Use smart TV as a monitor. And they forgot about digital TV... Using a regular TV as a monitor

Surely many of you, having bought yourself new monitor, we wondered what could be made from an old monitor. I was also puzzled by this thought, although I was puzzled by this thought for a very long time, but then there was not such a big choice various devices. But the Chinese brothers are not asleep and are inventing devices with an unprecedented combination of capabilities. One of these devices was a TV set-top box, which I purchased to add capabilities to my old TV.

• Nexbox A95X TV Box: making Smart TV from a regular TV

But having connected it to the TV set-top box, I was a little disappointed in the clarity of the picture, the set-top box was a little difficult to use, but it helped opportunity remote control from a smartphone or tablet. As a result, the console exceeded my expectations because it was used to watch a bunch of videos from home server, but the functionality of the set-top box turned out to be much wider and in the end this small box turned a simple TV into computer controlled by remote control. Why am I doing all this? Read on and you will understand everything.

Since my parents don't like to throw away equipment, the monitor Samsung SyncMaster(CRT monitor), after purchasing the LCD monitor, was carefully taken away for storage in a barn at the dacha and safely forgotten there. Once again, while putting things in order in the “junk storage”, my father came across a monitor and wondered whether it was possible to watch news on it at the dacha. But he could only get the answer from his advanced son, that is, from me, which he did by calling me one evening.

The monitor itself:

Since a monitor, to put it simply, is a kinescope with a scanner without a radio receiver, which is in the TV, and without sound system. In other words, it is a TV, but simplified and devoid of some parts. In fact, the monitor contains only a power supply, a scanner and a video amplifier. The only signal source is the VGA(D’SUB) plug, which is supplied analog signal. What does this mean? This means we just have to find a device that will be the source of the signal.

If you have a newer monitor, then it’s probably even easier, because some monitors, if we’re talking about LCD, were equipped with speakers, and newer ones even have an HDMI input. If you have one, then you have a very wide choice of options on how to make a TV out of a monitor.

First experiment: Smart TV from a monitor

Remembering that I had an adapter from HDMI to VGA lying around, I decided to look for it and, having found the adapter, I took the set-top box and went to my parents. After wiping the monitor from dust and dirt, we connected it to the network and then to the set-top box. Despite the small diagonal, using the set-top box was very, very comfortable due to the clearer picture, since the monitor, unlike a TV, is designed for high resolution and the relatively small font is easy to read.

HDMI to VGA adapter

Now you’re probably thinking: “Cool, I’ll buy myself a console!”, but don’t rush. This was just an experiment because we don’t have sound, VGA only provides a picture. Therefore, if you want to go this way, you will have to purchase HDMI adapter to VGA with audio output, something like this:

You can order a similar adapter on Aliexpress, here is a link to the seller: buy an HDMI-VGA converter.

When you go to the product page, all you have to do is find the adapter that suits you, it’s not at all difficult, the main thing is to pay attention to the fact that the adapter has a power connector and an audio output.

Thus, we can make a “smart TV” from a monitor, but we will have to buy one more active speakers, which will also have to be connected to the audio jack on the adapter. As a result, we will give the monitor a second life and get a good option for the kitchen or work.

Advantages

Within the dacha, there are no advantages due to the lack of full communications.

Flaws

1. This set-top box is useless without the Internet.
2. Cost of the set-top box.
3. The need for an adapter.
4. Lack of speakers.

Do you want to watch 200 channels for free for half a year?

When purchasing a set-top box, you will receive not only a configured and ready-to-use device, but also the ability to watch more than 200 channels within six months For a present! There is a wide selection of channel categories for your attention: children's, cinema, music, educational, sports, news, foreign, for adults and much more.

Second experiment: ordering a special TV tuner

Since the place where the barn is located is a place remote from communications and, accordingly, there is no Internet there, the set-top box could not function fully there. In addition, the old father was no longer eager to master the next high-tech device and asked to find a TV receiver with a remote control for it.

I present to you wonderful device making a TV from a monitor:

Having studied this device in detail, I came to the conclusion that it is enough to buy this set-top box, connect the monitor and the TV is ready. Here you will probably ask: “Where is the sound?” We also thought about this nuance, so this TV tuner has a built-in speaker, and if it’s not enough for you, you can always connect speakers, which cost mere pennies.

Having asked my father if he was ready to buy this device and having received a positive answer, I decided to buy several of these things, since there are a lot of old monitors and probably many would like to make a TV out of them.

