DVI_Connect Your Computer to a TV

8/2/2019 DVI_Connect Your Computer to a TV

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Connect your computer to a TVTo connect your computer to a TV, your computer needs to have an output port that matches one of theinput ports on your TV.

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What you'll need if you have an HDTV

Because almost every computer has an output port, you can use a cable to connect your computer to your high-definition television (HDTV). Most computers have a VGA output port (so using VGA cables is verycommon). Others have Digital Visual Interface (DVI), high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), or component video output ports, which all require different kinds of cables.

The following scenarios show you how you can connect a computer to an HDTV:

If your computer has this type of output port

It should work with this type of TVinput port Using this type of cable

HDMI HDMI HDMI to HDMI

DVI DVI or HDMI DVI to DVI or DVI toHDMIVGA VGA VGA to VGA

What you'll need if you have a standard-definition TV

Most standard-definition TVs support only composite video or S-Video connections. If your computer supports one of these, you might be able to connect it to your TV. However, both of these connection types
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will result in displays that are not as sharp as the results you get with an HDTV or with a standard computer monitor.

The following scenarios show you how you can connect a computer to a standard-definition TV:

If your computer has this type of output port

It should work with this type of TVinput port Using this type of cable

Composite video Composite video Composite video to

composite videoS-Video S-Video S-Video to S-Video

Connect your computer to your TV

After you have the right cable, follow these steps to connect your computer to your TV:

1. Turn off your computer and position it within easy reach of your TV. Disconnect the monitor, butleave the mouse and keyboard connected.

2. Connect the appropriate video cable from your computer's output to your TV.3. Turn on your TV and set it to the input that matches the output on your computer. You might need

to refer to the user's guide included with your TV for instructions on how to do this.4. Turn on your computer.

You should see Windows displayed on your TV. If the screen looks stretched, or part of the screenseems cut off, you probably need to adjust the screen resolution in Windows.

If you can't see Windows on your TV, you might need to reconnect the computer to your monitor and adjust the screen resolution before you connect to your TV.

Notes

Cables for VGA, DVI, and component video don't support audio signals. However, HDMI cables dosupport audio signals, but not all HDMI-enabled video cards support audio. If your HDTV has anaudio input, you might be able to connect a separate audio cable from your computer sound carddirectly to the TV. Otherwise, you'll need to connect the audio signal to a different device, such asexternal computer speakers or your home stereo system.

If your computer doesn't support the type of video connection you need, then you might be able to

install a new video card that has the right connection.
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How To Connect a Computer To Your TV (Page 1 of 4)

OverviewMany people already know that you can connect a computer to a plasma TV, but it is not as well known thatyou can also hook up a computer to almost any TV. The process may not be as easy and the picture not assharp as a plasma TV or other newer kind of TV, but you may be surprised at the results that can beachieved with your existing television.

There are numerous benefits and reasons why you would want to connect your computer to your TV. Youcan check a players' statistics online while watching a sporting event, use your favorite music program to

play your favorite tunes, show all of your digital photos or videos to your family, and even show aPowerPoint presentation to coworkers. Combining the computer with your home theater allows

possibilities for the easy chair, that were once limited to the office chair.

Making the Connection

Setting up a computer in your home theater is not generally as hard as some think. To get started, you need

to be able to make a compatible connection from your computer to your TV. In the simplest case, your connection from the computer should match the connection on your TV. For example, if your TV has aVGA input and your computer has a VGA output, you need just a cable to connect both together. If thereisn't a match of video inputs to outputs, it might still be possible to make a connection, but more about thatlater.

Let's start with the computer connection first. Examine the back of your computer for available monitor connections. Depending on your computer's graphic capabilities, you should be able to identify one or moreof the following: a 15-pin VGA output, a DVI connection, or an S-Video output. Your computer couldsupport one, two, or all of the connections listed. If you are unsure, refer to the video section of your computer's user manual.

