When creating a home network with your own hands, beginners often have the question of how to connect a laptop to a TV: after all, the prospect of using a modern TV as a monitor and watching movies with maximum comfort is very “tempting.”
Therefore, in this article we will look at how to connect a laptop to a TV, and what Windows 7/Windows 10 OS settings are necessary for this.
As an example, we will use an HP dv6 laptop and a sharp 32-inch diagonal TV. Connecting other TV/laptop models may be slightly different, however general principle device connections will remain the same.
So, you can connect a laptop to a TV using cable connection and without wires. In one of the previous articles we talked, but here we will focus on how to connect to a TV via cable. For a “hard” connection to a computer/laptop, there are two main methods: via a VGA cable and an HDMI cable.
How to connect a laptop to a TV via VGA?
For such a connection, you will need a VGA cable (Figure 1), as well as connectors for connecting this cable on your laptop and TV (they are in Figure 2 and 3, respectively).
You need to connect the laptop to the TV using a cable as shown in the following figure:
After successfully connecting the cable, you should set the appropriate settings both on Windows 7 and on the TV itself. To do this, press on the remote control remote control“Input” key and select “Input4” from the menu of your TV
It is worth noting that other brands of TVs may have different names: instead of the word “Input”, “VGA” or “PC” may be used, but this does not change the essence.
Let’s clarify what the “Duplicate”, “Expand”, “Projector Only” commands mean:
- - Duplicate means seeing two identical images at the same time on both screens: both the laptop and the TV.
- - Expand is to enlarge or extend one screen into two displays at the same time, that is, on one screen you can watch a movie, and on the other, for example, chat on Facebook.
- - And finally, the third option is to turn on only the TV screen.
To set up a connection with a laptop, click on the picture labeled “Duplicate” or “Extend”, after which the laptop will be successfully connected to the TV using the vga-vga principle.
Please note that the menu presented above is not relevant for all laptops. If you got just such a model, then you should use the second option for setting up your laptop:
Click right click mouse to any empty space on the screen and go to the “Screen Resolution” (if you have Windows 7) or “Display Properties” (if you have Windows xp) tab
A screen settings window will open showing you how many screens you have connected to your at the moment: within this example- these are two screens
You should not make any changes in the “Screen” tab, but in the “Multiple Screens” tab you should set the settings that are optimal for the user, and then click the “Apply” tab.
This completes the setup of connecting the laptop to the TV via a VGA cable.
How to connect a laptop to a TV via hdmi?
This option is practically no different from the VGA connection method, with the exception of some nuances. So, you will need an HDMI cable and HDMI output and input ports on your laptop and TV
You need to connect the cable as shown in the following picture:
Directly setting up the laptop and TV is carried out in the same way as the instructions suggested above, after which you can duplicate the laptop screen onto the TV.
However, with such a connection, a situation periodically arises when sound is not transmitted via hdmi from the laptop to the TV (note that sound is not transmitted via VGA).
This is due to incorrect settings of the laptop's sound parameters. So, if there is no sound via hdmi you need to:
Right-click on the sound icon in the lower right corner of the control panel and select menu;
In the sound settings window, you should look at the default device: if it is not the brand of your TV, then you should find it in the list and set it as default.
You will need
- Internet, very old video card with TV-out over d-sub support, d-sub m connector, RCA connector, 75 Ohm coaxial cable, soldering accessories
Instructions
On the Internet you will find a ready-made vga tulip connector, but unfortunately, even if you buy it, it will not work. To transmit a composite signal from a computer, it is necessary to support this type signal standard. Until 2000, video cards with support for TV-out over d-sub were produced. That is, indeed, you could use a Tulip vga TV adapter for such a video card. However, after 2000, the signal transmission standard was changed, and video cards no longer transmitted a composite signal. Thus, if you make a vga tulip adapter or buy a ready-made one and try to use it on a modern video card, the adapter will not work under any circumstances.
If you still need to output the signal from the vga output of a modern video card through the composite input to the TV (yellow video tulip), then the only way to do this is to purchase a special converter device. It transcodes the signal between different standards. The cost of this converter varies from 10 to 20 US dollars. This is a rather complex device, so only a professional can assemble it independently.
