Connecting a computer and TV. Connecting a computer to a TV using a VGA cable. Cords, cables and adapters for connection

To do this, inspect the connectors available on the device. If you cannot determine the types of ports by eye, find their description in the documentation for your computer. Depending on the device model, you can see the connectors of the following varieties:

HDMI is a digital interface found on most modern computers. It transmits both audio and video, and therefore is optimally suited for outputting a multimedia signal to a TV.
DVI is another digital port widely used in the market. Transmits only video, no sound.
VGA is a popular analog connector. Like the previous port type, it only outputs video signal.

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Mini DisplayPort , Thunderbolt 2 , USB‑C and Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) are digital interfaces found on Apple computers. All of them transmit video and sound. In addition, the Mac can be equipped with an ordinary HDMI connector.

There are other types of connectors. But we have listed the most popular ones. Your device is probably equipped with one or more of them.

2. Determine which connectors for signal reception are on the TV

Look at the TV ports. Most modern models have HDMI and VGA connectors. Older ones are equipped with RCA format ports, the plugs for which are called tulips:

3. Select a cable according to the available connectors

If you have an HDMI TV

If both the TV and the computer have an HDMI connector, then everything is elementary: you can connect devices using an HDMI cable. This option will be optimal.

To connect a computer that does not have an HDMI port to an HDMI TV, you will also need a special signal converter along with an HDMI cable. Which one - depends on the connector available on the computer. These can be DVI → HDMI, VGA → HDMI or other adapters to HDMI.

In addition to the HDMI cable, you can often connect an additional audio cable to such converters, the other end of which is inserted into the computer. This allows you to transmit audio bypassing the limitations of DVI and VGA. An audio cable is often sold with a converter.

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To connect to a Mac HDMI TV with a Thunderbolt 2 or Mini DisplayPort connector, you will need a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter along with an HDMI cable. For it to transmit sound, ask the store for such an adapter with audio support.

If you have a VGA TV

For a VGA TV, the procedure will be similar. Only you will need an HDMI → VGA, DVI → VGA or other converter, depending on the computer port. The main thing is that it converts the signal to VGA.

If you have an RCA TV

If you have a very old TV model with tulips at your disposal, then converters like HDMI → RCA, VGA → RCA and others that output an RCA signal are suitable.

In order not to make a mistake when buying a cable or converter, you can tell the seller the types of connectors on your TV and computer: he will select the appropriate option for you or check your choice for compatibility.

4. Connect devices via cable

Turn off your computer and TV beforehand for safety reasons. Next, connect the devices using a cable (and, if necessary, a converter). Only then turn on the devices. If the TV does not automatically detect the computer as the signal source, then do it yourself in the TV settings.

5. Adjust the picture on the TV using a computer

If the image is blurry, open the system settings on your computer and find the section responsible for the monitor. Here you can set the resolution that matches your TV and, if necessary, change the video display mode.

How to connect a computer to a TV via Wi-Fi

Modern smart TVs can be connected to computers wirelessly via a local Wi-Fi network. Technologies like DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct allow you to broadcast video, music and other content to a TV screen or completely duplicate the image from a computer on a TV, turning the latter into a wireless monitor. And in the case of Wi-Fi Direct, you don’t even need a router for this.

For example, on LG devices for such functions there is a service. And Samsung TVs offer similar features as part of the AllShare service.

Wireless connection settings may vary depending on the manufacturer and model of the TV. Some devices establish a connection in a semi-automatic mode. Others require additional software to be installed on the connected computer.

Therefore, it is difficult to formulate a universal instruction that will suit all users. If you want to connect your TV to a computer via Wi-Fi, you will find the necessary information in the paper manual or on the official website of the manufacturer along with the software needed for this.

Modern monitors are more and more beginning to catch up with TVs. Just 10 years ago, 24-inch monitors would have been the dream of any user, but today it is an inexpensive and quite affordable reality.
And still, this is not enough for users and they want to connect a large LCD TV to a computer in order to comfortably watch movies and play games. Moreover, modern TVs allow you to do this without problems. But if the task itself is quite clear and understandable, then there may be a hitch with the implementation.
Then I propose to understand in more detail - what kind of cable is needed to connect the TV to the computer ?!

At the time of this writing (and this is the end of 2016), there are several main connection types:

Display Port (DP)
LAN (Ethernet)

The most interesting thing is that modern TVs are so versatile that they have at least two of them at once, or even all at once. Here is a prime example:

This budget Samsung has 3 ports at once, using which you can connect a laptop or PC to it.

At the same time, there are two or three different connectors on a modern computer video card:

Laptops, netbooks and ultrabooks are also not far behind:

Let's look at each of the connection options in more detail.

