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.
Of course, it all 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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Most recent comments on "TV as Computer Monitor"
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We have an analogue TV, an SD stb, an AV amp, and a DVD player. All are separate, different brand components. Can we play movies, i.e., avi, divx on my notebook PC but view/listen to them on the TV? How would we do that . . . what connections would we need? EDITOR'S NOTE: You need a cable that connects from your computer's video output to the TV's video input. The type of cable depends on what sort of connectors you have on the PC and TV. |
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There is another problem for using TV-PC connection. I successfully connected them and got computer screen at the TV, but it is possible to watch movies from the PC at the Primary monitor only. I have Windows XP Home SP3, ViewSonic 42" TV with VGA input, GeForce FX 5500 videocard with VGA, DVI and S-Video outputs. I tried S-Video and VGA connections - it works the same way - I can see a movie that I play at the PC only at the Primary monitor device. Finally I connected my monitor (19" wide Envision) through DVI and TV through VGA connectors and got hardware cloning. It means that my videocard sees only one device and sends the same picture to both screens. When I change the mode from the Primary to the Secondary - everything works fine but any movie. As I understand, there is a special restriction in Windows for copyright protection that doesn't allow to see a movie at other device except the Primary. So, the only way to bypass this thing is to use any kind of splitters that sends the signal to both devices. Of course, both of them should support similar modes. In my case it is 1440x900 with 60Hz and I just used two outputs of my videocard (VGA and DVI) that possible can work not at all videocards. Cable splitter for VGA, for example, will work in any cases and it easy to find for less that ten bucks online. And I can say that the quality of picture is much better, than through S-Video connection. |
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Hi, I just hooked up a brand new 40"/1080p/120Hz MITSUBISHI HDTV (Model# LT-40148) to my MAC PRO tower. The picture quality is absolutely crisp and gorgeous in full screen while running with a 1920x1080/60Hz/NTSC/Millions. Ideal for a perfect business presentations. But here's my problem. After using for a only few minutes, the screen was actually a bit hard on the eyes mainly due to the crisp of the picture quality. I'm not sure if it's because LCD is after all 'digital' -- I was also considering the plasma (analog) when I heard that they tend to be less intense, warm, thus 'easy' in the eyes. I have played around with all modes (contrast, brightness, coloring,etc) within the TV but the issue has not resolved. I am always in front of the computer doing my work, but if it becomes hurting my eyes, I have to find some alternatives by getting a different set that will lessen the fatigue. I'm anxious to hear back on any of your expertise regarding this scenario... EDITOR'S NOTE: So your picture quality is TOO good? We all should have your problems! If turning down the brightness doesn't help, I don't know what to say. |
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To Deon Did you try to change the refresh rate? My 42' Viewsonic can non work with refresh rate higher than 60Hz. I used TV for presentation in class, but I didn't watch it for long time, just 10 or 15 minutes. For this time I didn't feel any discomfort. By the way, you peripheral vision is more sensitive to high frequency, so may be you can solve your problem by longer distance to your TV. Note. With too low refresh rate the picture can be perfect, but after some time you feel that your eyes are tired and then you feel headache. |
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I have SamSung Flat Screen Ultra Slim 21 Inch HDTV Model CS-21Z50ML please tell my how can i use it as computer monitor and what type of hardware i need to do so Thanks in advance. |
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I have hooked up my pc successfully to HDTV but the image size is about the same. Since I have limited vision I had hoped that the larger HDTV screen would be easier to read but that is not the case. Any suggestions re additional equipment I might acquire to increase or perhaps double the image size. It would also be helpful to find a way to make the text appear white on a black background to make it easier to read. Thanks for your help and advice. |
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I purchased 12 Technical VHS tapes a number of years ago that include slides that I would like to printout on my computer. Is there a fairly easy way of being able pause my VHS machine and take that video output to my computer to print? Every time a new slide comes up I could pause my VHS machine and print from my computer. I would have to take video out from my TV or direcly from the VHS machine to some type of interface device to my computer. I wouldn't mind watching the entire presentation from my computer and print screen when a new slide comes up. Thanks. |
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Hi,tried to connect my sons beko 15" lcd tv to his conputer last night, due to monitor failure.Used de VGA cable which brought de main computer screen no problem, but before it got to display de main screen where the icons are displayed, an error message of out of range was displayed. What does this mean ,and how do i solve the problem please. EDITOR'S NOTE: It may be an error caused by your computer's video adapter. Changing the display resolution setting may help. |
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Hi. Connected my laptop to my LCD TV via HDMI, but can get no sound. I thought HDMI covered picture and sound - am I wrong? Thanks EDITOR'S NOTE: Does your laptop really have an HDMI output? Some do, but most don't. Even so, you may need to connect the audio separately. |
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I have a new-ish HP laptop computer, and a super old tv (with no S-cable, only the 'old cable' - coaxial cable?) how do I connect them so I can see stuff on my television from my computer??? I've tried hooking it up through my dvd player, but that just freezes my computer and then I have to manually shut it down just to restart it again... help! (I'm not very good at this computer stuff) |
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Article information: AskBobRankin -- TV as Computer Monitor (Posted: March 29, 2007 10:26 PM)
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