If you are the happy owner of an ancient video card (manufactured before 2000) that supports TV-out over d-sub, for example from Matrox, you can try making a vga tulip adapter yourself. To do this, you need a wiring diagram for the rca and d-sub connectors or “pinout”.
Prepare vga connectors and tulip for soldering. Open the protective case, apply flux to the required contact pads in accordance with the pinout. Take a piece of cable of the required length, strip the ends, and tin them.
Be sure to place the connector housings onto the cable before soldering it to the connectors. Solder the inner core of the cable to the center pad of the tulip connector and to pin number 3 of the vga connector. Solder the cable shield conductor (braid) to the other pin of the tulip connector and to pin number 8 of the vga connector on the other side of the cable.
Assemble the connectors at both ends of the cable. The adapter is ready. You can try connecting your TV to your computer.
Video on the topic
Please note
Pay special attention to setting the signal format, resolution and dehertz. Start with the lowest values. The TV may not recognize the video signal with most combinations of these settings, so try different options.
The easiest way to connect a TV to a computer is a video card with a separate TV-out, tulip or s-video.
You can also use a converter.
Perhaps another way to connect your computer to your TV will suit you, for example:
- connection with a vga vga cable, if the TV has a vga input. Some modern TV models are equipped with a special adapter for connecting vga;
- connection via vga s-video adapter. This connection is possible on some models of ATI Radeon video cards, for example, the 3000 series, and with special settings for the video card driver. The TV must also have an s-video input;
- connection via vga YPbPr adapter. The same as in the previous paragraph, but the TV must have a YPbPr component input (three non-yellow tulips);
- connection via vga SCART adapter. The same as in the previous paragraph, but the TV must have a SCART input (comb).
Sources:
- adapter from vga to tulip buy
For 10 years now, computers and laptops have been equipped with not one, but two or three types of connectors at the same time. Ports vary in size and appearance. What type of monitor connection do you prefer? The article also discusses the practical usefulness of simultaneously connecting two or even three monitors.
Common but old types of connectors
VGA (Video Graphics Array): an outdated classic
The blue trapezoidal interface dominated the computer field for 25-30 years. It worked great on older CRT displays due to its analog nature. But flat LCD screens appeared - digital devices, then resolutions began to increase and the good old VGA began to lose ground.
Today it is built into video cards less and less often, but many devices (household players, projectors, TVs) are still equipped with support for the hopelessly outdated VGA. Probably, for several more years, the “old man” will remain a not very desirable, but widespread de facto standard - if you have any doubts about which cable you can use to connect the monitor in the next office, then take VGA.
DVI-I (Digital Visual Interface): another long-lived video interface
Actually, there are several of them: DVI-A, -D and -I, plus their varieties. But when we talk about the most common DVI standard, we mean the analog-to-digital DVI-I Dual Channel - it is this specification that is built into most PCs.
At one time, DVI came to replace VGA, which was rapidly becoming obsolete in the mid-2000s. Ability to transmit both analog and digital signal, support for large (in that era) resolutions and high frequencies, lack of inexpensive competitors: DVI continues to serve as the standard today. But it is unlikely that his active “life” will continue for more than another 3-4 years.
Resolutions higher than the minimum comfortable for today FullHD are increasingly found even in inexpensive computer systems. With the growth of megapixels, the once serious capabilities of DVI are ending. Without going into technical details, we note that the peak capabilities of DVI will not allow displaying an image with a resolution of over 2560 x 1600 at an acceptable frequency (above 60 Hz).
Modern video interfaces
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) – the king of multimedia
The abbreviation “HD-IM-AI”, once awkward for Russian ears, is increasingly entering our lives. Why has HDMI become so popular? It's simple:
- arbitrarily long wires (okay, to be honest - up to 25-30 meters);
- transmission of sound (even multi-channel!) along with video - goodbye to the need to buy separate speakers for TV;
- convenient small connectors;
- support everywhere - players, zombie boxes, projectors, video recorders, game consoles - it’s hard to immediately think of equipment that doesn’t have an HDMI connector;
- ultra-high resolutions;
- 3D picture. And yes, it is possible along with ultra-high resolutions ( HDMI versions 4b and 2.0).