Analog VGA

Video Graphics Array- VGA is practically the oldest of the standards, which was developed by IBM and was used to connect monitors 30 years ago, back in 1987. It can still be found on cheap video cards and inexpensive laptops. It only transmits video. The audio signal is not transmitted through the VGA.

Digital DVI

Digital Visual Interface - DVI is a more recent video signal transmission standard. It appeared as soon as LCD monitors with a diagonal of more than 19 inches began to appear due to the fact that the old analog VGA could not provide high definition at high resolutions.
Unfortunately, the DVI port on LCD TVs and plasmas is not common, and therefore this cable is used to connect the TV to the computer the least.

Common HDMI

High Definition Multimedia Interface- HDMI - the most common port on modern equipment. It was originally developed for connecting video equipment working with video in HD format. It is on video cards, media players, TVs and laptops. The beauty is that it can transmit not only video, but also audio. In addition, as a rule, in order to connect a TV through a computer, the latter does not need to install additional software other than a video adapter driver.
It should also be noted that now there are several varieties of the HDMI connector - in addition to the usual Type A, there are also Mini (Type C) and Micro (Type B).

Smaller connectors appeared to connect various portable equipment to TV - tablets, camcorders and cameras. On a PC, usually such connectors are not found.

Modern DisplayPort

Today, DP or DisplayPort is the most modern solution for connecting video equipment. Such a cable has the largest bandwidth - up to 10.8 GB / s). You can meet the DP connector on many modern video adapters and, in principle, this is the most successful option for connecting a TV to a computer and laptop.

We connect the TV to the computer via LAN (Ethernet) port

The presence of a LAN-connector on the TV allows you to connect it to your home local area network (LAN). To do this, you will need this cat 5e Ethernet cable.

Moreover, you can connect the TV and the computer either directly or through a router. This is perhaps the best option for SMART TV, because it allows you to give it access to both a PC and the Internet. And if you have a network storage such as NAS, then you will still get access to your movies, photos and music on your TV set.

Many modern video cards and TVs are equipped with VGA interfaces by default, allowing you to connect these devices without any problems. It is about this type of connection and its subsequent configuration that we will discuss later in the article.

Whatever actions you describe are taken to connect a PC to a TV, the main device will in any case be a computer.

Step 1: Preparation

A two-way VGA cable can be purchased at any computer supply store. At the same time, its length should be selected based on personal convenience.

If there is no VGA connector on one of the connected devices, you can use a special adapter, the type of which is determined by the presence of other interfaces. One such device, VGA-HDMI, is shown below.

Like many other varieties, the VGA cable can be made independently. However, such a wire does not have the simplest structure, and without proper knowledge it is better to get it ready.

The sole purpose of the VGA interface is to transmit video. This type of connection does not allow you to transfer files or sound.

With that being said, you will need external speakers connected to your PC.

After completing the selection and purchase of components, you can start connecting.

Step 2: Connection

In many ways, connecting a TV and a PC is similar to the same process for a projector.

After completing the steps, the TV screen will become an additional monitor for your computer, while retaining its original functions.

Step 3: Setting

In the case of many TV models, the video signal may not be transmitted after connection. This is due to incorrect settings on both the PC and the TV.

Computer

This completes the connection and configuration process.

Conclusion

The connection method presented in the article is the simplest, since not only PCs and TVs, but also many laptops are usually equipped with VGA interfaces. However, the quality of such a connection leaves much to be desired and, if possible, you should use an HDMI cable.

HDMI is a digital interface found on most modern computers. It transmits both audio and video, and therefore is optimally suited for outputting a multimedia signal to a TV.
DVI is another digital port widely used in the market. Transmits only video, no sound.
VGA is a popular analog connector. Like the previous port type, it only outputs video signal.

www.amazon.com

Mini DisplayPort , Thunderbolt 2 , USB‑C and Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) are digital interfaces found on Apple computers. All of them transmit video and sound. In addition, the Mac can be equipped with an ordinary HDMI connector.

There are other types of connectors. But we have listed the most popular ones. Your device is probably equipped with one or more of them.

2. Determine which connectors for signal reception are on the TV

Look at the TV ports. Most modern models have HDMI and VGA connectors. Older ones are equipped with RCA format ports, the plugs for which are called tulips:

3. Select a cable according to the available connectors

If you have an HDMI TV

If both the TV and the computer have an HDMI connector, then everything is elementary: you can connect devices using an HDMI cable. This option will be optimal.

www.amazon.com

If you have a VGA TV

For a VGA TV, the procedure will be similar. Only you will need an HDMI → VGA, DVI → VGA or other converter, depending on the computer port. The main thing is that it converts the signal to VGA.

