How to connect a computer to a TV: ways to connect via cable or Wi-Fi

A modern TV can be used as an external monitor for a personal computer or laptop. And you can connect them not only via cable, but also via a wireless connection.

And if the TV is also equipped with Smart TV support, then it can generally be added as an additional device to the local network and exchange data with it directly from Windows Explorer.

How to connect a TV to a computer, what methods are preferred and what difficulties the user may encounter in doing so?

Why connect a TV to a computer at all

The main scenarios of how this can be used in practice:

1. Use the TV as an external monitor. It will be possible to duplicate the image from the main display or get an extended desktop. This is convenient, for example, when working with video editors (Adobe Premiere, Sony Vegas) or trading terminals (MetaTrader and the like). After all, the user will get more workspace to accommodate windows.
2. View high-definition video on the TV screen. Most consumer monitors do not support technologies such as Dolby Vision, HDR 10 Pro, Ambient, which allow you to watch movies without any loss of quality. But in modern TVs they are found everywhere.
3. Connecting a TV to a computer is sometimes required to update the TV's firmware. Also, the user will be able to quickly transfer data from the hard drive to the internal memory of the TV.

Connecting a TV with a cable

The following connection options can be distinguished (the available ones depend on which ports are available in the TV used):

• HDMI;
• VGA;
• DVI;
• RCA;
• S-video;
• LAN (RJ-45);
• USB.

HDMI

The HDMI port is designed to transmit digital image and multi-channel audio. That is, with its help, you can display a “picture” from a computer to a TV.

The main advantage of HDMI is its support for high resolution and refresh rates. You can transfer images up to 8K and over 120 frames per second.

To connect a PC to a TV via HDMI, you must:

1. Turn off both PC and TV.
2. Connect them with an HDMI cable. The TV must select the HDMI In port.
3. Turn on TV, then PC.
4. Set the image output from the PC. In Windows 10, for this you need to open "Settings", go to "System", select the image output format (duplication or extension of the desktop), set the desired resolution.

VGA

The VGA port is used to output a high definition analog image. But the audio signal is not transmitted through it. Accordingly, the sound will have to be translated in any other way (for example, via RCA or by connecting the speaker system directly to the computer).

The connection and connection algorithm is the same as with HDMI. Unless the computer and the TV do not have to be turned off (the layout of the connector is such that it will not work to close the contacts).

DVI

According to the technical specifications, it is similar to VGA, but there are several differences:

• both analog and digital signal can be transmitted via DVI;
• if the TV supports only analog signal, and the PC transmits digital, then this connection will not work.

Allows you to display a picture in resolution up to 2K. But you need to use a compatible cable. And in this regard, you need to be careful, since there are 4 main revisions of DVI (depending on which signal is transmitted: analog or digital).

RCA

RCA is now considered an obsolete image transmission format. It is found only on very old video cards (up to about 2005-2007).

Allows output and playback of analog image up to 576p and audio (stereo only, no multi-channel output support).

The connection is made like this:

1. Using a 3-pin cable (often referred to as "tulips"), connect the TV to the computer. Be sure to follow the sequence of colors. Video is transmitted through the yellow cable, sound through red and white.
2. On TV, turn on RCA as the signal source. You don’t need to configure anything on a PC; you won’t be able to select a resolution either.

S-video

In S-Video, the image is also transmitted in analog form. Works exactly the same as RCA, but no sound is transmitted. That is, it must be transmitted in any other way.

Image adjustment is also not available, the resolution will be up to 576p.

LAN (RJ-45)

The LAN port is only available on modern TVs that support Smart TV.Through it, you can “distribute” the Internet from a PC or connect the TV to a local network. It is recommended to connect through a router.

That is, the connection algorithm is as follows:

1. The PC is connected to the router (it can be via cable, it can be via WiFi).
2. The router is connected to the TV with an RJ-45 cable.

In this case, the connection is configured through the web interface of the router. It is necessary to enable LAN, FTP, DLNA support. You may also need to enable DHCP (automatically assign a local IP address).

With this connection, the TV will have access to the Internet, and you can also quickly dump files from your computer's hard drive onto it.

USB

USB connection allows you to quickly transfer files from your PC to the TV's internal memory. That is, the TV will be recognized as an external drive or flash drive.

But this feature is not supported by all TVs. For example, it is not available in webOS. A compatible USB cable (male to male) is required for connection.

Connecting TV to PC wirelessly

WiFi is the most commonly used for wireless connection. Accordingly, both the computer and the TV should be located fairly close to each other.