Next, you will need to identify the type of television you have. It will be either an analog or digital TV. If you own an analog television, look for an S-Video input. If you own a digital television, look for an S-Video, 15-pin VGA, component video, or DVI input. Many of the newer televisions, such as Plasma, DLP,or LCD, should have a PC compatible 15-pin VGA input.
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Finally, we need to find a matching connection between the two. If you have a VGA or DVI match, use thatfor the best image quality and performance. If you have a component connection on your TV and a VGAoutput on your computer, choose those connections. Use S-Video as a last resort if you have no other choice, or are not as concerned about the video quality of your connection.

Before you begin, download and install the latest drivers for your computers video card. The newestsoftware has options for making this project easier than it used to be. The most common graphics cards are the following:

Cards based on the nVIDIA platform. Drivers are available at nVIDIA.com Cards based on the ATI platform. Drivers available at ATI.com Cards based on the Intel Extreme Graphics platform. Drivers available at Intel.com

Always refer to your computer or video card manufacturer's website or before installing any software.Sometimes, drivers are available there. Do not download drivers for a graphics chip different from whatyour computer uses.

Page 2: Connecting With S-Video >>

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Connecting With S-Video

To make this connection, you will need the following:

A computer with a S-Video output, or a VGA to S-Video adaptor A TV with a S-Video input A S-video cable A 1/8" to Left/Right RCA cable (for sound) A computer monitor (for setup purposes if needed)

If you do not have what's listed above, this kind of connection will not work . Some computers require aseparate adapter to use the S-Video capability of your graphics card . In many cases, the adapter will needto be plugged in prior to making adjustments to the output settings of your graphics card.

If your computer only has a VGA output, you can still connect with S-video by purchasing a VGA to S-

video adaptor, like the Kworld PC to TV signal converter . Using one of these greatly simplifies the setup process, and is virtually plug and play.
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Kworld PC to TV adaptor

Connecting with S-Video is the easiest connection to make from your computer. Though it is the only, and best, choice for analog TVs, S-video will yield the least desirable image quality on digital or high definitioncapable displays. The S-video connection will not yield computer quality image results.

If you cannot bring a computer monitor near your TV, and are not using a VGA to S-Video adaptor, youwill need to perform step 4 & 5 from a remote location before you attempt to hook up the computer to your TV.

Connecting With Your Computer's S-Video Jack:

1. Connect the S-Video cable from the back of thecomputer to an S-Video input on the back of your

television. Hookup the computer to the computer monitor at the same time. Connect the 1/8" toL/R RCA cable from the audio output on your computer to the corresponding audio jacks onyour TV.

2. Connect the S-Video cable from the back of thecomputer to an S-Video input on the back of your television. Hookup the computer to the computer monitor at the same time. Connect the 1/8" toL/R RCA cable from the audio output on your computer to the corresponding audio jacks on

your TV.


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3. Change the input on your television to the S-Video input you plugged the computer in to.

4. Using your computer monitor. Access the graphics card setup menu . You can usually access thesemenus by right clicking on the desktop, click on properties, select the settings tab, and then click onadvanced. The software for every graphics card will be different.

5. Locate the menu tab for engaging or disengaging the S-Video output, or a wizard for setting up your graphics adapter with a television. Once you turn it on, an image will appear on the TV screen. If there is a selection to make it your primary monitor, do so. On many notebook computers, there isoften a keyboard shortcut to do this, such as Fn+F8.

6. The image on the screen has a relationship with your resolution settings. Although all S-Videooutputs use a fixed low resolution to maintain compatibility with your TV, it scales according towhat the resolution of your computer is set to. Adjust your resolution in the settings tab of your display properties. Use a selection no higher than 800 x 600 with 16-bit color. A setting of 640 x480 will be much clearer, but icons and windows will appear very large.