The prospects for HDMI are the most promising - development continues; in 2013, version 2.0 specifications were adopted: this standard is compatible with old wire connectors, but supports increasingly impressive resolutions and other “tasty” features.
DisplayPort (DP): a connector that's just becoming ubiquitous
And DisplayPort is stunningly beautiful in appearance...
For many years, computers were rarely equipped with this direct competitor to HDMI. And - despite the fact that DisplayPort was good for everyone: and support for very high resolutions along with a stereo signal; and audio transmission; and an impressive length of wire. It is even more profitable for manufacturers than licensed HDMI: there is no need to pay the developers of the standard the 15-25 cents that HDMI owners are entitled to.
The DP connector simply had bad luck in its early years. However, computers are increasingly equipped with a pair of Display Ports of the modern version 1.4 standard. And on its basis, another popular standard with enormous prospects was “born”: the “little brother” of the Display Port...
Mini DP (Mini DisplayPort)
Together with HDMI and the completely outdated VGA, the Mini DisplayPort connector is built into almost every computer and laptop. He has all the advantages of his “big brother” on his side, plus his miniature size - perfect solution for ever-thinner laptops, ultrabooks, and even smartphones and tablets.
Transmitting an audio signal so as not to buy separate speakers for the monitor? Please - how many channels do you need? Stereoscopy even in 4K? Yes, even though the interface will have to flex all its electronic muscles. Compatibility? There are a wide variety of adapters on the market, for almost any other connector. Future? The Mini DP standard is alive and well.
Thunderbolt: exotic monitor connection options
There are others like that. For a year now, Apple, together with Intel developers, have been promoting the fast, universal, but insanely expensive Thunderbolt interface.
Why do monitors also need Thunderbolt? The question remains for years without a clear answer.
In practice, monitors with its support are not so common, and there are serious doubts about the justification of Thunderbolt for video signal transmission. Is it the fashion for everything “Apple”...
Unfortunately, it remains beyond the scope of this article most interesting opportunity connect screens to a computer (and even supply power to them!) using the USB 3.0 interface (or, even more interesting, 3.1). This technology has many prospects, and there are also advantages. However, this is a topic for a separate review – and for the near future!
How to connect a new monitor to an old computer?
An “old computer” most often means a PC with a single port – VGA or DVI. If a new monitor (or TV) absolutely does not want to be friends with such a port, then you should purchase a relatively inexpensive adapter - from VGA to HDMI, from Mini DP to DVI, etc. – there are many options.
When using adapters, some inconveniences are possible (for example, there is no way to transmit sound or images with a particularly high resolution via VGA), but such a scheme will work properly and reliably.
Wireless video signal (WiDi)!
There are such interfaces, even several. Intel Wireless Display (aka WiDi, or “Wi-Dai,” no matter how strange it may sound to a Russian-speaking reader): an adapter that costs about $30 connects to the USB connector of a TV or monitor (if the technology is supported by the manufacturer).
The signal is sent via Wi-Fi, and a video image is displayed on the screen. But this is only in theory, and in practice, significant obstacles are the distance and the presence of walls between the receiver and transmitter. The technology is interesting, it has prospects - but nothing more for now.
Another wireless video interface is AirPlay from Apple. The essence and practical application the same as Intel's WiDI. A little expensive, not very reliable, far from practical.
A more interesting solution, but still not widespread, is Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDi). It's not exactly Wi-Fi, although it's very similar. wireless technology. Key Feature– a proprietary method of protection against interference, delay and distortion.
Connecting multiple monitors at the same time
Even a novice user can cope with the task of attaching a main or additional screen: connecting a monitor to a PC or laptop is no more difficult than a flash drive. Connecting a monitor to a computer is only possible in the correct way: the connector simply will not fit into a connector that is not intended for it.
