You can connect your television to your computer to use it as a second display, extending your work surface. All you need to do is connect your devices to each other using the appropriate cable and then you can change the way your computer's display under Windows or your Mac appears on your television from the display settings.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Connect your computer to your television
Step 1. Find the video output from your computer
Almost all computers have at least one video output.
- For computers running Windows.
- HDMI: This is a 6-sided tapered port that transmits both audio and video.
- DisplayPort: it looks like a USB port, but it has a recessed side. It also transmits audio and video.
- The VGA: it looks like trapezoids with holes inside. The VGA transmits the video, but you will need a separate audio cable (eg A / V cables) to transmit the sound.
- For Macs.
- HDMI: It is most often found on Macs manufactured between 2012 and 2016. It is also found on the back of iMac computers.
- Thunderbolt 3 (also known as “USB C”). It is found on the side of modern MacBooks. You can't directly connect a USB C cable to a TV, but you can buy a USB C to HDMI adapter.
Step 2. Find the video inputs on your television
Usually the video inputs are on the side or the back of the television. Almost all modern televisions have HDMI ports. If this is the case for yours, try to use it first.
Other common input ports are DVI, VGA, and A / V
Step 3. Consider whether or not you need an adapter
If your computer and your television both have the same type of port (eg HDMI), you will not need an adapter. Otherwise, you will need a [computer port] to [TV port] cable or adapter (eg USB C to HDMI).
Several options, such as USB C to HDMI or VGA to HDMI, are available as cables and do not require adapters
Step 4. Purchase all necessary adapters and cables
You can usually find cables and adapters at electronics stores like GrosBill as well as websites like Amazon or eBay.
Step 5. Insert one end of the cable into your computer
The cable should go into the video output of your computer.
Step 6. Insert the other end into your television
If you bought an adapter to connect 2 different cables, connect your computer cable to one end of the adapter and then the other end of the adapter to the other cable that you will insert into your television
Step 7. Connect an audio cable if necessary
If you connect your computer to your television using an HDMI to an HDMI or a DisplayPort to an HDMI, you will not need any additional cables to send the audio to the television. If you have a different connection, like VGA to HDMI, you will need to use a separate audio cable to send audio from your computer to your television.
Use a standard 3.5mm stereo cable to connect the audio output on your computer to the corresponding audio input on your television. Typically, the audio output port on your computer is green and may have a symbol indicating that it is sending the signal out
Step 8. Turn on the television
Press the power button on the television
to turn it on.
Step 9. Select the correct input on your television
Use your television remote control to turn it on and select the input you have connected your computer to. The entry in question is usually marked, such as "HDMI 1" or "1".
You can also use the Input or Video button on your television to cycle through the available inputs
Step 10. Wait for your computer screen to appear
Once you see your computer screen appear on your television, you can adjust your display settings to configure your screens the way you want.
Part 2 of 3: Change display settings on Windows
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click on the Windows logo at the bottom left of your screen to open the Start menu.
Step 2. Go to Settings
Click on the cogwheel icon at the bottom left of the menu.
Step 3. Select System
This is the computer-shaped icon in the settings window.
Step 4. Go to the View tab
You will find it to the left of the window.
Step 5. Scroll down to the Multiple screens section
You will find this section at the bottom of the page.
Step 6. Click the Multiple screens drop-down box
You will see a drop-down menu appear.
Step 7. Choose Extend These Views
This is one of the options in the drop-down menu. Click on it to make sure your TV screen will act as an extension of your computer screen (instead of just duplicating its content).
Step 8. Use your extended display
You can drag your mouse from one screen to another and continue to use your computer as usual.
- The content on your computer screen will remain as it was before you changed the view.
- Think of your television as a screen located directly to the right of your computer screen.
Part 3 of 3: Change display settings on Mac
Step 1. Open the Apple menu
Click on the Apple logo at the top left of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
This option is at the top of the drop-down menu and opens the System Preferences window.
Step 3. Select Monitors
It's the monitor-shaped icon in the middle of the System Preferences window.
Step 4. Go to the Monitor tab
It is located in the upper left corner of the window.
Step 5. Change the resolution of the television
Check the box At scale, and then click a resolution.
You cannot use a resolution higher than the native resolution of your television (for example, 4K)
Step 6. Adjust the screen scaling
Click on the cursor Underscanning at the bottom of the page and drag it to the left to zoom out of your Mac screen or to the right to zoom in.
This will allow you to fit your Mac screen to your TV if the image is too large or too small
Step 7. Go to the Layout tab
You'll find it at the top of the window.
Step 8. Clear the Video mirroring check box
This will prevent the television from reproducing the same picture as the one displayed on your Mac.
Skip this step if the box is already unchecked
Step 9. Move the TV screen icon if necessary
The TV screen icon, which is usually the widest rectangle, should be to the left of your Mac's screen icon. You can click on it and drag it to the right if needed.
The screen icon with the white bar at the top corresponds to your Mac screen
Step 10. Use your extended display
Move the mouse to the far right of your computer screen to view it on your television screen. You can then use your computer as usual.
Everything on your computer screen will remain as it was before the display was extended
Advice
- Extended displays are often used for activities like gaming or audio mastering.
- Windows users can change the screen extension type at any time by pressing ⊞ Win + P to open the Projection menu.