How to Connect Windows Media Center to a TV

Windows Media Center allows you to surf the web, download music, send emails and watch movies all from the same location with a remote. You can use Windows Media Center on your computer or you can connect it to your TV, whether it's standard or high-definition.

Instructions

1. Remove the Windows Media Center PC from its packaging. Follow the instructions for setting up the computer.

2. Locate the S-video cable, which is usually a gray or black cable wire with rounded ends. Plug one end into the back of the Media Center's S-video output connection.

3. Take the other end of the S-video cable, and plug it in to the S-video input of your TV. Depending on the TV model, the S-video connection can be found on the front or the back and labeled as "S-video in" and "S-video out." Turn on the TV to test it.

4. Find either a digital visual interface (DVI) cable or a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable if you want to connect to HDTV. These are alternatives to getting a digital, high-quality TV picture. Make sure that your HDTV and Media Center PC has inputs and outputs for these cables.

5. Plug in an end of the HDMI or DVI cable to the Media Center's TV output. This output connection should be located on the back. It should also be labeled as "DTV," "ATSC" or "HDTV."

6. Plug the other end of the DVI or HDMI cable into the TV input or video input of the HDTV. Again, these connections may appear on the front or back of the TV, depending on the model.