How to Use Your TV as a Monitor for a Laptop

Member

By dweaver
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(25 Ratings)

Use Your TV as a Monitor for a Laptop

Connecting a laptop to a TV is very easy. It will however, depend on the type of TV you are using. Most higher end models of TV will have multiple inputs. I am assuming this for the sake of the article.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A TV with Component Inputs
A laptop with VGA, RCA, DVI, or S-Video outputs
Cables for all of the output types

Step 1

Using the VGA output on the laptop is probably the most difficult setup to do, simply because it is the hardest signal to find a cable for. Use Google or another search engine to look for "VGA TV Adapter". This will lead you to a number of sources to find a simple cable that you need. Then just plug it into the VGA port on the laptop. The RCA plugs at the other end will allow you to connect to your TVs component input.
Step 2

For older TVs that only have a cable input, you can find and RCA to Cable converter. These can normally be found at a store similar to Radio Shack. Connect the component end of the cable to this box and it should be able to display on your TV.
Step 3

Connect via the S-Video connections using the cable that came with your laptop. Almost all laptops have this output now. You may have to go to your electronics shop to get a longer cable as most laptops only come with a six foot cable.
Step 4

Higher end models of laptops may also have a DVI output as well. Connect it using the proper cable. Again, you may have to purchase a longer cable for this as well. Be careful as there are different types of DVI outputs. Make sure you check the connection on the computer AND your TV to make sure they match, and to ensure you get the right cable as well.
Step 5

Finally, the most important step. Make sure that you set your laptop to actually send the signal to the TV. All laptops have a "Function" button, labeled "Fn" in light blue. The stardard for most laptops is that many buttons will have a secondary funtion labeled on them in light blue. Press Fn + F12 to change the output of your laptop to the external monitor. It should show on your laptop screen in some sort of menu.