An excellent feature of modern video cards and operating systems– the ability to connect several monitors to one signal source (PC, laptop). The practical benefits are enormous, and in two different versions.
1. Image clone mode
The main computer screen operates normally. But at the same time, the image is completely duplicated on a large-diagonal TV and/or projector. You just need to connect the video cable to both the big screen and the projector. Sound is transmitted along with the image if you use modern connectors (HDMI, Mini DP).
2. Multi-screen mode
The resolution of monitors is constantly growing - but there will always be tasks for which I would like to have a wider screen. Calculations in large Excel spreadsheet, or working with a couple of browsers at once; design tasks and video editing. Even typing is more convenient when there is also an additional display next to the main one. “Gap” - the frames of the screens in practice interfere no more than the frames of glasses - after a few minutes you simply don’t notice them. Gamers also like to use several monitors at once - immersion in the gameplay with such a scheme is much more exciting. By the way, some AMD video cards support up to 6 monitors simultaneously (Eyefinity technology made a lot of noise in the IT community 5 years ago).
Picture: this is how you can call up the settings for connecting a second or third monitor: click on “Graphics Settings” from Intel or Nvidia.
How to connect a 2nd monitor to a computer? Insert the cable connector - most likely, the image will be instantly “picked up” by the second screen. If this does not happen, or you need additional settings/ other mode – minute work in the graphics driver of the video card. To get to this program, just right-click on the Intel, Nvidia or AMD video driver icon - depending on which video adapter is installed in the PC, and select “Settings”. The video adapter icon is always present in the Control Panel, and in almost all cases - in the Windows tray, around the clock.
Agree, sometimes when using programs on laptops that require a large working space that a standard screen cannot provide, it is much more convenient to use a modern television panel as a monitor. In this regard, there is an urgent need to solve the problem when you need to connect a TV to a laptop via a VGA output. Why VGA? Because almost all models of laptops and TVs are equipped with such connectors. But when creating such a connection, in some cases you may encounter some difficulties. Next we will show how to bypass or eliminate them, as well as make correct connection and initial setup of both devices.
How to connect a TV to a laptop via VGA: what will you need?
The first step is to make sure that there are appropriate connectors on both devices. Of course, when connecting devices to each other, it is advisable to use outputs and inputs of the same name. There are no problems here.
But you can often encounter a situation where the laptop only has a VGA output (aka D-Sub), and the TV only has an HDMI connector. Here the essence of the question of how to connect a TV to a laptop via VGA-HDMI is to use a special adapter.
VGA connection problems
But the problems don't stop there. This is due to the fact that only the picture is transmitted through VGA, but not sound.
But many would like to use the powerful acoustic systems of modern TV panels with multi-channel sound. How to connect a TV to a laptop via VGA so that there is also sound?
In such a situation, you will have to purchase a special VGA to HDMI adapter model, which additionally has connectors for audio transmission (either a regular 3.5 mm mini-jack or standard “tulips”).
How to connect a TV to a laptop via VGA with sound?
As a rule, connecting when choosing the above scheme does not present any particular difficulties.
The VGA and HDMI connectors are connected to the corresponding ports, after which the audio cable is connected. It is impossible to confuse the connectors. There is a special socket for the mini-jack, and the “tulips” are connected in accordance with the color marks.
Initial screen setup
The TV is connected to the laptop via VGA-HDMI. Now you should check the settings
You may initially have to specify the connection type on the TV panel by selecting HDMI as the source by pressing the Source (Input) button on the remote control several times or by calling up the appropriate menu. On some models of television panels, you may need to enable or disable the TV/AV or TV/Video modes (it all depends solely on the modification of the TV and its manufacturer).
After this, to connect the TV to the laptop via VGA, you need to send the image to the television panel. As a rule, one of the function buttons F1-F12 should have a special icon with two screens. The button is used in combination with the Fn key, although there is no uniform standard among manufacturers. Typically, a single press causes the image to appear on the TV, and a second press returns the image to the laptop screen.
