I have a presentation that requires that I project my slides, but I can’t get my hands on any projector. What do I do?
I have some movies on my PC I would love I and my family to see together. How do enlarge my screen display for everyone?
I love playing my games on a bigger screen, but my PC screen is too small for me. What can I do?
These and more are genuine concerns, which if addressed will not only improve performance on the job, it will also enhance family bonds, boost satisfaction while reducing stress.
If you don’t have a projector – no problem. Your flat screen TV or smart TV will do the projection. Beside or behind your TV, you must have seen unfamiliar ports, that left you asking why on earth are there too many openings on my TV? One or more of those ports you see was designed for connecting your PC to your TV.
How Do I Connect My PC To My TV?
There are 3 ways of connecting your PC to your TV screen, which are:
1. Using VGA or DVI cable.
The VGA (Video Graphics Array) or DVI (Digital Video Interface) The DVI and VGA cables are used to provide high-quality outputs to display devices such as LCD monitors, plasma TVs, and projectors. Though, the DVI is faster than VGA. If your PC and TV has either of these ports in common, follow these simple steps to connect the two:
i. Connect your computer to the TV with DVI or VGA cable.
The DVI or VGA port on the computer and the TV should be the same and the cable should have the same connector on both ends.
The VGA is labelled “PC IN” or “Computer IN” on some TVs.
ii. Connect an audio cable to your PC and TV.
The two ends of an audio cable are similar are just like a headphone plug.
The audio-in port as it is labelled on most TVs should be located near the DVI or VGA port you connected earlier.
iii. Change the input of the TV.
Using the TV remote, press the Input button to change the input of the TV to DVI or VGA.
Some TVs label it “PC” or “Computer”.
Some TVs automatically detect a signal.
iv. Right-click on the desktop of your PC and select Display Settings.
This will open the display settings menu.
v. Click Detect.
This will inform the computer to look for the TV you connected. If there are two squares, labelled 1 and 2, in the display settings window. That means the computer must have detected your TV.
vi. Click Identify.
This will display a label on each screen so you will know which number has been assigned to your computer monitor, and what number has been assigned to your TV.
vii. Click the “Multiple displays” drop-down box and select a display option. The options include:
Duplicate these displays. This will mirror exactly what is on your computer screen on the TV.
Extend these displays. This will make your TV an extended part of your desktop.
Show only on 1. This will turn off display number 2.
Show only on 2. This will turn off display number 1.
viii. Click Apply.
This will change the display settings and apply them to your computer monitor and TV.
You can also further customize each display by clicking on its numbered square, then selecting Advanced display settings or by dragging and rearranging the squares to change the orientation of the two displays.
2. Using A HDMI cable.
The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port on the computer and the TV must be the same and the HDMI cable should have the same connector on both ends.
I.If the TV has more than one HDMI port, make note of the port number you plug it into.
ii. Change the input of the TV.
Using the remote TV or buttons on the TV, press the Input button to change the input of the TV to HDMI.
iii. Right-click on the desktop of your PC and select Display Settings.
This will open the display settings menu.
iv. Click Detect.
This informs the computer to look for the TV you connected. If there are two squares, labelled 1 and 2, in the display settings window, that means your computer may have already detected your TV.
v. Click Identify. This will display a label on each screen so you will know which number has been assigned to your computer monitor, and what number has been assigned to your TV (“1” being the main display and “2” being the secondary display).
vi. Click the “Multiple displays” drop-down box and select an option.
The options include:
Duplicate these displays. This will mirror exactly what is on your computer screen on the TV.
Extend these displays. This will make your TV an extended part of your desktop.
Show only on 1. This will turn off display number 2.
Show only on 2. This will turn off display number 1.
vii. Click Apply.
This will change the display settings and apply them to your computer monitor and TV.
You can further customize each display by clicking on its numbered square and then selecting Advanced display settings. You can also drag and rearrange the squares to change the orientation of the two displays.
3. Using Wi-fi connection (Casting).
Casting lets you mirror your PC to your TV so that you can enjoy your content exactly as you see it on your PC but this time on a bigger display. To set up your Wi-fi casting, please follow these easy steps:
i. Enable Wi-Fi mode on the TV.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to access the Miracast protocol settings to configure your TV’s Wi-Fi connection.
Note: Only Smart Tvs support this feature. Check the owner’s manual of your TV before continuing.
ii. Connect your TV and PC to the same Wi-Fi network.
iii. Right-click on the desktop of your PC and click Display settings.
iv. Click the “Multiple displays” drop-down box and select Duplicate this display.
v. Click apply.
vi. Open Start then click.
This will open the main Windows settings.
vii. Click Devices then click Connected Devices.
viii. Click Add a device.
Windows will begin searching for connected devices on the network.
ix. Select your TV when it appears. Windows will automatically connect to your TV.
Try it out and let me know how useful you found this article.