Having waited for the long-awaited parcel, we took it to the dacha. We unpacked the parcel and began to study the device. Essentially it was a ready-made TV but without a monitor. On the case there were holes visible behind which the speaker was hidden; among other things, the TV tuner also has an RCA video input, to which you can connect another source, for example the same DVD player.

Actually, here is the console itself after unpacking:

As you can see, the console itself is very compact. Please note that the set includes two cords; the presence of these cords expands the use of the console.

I don’t understand why, but the console is equipped with a stand, which, in principle, is not cleverly attached to the body:

By inserting the stand into the special holes and moving it to the side, we will fix the stand and our set-top box will be able to stand vertically:

By the way! The set-top box can not only turn a monitor into a TV, but also complement a computer. It is enough to connect two cords to the console:

And then connect them to system unit and to the monitor:

This is how the set-top box complements our computer, becoming, so to speak, a “layer” between the system unit and the monitor. To turn on the TV, we just need to turn on the set-top box and we can watch TV, and when we turn off the set-top box, we will again see the picture from the computer. Comfortable? I think it's even cool.

Advantages of a TV tuner

1. External speaker available
2. Availability of VGA output
3. Availability of sound output
4. Possibility of connecting a computer (turn on the set-top box - watch TV, turn off the set-top box - the picture goes from computer)

This TV tuner is not only ideal for a summer residence due to its compactness, that is, him you can hide it and take it home with you etc., but also an excellent addition for a desktop computer. And if thieves visit the dacha, then they are unlikely to steal an old and heavy monitor, and a more or less working TV will most likely be stubborn.

Flaws

1. Not very strong speaker
2. Can't pick up digital TV
3. Missing USB
4. No HDMI

And they forgot about digital TV...

To be honest, no one forgot about digital TV, we just didn’t have it at that time, or we didn’t know about it. When they asked me the question: “Will it catch digital TV?”, I upset my parents, the set-top box does not have such a function.

Having realized that the presence of digital TV support can be critical for some people, then through the Chinese we already knew, a similar set-top box was found, but with different parameters. You can still connect a monitor to it, but it is no longer possible to connect a computer, and there is no audio output or built-in speaker, which means you will have to connect external speakers.

As you can see, it doesn’t look much different from the previous version, but that’s until we look at the back panel.

As you can see, there is still the same VGA, but in addition to it there is also HDMI. By the way, if you connect this set-top box via HDMI, the sound will come through it. For example, my TV in the kitchen has HDMI, but it does not have digital TV, and if you connect such a set-top box to it, the sound will come from the TV. In addition, this set-top box was also equipped with a USB connector, which makes it possible to watch videos from a flash drive and more.

Just like the first version of a TV tuner for a monitor, this set-top box has RCA (CVBS) sockets.

But unlike the first set-top box, where this is an AV input, in in this case these sockets are AV output, that is, this set-top box in addition to the monitor and relatively modern TVs You can also connect it to very old TVs.

Features of the console

Since the set-top box accepts digital TV, in addition to everything else, we get a lot of goodies. But first we need to find channels, this is done simply. Press “menu” on the remote control and use the volume buttons to select the appropriate menu item (see photo):

Select “auto search” and press the volume up button. We see the picture:

After some time we will see the found channels and radio stations:

The search for channels is completed, as you can see there are 20 of them in our city, in other cities the number of channels may be different.

By pressing the “info” button on the remote control, you can see what is going on and what will happen next. If you click this button again, you will see more detailed information:

Using the “up” and “down” buttons we switch between gears, and with the yellow and blue buttons we scroll through the description if it is not completely displayed.

To display the program guide, we need to press “EPG” on the remote control:

Use the “left” and “right” buttons to scroll through the channels, and use the “up” and “down” buttons to scroll through the programs.

And here the most interesting thing awaits us. If we press the “OK” button on a particular gear, we will see a strange picture, but if we press the red button, we will see this:

This is adding a schedule for recording a program. Click “OK” again and the task will be added to the queue. The most interesting thing is that we can easily turn off the set-top box, it will turn on itself and record the program. The only thing needed to successfully complete this task is the presence of a flash drive in the USB connector of the set-top box.

A flash drive is also needed for the “timeshift” function, or “pause” in Russian. Yes, you heard right The set-top box can pause TV. But the set-top box will not be able to keep the TV paused for a long time, since the volume of the recorded stream is limited by the settings of this function. By default the volume is 1Gb, but you can increase it. This is done in the menu:

To do this we need to select “PVR Configure” and click “OK”.

