How to Use Your Television as a Computer Monitor

Many people would like to use their television sets as monitors for their desktop or laptop computers due to the increased screen sizes offered by televisions over traditional computer monitors. There are several ways to use your television as a computer monitor, depending on the types of video outputs your computer has and the types of video inputs your television has. In this article I will go over the various options for displaying your computer on your television screen, depending on your particular situation.

Option 1: S-Video

If your laptop or desktop computer has an S-Video output, then you may use an S-Video cable to display your computer on your television set. Simply plug one end of the S-Video cable into your computer's S-Video output and the other end of the S-Video cable into your television's S-Video input. You may need to select the proper input via your television's on-screen menu, and you may need to lower your computer's display resolution to accommodate the S-Video format resolution. If your television does not have an S-Video input, then you may also purchase a special cable that has an S-Video connector on one end and a composite RCA video connector on the other.

Option 2: VGA

Many newer flat panel televisions are now including standard computer VGA inputs in addition to traditional coaxial and composite video inputs. Manufacturers are finally recognizing that it is useful to use a television for a computer monitor, and so if you have a newer television you may just need a regular VGA monitor cable to connect your laptop or desktop computer to your television.

Option 3: HDMI

Many newer laptop computers and televisions are coming equipped with HDMI outputs and inputs respectively. HDMI cables are designed for high definition video and allow both the audio and high definition video from your computer to be displayed on modern flat panel televisions. All that is needed is an HDMI cable, which is not cheap but will yield the best results of any of these options.

Option 4: VGA to TV Converter

A company called Gigaware produces a converter box that will take the VGA video output from a laptop or desktop computer and convert it to standard composite video. This VGA to TV converter box is not cheap but will work if any of the other, better options are unavailable due to the lack of inputs/outputs on your particular computer or television.

Option 5: VGA to DVI Adapter

It is possible to find an adapter to convert the VGA output from a computer to a DVI high definition connector. DVI is an older version of HDMI, and many television sets will have an input for a DVI connector. DVI is less versatile than HDMI, so HDMI is still the preferred option, but the VGA to DVI adapter is a possible solution if you are lacking in HDMI capability.

Conclusion:

Many of the above options for using a television set as a computer monitor are available at your local electronics store such as RadioShack or Fry's Electronics. When you visit a store to select an option, be sure to have made note of which types of video outputs your computer has and which types of video inputs your television has. This will aid the salesperson in helping you select the computer to video option that best fits your particular equipment.