Network Connection Or Direct Via Hdmi Cable
The Wireless Display option in Windows is effectively casting your PC output to a compatible display over WiFi or network cable, but the end result will never be as rock-solid as a direct HDMI cable connection from a PC to the TV. But circumstances differ and often, a wireless connection will be more practical for many people, especially if cables are required to be routed in inconvenient places.
For my part, I just bought a 5m HDMI cable and connected up both devices and it probably goes without saying that the image quality is far superior to a wireless connection, especially at very high resolutions such as 4K. Whatever your needs, its certainly worth playing around with casting your PC to another display.
Big Laptop Libraries: Plex
If you’ve built a big media library on your computer, you can stream it easily to your TV using Plex. Plex is media server software that can catalog all of your video and audio files and stream them to any device running the Plex app. It can also act as a front-end for streaming media services, and can even record live TV with a USB tuner.
All major media streamers support Plex, along with many smart TV platforms. It can even stream to your phone, tablet, or any other compatible device outside of your house, as long as your computer is on and connected to the internet. Plex is available for free, but for more advanced features like live TV and DVR, you need to get the premium Plex Pass for $4.99 a month, $39.99 a year, or $119.99 for a lifetime subscription.
Plex is very functional for media playback and streaming, even in its free form. It doesn’t support any sort of screen mirroring, however anything streamed to the Plex app on your TV or media streamer must be registered through the server software. That means no games. It also tops out at 1080p, so it can’t stream 4K.
Pros: Robust media format and service support. Accessible outside of the home. Free, with optional premium subscription for advanced features.
Cons: Doesn’t support 4K. Doesn’t work with games.
Can You Screen Mirror From Hp Laptop To TV
You can access the laptops settings by pressing the Windows button. You can then add a device by clicking on the Add device link in the Connected devices section. There is a drop down menu that lists all the devices you can mirror. You will see the laptop screen mirroring to your TV after you select it.
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How To Connect Your Laptop/pc/computer To Your TV
Nowadays there are a lot of different options
This article will teach you how to connect your PC or computer to a TV or HDTV using wired and wireless connections. You have many options these days, so it really depends on your hardware and budget. The most common method currently is still by connecting a cable from your laptop to your TV, so Ill go over those first.
However, if you have bought a laptop like the MacBook Pro recently, then there is a way to wirelessly stream whatever is on your screen to your TV using Apple AirPlay. Unfortunately, there is nothing like that for Windows computers just yet, even with the release of Windows 8. This is one area where its advantageous to buy a Mac over a PC because of the wirelessly streaming feature.
How To Use Your Big
Sometimes your laptop screen just isn’t big enough. Here’s how to set up your TV as a second display for your PC so you can use it for everything from streaming movies to online classes.
The computer is where many of us spend a good deal of our day working. It’s also where students will likely be spending a lot of time taking classes for the foreseeable future. And it just so happens to be the ultimate media and gaming device, capable of playing more music, video, and games than any other platform. There’s just one catch: Most monitors are smaller than the average TV. So why not connect your laptop to your TV for a far more compelling work and learning experience on a bigger screen?
You can, and there are several different ways to do it. Not every method is suitable for every situation, though. Depending on where your TV is, where your computer is, how your home is set up, and what media you plan to use your TV screen for, you need to consider exactly how to connect your laptop to your TV.
These techniques don’t just work for laptops. If you have a desktop PC, you can connect it to your TV the same way. Of course, desktops are less portable, so if it’s located far from your TV, it might not be as convenient or work quite as well.
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Stream From Pc To TV With Chromecast
Pros: Easy setup, inexpensiveCons: High-resolution content may lag or stutter over a wireless network.
Setup overview: Chromecast plugs into a TV or displays HDMI port and draws power from a USB port on the television. In the absence of a USB port, Chromecast can plug into to an AC wall socket. Once connected, Chromecast joins the Wi-Fi network, and other devices on the network are then able to stream content through the Chomecast onto the TV. Basically any Apple, Android, or Windows device supports the Chromecast app.
