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How to Use Your Television As a Computer Monitor

How to Use Your Television As a Computer Monitor

How to Use Your as a Monitor

Depending on the ports available on your television and computer, it may be possible to connect your television to a computer for use as a monitor. First, let’s examine the types of ports we should be looking for:

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

One important thing to know is that the video quality displayed on the television will be determined by the connection method used to connect the computer. For the best video quality, try using a VGA, DVI, HDMI, or Component Video connection; S-Video and Composite Video can still be used, but do not provide as high of a resolution. However, your connection options may be limited by the types of ports available on both devices.

Most of the time, the computer and television will not have matching ports. If this is the case, it will be necessary to do one of the following:

1) Install a in the computer that has a matching port like the one found on the television. 2) Purchase a video converter.

Although both options are fine, rather than installing a new video card in the computer, it may be easier to simply connect a video converter. Since most use a VGA/RGB port to output the video signal, you will probably need to use a VGA converter to pass the signal to the television. Use one of the following types of converters depending on the video input available on your television:

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

NOTE: Video converters can be purchased from local and online computer retailers.

Whether installing a different video card or using a video converter, it is important to make sure that the computer can output the video resolution properly. You should check the instruction manual of your television to determine what resolution is supported and then configure the computer accordingly in the Display Properties section in the of the . Some of the more commonly used resolutions for are 640x480 and 800x600.

© Copyright 2007 Sony Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. NOTE: Although the computer may be capable of outputting higher resolutions, the television may not be able to handle it. This can result in overscan which causes some of the screen information to be cut off or missing. However, for a widescreen or High-Definition TV (HDTV), it may be necessary to install on the computer that supports higher resolutions; EnTech PowerStrip is popular software for this purpose, but research the software specifications first to make sure it will meet your needs.

In to the resolution, the computer must also use a scan frequency (also known as refresh rate) that is compatible with the television; common scan frequencies are 50Hz, 60Hz, and sometimes 75Hz. Again, you should check the instruction manual of the television for this information.

WARNING: Using a scan frequency that is not supported can cause damage to the television and/or computer.

Now, let’s about connections for sound. If the computer does not have any speakers connected, then you will also need to connect an audio cable (except when using an HDMI-to-HDMI connection). Here are the types of audio ports we need to look for:

The back of the computer should have either a 3.5mm line out miniplug (for connecting external speakers or headphones) or a composite audio out jack; either of these can be used to connect the computer to the television for sound. On the television, there should also be either a 3.5mm miniplug or a composite audio input jack somewhere near the video port you are using to connect the computer. The type of audio jacks available on both the television and computer will determine which one of the following cables is required for the connection.

If the computer has a line out miniplug and the television has composite audio input jacks, use a miniplug-to- composite audio cable:

If the computer has composite audio output jacks and television has composite audio input jacks, use a standard composite audio cable:

If the computer has a 3.5mm line out miniplug and the television has a 3.5mm line in miniplug, use a miniplug-to- miniplug audio cable:

NOTE: The audio cables are capable of providing stereo sound (left & right channel audio) to the television and are available from most local and online computer or electronics retailers.

© Copyright 2007 Sony Electronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.