May 19 2009
Connect TV To PC | Cables Needed To Hook Up PC To TV
With the advent of LCD TVs, many people want to connect TV to PC as an LCD makes for an excellent computer monitor. Those who want to hook up PC to TV often ask: Which cables do i need to connect my PC to a TV?
In this article, I’ll explain in simple terms how to hook up your PC to your TV and which cables you need to connect PC to TV. To succeed in this PC to TV Connection, you need only your eyes and a little bit of common sense.
I will begin with those who have an LCD TV which is most of you. (If you do not have an LCD TV, here is a place to find the best LCD TV at the best prices.) After looking at the diagram below, and determining your situation, I will point out which cable that you need to buy.
Which cables do i need to connect my PC to a TV
Take a look at the diagram below. This diagram illustratrates connections between your PC and your LCD TV. As you view the diagram, take a look at both your computer and your TV to determine what connections are available. Below the diagram, you will find the proper cable for your situation.
Situation #1: VGA to VGA Connector To Connect TV to PC
This is the most common situation and works on virtually all setups. For this, purchase the Belkin F3H982-25 Pro Series High-Integrity VGA/SVGA Monitor Replacement Cable (25 ft.). Last I checked this cable was under $15 and can be delivered to your doorstep the next day.
Situation #2: DVI to DVI To Connect TV to Hook Up PC to TV
This situation is not quite as common because not all LCDs have DVI inputs. If you do, this is a great option and you need to buy the Cables To Go - 26911 - 2M DVI-D M/M Dual Link Digital Video Cable (Black). As of this writing, it is less than $15 and can be delivered immediately.
Situation #3: DVI to HDMI for PC to TV Connection
The quality of this connection is the same as situation #2. To connect PC to TV with DVI to HDMI, simply buy the Male Dvi To Male HDmi Conversion Cable and you are off and running. The DVI end then plugs into your desktop or laptop computer and the HDMI end connects to your LCD TV.
After you get your setup complete. learn how to watch TV on your computer. You may want to get rid of all the high cable bills!
Connect TV to PC: Software Setup
After you have purchased and connected the proper cable to hookup your TV to your PC, you will need to get it up and running with your computer. We will take a look at the general software setup with laptops and desktops separately. Laptops and desktops differ slightly because the laptop has a built-in screen. With each of these situations, you will need to find the input button on your TV so that you can set it to the proper input. Note: If you prefer how to videos, you may want to consult How To Connect Computer To TV for video instruction.
Connect Laptop To LCD TV
After you have physically connected your laptop to your PC, you basically now have two monitors connected: the laptop screen and the LCD TV. You now want to hit your TV remote input button until you get to the desired choice (it’s usually labelled “PC” or “HDMI” depending on your selection above). Now, on your laptop screen, you will want to right-click a vacant area of the desktop and then choose properties. Then, click the settings tab. You should now see a second choice in the monitors window. If you want to use the LCD only, you should click the monitor and then select the “Use this device as the primary monitor” checkbox. If you want to use both the laptop screen and the LCD TV at the same time, then select “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor” and you can use both monitors at the same time! This is my preferred choice.
I use a Dell laptop and you can switch on the fly between using the laptop monitor, the LCD, or both at one time by pressing the function key (Fn) and F8 at the same time.
Connect Desktop Computer To LCD TV
From a software perspective, connecting your desktop computer to your LCD TV is very simple. After you have made the physical connection in one of the three ways above, simply change the input on your TV to reflect the appropriate choice (VGA–often labelled PC, DVI, or HDMI). You may want to modify the settings on both your TV and your PC for optimum resolution.
If you would like to use both your standard monitor AND your LCD TV, you will need a graphics card that is capable of dual monitors. Many of the new ones are. If your graphics card is capable of dual monitors but only has one DVI output, you will want to purchase a Cables Unlimited DVI-D Splitter Cable (PCM-2260). For those with VGA, you can purchase a VGA Monitor Y Splitter (for situation #1) to see both screens at one time. In many cases, especially VGA, these splitters only allow you to see the same screen on both monitors (not an extended desktop) and with VGA the signal degrades a little bit. To learn more, you will need to contact the video driver manufacturer.
If you want to have a two monitor setup with your desktop, right-click a vacant area of the desktop and then choose properties. Then, click the settings tab. You should now see a second choice in the monitors window. If you want to use the LCD only, you should click that monitor and then select the “Use this device as the primary monitor” checkbox. If you want to use both the computer monitor and the LCD TV at the same time, then select “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor” and you can use both monitors at the same time! (Note: Your video card supplier may have incorporated different video software in which case the instructions will differ slightly.)
Connect TV to PC: Summary
If you would like to connect your PC to your TV, the process is relatively easy and you do not need to be a technical genius. As illustrated above, you need 1 of the following 3 cables:
1.) Belkin F3H982-25 Pro Series High-Integrity VGA/SVGA Monitor Replacement Cable (25 ft.): Use this for a VGA connection. The works with virtually every computer and every LCD TV.
2.) Cables To Go - 26911 - 2M DVI-D M/M Dual Link Digital Video Cable (Black): Buy this is you have a DVI connector on both your TV and your monitor.
3.) : Male Dvi To Male HDmi Conversion Cable: This is a popular choice for those with DVI on their computer and HDMI on their LCD TV.
If you are very particular about video, choices 2 and 3 provide better resolution, but I find that VGA also looks fantastic on an LCD TV. VGA is often the only choice on many computers.
The benefits of connecting your computer to your TV are amazing. This is a great way to show a room full of friends or latest pictures and videos. LCD TVs also perform well as gigantic computer monitors for everyday use.
We hope that this article has illustrated to you how to connect your PC to your TV and answered the question: Which cables do i need to connect my PC to a TV?
This is a great way to show off your videos or pictures to a large group of people.
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great tutorial, but i was sondering, since i have an HDMI port in the back of my computer, would i be able to connect my pc to a tv with an HDMI to HDMI cable
Sam, yes, this would be the ideal way. I did not add this as yet because so few people have HDMI on their computers. This # is growing however so I will add this to the list in the near future. HDMI from computer to HDMI on TV IS doable and a great way to set up PC connections to a TV.
thanks =)
My laptop is new, my TV is older. I did use an S-Video cable from my laptop to my TV and it worked great. However, my new laptop no longer has the S-Video and my TV doesn’t have VGA, HDMI or DVI. Is there a converter out there make this connection possible again?
Thank you!
hey can u please tell me something i cant resolve it
i connect my pc onto my LCD TV and the screen is alright
but i dont put the speakers from my old computer
because i want to hear sounds from my LCD
i cant resolve it and i am searching this for 2 weeks pls reply me
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