Chromecast comes in stick and dangling form factors.
The device itself comes in two form factors, a stick-like chassis that resembles a USB thumb drive, or round, dangling unit designed for better receptivity.
Limitations: Quality of streaming may vary depending on available Wi-Fi network bandwidth.
Pro Tip: Use the 5 GHz channel on a dual-channel wireless router for Chromecast. It tends to encounter less interference than the 2.4 GHz channel.
Audio / Video Connections
When connecting a computer to your TV, the computer will serve as an audio and video source. To make that happen we of course have to make sure that both devices support the same connectors. Therefor, an overview of available connectors, conversion options and required computer settings.
Overview
Too many options HDMI Recommended!
If all your choices are wide open, then I highly recommend using HDMI on both your TV and Computer, as it offers Audio and Video transport in highest quality. HDMI has pretty much become the standard for audio and video, supported by numerous computers, TVs and Projectors.
Some additional HDMI features that might be available for your equipment:HEC or ethernet over HDMI,ARC which allows Audio to go in two directions,CEC which allows devices to control other devices.
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Computer Without A Video Output
If your computer has no video output, then dont worry too much.
Option 1, if your computer allows this, is to install a different video card. The video card doesnt need to be expensive, specially since often 3D capabilities of the video card play no role in video playback!
Option 2 is the use of USB As long as your computer has a USB port available, you can still resort to so called USB to HDMI Adapters, USB to VGA Adapters, or USB to Composite Video Adapter. Do keep in mind though, that even if these adapters do work, they can sometimes be a tad laggy when using higher resolutions. Youre also dependent on proper drivers and support for the Operating System youre running, so your milage may vary
Simple USB to HDMI adapter
These kind of converts can also be found in a wireless fashion, but do not support all operating systems, like this Q-Waves Wireless USB to HDMI Extender which uses an USB port on your computer and transmits wireless video to its receiver which connects to your TV over HDMI or VGA cable. Keep in mind, that these kind of devices do work great for some, but distance is limited and driver support can be cumbersome.
USB wireless to HDMI and VGA
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What Cables Do I Need To Connect Older Laptops
If you’re not worried about streaming in HD when connecting up to an older CRT television, for example then the best option is to use the S-Video port. It doesn’t provide High Definition quality, and only carries the video signal, so you’ll also need to hook up a separate audio cable to the audio inputs on your TV.
Your TV will need one of two things: either separate S-Video and phono audio ports, usually found on the front of the TV, or a SCART socket found on the back. You’ll then need to purchase an S-Video cable of suitable length, along with a separate audio cable. If necessary, purchase a SCART adapter to connect both sets of cables to your TV.
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Be Patient When Trying To Connect Your Computer To A TV
Getting your computer connected to your television and making sure the settings are set up properly can take a while to complete. The process may be a little long and frustrating, but try your best to stick it out and be patient. Youll be all set to watch shows and movies soon enough!
Those are our tips for how to connect a computer to a TV. Check out the Entertainment section of our website for courses on popular video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, and see what else you can learn!
Connect Wirelessly With Bluetooth
Another way to stream video from your computer on your TV is through a Bluetooth connection. Some televisions have Bluetooth capability built in, and almost all computers have a Bluetooth function. This method allows you to wirelessly connect your TV screen to your computer.
The specifics of connecting your computer and TV using Bluetooth will vary depending on the devices you have. Not all computers and TVs will have the same settings. However, here are some general instructions for this method:
To connect your computer to your TV using Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is enabled and active on both devices. Ensure your computer is a discoverable Bluetooth device so your TV will be able to pick up the signal from your computer. Using your TVs Bluetooth settings, pair your computer to your TV.
Check out BestBuys awesome selection of Smart TVs here.
