Can the Sony Bravia Be Used As a Computer Monitor?

By Adrian Grahams

Turn your Sony Bravia TV set into a computer monitor.
i Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Using a Sony Bravia TV set as a computer monitor displays the output from your laptop or desktop computer on the TV screen, providing you with a much larger display than standard computer monitor screens. Hooking up your computer to the Sony Bravia can be useful for gaming, viewing movies and photos, or for online video chats. The Sony Bravia offers several PC connection options, including a high-definition display option if your PC has an HDMI output port.

Connection Options

The Sony Bravia offers three options for connecting a PC. You can use an HD15-HD15 ferrite-core serial cable for a color analog connection, but if you choose this option, you must also connect an audio cable with stereo mini-plugs to output the audio from your computer to the TV. The Sony Bravia also has HDMI and DVI input ports, so you can use an HDMI or DVI cable to connect your computer to the TV if the PC has the necessary connections.

Considerations

Before attempting to connect your computer to the Sony Bravia, check the user manual and examine the output ports on the PC so you are clear about the connection options and can source the correct connection cable. Where possible, use either an HDMI connection or DVI connection because these options combine the video and audio signals in one cable and also offer enhanced or high-definition displays.

Connecting the PC to the Bravia

Place the computer within cable reach of the Sony Bravia. Plug one end of the connection cable into the correct port on the side or rear panel of your computer, and plug the other end of the cable into the correct port on the back of the TV set. Each port on the TV is clearly marked with its function, so you shouldn't have any trouble identifying the correct port.

Viewing and Adjusting the Display

Switch on the Sony Bravia. Press the "AV" or "EXT" key on the Bravia remote control until the TV screen shows the output from your PC. If the display is stretched or cut off at the edges, you will need to tweak the resolution settings on your computer. To adjust your computer's display options for the Bravia, click the "Start" button on the desktop taskbar, go to "Control Panel" and then select "Appearance and Personalization." Click "Adjust screen resolution," then choose your preferred resolution from the pull-down menu. Experiment with different resolutions until you find a setting that displays correctly on the Sony Bravia. Click the "Apply" button to confirm and store your settings.

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