Once complete, you can disconnect your computer monitor. When you boot-up your computer, the S-videoconnection should be enabled. In some cases, the S-video output needs to be enabled on a per session basis.If your software reflects this, leave the computer in a stand-by or hibernation mode when not in use. Your current settings will remain intact until the next time your computer is shut down.

Connecting With a VGA to S-Video Adaptor:

1. Before connecting your PC to the VGA adaptor, check to make sure that your display resolutionoutput settings are within the capable range of the adaptor. Most VGA to S-Video adaptors are notcapable of scaling resolutions beyond 1280 X 1024. Connect the 1/8" to L/R RCA cable from theaudio output on your computer to the corresponding audio jacks on your TV.

2. Connect the VGA cable to the back of the PC, and the other end to the VGA input on the adaptor.

3. Connect the S-Video Cable to the S-Video jack on the adaptor, and the other end to the television'sS-Video input.

4. Change the input on your television to the S-Video input you plugged the S-Video cable in to.

5. Turn on the computer. You should get an image on your TV. If you do not get an image on your TV,double check your wiring , input selection, and resolution settings using a PC monitor. Also, doublecheck to make sure your adaptor is plugged in, and receiving power.
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6. The image on the screen has a relationship with your resolution settings. Although all S-Videooutputs use a fixed low resolution to maintain compatibility with your TV, it scales according towhatever the resolution of your computer is set at. Adjust your resolution in the settings tab of your display properties. Use a selection no higher than 800 x 600 with 16-bit color. A setting of 640 x480 will be much clearer, but icons and windows will appear very large. Your adaptor may alsooffer additional adjustments and features. Refer to your adaptor's user manual.

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Connecting with VGA/DVI

You can make a connection with DVI by following the same basic steps below. Substitute a DVI cable in place of the 15-pin VGA cable. If you are attempting to connect your computer's VGA output to an S- video connection, refer to Page 2 - Connecting with S-Video .

To make a connection with a 15-pin VGA cable, you will need the following:

A 15-pin VGA output on your computer (All PC's should have this)

A 15-pin VGA input on your television A 15-pin VGA cable A 1/8" to Left/Right RCA cable
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A computer monitor (for setup, if needed)

Some (though rare) televisions may include a 5 wire RGB input (R, G, B, H, V) or 3 wire RGB (RGB withsyncs on green). Do not mistake a 3 wire RGB input for component video. You can use this input to make aconnection. However, you will need to obtain a 15-pin VGA to 5 or 3-wire RGB cable.

If you've identified a 15-pin VGA input on your television, you will need to do a little hunting in your television's display manual for compatible display and signal formats. 15-pin inputs on a TV could support

RGB, component video, or both. In order to use it with a PC VGA output, it must be RGB compatible.

Compatible resolutions could be listed as resolutions or as letters; a chart is below to explain them. If your input is PC compatible, it will say one or more of the following:

VGA = 640x480 SVGA = 800x600 XGA = 1024x768 SXGA = 1280x1024 UXGA = 1600x1200 WVGA= 858x480 WSVGA = 1280x768 or 1280x800 WUXGA = 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

Your 15-pin input might not be directly PC compatible. If this is the case it will say one or a few of thefollowing television formats. The compatible PC resolution is listed next to it.

480i - not compatible with most PC graphic adapters 480p - 720x480 720p - 1280x720 1080i - 1920x1080 (interlaced)

1080p - 1920x1080

If your input does not list any computer formats, only television formats, it's okay! We can still get this towork .

If you're hooking up a Plasma, DLP, or LCD television you should be able to plug it in and turn it on.However, if you do this and get no picture, use a separate computer monitor to adjust settings before

plugging the cable into the TV.