If you have an RCA TV

If you have a very old TV model with tulips at your disposal, then converters like HDMI → RCA, VGA → RCA and others that output an RCA signal are suitable.

In order not to make a mistake when buying a cable or converter, you can tell the seller the types of connectors on your TV and computer: he will select the appropriate option for you or check your choice for compatibility.

4. Connect devices via cable

Turn off your computer and TV beforehand for safety reasons. Next, connect the devices using a cable (and, if necessary, a converter). Only then turn on the devices. If the TV does not automatically detect the computer as the signal source, then do it yourself in the TV settings.

5. Adjust the picture on the TV using a computer

If the image is blurry, open the system settings on your computer and find the section responsible for the monitor. Here you can set the resolution that matches your TV and, if necessary, change the video display mode.

How to connect a computer to a TV via Wi-Fi

Modern smart TVs can be connected to computers wirelessly via a local Wi-Fi network. Technologies like DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct allow you to broadcast video, music and other content to a TV screen or completely duplicate the image from a computer on a TV, turning the latter into a wireless monitor. And in the case of Wi-Fi Direct, you don’t even need a router for this.

For example, on LG devices for such functions there is a service. And Samsung TVs offer similar features as part of the AllShare service.

Wireless connection settings may vary depending on the manufacturer and model of the TV. Some devices establish a connection in a semi-automatic mode. Others require additional software to be installed on the connected computer.

Therefore, it is difficult to formulate a universal instruction that will suit all users. If you want to connect your TV to a computer via Wi-Fi, you will find the necessary information in the paper manual or on the official website of the manufacturer along with the software needed for this.

If you decide to connect your computer to a TV, you will almost certainly use this bundle to watch any movies or series, or to play an interesting game in a large company. The TV will replace you with a large monitor, which is characterized by a high price and inconvenience in everyday use. You will need a special cable, the name of which depends on the capabilities of both the computer and the TV. Use the recommendations in this article to connect your PC to your TV and vice versa.

The first thing to do is to decide on the cable to connect. Therefore, you need to carefully inspect the connectors on the back cover of the computer system unit to find out which cables fit it.

If you have a relatively new PC, then most likely you will find the following connectors.

HDMI

HDMI is the most common connection for projectors and monitors today. Its connector looks like an elongated horizontal hole with many contacts inside. The advantage of this method is that it is very easy to find an HDMI cable: it is sold in any hardware or computer store, it often comes bundled with a TV or other video equipment. If you have found an HDMI connector in your computer, then half the work has already been done.

DVI

Such an output is considered somewhat outdated, but it is very necessary if you have an old TV, since you will not find new connectors on it. DVI connector is an oblong hole, which consists of many small squares. It is difficult to confuse it with other exits, as it is quite large. In addition, you need to know that DVI transition is different:

DVI-I;
DVI-D;
DVI-A.

Each of them has a different structure, which is easy to distinguish by eye.

VGA

Also a relatively old connector that is still used by many projectors. To use it, you will have to connect speakers separately or accept that the sound will come from the computer speakers, which is also a good option.

S-Video

Round connector, often found on modern video cards. The signal transmission quality will be higher than that of VGA.

On the TV, you will find exactly the same connectors, but do not rush to despair if the connector on the computer and TV is different. There are many adapters that can be combined with each other. The main types of connection:

HDMI only connects to HDMI.
If your computer has a VGA output, then you can connect it to the old VGA input on your TV.
DVI, however, also leads to VGA on the TV, but with better picture quality.
S-Video you can use with S-Video and AV. This option is less preferred, as it gives a cloudy image.

You can look for adapters in your nearest store. For example, there is a transition from S-Video to SCART.

How to connect PC to TV - connect cable to devices

Unplug both the computer and the TV. Plug in the cable. If you do not need a monitor from a computer, then it is also better to disconnect it from the system unit connector so as not to put an extra load on the computer.

Turn on the power, wait until the computer unloads. You will see that the entire image is transmitted to the TV screen. However, you need to tweak the image a bit.

How to connect a PC to a TV - adjust the image on the computer

In order for the image to be clear, you need to go to the screen settings settings. To do this, right-click on the desktop and select "Personalize".

Go to the "Screen" section.

Now in the left menu, select "Adjust screen settings".

If you are using both a monitor and a TV, and the number of screens is still displayed as 1, then click “Find”.
As soon as the second screen is found, you will have the item “Multiple screens”. In it you need to select "Duplicate".

Set the screen resolution to match your TV.