How to Use a TV As an Alternate Computer Display

When you need a larger screen to look at pictures, watch movies or browse the Internet, you can use a TV as an alternate computer display. You can watch online video services on your big-screen HDTV and get a better viewing experience, especially if you have a small laptop or desktop screen.

Things You'll Need

• VGA cable or DVI cable or S-video cable

Instructions

Connect Computer to TV

1. Identify your computer output and TV input. The most common types of connections are VGA, DVI and S-Video. Most computers have one of these and most TVs have one or more.

2. Plug in the correct cable to the computer and the opposite end to the TV.

3. Turn on the computer and tune the TV to the proper video input channel.

4. Activate output to TV in the Display Settings on your computer. From there you can also adjust whether you want the TV display to mirror what is displayed on the computer or to extend the display for dual monitor use.

Tips & Warnings

• If your computer output does not match your TV input, you can get cables that convert between connector types. For example, a VGA-to-DVI cable or a DVI-to-HDMI cable can link the two together.

• If you still don't have compatible connectors, purchase a new video card that has a matching output.

• If the TV does not immediately display your computer information, try restarting the computer.

• You may have to adjust the resolution on your computer, since the computer and TV have varying native resolutions.

References

• Microsoft: Connect Your Computer to a TV