1. Change the TV input to the appropriate selection to engage the 15-pin VGA input.

2. Connect the VGA cable from the back of the computer to the computer monitor.

3. Turn on the computer. An image should appear on your PC screen.

4. Right click on the desktop and select properties. Click on the tab that says settings. If your televisionis PC compatible, go to step 5. If your TV is not compatible go to step 6.
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5. If your TV is PC compatible, move the resolution slider to a compatible selection. 1024x768 is acommon choice, but today's newer 720p and 1080p flat panels should support their PC signals intheir native resolutions. Make your choice and hit apply. Go to step 7. Some TV's (particularly older sets) are only compatible at 640x480 or 800x600. If so, it may not be listed on the slider. Hitadvanced, and select the adapter tab. Press "list all modes" and select 640x480, High Color (16 bit),60 Hertz from the list of valid modes. Click "yes" when it asks you to keep this setting.

6. If your TV is not PC compatible, you will need to select a format that is compatible with your TV.Within the settings tab, click on advanced. Go to the adapter tab and select "list all modes." Select720x480, High Color (16 bit), 60 Hertz from the list. Click "yes" if it asks you to keep this setting.Go to step 7.


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7. Unplug the cable from the back of the monitor and plug it in to the TV. If you made the proper selections, you should have an image on your TV screen. If your TV was PC compatible, you do notneed to take any additional steps. Connect the 1/8" to L/R RCA cable from the audio output on your computer to the corresponding audio jacks on your TV.

8. If your TV was not PC compatible, you should have an image on the screen. It's likely that the iconsare very big. Using the chart above and the "list all modes" selection, you can try to find differentresolutions that are compatible with your TV. When selecting resolution, the screen will blank out.If the image does not return, you found an incompatible display format. Do nothing and it shouldswitch back to the last setting after 15 seconds. TIP: you can make more choices appear under "listall modes" by going to the monitor tab and deselecting the box that says "Hide modes that thismonitor can't display."

Once complete, you can remove the computer monitor. You will be able to shut down the computer whennot in use, or use the stand by and hibernation modes. The computer will keep your current settings unlessyou physically change them, or install new drivers for your graphics card .

If you're having trouble finding a compatible resolution using the Windows Display Manager, check for additional software from the graphics chip maker that may offer more control options. From the Display

properties settings screen, click advanced, then check the tabs at the top for additonal software from ATI,nVidia , or Intel depending on the graphics chip manufacturer. For example, here's a screenshot of thenVidia Control Panel.

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Connecting With Component Video

To make this connection possible, you must have the following:

A digital TV with a component video input A 15-pin VGA output on your computer A high resolution capable VGA to component video transcoder or bundled component video

accessory cable (A transcoder is a device that transforms RGB signals into component videosignals)

A 15-pin VGA cable A component video cable A 1/8" to L/R RCA cable A computer monitor (for setup)

If you have a computer with a component video capable graphics card , you may have received a

component video cable in the box. If so, you do not need a VGA transcoder (skip to Section 2). If you didn'treceive a cable in the box, but know that your graphics card supports component video output, your cardmaker may sell the necessary cable or kit to hook up your computer to an HDTV set separately. This will besignificantly less expensive than buying a transcoder , and also more flexible and with better quality. Look for an alternate (typically round) connector next to the standard VGA or DVI output. If you see one, refer toyour owners guide or card maker's website for details on what it is capable of outputting.

If your card is not component video capable, you will need to purchase a high resolution capable VGA tocomponent video transcoder or replace the graphics board with one that is component video capable(recommended).

Avoiding the "VGA to Component Video Cable"
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Many online discount stores sell an accessory cable thatlooks like it will connect a VGA input to a componentvideo input. It's nothing more than a cable, and is often

priced under $20. It's important to note that this type of accessory cable will not allow you to connect a computer to a TVs component video input unless the TV'scomponent input is also RGB capable. Since there arefew consumer grade TVs ever produced with this ability,

this cable will not work for the majority of users.

"Why not?" you ask. Well, even though this accessorycable will allow you to match the physical connectionsfor your VGA output and component video input, there'sa significant difference in the signal format. Computersoutput RGB+HV signals, which is not the same ascomponent video. This accessory cable ends updelivering RGB with syncs on green to the connecteddisplay, which nearly all televisions will not accept. Iknow, the connectors look like component video... butit's not.

