How to Connect a Laptop to a Plasma TV
Laptops offer great convenience of mobility as all-in-one computing machines, but they are also limited by the hardware they are built with. The built-in LCD displays of laptops are usually adequate for normal computing activities but they may not be optimal for watching videos, gaming, or conducting presentations. Connecting a laptop to a large external display such as a plasma TV allows the computer to display information in a larger format that makes it more suitable for group viewing.
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Instructions
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Check the video input ports on the plasma TV and then compare them to the video outputs on the laptop. The laptop and the TV must have a port in common to make a connection. Common ports found on both computers and TVs are Video Graphics Array (VGA), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and S-Video.
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Plug a video cable into a video input port on the TV and then plug the other end of the video cable into the compatible video port on the laptop. If the laptop and TV have no ports in common, you may be able to connect the two using one video cable and cable adapter. A video adapter plugs into a video input or output port to change port's compatibility.
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Turn on the computer and TV and change the TV source (also called input or channel) to the input you are using for the laptop connection. You may need to use the TV remote control to change the source. For instance, if you usually watch cable TV, your TV will likely be set to receive video signals from your cable box instead of the input you used to connect your laptop.
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Click "Start," type "Windows Mobility Center" into the search bar, click "Windows Mobility Center" and then click "Connect Display" in the "External Display" area. Choose the display configuration you want from the list of options and click "OK."
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Tips & Warnings
Plasma TVs can suffer from an issue called image retention or screen burn where static images displayed on the screen for long periods of time remain on the screen. Therefore, plasma screens should not be used as your main computer screen as static images like toolbars or your desktop might cause image retention. Only connect your plasma display as a secondary monitor if you plan to actively use it; turn the plasma display off when it is not in use.
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Comments
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lostinsanity
Aug 21, 2009
I already stated that I have a laptop with a VGA connection in the back and a Flat Screen TV. I need to know how to get the desktop images to appear on the TV Screen. Because the desktop image is displayed. But I want the browser and the desktop icons to appear on the TV screen. So that means the laptop is connected to the TV. But the desktop icons and browser doesnt show on the screen. But I can move the mouse to the far right or left of the screen and view the cursor. I need the laptop to appear directly on the TV, not as a second monitor but as the first monitor. -
lostinsanity
Aug 21, 2009
The TV is a 42' Sansui 1080i Wide LCD Flat Screen. The Laptop is a Toshiba with Windows XP.
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lostinsanity
Aug 21, 2009
I have a laptop with a VGA connection in the back, and a Flat Screen TV. When I tried to connect the laptop to the TV, The desktop picture appears. But the icons on the desktop aren't there. However, I can see the cursor if I move the mouse to the far left or right on the laptop. Off the laptop screen. How do I set the TV so that the desktop of the laptop is on the Flatscreen? I've already set the second monitor (tv) to the same resolutions of the PC. But I can't get my browser to appear on the TV screen. Please help..
