How to Connect My VGA Laptop to a TV Monitor
A laptop with a VGA (video graphics array) output can be used with a cable to connect an external monitor, including a television video monitor, a standard computer monitor, LCD screens and virtually any other video device. Because few TVs are equipped with a VGA jack, which resembles the port for connecting a computer printer, an adapter may be necessary to convert the VGA cable to component video using standard, color-coded plugs for the connection. These adapters are widely available at electronics and computer stores.
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Instructions
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1
Check the back of the TV monitor to see if a VGA connection is available. The distinctive, four-sided port contains 15 holes arranged in 3 rows. If there is a connection labeled VGA In, a straight VGA-to-VGA cable is all that's needed to connect with the laptop. If not, continue to step 2.
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2
Push the plug on one end of a VGA cable into the port on the back edge of the laptop. Take care to align the steel pins in the plug with the 15 holes inside the port.
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3
Secure the connection to the VGA port by turning the locking screws clockwise on each side of the plug.
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4
Attach the plug on the other end to the VGA port on the adapter cable. An example of this cable is linked in the Resources section.
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5
Insert the component video plugs on the other end into the color-coded red, green and blue Video In jacks on the back of the TV.
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Tips & Warnings
This connection will transmit video only to a television from a laptop. VGA only delivers video data. To hear sound, connect an audio cable from the laptop's soundcard to the Audio In jacks on the back of the TV. A Y-adapter may be needed to convert the 3.5mm jack on the laptop to standard RCA-type audio plugs for connecting to the TV. Y-adapters are available at electronics stores.
Turn off the TV monitor while connecting the cable from the computer.