Select “Record device” and click “OK” again.

Actually, here we select our flash drive, and just below we set the amount of memory available for recording.

You've probably wondered why choosing a flash drive if there is only one connector. Nobody forbids us to connect a USB-hub to the connector, and to it a flash drive, and external hard, and a card reader.

Three radios are a nice bonus:

Flaws

1. No audio output
2. There is no built-in speaker, you will have to connect external speakers
3. Unable to connect computer

Advantages

1. Digital TV reception
2. USB availability
3. Availability of HDMI
4. Availability of AV output

Summary

By by and large I presented to you not just two ways to make a TV from a monitor, but in fact Furthermore. Here you can not only make a TV out of a monitor, here you can make a digital TV receiver out of a TV or into a Smart TV in general using.

In general, to summarize, we can state a wide range of options. The option with an Android set-top box is suitable for those who want to turn a monitor into a TV for the kitchen or other room where there is access to the Internet. Two options for a TV tuner for a monitor are suitable for those who do not want to depend on the Internet and have a very simple solution for watching TV on a monitor. The first option of a TV tuner is suitable for those who want to supplement their computer with the ability to watch TV, and the second option is suitable for those who simply want to give a second life to the monitor and be able to receive digital TV.

Despite the fact that progress is advancing by leaps and bounds, you should not throw away seemingly unnecessary, outdated things, as we see they can still serve you, but in a slightly different capacity. You just need to buy an additional device and a useless thing becomes not only useful, but also acquires an incredibly wide range of capabilities.

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Hello, friends! In today's article, I will take a closer look at the pros and cons of using a TV as a computer monitor. Despite the external similarity modern monitors and televisions, they have many internal differences.

To make the right decision, we must identify these differences and, based on the information received, decide whether it makes sense to use a TV instead of a computer monitor.

To accurately determine the possibility or impossibility of using a TV as a PC monitor, we must compare these two devices according to certain parameters:

• Ease of use;
• Screen type;
• Visible area options;
• Type of connection to the computer.

Now about everything in detail and in order.

It’s not for nothing that I put ease of use as the first point, since for many this will be the determining factor when choosing a particular device as a computer screen and there will be no need to read the article further. I’ll say right away that regular monitors much more convenient to use than TVs.

• The TV does not have height and angle adjustments, like most monitors, which creates some inconvenience when placed on a table. If you use a TV bracket, this disadvantage can be avoided, but you need to allocate quite a lot of space, which not everyone can afford;
• TVs are significantly larger in size and weight than monitors, which also imposes certain requirements on its location.

At correct position, the person sitting near the monitor should be at a distance of 50 cm. Under such conditions, the convenience of using monitors, as well as televisions instead of monitors with a diagonal larger than 27 inches, becomes uncomfortable due to the inability to look at the entire screen at once. When working with many small elements, jumping your gaze from one place on the screen to another causes very rapid fatigue, which seriously affects your performance.

In terms of visible area, I consider displays with a diagonal of 26 or 27 inches with a resolution from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 to be optimally convenient. It’s no wonder that one of the best computer monitors from Apple is the 27-inch one.

Deciding on the screen type

Today there are only two main technologies for manufacturing TV screens. Based on liquid crystal matrices and plasma panels. The latter will most likely be abandoned soon (if there are no breakthrough technologies), since in all respects, image color reproduction (especially black) is inferior to LCD. I strongly advise against using a plasma TV as a computer monitor, since their screen resolution is significantly lower than that of their counterparts with LCD matrices. Possible only for viewing video materials.

I will not consider outdated or specific types of screens (CRT, Projector, projection TV) within the framework of this article. Laser TVs have also begun to appear on sale, but they are very expensive, and the impact of this method of image formation on human health has not yet been fully studied.

We immediately eliminated plasma as an unsuitable option. As a result, we were left with only liquid crystal technology. Although the technology is the same, the approaches, methods and materials themselves are different, which creates such diversity technical characteristics various devices. We have decided on the type of screen, now let's move on to detailed study its characteristics, which greatly influence the ability to make the TV a PC monitor.

Viewable Area Options

• Screen size (diagonal);
• Permission;
• Pixel size;
• Pixel response time;
• Screen refresh rate;
• Color depth;
• Viewing angle.

