Many colleges and training centers don’t use a standard projector for their presentations. Some go out of their way to purchase a large LED display for presentations. Whether you’re giving a presentation in a small classroom or simply want to view a presentation with people on a TV; this article should help you in successfully hooking up your computer to almost any TV.

Connecting The Computer Using an HDMI Cable

Most modern TVs come with an HDMI port these days. This enables you to send both Audio and Video to the TV using one cable. Most modern Laptop and Desktop Computers come with an HDMI port these days. The HDMI port and Cable look like this

TV -- HDMI Port and cable - 3 - FreePowerPointTemplates

If your TV has a different port, then please look at the section below titled Other Ports

You need an HDMI cable to connect the Computer to a TV. This is what it looks like

TV -- HDMI cable - FreePowerPointTemplates

Connect The HDMI Cable Between The Computer and The TV

Connect one end of the cable to the TV and the other end to the computer. Change the video source on the TV to the HDMI input. When you connect the HDMI wire to the computer, the screen should flicker or do something similar. Wait a few seconds for the computer to detect the TV.

If the display doesn’t appear, then try unplugging the HDMI cable from the computer’s end and blow air on the HDMI cable connector and the HDMI port on the computer to remove any dust particles.

If the display still doesn’t appear, then try restarting the computer. After Windows starts, open the settings of your display adapter and look for “Multiple Displays”. Change the multiple display settings and see if the display gets detected.

Other Ports

Older ports for connecting video include VGA, DVI, S-Video, Component, and Composite ports. All of these ports and cable use separate cables for transferring Audio and Video.

TV -- VGA DVI S-Video Component Composite Port and cable - FreePowerPointTemplates

(Only COMPOSITE has Audio & Video, all others are Video Only)

If your TV has a VGA port and your computer only has a DVI port, then you will need to buy a DVI to VGA adapter to connect to a TV with VGA.

TV -- DVI to VGA adapter - FreePowerPointTemplates

If your TV has a HDMI port and your computer only has a DVI port, then you will need to buy a DVI to HDMI adapter to connect to a TV with HDMI.

TV -- DVI to HDMI adapter - FreePowerPointTemplates

Other than the difference of ports and cables, all other instructions are the same.

Do I Need To Buy Expensive HDMI Cables?

Not really, buy any branded HDMI cable. The cheaper the better. They’re not all that different from each other. However, buy a branded product to make sure that you get something that is built up to spec. You don’t need to waste money on gold plated, shielded, or braided HDMI cables.

Image: [CC BY 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Image: [CC BY 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Image: [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Image: [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Image: [CC BY 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Image: [CC BY 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Image: [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Image: [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Image: [Free Art License] via Wikimedia Commons