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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.
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.
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Situation #1: HDMI to HDMI Connector To Connect TV to PC
This is the most common situation in the year 2020 and works on virtually all setups.
As I wrote about in connecting your laptop to your LCD, you only need one thing to make this happen — an HDMI cable. I recommend this one as it will allow for the newest technologies and fastest streaming.
Situation #2: VGA to VGA Connector To Connect TV to PC
Before the advent of HDMI, a VGA connection was the most common way to connect your computer to your television.
Still today, this is the only option for some people with older TVs or laptops.
For this VGA to VGA connection, you’ll want to purchase the Belkin F3H982-25 Pro Series High-Integrity VGA/SVGA Monitor Replacement Cable (25 ft.). Last I checked this cable was under $25 and can be delivered to your doorstep the next day.
Situation #3: DVI to DVI To Connect TV to Hook Up PC to TV
I did not represent this situation in the diagram above because it is somewhat archaic nowadays. Most modern laptops no longer have DVI outputs. However, if both your LCD TV and your laptop computer have DVI you will want to purchase this cable: Cables To Go – 26911 – 2M DVI-D M/M Dual Link Digital Video Cable (Black). As of this writing, it is less than $7 and can be delivered immediately.
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 (HDMI, VGA–often labelled PC, or DVI). 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. I recommend this VisionTek Radeon graphics card if you would like an HDMI dual-display output from your desktop PC to multiple LCDs..
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 2 cables:
1.) 4K HDMI 10 Foot Cable: This HDMI to HDMI cable will have you all setup for today and the advanced streaming of the future.
2.) 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.
The benefits of connecting your computer to your TV are amazing. This is a great way to show a room full of friends your 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?