Screen size or diagonal is a definite plus in favor of connecting TVs as PC monitors. In the vast majority of cases, the question of using TV as a computer monitor arises precisely because of this parameter.

If for computer monitors the maximum diagonal is 32 inches, then for TVs this is very small. The most popular models TVs start from 42 inches and up to 50. Moreover, the demand for ever larger diagonals is growing.

LCD TVs, comparable in diagonal to monitors, are always inferior to the latter in quality. They usually have lower screen resolution and matrix quality. Therefore, if you are faced with the choice of choosing a TV instead of a monitor with a diagonal comparable to computer monitors, then the answer is clearly negative. Any, even the cheapest monitor of this size will be an order of magnitude better than a TV.

Connecting to a computer 3D, full hd TV or just a TV with a larger diagonal than the monitor has as positive sides, and disadvantages.

The advantages include:

The large screen size and adaptation of settings specifically for watching videos makes it much more comfortable to view movies, photos, etc. materials;

If there is not enough space in the apartment or room to accommodate full-fledged computer with a monitor, connecting a TV would be a good solution, and by connecting an antenna you can view TV channels. Switching between monitor and computer modes is done in two seconds using the remote control.

Minuses:

At first it is difficult to get used to this screen size. You have to look at one corner of the screen, then at the other. Over time you get used to it, but you have to choose the distance at which it becomes convenient to work;

With the same resolution of the monitor and TV, but with different diagonals with the latter, the average pixel size will always be almost twice as large, which will be very noticeable when viewed at close range (graininess will appear in the image). To make the pixel as small as a computer monitor with such large diagonals, you can use a 4K TV. Resolution starts from 3840x2160 (Ultra HD). But there is a small point. In order for a computer to achieve such a resolution, you need a fairly powerful video card, which is not cheap, and the TVs themselves are much more expensive than regular ones.

The next drawback that prevents replacement computer monitor TV - Input Lag. It's like this technical feature, in which the electronics have some delay in processing the signal coming from the mouse or keyboard. Many people confuse this feature with pixel response time, but this is not true.

On physical level This is very noticeable by the movements of the mouse on the screen. If on a computer monitor, when you move the mouse, the cursor instantly repeats your actions, then on TV this happens with a fairly noticeable delay, which creates discomfort. It appears as if the cursor is floating.

This trouble is measured in ms (millisecond). Input Lag will have a particularly strong impact on those who want to play computer and Online Games on big TV (why else do we need it :)). For a comfortable game, this figure should be no more than 40 ms. On many modern TVs it is larger. The best values ​​that I know of were achieved on a SONY TV. Input Lag is no more than 14-16ms, but not on all models).

Therefore, when choosing a TV for computer games, pay most attention to this parameter - the rest is secondary. The owners game consoles There is no need to worry about this, since the creators of the games have provided for this moment and are invisible.

Pixel response time, per modern stage development does not play any significant role in the choice. The average value for TV and monitor = 5-8ms, which is absolutely not noticeable.

The screen refresh rate is also not critical. On monitors, this is at least 60 Hz, which is quite enough for dynamic games, and even more so for watching movies. Almost all TV models are equipped with various technologies to improve this parameter. With their help, a regular 100 Hz TV simply produces great picture in the video, but how these capabilities will affect when connected to a computer can only be checked in practice.

Color depth and viewing angles modern LCD matrices identical. And if over improving coverage color range While work is still underway, viewing angles have reached their limit (especially on IPS matrices) and viewing images from different angles does not lead to loss of color and distortion.

All modern TVs have very high brightness and contrast. When using a TV instead of a monitor, this is a disadvantage, since when high values These parameters tire your eyes very quickly. In many models, you can adjust this parameter to acceptable values, but TVs are far from the capabilities of computer monitors.

Interface for connecting TV to PC

Finally, I want to say that you can connect a TV to a computer very easily if the video card is equipped with an HDMI connector. All modern TVs have this connector. You will need an HDMI to HDMI cable, which is available at every computer store. Also, most TVs have an outdated VGA connector, through which you can also connect the TV to a computer or laptop. Its downside is that the image quality will be worse than via HDMI and the inability to transmit sound. The choice is yours.

Conclusion

It is certainly possible to use a TV as a monitor. It will perform well when watching various video information; if you increase your budget a little, you can play computer and online games quite comfortably.

In general, its main advantage ( big size) is also a disadvantage. Depending on the size, you will have to increase the distance to the screen. This will immediately affect convenience, as more space is needed.

