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How to connect a laptop to a TV

Watch movies from your laptop on your TV screen.

There are plenty of reasons to connect your laptop to your TV so you can view whatever's displayed on the PC's screen on your TV. Perhaps you enjoy catching up on TV shows using web-based services. Alternatively maybe you've got a number of video clips and photos stored on your PC that you'd like to see on a big screen. It's a very easy task. Here's how to do it.

Step one
You'll need to start by looking at the ports on both your Television and your laptop. They'll be at least one of the following connections; Composite, S-Video, VGA, DVI, or HDMI port for connecting an external display. However, you'll only be able to use whichever you have a corresponding port on your TV. Check which port your machine has and then connect the second display. It's worth noting if you use S-Video, the audio will continue to be served through the laptop, which is great if your laptop has a good sound system. If not, you'll need a connector that handles audio too.

Step two
How to connect a computer a TVNow you need to configure the settings for the second monitor in Windows. From the Start Menu, select Control Panel and then open the Appearance and Personalization menu. Select Connect an external display from the Display menu. Make sure the display is duplicated on the TV, rather than being used to extend the desktop of your PC.

Step three
From this window you also adjust the resolution for the laptop's display and the TV, as if the resolution and aspect ratio of your TV and laptop don't match, your picture will be distorted. From the Display drop-down menu select the relevant display, and then press the Resolution button. Now use the slider to adjust the resolution. However, it's advisable to use the recommended resolution (which will be identified in your manuals) for each of the displays. Now you can watch content stored on your PC on your TV.

How do I connect a laptop to a TV

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