How to Set Up a TV as a PC Monitor With a VGA Port

If you have a video or presentation on your PC that you want to show to a large audience, you may want to display your computer's video data through a television instead of a standard monitor. You can use the existing VGA port on the back of the computer to connect your PC directly to the television. Once you have changed the display settings on the computer, you can then use the television as your new makeshift monitor.

Things You'll Need

• VGA cable or conversion cable

Instructions

1. Check the available ports on the back of your television. Find out if the TV has a VGA, RGB component or HDMI port.

2. Acquire a VGA to VGA cable if the TV has a VGA port. Get a VGA to RGB component cable or a VGA to HDMI converter box instead if the television doesn't have a VGA port. VGA cables and conversion boxes can be acquired through online retailers or many electronics stores.

3. Connect one end of the cable to the VGA port on the back of your computer. Attach the other end to the corresponding port on the back of the television.

4. Access the "Start" menu and choose the "Control Panel" option. Select "Personalization" and then click "Display Settings."

5. Click "Identify Monitors." Select your television set from the list of available devices. Click "Apply" and then choose "OK" to use your television as your computer monitor.

Tips & Warnings

• VGA cables use an analog signal that can easily degrade over long distances. Your image will be the clearest if you use a shorter VGA cable instead of a longer one.

• The exact options you need to choose to connect your computer to the television will vary depending on your computer's operating system and the exact graphics card you have. Read through the manual that came with your graphics card or computer if you don't see the television in the list of available devices. The VGA cable will not send audio from your computer to the television. If you want to listen to music on your computer through the television, you will need a separate audio cable to connect to your sound card.

References

• Setting up a TV as a computer monitor