Keyboard and mouse also have final length wires (replacement with wireless devices will save).

As a temporary measure, you can use old TV instead of a monitor, but only for a short time. For example, a computer monitor has broken down, but there is no money to buy it yet. It’s quite possible to sit for a couple of weeks, but I think vision is more important than saving on high-quality display for computer.

On standard TVs, the pixels are almost 2 times larger in size than on the monitor, which manifests itself in the graininess of the image. If we want to get rid of this, then we will have to buy a TV with a resolution of 4K, and this price tag at the time of writing is about 40 thousand wooden for a 43-inch model, which is at least 2 times higher than usual + we add an upgrade for the video card, and the entire computer, since pulling such a resolution requires serious power.

As usual, in our lives, very often everything comes down to financial opportunities. If you have the finances and desire, you can collect workplace at the computer using the TV. It will take a little time to get used to this screen and that’s all.

You can connect your TV to your computer as a second device, but that’s a topic for another article.

I wanted to end here. This is my first article on this site. Please leave your comments and suggestions. Bye everyone.

On big screen TV, any image looks more colorful and impressive. That is why many computer owners have thought about how to use a TV as a monitor. You can use the TV both as an additional and as a main monitor.

It all depends solely on your preferences. Of course, you can buy a large diagonal computer monitor and not raise the issue of connecting a TV. However, such a purchase will definitely cost a pretty penny, because TVs big screen They are much cheaper than monitors. So, in this article we will look at all the connection options that will allow you to use your TV as a monitor.

Will any TV work?

There are actually several ways to connect. It all depends on what video card is installed on your computer and what connectors are present on the TV. But before connecting, let's figure out what parameters a TV must have in order to become a full-fledged monitor? So, one of the main parameters that will affect the comfort of your work is the resolution of the TV. The image on a TV with a large diagonal but low resolution will be coarse-grained, and from a close distance it will look simply terrible. The minimum recommended resolution for a TV monitor is 1920x1080 pixels, but even higher is better. So for a TV with a diagonal of more than 30 inches, this will not be enough.

We useVGAconnector

On any modern video card you can find a VGA connector. It is usually used to display information on a monitor. If you are going to use your TV as your main monitor, you can use this connector. To connect you will need a standard VGA cable. Connect one end of the cable to the VGA OUTPUT connector on the computer’s video card, and the other to the VGA INPUT on the TV panel. With this connection, all information will be displayed on the TV screen. However, this option is not always convenient. On a large screen you can watch movies and play video games very comfortably, but in some situations it is easier to use a small monitor for work. When using a TV as the main screen, it becomes necessary to permanent job, which is not always convenient.

So TV is often used as additional monitor. To do this, the video card must have two VGA connectors. It is appropriate to remember that such a model is almost impossible to find, and probably makes no sense. On modern video cards You can almost always find a DVI connector, which is useful for connecting a TV. Very often, a DVI-VGA adapter is included with the video card. With it, we actually have at our disposal two VGA connectors, which can be advantageously used to connect a TV. As a result, you will need a pair of VGA cables. One for connecting to the video card standard monitor, the second is for TV.

In order for the connected devices to work properly, you need to perform certain settings. Click right click mouse on the desktop and go to “Screen Resolution”. In the menu that appears, you need to determine which monitor will be the main one and which one will be the secondary one. You can also set the image resolution and orientation if desired.

The “Multiple Screens” option defines use cases additional screen. Select "Extend these screens." Now all information will be displayed on the main monitor, and the additional one will expand it. This means that, if desired, you can use the mouse to drag any video onto the TV screen and enjoy more, high-quality image.

We useHDMIconnector

If your video card and TV have an HDMI connector, you can use it to digital connection. You will need an HDMI -HDMI cable with which you need to connect the HDMI connector on the video card and the HDMI IN on the TV. The quality of signal transmission with such a connection is high level. If possible, try to connect with the TV when using the TV as a monitor. using HDMI connections.

We use the connector DVI

In order to maximum degree To enjoy high-quality images on a widescreen TV, you can use the DVI connector. It is used on most video cards and if such a port is installed on your TV, then using DVI cable- DVI connections can be made High Quality and use the TV as a monitor. Please note that there are several types DVI connectors, and this must be taken into account when purchasing a cable, otherwise the image will not be transmitted. Be sure to check what type of DVI ports you have.