However, there is a universal solution on all Windows systems. It is enough to use the combination Win + P, after which a setup menu will appear, including expanding the screen to multiple monitors or duplicating it. In Windows 10, this function is available by clicking on the notification icon in the system tray at the bottom right. Moreover, if automatic installation screen settings did not work, you will need to set the resolution on the TV directly in Windows system manually, based on its characteristics and capabilities.
Alternative Image Adjustment Method
But, let’s say, using this method, the TV did not connect to the laptop via VGA, or the combination did not work for some reason.
As a backup option, you can use RMB on a free area of the “Desktop” and select the screen resolution setting. In the basic settings, you can perform the same operations (extend the screen onto two monitors or duplicate it, depending on the user’s needs). For example, when expanding, you can display only the media player on the TV panel, but when duplicating, you can display the entire space of the “Desktop” or a running program.
Sound settings
As it turns out, connecting a TV to a laptop via a VGA connector is only half the battle. Now you will have to start setting up the sound, since for some reason Windows systems do not automatically switch to television panels.
You can set the sound parameters through the RMB menu on the volume icon in the system tray, where the line of playback devices is selected. In principle, settings can be accessed from the standard “Control Panel”.
Here, on the playback tab, you should pay attention to the device that has HDMI in its name. Right-clicking opens a submenu, and in it selects the default device usage line. If the TV panel's audio system is not in the list, you should activate the display of disabled devices in the menu that is called up, and then repeat the steps described above.
As for switching the sound format, it all depends on the capabilities speaker system the TV itself. On some models, right on the remote control you can find a special button that changes the sound, activating various audio circuits, setting the priority sound of different speakers, adjusting the equalizer, if provided, etc.
Conclusion
As you can see, the problem of how to connect a TV to a laptop via a VGA output can be solved quite simply. In theory, there should be no questions with the choice of connectors. The most important thing is to further configure the transmission of image and sound to the television panel. However, no particular difficulties are foreseen here, since in Windows systems this entire procedure is standardized.
Actually, the connection procedure boils down to the right choice the required adapter, connecting it to both devices, setting image and sound parameters. At the same time, Windows can sometimes additionally install the corresponding driver when selecting an audio device. But such a procedure is performed in the background, and user participation in this process is not required at all. Otherwise, as practice shows, everything is simple even with the use of somewhat outdated models of laptops and television panels. And in the case of Smart TV, setup is usually simplified even more. Such panels in most cases are initially focused on the ability to connect external computer or mobile devices With automatic mode recognition of the device and its appropriate settings at the time of connection.
Probably everyone has ever wanted to watch a downloaded movie, play some games on big screen. It’s easier to watch a movie in comfort on the sofa, rather than sitting on a chair near the monitor.
After turning on the computer, the TV should display your desktop as it was on the computer. And you can run any movies, games and other applications.
It should be noted right away that when connecting a TV using VGA, the sound will still be played by the computer. The VGA connector is designed to transmit only images, not sound. Therefore, we will not be able to use the TV’s capabilities to reproduce sound with this connection.
How to connect a computer to a TV with an HDMI cable
Rice. 3. What does the HDMI connector look like?
To connect your computer to your TV using this method, you will need an HDMI cable. It has the shape of a rectangle with 2 beveled edges. If you don’t have a cord, you can purchase one at any store. computer equipment and computer accessories.
Rice. 4. HDMI cable
Connection is also not difficult. Simply connect the HDMI cable to your TV and then to your computer. Next, you need to select on the TV itself which stream to use for display. To do this, press SOURCE on the remote control and select HDMI. After this, your desktop will be displayed on the TV.
It is worth noting that this connection method gives a clearer image, unlike VGA. Since the signal is analog via the VGA cable, and digital via HDMI.
HDMI also carries sound, so this connection makes it possible to listen to the sound of movies, games and other applications using the acoustic capabilities of the TV, which provides additional convenience and benefits of such a connection.
Thus, connecting your computer to the TV will not be difficult and will not require any significant cash outlay, since you already have these cables, and if you don’t have them, they are inexpensive. As a result, you have the opportunity to watch any movie on a large diagonal screen with high-quality sound.
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