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To Connect Your Apple Laptop To Your Smart TV:
If you have a compatible Smart TV, you can easily connect your laptop to it through AirPlay. Compatible devices include Apple TV or AirPlay 2-enabled Smart TVs . AirPlay allows you to stream videos or mirror the display on your device’s screen on your TV.
Here’s how to connect your laptop to your TV using AirPlay:
To end your streaming session, tap the Screen Mirroring icon in the video playback controls, then choose Turn Off AirPlay.
How To Connect A Computer To A TV
Sometimes youll have something on your computer that youd like to play on your television. Maybe youve downloaded a film or youve been sent a video showing members of your family that youd like to watch on a bigger screen, perhaps with others.
A modern television can now be connected to a desktop or laptop computer. That way, your computer becomes a playback device, with the TV acting as a monitor. Using an HDMI cable is the easiest way to do this.
Note: These cables range hugely in price. However, experts agree that theres nothing to be gained by buying a more expensive designer cable a relatively cheap one should do the job adequately.
Youll need:
- a computer with an HDMI out socket, a sound card and a video card
- a TV with an HDMI input socket
- an HDMI cable to connect the two.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to connect your computer to your television
Step 1: Place your laptop near the television or ensure that your desktop computer is located close enough to reach it via the HDMI cable. Make sure that both your computer and your TV are turned off.
Step 2: At the back of your computer is an HDMI socket . It looks a bit like a USB socket but isnt rectangular. It will be labelled HDMI.
The HDMI cable is the same at each end . It doesnt matter which end you plug into your computer. Plug one end in now.
Step 4: Turn on your TV. Use the AV button on the remote control to select the AV input PC.
Youll need:
Step 1: Turn on the TV and Computer.
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How To Connect A Laptop To A TV
Connecting a laptop to a TV is a simple process, especially if you have a newer model laptop and TV. In this post, Ill explain step-by-step how to connect a laptop to a TV providing you with different options depending on the laptop you have, so that you can stream videos, look at pictures, or give a presentation straight from your TV.
There are two ways of connecting a laptop to a regular or smart TV. The most common is by using cables such as HDMI or VGA, and the second is wirelessly, no cables running from your laptop to the TV. It all depends on the laptop you have and the ports it has available for video output connection. Lets get started.
Connect Laptop To TV: Windows 10
If you’ve got a Windows 10 laptop and a compatible TV, one of the easiest ways to transmit your laptop screen to your TV is to use the new screen-casting capabilities that are built into the Windows 10 interface. Just go to the Action Center and click Connect. Your laptop will scan for and give you options to connect to any nearby Miracast-enabled device.
The beauty of technologies such as Miracast is that they don’t rely on your home/office wireless network. Instead, signals are transmitted via Wi-Fi Direct, which has a shorter signal range but enables device-to-device streaming without a central router.
The newer your TV, the more likely it is to already be Miracast-compatible, eliminating the need for extra hardware or adapters. Windows 10 systems can connect to older TVs, too. You just need to add one of the relatively low cost, set-top streaming units available from Roku, Amazon, or others, many of which include Miracast options .
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Why Cant I Cast To My Vizio Smart TV
If you are casting from an outdated application, make sure it is updated. Open the Google Play Store and open the menu if you are using an Android device. You can access your apps and games by clicking on the My Apps & Games option. You may need to reboot both devices if the application still does not cast.
Connecting The Pc To The TV
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Ways To View Your Laptop Or Desktops Screen On Your TV
Chris Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. He’s written about technology for over a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miami’s NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read nearly one billion times—and that’s just here at How-To Geek. Read more…
Mirroring your PCs display on your TV is actually pretty simple. There are several ways to get it doneboth wired and wirelessand which you choose just depends on your situation.
The wired methods of mirroring your display are the most reliable, although youll need an HDMI cable and possibly an adapter for your computer. Wireless methods can work well, toothey just arent perfect. You may notice a bit of lag and sometimes a less-than-perfectly-crisp display.