How to Hook Up a Laptop to a TV Without an S Cable
There are a number of ways you can connect a desktop or laptop computer to your television without an S-video cable. High-definition televisions and laptops include High-Definition Multimedia Interface and Digital Video Interface inputs and outputs, while you can pair older computers and televisions with VGA cables. Even if your laptop and TV have different ports, you can find an adapter to enjoy movies from online services or games on your television screen.
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Instructions
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HDMI
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1
Insert one end of an HDMI cable into your laptop's HDMI port.
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2
Plug the other end of the cable into the HDMI port on your television.
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3
Change your television to the HDMI input and you'll see your computer screen on the TV.
VGA
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4
Push one end of a VGA cable into the female port on your computer. Insert the other end of the VGA cable into your television.
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5
Plug a 3.5 mm audio cable into your laptop's audio output port and the other end into your television's 3.5 mm audio input port to establish an audio connection. This cable has jacks like you find on the ends of headphones.
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6
Tune your television to the VGA input to enjoy games or movies from your laptop.
DVI
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7
Plug one end of the DVI cable into the DVI output port on your laptop and the other end into your television's DVI input port.
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8
Plug one end of a 3.5 mm audio cable into your laptop and the other into your television, the same way you would with a VGA cable.
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9
Turn your television to the channel or input associated with the DVI connection.
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Tips & Warnings
If your television and computer don't have the same ports, you may purchase an adapter. For example, you can purchase an HDMI/DVI cable, which has two male ends and can connect your devices no matter which has the HDMI or DVI port. There are several DVI interfaces: DVI-D, DVI-A, DVI-I and mini-DVI; you can purchase adapters between the types of interfaces. VGA connections require more time because they switch the digital signal to analog and back. DVI and HDMI use digital data and don't require the same time to convert the signal.
