How to Use a VGA Monitor to View HDTV

Using inexpensive adapters, you can view HDTV on your VGA monitor

One of the nice things about a VGA computer monitor is that you can use it as a TV. With the many adapters and converter cables available today, it is not difficult to convert an HDMI connection (the standard connection method for HDTV) to a VGA connection (the standard connection method for many monitors). Using an extra VGA monitor for this purpose is a cheap way to add another HDTV to your home.

Things You'll Need

• HDTV receiver with HDMI output
• HDMI-to-DVI cable
• DVI-to-VGA adapter

Instructions

1. Connect the HDMI end of the HDMI-to-DVI cable to your HDTV receiver's HDMI-Out port.

2. Connect the DVI end of the DVI-to-VGA adapter to the DVI end of your HDMI-to-DVI cable.

3. Connect the VGA end of the DVI-to-VGA adapter to your monitor's VGA-In port.

4. Turn on your monitor and HDTV receiver. The image should appear on your monitor's screen within moments.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need a separate audio cable and compatible audio speakers to hear audio from the HDTV receiver on your monitor. Examine the back of your HDTV receiver to ascertain what audio connections it supports and then connect a set of compatible speakers.

References

• CNET: Turn a computer monitor into a TV

Resources

• Amazon: HDMI to DVI cable
• Amazon: DVI to VGA adapter