How to Hook up a Windows 7 Computer to a TV

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Most people do not know how easy it is to hook a computer into a television. Having a large screen, such as a TV screen, hooked into your computer makes it easy to watch media, listen to music, play games, or even just to have a larger screen for editing videos and pictures.

Steps

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    • Most new computers will come with HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) ports built right into them. There is a photo of an HDMI port to the right, it is thinner then a USB port.
    • VGA port: A VGA port is rectangular with 15 pins. There is a sample photo of one to the right
    • DVI port: A DVI port is rectangular with 24 pins. There is a sample photo of it to the right
      • VGA and DVI ports look very similar, be sure to count the pins and make sure. Both of these ports require an adapter to to a television.
    • S port: An S Video port is circular with 4 or 7 pins. There is a sample photo of one to the right.
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    There is an image of a TV to the right, it has coloured arrows to label the input ports. Check to see which of the following your TV has.Purple Arrow: HDMI port.Red Arrow: S Video port.Orange Arrow: HDMI Component.Green Arrow: RCA Component.
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    • If you have an HDMI port on both your computer and your laptop, then all you need is an HDMI cable.
    • If you have a VGA or a DVI port on your computer and an HDMI or HDMI Component on your TV, you can get a cable for that (there is a picture to the right side)
    • If you have either a VGA or DVI port on your computer and you do not have an HDMI or HDMI Component port on your TV, you will need an adapter cable. There are three kinds of cables you can get an adapter for, the first is RCA Component (Red, yellow, White), the second is HDMI Component (Green, Blue, Red), the third is an HDMI cable adapter. Make sure you choose the right one for your port (VGA or DVI). Then choose the right cable to use according to the inputs on your TV ( RCA or HDMI Component).
    • If you have an S Video port on both your computer and your TV, then you only need an S Video cable. If you have an S Video on your computer but not on your TV, you will have to get an adapter for your computer.
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    Sometimes your computer screen will automatically change the settings to fit your TV screen. However if it looks funny, follow the next few instructions to fix your display settings.
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    Click on the Display drop down menu, and choose Multiple Monitors, or just The other "Monitor" (television) you have hooked up to.
    • If you only want your computer to show up on the TV screen and not the computer screen anymore, you can choose the Multiple Displays drop down menu, and choose the "Monitor" you wish to use. To find out which is which, you can click on Identify, and the number will show on the identifying screen.
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    Next click on the Resolution drop down menu, and choose the highest resolution for your television (you can find out you TV's resolution by searching it online). If it is a high definition TV then the highest resolution setting is appropriate. If you would like advanced resolution settings for INTEL(R) HD Graphics Cards, please follow the next few steps...
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    INTEL(R) HD Graphics from the Display drop down menu.
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  • Question
    Can I install Windows 10 using new desktop computer with HDTV instead of a monitor? Can I enter bios using HDTV instead of monitor?
    Community Answer
    All modern monitors now come with HDMI, along with DVI or SVGA or both. Some of them have even shed all other ports except HDMI. What this means is that other than the display resolution and other qualitative features, there is no difference between an HDTV and a monitor. Use the computer attached to a HDTV in any way you like, including OS installation, BIOS reconfiguration, hardware upgrades, etc.
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  • Question
    Do I use a male or female DVI plug to connect to my computer?
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    It really depends on the manufacture of you're PC. Most PCs would have a female port, so the cable should be male.
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    What is wrong if there is no sound when I am using my HDTV as a computer monitor?
    Community Answer
    There are a couple possible explanations. Are you using an HDMI cord to hook up your TV, or are you using component cables? If you're using component cables, are they hooked up in the right order, and are they securely plugged in? Have you downloaded the most current updates for your sound card drivers?
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      Tips

      • Make sure you set your TV to the right input setting for the input you chose. There is a command on the TV remote.
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      • If you are having trouble getting it all working using one cable (like HDMI), try it with a different cable (like mini HDMI or DVI.)
        Thanks
      • If you have a computer with a High End Graphic Card, you may have a mini HDMI connector (not shown above.) If so, you may need a mini HDMI to HDMI adaptor.
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      Warnings

      • Do not change the orientation settings of your screen. It will change the setting on your computer as well. It will rotate the entire display to the setting you choose.
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