Connect a computer to a TV for use as a monitor using a HDMI or VGA cable

Before You Start

• Make sure the computer and the TV have the latest driver and software updates installed. Downloads are posted on your model support page.
• Follow these steps if you want to setup wireless Screen mirroring for computers with the Microsoft® Windows® 10 or Microsoft Windows 8.1 operating systems.
• Screen mirroring is not a feature of Apple® devices. Use the Wi-Fi Direct® or Apple Air Play® features, depending on the TV model.
• You will need to have either a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI®) or Video Graphic Array (VGA) cable as most computers have one or both types of connections.

Video connections

Depending on the ports available on your TV and computer, it may be possible to use the TV as a computer monitor. These are the types of video ports you should be looking for:

If your TV and computer both have a matching video port, you can simply connect both devices by using the proper cable type. For example, if the computer uses a HDMI port to output the video signal and the TV has a HDMI port for receiving the video signal, then all you need to do is connect a HDMI cable to both of the HDMI ports; the same applies to the other types of ports.

The video quality displayed on the TV will be determined by the method used to connect the computer. For the best video quality, try using a HDMI, DVI, or VGA cable in that order.  USB ports are now capable of transferring video signals. Composite, component, or S-Video connections can be used, but do not provide as high of a resolution. Your connection options may be limited by the types of ports available on both devices.  HDMI connections are the easiest and are now more available with a direct HDMI cable connection between the computer and the TV.

The computer and TV may not have any matching ports. If this is the case, you will need to do one of the following:

1. Install a video card in the computer that has a matching port like the one found on the TV.
   Note: If using an Apple® Macintosh® computer, a Thunderbolt adapter may be required to output an HDMI or DVI connection. Visit the Apple website or contact Apple support for further assistance if needed.

2. Purchase a video converter from a local or online computer retailer.
   Note: A DVI-to-HDMI cable or a DVI-to-HDMI converter is not supported or guaranteed when attempting to connect a computer with a DVI OUT to a TV with an HDMI IN.

Although most computers now have HDMI output, if that port is not available then a video converter may be next best option.  Older computers use VGA/RGB ports to output the video signal, so a VGA converter may be needed to pass the signal to the TV. Use one of the following types of converters depending on the video input on your TV:

• VGA-to-DVI
• VGA-to-HDMI
• VGA-to-USB
• VGA-to-Component Video
• VGA-to-S-Video
• VGA-to-Composite Video

Whether installing a video card, using a video converter, or connecting directly with a cable it is important to make sure the computer can output the video resolution properly. You should check the instruction manual of your TV to determine what resolution is supported and then configure the computer accordingly in the Display Properties found in the Control Panel of the operating system. While newer TVs can provide higher resolutions, older models use resolutions of 640x480 and 800x600.

Audio connections

For sound, if the computer does not have any speakers connected you will need to connect an audio cable, unless you are using an HDMI-to-HDMI connection, which will transfer both audio and video signals. There are two types of audio ports we need to look for: a miniplug or composite audio jack.

• If the computer has a line out miniplug and the TV has composite audio input jacks, use a miniplug-to-composite audio cable.

  

• If the computer has composite audio output jacks and TV has composite audio input jacks, use a standard composite audio cable.

  

• If the computer has a 3.5 mm line-out miniplug and the TV has a 3.5 mm line-in miniplug, use a miniplug-to-miniplug audio cable.