How to Use a Widescreen Television as a Second Monitor

Most flat panel displays support a wide range of inputs, including VGA and HDMI.

Use a flat-panel television as a second computer monitor to watch videos or movies on the big screen. Set up the flat panel as the primary or secondary monitor, and move some items from the desktop to the monitor. Keep other items on the computer monitor, or simply duplicate the output to match on both displays. Learn how to connect any computer that has a dual output video card to a wide-screen television or display using either an HDMI or a VGA cable.

Things You'll Need

• HDMI or VGA cable
• Computer with dual video outputs supporting two monitors
• Wide-screen flat panel television with HDMI or VGA inputs

Instructions

1. Power down the computer and the wide-screen television.

2. Connect an HDMI cable to the computer and to an available HDMI port on the wide-screen flat panel television, or connect a VGA cable from the VGA port on the computer to the VGA port on the television.

3. Power on the computer and allow the operating system to load, and then power on the television and change the input to match the port that the HDMI or VGA cable is plugged into. Wait a few seconds for the computer to automatically detect the television.

4. Click "Apply Changes" to allow Windows to display the content simultaneously on both the computer monitor and the wide-screen television.

5. Click "Duplicate These Displays" to enable both displays to show the same content, or click "Extend These Displays" to allow each monitor to display its own content.

6. Adjust the resolution for each display to the recommended settings displayed on the screen.

7. Drag icons, windows, or content from one monitor to the other using the mouse if the desktop has been extended, and it will remain there the next time the computer starts with the television connected, or if the television is connected after the computer is already running.

Tips & Warnings

• Run flat panel televisions at the recommended resolution and refresh rate to avoid causing damage to the set over time.

• Do not use HDMI cables over 50 feet in length to avoid signal loss. Use caution when connecting an HDMI or VGA analog cable to a flat panel television that is hanging on the wall or on an unstable base to avoid causing it to fall.

References

• Microsoft at Home: Dual Monitor Setup: Two Monitors are Better than One
• "Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 18th Edition"; Scott Mueller; 2009
• "CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing & Maintaining Your PC"; Jean Andrews; 2008
• Cnet: Philips 42PFL5603D Review

Resources

• Gamespot: How to Upgrade your Video Card
• Black Box Network Services: Mini-CAT5 Video over Cat5 Extension