DVI-D - transmission digital signal high quality, used for high-quality transmission of video information.

DVI-A - analog signal transmission, reduced quality associated with signal conversion from digital to analog.

DVI -I is a universal transmission of both digital and analog signals.

We useS-Video

The S-Video connector continues to be installed on some video cards. With it, you can connect your TV to your computer and use it as a monitor. The signal will be transmitted in analog form. You will need an S-Video cable, with which you need to connect the S-Video output on the video card and the S-Video IN input on the TV. It should be noted that with such a connection, normal signal transmission quality is achieved.

Composite connector

A fairly common connection method is using a composite connector. This connector is probably present on your TV. The quality of signal transmission leaves much to be desired. Use this connection It is better only when other options are impossible. To connect you will need a regular composite cable with “tulips” at the ends. Connect the composite video card connector to the VIDEO IN connector on your TV. Interesting point, in most cases, the default video transmission mode on video cards is S-Video. When you connect a composite cable, the connection is automatically recognized and switched to composite signal transmission. If this does not happen, you must explicitly specify the video signal transmission method in the video card settings.

Another one possible difficulty The problem is that video cards from some manufacturers are reluctant to switch to composite image transmission. Even when this is indicated in the settings. In this case, the image turns out distorted and black and white. If you encounter such a problem. Use a cable with an S-Video connector on one end (connect to the video card), and a “tulip” connector on the other (connect to the TV).

Important!!! Carry out all manipulations to connect the TV to the computer with the equipment turned off and de-energized to avoid unnecessary damage. Settings for the TV as a monitor are carried out in the same way as in the first connection method (using VGA).

conclusions

It is certainly possible to use a TV as a monitor. If you want to enjoy high-quality images on a big screen, and material resources to purchase large monitor no, you can safely use the TV. There are several ways to connect a TV and you can always choose the most optimal one for your case. And, of course, you should pay attention to the parameters of the TV. So, if the resolution of your model is low, then the pixels will be visible at close range, which is not very comfortable when working.

You almost never see TVs with kinescopes in our apartments anymore. The electro-ray tube has been replaced by plasmas and liquid crystal screens. These TVs are built using digital technology. The transition from an analog signal to a digital signal has significantly simplified the process of connecting and combining various types of devices with each other.

Connecting TV to a computer allows you to refuse common antenna. You can watch any videos, clips and photos on the big screen. Moreover, the power modern computer allow you to transmit a signal to both the TV and the main display.

The TV can be used as a multimedia center

There are several ways to connect a TV to a computer as a monitor. You can do without wires, and the process itself does not cause difficulties. You can easily turn your TV into a modern multimedia center.

How to connect a TV to a computer?

The connection method depends on the availability of certain connectors on the TV and computer. There are three connection options:

1. Using cable. The TV receiver can support the following interfaces: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA. The first two are digital, the third is integrated, through which two types of signals can be transmitted. VGA is a purely analog interface.
2. Connection via wireless technologyWiFi. In this case, a router is required, and the TV must be equipped WiFi module. Not all television receivers have it, but the module can be purchased separately in the store.

WiFi module for wireless connection

1. Connect your computer and TV using Ethernet cable. An RJ-45 connector is used for connection. The cable is also called twisted pair.

A router is a special network minicomputer that allows you to combine different architectures local networks. Its task is to distribute packets of information according to certain rules between different recipients: laptops, tablets and other devices connected to the network.

The operating system on the computer allows you to connect without much difficulty. She will offer it herself best option. In most cases, the connection via WiFi is automatic. You just need to approve the proposed method.

HDMI and DisplayPort

These two interfaces are currently competitors. They transmit sound and image digitally. To connect to a PC select connection cable based on the connectors that are present on the computer video card and TV. It doesn’t matter if the computer has a DisplayPort output connector and the TV has HDMI. An electronics store has cables with the necessary adapters.

Cable connection methods

DVI and VGA

The VGA interface uses an analog signal. If you plan to use VGA connector, then you need to stock up on a cable that has DVI-VGA adapter. In this case, the signal is converted to analog. It makes no sense to do a reverse conversion; there will be large losses in quality.

Cable connectors

Digital interfaces combine seamlessly. On the counter of a specialized store you can find adapters of all types.

Wireless connection

To ensure connection via WiFi, you will need a router. In addition to the TV, it is possible to connect a large number of devices: tablet, smartphone, laptop. The main advantage is the absence of a wiring harness running throughout the apartment. Only one wire is needed to provide access to the Internet.

