How To Connect Computer To TV

When it comes to really enjoying your computer and getting the most out of it there is nothing better then using your TV as your monitor. While they do provide 30 inch monitors for computers, I am willing to be that the average computer user’s TV is far bigger than their current monitor.

DVI, VGA and S-Video Connections

It is actually quite easy to connect your computer to your TV! In order to turn your TV into a monitor for your computer you will need a video card, a cable and your TV. There are a few ways to actually connect your computer to your TV; either by using a VGA, DVI or S-Video cable. Most TV’s less than 2 years old probably have a DVI connection on them as DVI provides superior video quality. These TV’s will also most likely provide a VGA connection as well. TV’s older than 2 years may very well provide a S-Video connection depending upon how old it actually is. You can generally bet that any TV newer than 5 years old will have at least a S-Video connection.

Subsequently you will also need the proper cable in order for this to work. In fact you already have that cable most likely since your computer is using one of those right now. Computers over 3 years old are probably using a VGA connection while new computers provide either a DVI or S-Video connection.

From left to right: DVI, S-Video, VGA

What Does My Computer Use?

The newer your computer the more likely it is to use or at least have DVI or S-Video connections. Computer monitors either use DVI so VGA inputs so look at the back of your computer and search for one of those. Use the above images to determine which connection your computer is using.

What Does My TV Use?

The same steps apply to using your TV. The newer the TV the more likely it is to have a DVI connection while older TVs tend to have S-Video available. Newer TV’s usually have everything labeled in the back so things shouldn’t be too hard to find.

Connecting your Computer To Your TV

Once you have figured out which uses which you can proceed on. Assuming that everything matches up you can begin to set things up. Turn off the power to your TV and the power to your computer. Connect the cable between your computer and your TV making sure that you do not force them. The cables will only connect one way and forcing them could break off a fragile pin rendering either the cable or the hardware inside your TV/computer useless.

After you have connected the cable turn on both your PC and TV. Hopefully everything should go smoothly, your TV should adjust automatically as well as your computer and you won’t have a problem. From here on you can just use your computer like your normally would but instead it will be on your TV!

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