So what is this cable for? This cable is most often used to connect component video sources (like a DVD player) to a digital projector . These projectors often sport VGA (DB-15) inputs that support both RGB andcomponent video signals.

Section 1: Connecting with a Component Video Transcoder

1. Change the TV input to the appropriate selectionto engage the component video input.

2. Hookup the VGA cable from the back of thecomputer to the computer monitor.


4. Right click on the desktop and select properties.Click on the 'Settings' tab.

5. Identify the compatible scan formats for your component video input. The possible formats areusually 480p, 720p, and 1080i. It is common to find that many CRT based TVs, such as direct-viewtubes and CRT rear-projection displays, don't support 720p.
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6. Since the component video input on your TV is not PC compatible, you will need to select a formatthat is compatible with your TV. Within the settings tab, click on advanced. Go to the adapter taband select "list all modes." Select 720x480, 1280x720, or 1920 x 1080 (interlaced), High Color (16

bit), 60 Hertz from the list. Click "yes" if it asks you to keep this setting. NOTE: 1920x1080(interlaced) is a very high resolution, which will make desktop items and text difficult to see.

7. Unplug the computer from the back of the monitor and plug it in to the transcoder. Hook up thecomponent video cables from the transcoder to the component video input on the back of your TV.If you chose a compatible selection, you should have an image on your TV screen. Connect the 1/8"to L/R RCA cable from the audio output on your computer to the corresponding audio jacks on your TV.

8. Depending on the display format chosen, you might want to try different choices to maximize imagequality. In the "list all modes" selection, you can try to find different resolutions that are compatiblewith your TV. When selecting resolution, the screen will blank out. If the image does not return, youfound an incompatible display format. Do nothing and it should switch back to the last setting after 15 seconds. TIP: you can make more choices appear under "list all modes" by going to the monitor tab and deselecting the box that says "Hide modes that this monitor can't display."

Section 2: Connecting with a bundled component video accessory cable

If you have an accessory cable, your card maker willhave simpler methods of making an HDTV connection(compared to the Windows Display Manager) in their latest software driver packages. Before you begin, Ihighly recommend locating and installing the latestdrivers for your graphics card.

1. Change the TV input to the appropriate selectionto engage the component video input.

2. Hookup the accessory cable to the back of thecomputer, and the other end to the TV. Connect aregular computer monitor to the VGA or DVIoutput temporarily.

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4. Right click on the desktop and select properties. Click on the 'Settings' tab.

5. Locate the graphics card managment software provided by your card maker. Sometimes it's an iconin the task tray, sometimes it's a tab in the 'advanced' area of the display manager.

6. Identify the compatible scan formats for your component video input. The possible formats areusually 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. It is common to find that many CRT based TVs, such asdirect-view tubes and CRT rear-projection displays, don't support 720p or 1080p.

7. Since the component video input on your TV is not PC compatible, you will need to select a formatthat is compatible with your TV. In the graphics card manager, locate the area for managingdisplays, and look for an option to "connect to TV" or "Connect to HDTV". You should see acheckbox for enabling the component video output or a wizard for setting up your graphics card toconnect to a TV, and should also find a variety of options to select the type and/or resolution of thedisplay. Choose the best format compatible with your television. If you're not sure, try the differentmodes until you find one that looks best.

8. Unplug the computer from the back of the regular monitor. Connect the 1/8" to L/R RCA cable fromthe audio output on your computer to the corresponding audio jacks on your TV.

Once your component video connection is complete and working, you should not need the regular computer monitor. You should be able to shut down the computer when not in use, or use the stand by and hibernationmodes. The computer will keep your current settings unless you physically change them or install newdrivers for your graphics card.

Documents

DVI_Connect Your Computer to a TV