Create a network using a router (router)

To distribute access to the network, the router is pre-configured. As a rule, the provider provides detailed setup instructions or you can invite a company representative. A specialist will help you connect and configure everything. If everything is done correctly, the computer will automatically detect the network and automatically connect to it. The TV must be connected manually through the setup menu.

LAN connection

The third connection method is very similar to the previous one, with the difference that to connect the computer to the TV they use twisted pair. The television receiver is connected directly to the PC or through a router. This connection has a number of advantages:

• connection stability;
• high speed of information transfer;
• protection from external interference.

The only drawback is the need to run a cable from the router or computer to the TV.

How to connect a TV as a monitor?

The input signal from TV is taken from the video card. A cable with appropriate connectors is used for connection. The television receiver can serve as a primary or secondary display. In the second case, it is possible to either duplicate the image or expand the desktop. You can display a video player with a movie in this area, and use the main screen for work.

The display mode on two monitors is set through the settings in operating system. In Windows 8, you can open the menu using the Win+P key combination.

If there is no image on the TV, then most likely the screen resolution is set incorrectly. Select in settings required quantity points for the device. If there is no sound, then through the settings panel select desired device for audio.

Summing up a little

The article discusses three ways to connect a TV to a computer. It can be used as additional display or turn it into a real multimedia center.

Buying new TV, pay attention to the connectors present. The VGA interface is a thing of the past. In 2015, it is planned to abandon it altogether. So if it’s not on TV, then don’t worry too much about it. But the presence of several HDMI is a big plus. Through them you can connect other devices to TV. It will be much easier to exchange files between different devices.

Create at home full-fledged center multimedia. Use digital technologies on full power, and your stay at home will become much more comfortable.

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Smart TVs are already so smart that they can be used instead of conventional devices to access the Internet. They act as a partial replacement for a laptop or can complement a phone, but still do not lose their usual functionality and continue to show movies on a large and convenient screen.

But remember that there are many ways to turn a TV into a monitor. Using the content will thus be much more convenient, since the image will become larger, especially if you connect not a computer, but the same phone. Communication is carried out via Wi-Fi, which is very convenient, since you do not need to run wires and cables across the entire apartment or move the computer itself closer. Often such manipulations are performed for a specific purpose. It consists of watching a film on the big screen without going to the cinema. But this procedure cannot be performed if the TV is not equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, or cannot receive a signal.

Connecting a TV as a second monitor via Wi-Fi

This method is the most popular, but it will require more than Wi-Fi. To broadcast a picture to a TV, it must be connected to a router that uses a laptop. This is very important condition, but for some reason users forget about it, which is why communication between devices is not established. But there are exceptions regarding TVs that support the function Wi-Fi Direct, on the screen of which the broadcast is carried out via wireless network. It’s not difficult to connect, you just need to have access to the Internet and the desire to understand the instructions. But you will have to work some magic on the laptop screen so that another device is given the right to share access to all folders and other information. As a rule, it helps to install the “Home” item on the network and add a TV to your home devices. To files that will open even without general settings You can include a folder with videos, music, images and documents. But if you need to open full access to all files, the instructions are as follows:

• Select a folder by bringing it up on the display;
• Right-click on it and select “Properties” from the list;
• Go to the “Access” tab;
• Set "Sharing".

But it takes a long time. To use your TV as a wireless monitor, you can use more simple method opening folders.

• Open Windows Explorer;
• Item “Network”;
• Deactivate the item " Network discovery And general access to files”, following simple instructions.

If everything is set up, then it will take a couple of seconds, but if not, then you will have to use more detailed instructions. Here's how to connect a wireless monitor:

• When DLNA is enabled, you need to open the TV menu item, which controls the broadcast of computer content to the TV.
• Each device has its own connection. In particular, on Sony Bravia Home button is used;
• Then the user needs to select a section - Movies, Music or Pictures to see the desired content on a large TV.

As for LG TVs, the instructions are slightly different for them, since you need to go to SmartShare, where the content is also located shared folders. In addition, it often happens that you cannot play files on your TV. This applies to films whose format is not suitable for such a procedure. If broadcasting to TV is difficult, you can try a little trick– on your computer, rename files from MKV to AVI. As a rule, this is enough.

