Edited By Piyush Kashyap, Reviewed By Gulshan
Nowadays, people are changing their lifestyle so are their modes of entertainment.
They prefer to watch programs broadcasted on online applications or one can say, they love to watch web content (YouTube, Netflix, etc.).
However, everyone wants to watch their favorite shows on the big screen instead of a laptop screen or on the small screen of other devices, thus, connecting a laptop to your big screen TV has become the perfect way out for the same.
Undoubtedly, watching a favorite movie or video on the big screen makes an individual happy. It becomes possible because of advanced technology.
As the researchers are inventing a number of equipment and applications to make our life easier, they also provide comfort and pleasure to us.
You might have downloaded your favorite season or episode on your laptop or on your smartphone, but you want to experience it on the big screen. You have that option, and you only need to do a couple of things.
How to connect a laptop to your TV?
Usually, doing the connection of a laptop to a TV is not a big deal. You needn’t follow a long procedure for the same. You simply need an HDMI cable and the remote control of the TV for selecting the appropriate HDMI input. The laptop's operating system, i.e.,
Windows will recognize the TV's screen as an external device, which will reflect everything that is visible on the laptop's screen to the TV screen. Ways to connect a laptop to a TV are basically categorized into two:
A wired technique includes various cables and ports such as HDMI, VGA, etc. to connect the television and laptop. Similarly, the wireless technique includes Applications, equipment, etc.
Connecting a Laptop and a TV through the Wired Technique
One of the easiest ways for connecting a laptop to television is through the wired equipment, i.e., a cable. It helps in hooking these two devices without any hassles. The laptops manufactured in the last half-decade consist of an HDMI port or High-Definition Multimedia Interface port.
This port is similar to a USB port, only with a longer and thinner version that is probably useful for connecting devices like printers, flash drives, etc. Most HDMI cables are available in the market at a low price and the HDMI port is easily available on the TV.
Connecting the laptop and TV does not remain difficult as compared to taking the help of an extension cord.
Reason for using HDMI port
HDMI can carry both signals, i.e., audio and video, which means that any type of laptop's sound or display is easy to play through the speakers and screen of the TV.
Set a correct HDMI input of the TV and the laptop will get configured automatically, and it will show up required settings as well.
If the laptop does not reflect its screen on the TV automatically, then a few settings need to be done. Firstly, go to Desktop and right-click, then you will see numerous options.
In those options, click on the ‘Display Settings’ option then select Display and then click on the ‘Adjust Resolution’ option.
You may directly go to the Adjust Resolution option by simply visiting the Control Panel. In that, the TV option will be available in the appeared drop-down box, select that. Different resolution options are also available, select the appropriate resolution option, and you will see the content of the laptop screen on the TV.
In case if it still does not work do changes in other settings. For connecting these two, the HDMI port can be connected in three different ways, and those ways are the following:
Is your laptop or TV of an older version?
In case, you have a laptop of an older version that does not contain an HDMI port, then there is probably another port, i.e., the VGA port.
The VGA port is rectangular in shape and has 15 pins in the pattern of five pins in three rows.
There is a drawback of VGA cable- it only provides the video output, and for providing audio output, another cable is required.
A 3.5mm long lead is essential for audio. In this case, TV and laptop both need connectors. Both devices need cable for each audio and video. The VGA port is usually blue in color.
Connection through VGA can take place in three different ways:
However, VGA and HDMI are the two most common types of cable, but sometimes a TV or a laptop does not have such ports so you need to use a different cable. There are a variety of cables available in the market including a DisplayPort, Composite Video, etc.
A DisplayPort is a type of cable that can carry both audio and video signals whereas, Composite Video cable carries the only video. For audio, you need a separate lead. Some companies have introduced different types of cables that contain multiple ports and are helpful in connecting the television and laptop.
The cable can help in connecting the two devices through the same ports, different ports, and vice versa.
Video: How to Connect Laptop to TV Using HDMI
What type of cables are required for connecting a laptop to a TV?
First, you must look at the ports that are available on both the laptop and TV. It would be easiest if both are connected through an HDMI cable.
Use of an external hard drive or USB stick
If you have a smart TV, which means that your TV incorporates the latest technology. It also indicates that it must have a USB port and a laptop also usually contains the USB port, it becomes much easier to connect the two.
You simply need to plug the external hard drive that contains the files which you want to see on your big screen TV in the USB port of a TV or can plug a pen drive in the USB port of the TV.
After that, you need to choose the USB channel through the TV remote and you can do anything like watch movies or videos, listening to music, or anything that you want to do on your laptop.
What if your TV or laptop does not have an HDMI port, or you do not want to connect both with a cable?
In case, a TV or laptop is not having an HDMI port, or you cannot connect them through a cable, then you can connect TV and laptop through the wireless technique. There are a couple of products available nowadays, in case you wish to connect both through wireless equipment.
It includes Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast. This equipment can allow you to transmit the video and audio signals of the laptop to a TV through a wireless network (Wifi). It not only helps in doing so but can also help you to convert the older version TV into a smart TV.
How to Connect Laptop with TV without Any Cable
Does your laptop have no video output?
When a laptop does not have video output, you can connect it to a TV through an HDMI adapter or a USB. Plug a USB or HDMI adapter into the USB port and an HDMI on the output of the laptop. There are always chances that a laptop and a TV do not have similar ports to connect them. Let us take an example.
In case a TV has an HDMI port, and the laptop has a DisplayPort, there is nothing to worry about as you can still connect them. You just need an adapter which is easily available in the market and connect them both and enjoy your laptop's content on your big screen.
Simply call an electrical operator if you are not aware of the electricity job, he will do the correct connection of the cable and connect the laptop and TV through the adapter. Through this connection, the device will recognize the other device automatically.
If it still doesn’t work, then you have to do manual changes in the settings as you would have done for an HDMI cable.
Do you want to make Windows 10 as an external display?
When you plug through HDMI or VGA on a TV, Windows will detect an image and reflect the same on it. You simply have to ensure that the TV is turned ON, and the connection has been done in the appropriate video input port.
If this does not work for you, then try the shortcut of Windows 10: Press the Windows Key and P together for a couple of times and hold down both the Keys and go through the following given options:
You may select either of the two options, i.e., Duplicate option or Second Screen Only option. In this way, we have done a detailed study on how you can connect two sophisticated devices using simple methods to experience a theatre feel at the comfort of your house.