And if the connection is made through a router (most often it happens), then it should be at a distance of no more than 5 - 10 meters from the devices.

Basic wireless options:

• DLNA;
• Miracast or WiFi
• Chromecast;
• bluetooth.

DLNA

In this case, a local network will be organized between the PC and the TV.

And depending on the functionality of Smart TV, you can:

1. Share data via WiFi.
2. Enable video streaming from the PC hard drive (of course, the computer must be turned on).

It is recommended to organize a DLNA connection using a router (which will act as an "intermediary").

Connection algorithm:

1. Connect TV to router via WiFi.
2. Connect the PC to the router (in any way: via WiFi, via cable).

Also, DLNA and DHCP must be enabled in the router settings. In the future, it is enough to open an application on the TV for scanning the local network (for example, X-Plorer), turn on the search for network devices.

And then via WiFi, you can connect to any computer on the local network to copy files or stream video.

Miracast or WiFi

Miracast and WiDi is a high-definition video wireless transmission protocol. But this will only work if this technology is supported by the computer itself (it is its network card) and the TV (you can check the technical specifications on the manufacturer's website or in the instructions).

The connection algorithm is as follows:

1. Activate the function on TV (in some models it is enabled in the settings, in others it always works).
2. On the PC, open "Settings", then "System", select "Display", then - "Connect a wireless display". The first time you use the feature, you may need to install additional Windows components. That is, a request will appear to add them, you need to grant permission and wait for the installation to complete.
3. Next, from the list of detected wireless displays, select the TV to which you want to connect.
4. Perform synchronization. As a rule, a connection request will appear on the TV screen, you need to agree.

Chromecast

This connection method can be used if Android TV is installed on the TV. In this case, Chromecast is supported there by default.

The connection algorithm is as follows:

1. Launch Chrome Browser on PC. This browser is a must.
2. In the browser window, select the wireless display icon in the address bar. A list of compatible devices to which you can transfer the image appears. Select TV.

It should be noted that only the contents of the browser window can be transferred in this way. And at the same time, the computer with the TV must be connected to the same WiFi network (that is, a local network is automatically organized between them).

Bluetooth

If there is a Bluetooth module in the computer, it becomes possible to remotely control a TV running Android TV (version 8 and higher). You will also need the Chrome browser installed.

Connection algorithm:

1. On the PC, turn on the search for Bluetooth devices. As a rule, it is enough to right-click on the corresponding icon in the tray and select "Add device".
2. Make sure that the TV is turned on, Bluetooth is activated in the settings (if there is such an item).
3. From the list of detected devices on the PC, select the TV.
4. Wait for the devices to sync.

And to control the TV, you will either need to use the Chrome browser or install a third-party application (Chrome Web Player and the like).

Image adjustment after connection

The image transmitted from the PC is configured through the "Settings" section in Windows 10. Next, select "System", open the "Display" tab. There you can select the main monitor, display the image on multiple displays at once, change the resolution, screen refresh rate.

Only relevant for wired connection.

If an analog signal is being transmitted (RCA, S-Video), then the image cannot be adjusted there. The video card is directly responsible for the resolution, processing, broadcasting of the signal.

Sound setting after connection

When connected via HDMI to a PC, an additional device will appear in the sound settings. That should be the main one. This can be done from the Sound menu in Control Panel.

If VGA or DVI is used, then the sound is output to the computer's built-in speaker system by default. You can transfer it to TV through a 3.5 mm jack (you need a 3.5 mm cable - RCA). Or just connect an external speaker system directly to your PC.

When using WiDi, Miracast or Chromecast, the sound is configured on the TV itself. You can only change the volume, turn on the equalizer (if the TV supports this function).

Common Problems and Solutions

The most common problems that occur when connecting a PC to a TV:

1. Image via HDMI, VGA or DVI is not full screen. It is recommended to select “Display on TV only” in the connection settings, and then set the “native” resolution for the TV (check in the instructions, in most cases 1920 by 1080 pixels).
2. When connected via HDMI, no sound is transmitted. This means that in Windows, by default, audio output is not via HDMI. You need to switch the main audio output in the "Sound" settings of the control panel.
3. When connected wirelessly, the image is not clear, artifacts appear. Most often occurs due to the fact that the devices are located too far from each other. Or the router is simply overloaded and cannot cope with the transfer of the stream.

In total, it is quite possible to connect a TV to a computer.

It is best to use HDMI for this, as this port is designed for high-definition video, supports 10-bit color encoding. And if you believe the reviews, then there are the least problems with such a connection.

Useful video

How to connect a computer to a TV, you will learn from the video: