TV as Computer Monitor
Imagine... putting that big old television set to good use as a secondary, or even primary, monitor for your computer. The thought has certainly crossed the minds of many a technophile. Here's how to hook it up...
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Using your Television as a Computer Monitor
With the advent and ever-growing popularity of LCD displays, the CRT display has seen its day. Despite its superior color consistency and higher resolution within a given area, CRT monitors are quickly giving way to the generally lower power consumption and vastly smaller footprint of the LCD. Similarly, consumer-level television is in the process of being affected by the very same trend; as prices continue to drop, the combination of LCD screens and high definition television (HDTV) is becoming an increasingly viable alternative to its older, bulkier counterparts.
Although the price of CRT monitors have dropped in recent years, to purchase one comparable to the size of an average consumer TV set would be quite expensive. So naturally, thoughts of using larger and comparatively less expensive television sets for computing purposes quickly emerge.
And there are a number of methods that will allow you to make the connection. Many computers have incorporated composite (RCA) or S-Video (TV-Out) output that will either mirror or, better yet, extend your desktop beyond the monitor. For desktop systems, there are numerous AGP video cards available that offer a variety of video outputs. For example, ATI's Radeon X1950 PRO video card includes composite, s-video, and component video connections for analog signals.
Connecting your video card to the big screen, though, depends on what inputs your television can accept. If it has multiple input ports, remember that there is a hierarchy in terms of signal quality among the three typical types of connections, which, from lowest to highest, is composite, S-Video, then component video. So opt for the highest quality connection supported by both devices. Many older or more basic televisions may only have a coaxial cable connection. In this case, there are video cards with coax outputs and scan converters that will pass the signal through a coaxial cable directly to your television. Oh, and remember that you'll also need to connect your sound card's LINE-OUT connector to the TV for sound.
The tricky part may be finding the right cables to go from the computer to the TV, since there are several types of RCA (1 or multi-port) and S-Video (4-pin and 7-pin) connectors. One product I found, the Pro S-Video to 3 RCA cable allows you to connect your desktop or laptop computer's S-Video to your TV. These adapters are compatible with both S-video 4-pin and 7-pin receptacles and also connect your PC's stereo audio output to the TV.
But don't run out and buy any special video cards or cables yet... There are certain limitations of using older CRT televisions as computer displays that can easily render the advantages of size and affordability almost completely negligible. Perhaps the greatest constraint is the relatively low resolution of standard, tube-based televisions. Because of their design to accept NTSC (North American), PAL (European), or SECAM signals, good old-fashioned analog television sets generally cannot display resolutions greater than 640x480. That was barely adequate for a 14-inch monitor ten years ago, so just imagine how it might look on a 32-inch TV screen. Have you ever tried to read those fuzzy disclaimers at the end of a TV commercial? Viewing your computer's video signal through a CRT television will not yield the detail and clarity that you would normally expect, although for games and video playback it can produce acceptable results.
Don't give up on the idea of connecting your computer to a big screen TV just yet... there is a better alternative.
HDTV to The Rescue
With the growing popularity of high-definition television, users are presented with a more tantalizing alternative, one where quality and versatility need not be sacrificed. Even the lower echelons of HD televisions offer a multitude of both analog and digital video input connections. And many come equipped with VGA and DVI inputs, allowing for direct connections to your computer's video output. Video card manufacturers have quickly responded to the demand for HD by including dual DVI outputs to support more than one display, as well as HDMI connections for uncompressed digital video and audio transmission.
The only conceivable drawback to using HDTV is obviously the cost. Used exclusively as a computer monitor, it is difficult to justify such a daunting expense. But if you've already got a large HDTV and you can't wait to see what a Windows or Mac display looks like on a 50-inch screen, go for it!
Got comments or questions about using your television as a computer monitor? Post your thoughts below...
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Posted by Bob Rankin on March 29, 2007 10:26 PM
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Article information: AskBobRankin -- TV as Computer Monitor (Posted: March 29, 2007 10:26 PM)
Printed from: http://askbobrankin.com/tv_as_computer_monitor.html
Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved
Most recent comments on "TV as Computer Monitor"
(See all 170 comments for this article.)Posted by:
Angel Torres
29 Jul 2009
I already had a 42" plasma TV and decided to connect it through dvi to hdmi cable. It looks great the only thing is im having trouble with the resolution. where the task bar is getting partially cut off and the rest the windows on other programs. iv tried to ajust the resolution through my graphics card with no luck. does anyone know how to fix this problem.
Posted by:
Iwan Pepperell
13 Aug 2009
I recently connected my BEKO LCD TV to my computer (TV has a VGA input). The problem I'm having is the text definition is terrible. Images and videos are fine. Any ideas? I've changed the resolution settings to match that of the tv and tried messing with various settings on the tv to no avail.
Thanks
Posted by:
Kristi
19 Aug 2009
I am trying to connect a 42" HDTV to an older PC using an HDMI to DVI cable and a DVI/VGA adapter on the end. I'm not getting a picture at all. I've tried turning the PC off and on again. The TV input is definitely right. When I go into the Control Panel on the PC, the monitor is listed as the Plug & Play one (that I have always used previously). Is there a way to "add hardware" to include a TV screen as the new monitor? I'm so lost! :-( I appreciate any help! Thanks in advance.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The only thing I can suggest is that maybe since you're trying to convert the signal twice on the way to the TV, something is being lost. Or the DVI/VGA adapter is not working.
Posted by:
Randy
28 Aug 2009
I have seen some DVI to HDMI converters? I was wondering if I connected one of those from my computer to my LCD TV would it transfer sound as well, or is it just like a VGA cable?
Posted by:
Heather
06 Sep 2009
I connected our older model Dell desktop (Dimension 4700) to the Samsung 52" tv. The picture is great, but no audio. I went out and got an audio/video cable and am plugging one end into the speaker port on the desktop and the red and white auto male into the PC audio input on the TV. Still nothing. Any ideas? The only other thing connected is the cable box...
EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm not sure what the "PC audio input on the TV" is. Is there another "Audio In" port? If so, try that.
Posted by:
Tom
09 Sep 2009
I am attempting to hook up my laptop to my Samsung DLP HD TV but I realized I didn't have the audio cable required. However, the problem is I don't even know what audio cable is required. I do know it is not a mini jack to twin phono because I only have one audio input on the television's "PC area." Because there is only one audio input I know I don't need RCA cables, but I don't know what cable to use.
I have seen VGA cables with audio, which I wish I would've bought, but I was wondering if there is a separate audio cable I can get since I'm already using the VGA (without the attached audio cable).
Please Help!!
Thanks,
Tom
Posted by:
bev
21 Sep 2009
i have an lcd tv and want to connect my tv how do i do this and what leads do i need?
EDITOR'S NOTE: It's hard to generalize... you need the cables that correspond to the ports available on your PC and TV.
Posted by:
Byron
02 Oct 2009
I hooked up a DVI to HDMI cord from my mac laptop to an LCD flat screen TV. All I can see is the background to my computer. I can control the mouse, but nothing is transferring over for me to click on to bring up the internet. How can I access my programs on the computer? Thanks!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Have you tried a lower resolution?
Posted by:
Amanda
17 Oct 2009
Hi Bob. I'm trying to hookup an older TV (6 yrs old) which does have RCA (red,white,yellow)and S video output to my computer. TV has NO VGA.
The computer does not have either Shookup or RCA...so I bought a little adapter. It plugs into the USB and has the RCA and S Cable connections all attached to it. Pretty cool. I also have a normal cable which is just a USB to RCA.
PROBLEM:TV will still not show monitor screen with 1.)either options (S plug in or RCA) from little adapter that hangs out of my USB OR 2.)the simple USB to RCA.
I have tried all three ways (svid/RCA adapter, USB to RCA )with TV on channel 3, AV1, AV2 with no results. What gives!
the computer is a 2-3 yr old compaq presario. Any help would be terrific. --Unhappy USB Girl in Colorado
EDITOR'S NOTE: I've never tried the video output from USB to TV. It's hard to say which end the problem is on, sorry.
Posted by:
jack
23 Oct 2009
i often connect my laptop, with 2 hdmi outputs up to the 32" hdmi tv in the living room to watch a good film, on a much better screen. and i just use a hdmi to hdmi cable.