Input," "Source List" and then the labeled HDMI port you plugged the HDMI cable into.

Find out what the highest display option is for your TV; this is the output resolution you'll use. If you have the Samsung 430, 450 or 490 series of TVs, the highest resolution is 720p; all others are 1080p.

Select the correct display output on your output device, if necessary. You may find your device is already outputting the correct resolution. Every output device is different, so you may need to reference its instruction manual for specifics on changing the resolution. Often this can be done through the device's main menu under "Display" and then "Resolution" or "Output." Your TV will adjust automatically if you change the resolution.

Tips

A 720p TV displays 720 pixels, or dots, vertically on the screen; its resolution is usually 1280 by 720. A 1080p TV displays 1080 pixels vertically on the screen; its resolution is usually 1920 by 1080.

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