Attaching your PC to the HDMI jack on your high-definition television
allows you to view your computer's contents on a much larger, sharper
screen. You can also utilize your PC's broadband Internet connection to
watch streaming movies and TV shows on your big screen.
Instructions
-
-
1
Turn off your computer and examine the rear of the unit.
Find the cable that comes from the computer’s monitor and follow it to
the back of the PC. The cable will be plugged into the output of the
video card, which will be either a 15-pin VGA port or a 29-pin DVI port.
If you are fortunate, there will be a second port directly next to it,
of either the DVI or VGA variety. On the newest machines, you may even
find a regular HDMI port on the card.
-
2
Choose the connection for video output. If your computer has
an HDMI port, you can simply connect an HDMI cable of the correct
length between the computer and the TV. Otherwise, you will need to make
a few decisions. If your computer has only a single video output and it
will not be used solely with the television, you may want to invest in a
new video card. Purchase one with either a DVI or an HDMI output, and
install it in an available slot, according to the instructions included
with it. If your chosen output port is DVI, an inexpensive DVI to HDMI
cable can convert your computer’s output into the proper HDMI input for
your TV. If you intend to use the VGA output on a single-output or
dual-output card to drive the HDMI display, then a special device will
be needed to convert between the formats. Because the price of the
converter is about the same as an entry-level video card that will be
easier to use with your TV, you might wish to simply opt for the new
video card.
-
3
Connect the HDMI cable from your television to your
computer. Install the correct adapter or converter for your computer, if
necessary. Unless your computer has HDMI output, cords will also need
to be connected from the sound card output to the HDMI video cable or
adapter, because HDMI carries both video and audio signals.
-
4
Boot your PC and configure the new display by selecting
“Control Panel” from the Start menu. Double-click the “Display” icon and
click the “Settings” tab. The manual for your HDMI TV will list the
screen resolutions it supports, along with the refresh rates. Configure
the resolution in the “Settings” tab, and then click the “Advanced”
button to set the refresh rate. If you are using the HDMI TV as the
second monitor, you will also have to configure how it is used by
Windows, according to the instructions pertaining to your video card.
Most cards offer a “Clone” or “Mirror” mode, where both screens display
the same content. Alternately, the “Extended Desktop” mode will allow
each monitor to operate independently.
-
5
Reboot your PC to apply the changes, if necessary, and
prepare to relax on your couch and watch you computer's content on the
big-screen HDMI TV.