Using your TV as a wireless monitor via Miracast and WiDi

Can be used with using WiDi. Above, the conversation was about how to transfer pictures, videos and other limited number of files to the screen, but use it as full-fledged monitor still not possible. But if you use the connection described below, the TV will turn into a full-fledged second monitor, which will show everything that the user can do on desktop computer. To connect a TV as a monitor, two popular technologies are used:

• Miracast;
• Intel WiDi.

A wireless TV monitor is cool and modern, especially when it is also a Smart TV. That is, the functional potential of the equipment has increased significantly compared to conventional TVs, although they can also be used as a monitor. On TV simple type Of course, you need to connect other devices. But let's look at using WiDi and Miracast for wireless broadcasting.
This connection does not require a router, including one that works via Wi-Fi technology Direct.

• If the broadcast will be carried out from a computer with an Intel processor installed, at least the third generation, or it uses graphics Intel chip HD Graphics. Making a connection via wireless communication may be a problem. Sometimes devices don't connect. It's connected with Intel support WiDi on Windows 7 and 8.1. To fix this, you will need to install Intel Wireless Display, but only if you go to the official Intel website;
• If you have installed it on your laptop Windows version 8.1, and the TV is equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter, then connecting via Miracast will be successful. That's just independent Windows installation 8.1 on a computer can be a problem, since the package is most likely incomplete;
• A prerequisite is . But it is important that the model supports the technologies in question. If your device cannot connect to your PC, then you need to buy a Miracast adapter. However, most devices already have this addition, because manufacturers build it in themselves. And if you have to make a purchase, you can try installing Miracast during the flashing process.

Connect your TV as a monitor using Miracast

Connection is enough simple procedure, therefore, anyone who has at least an approximate understanding of technical nuances. So the connection looks like this:

1. Before you connect your TV to your computer and use it as a monitor, you need to check the settings. In particular, this applies to Miracast or WiDi, the support of which is correct connection devices. It works by default, but if the settings are messed up, it's not surprising that the devices won't be able to work together. But there are cases when there is no such setting at all. In such a situation, the standard Wi-Fi module. Using the example of Samsung TVs this function can be found in the network settings, in the " Mirror reflection screen."
2. To activate WiDi, you will need to run Intel program Wireless Display. It is she who finds the monitor to which you need to connect. But to safely carry out this procedure, you will need to enter a security code. You need to enter it in a special field that appears on the TV screen.
3. In turn, you need to carry out the following manipulations on the computer:

• On the right in Windows 8.1 you need to find Charms;
• Next, you need to select the “Devices” section;
• Then go to “Projector” or the “Transfer to screen” item;
• Select "Add a wireless display".

What to do if items are not reflected

If you want to use a TV, but don’t know how to use this method because the necessary items are not reflected, most likely the issue is due to differences in device models. Perhaps the instructions will help specific TV, which you can download directly to your phone so you don’t have to search for documents. An update can also be of great help. Wi-Fi drivers adapter. You can read exactly how to do this on the official Microsoft website. In addition, users complain that it is more difficult to stream content from a laptop to a TV than from a computer. The problem could be:

• In WiDi;
• In Miracast;
• There is no Internet connection;
• Faulty router;
• Incorrect settings on the TV;
• If you are using a telephone, your connection settings may also be affected.

Using a regular TV as a monitor

As a rule, Smart TVs are not the cheapest devices, which is why many users want to turn a standard TV into a laptop monitor. As practice shows, connecting even these devices is not difficult. If your TV has an HDMI input, you can try connecting. There is a good chance that it will be successful. But will be required additional devices, in particular the adapter HDMI WiFi for TV. This way, you can forget about most of the wires that used to be tangled between your TV and computer.
Which adapter is suitable for the TV? Here are some good options:

• Google Chromecast. This Wi-Fi adapter is more suitable for LG, although it can be used on other devices;
• Android Mini PC. Suitable for devices that run on Android. Therefore, phones and tablets connect perfectly with TVs, allowing you to control them with using WiFi via Android. The application used works with all TVs;
• Intel Compute Stick. Another new product from Intel, which is practically a miniature computer. It can be connected to the TV input, and the equipment will start working in ideal mode.

In addition, the options described are not the only way. Someone was the first to think - I use the Internet for this, and not hundreds of cables and wires. The idea turned out to be great. But the main thing is to ensure high speed connection. Without the Internet, TV cannot work. Connection benefits:

• No wires;
• The connection is fast and gives access to the entire library of files on the computer;
• There is access to files from other devices, for example, smartphones.