Whether you want to watch movies downloaded to your computer’s hard drive on the big screen, give presentations to coworkers or use your spare TV as a secondary monitor, connecting your laptop to your television is an essential part of enhancing your entertainment experience. Connecting a notebook to your television is easy and simple, especially with the right cables or adapters.
The best way to connect your laptop to your television is with an HDMI cable (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), which can carry both video and audio signals. This is a digital standard that most modern TVs support and is compatible with older HDMI 2.0b devices, as well as newer devices that can do 4K at 60Hz or higher resolutions with HDR (high dynamic range).
Some laptops also have VGA ports, but these don’t send audio signals. This means you’ll need a converter that converts the signal from VGA to HDMI.
Another option is to use a USB-C port, which is the latest standard on many laptops. This method requires a USB-C to HDMI adapter or hub, but it’s the easiest and most convenient way to connect your laptop to your TV.
Connecting a USB-C laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable is a simple process that’s compatible with most models of computers and TVs. Simply plug the USB-C end of the cable into your laptop’s USB-C port and the other end into the HDMI port on your TV.
A USB-C to HDMI adapter or hub can be purchased for around $18. Alternatively, you can get a USB-C to HDMI cable for around $15.
You can also use a wireless connection to connect your laptop to your TV. The process is a bit complicated, though, since you’ll need to have both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. It’s best to check the manual on your computer or TV to find out if it supports AirPlay, which allows you to mirror your laptop’s display to the TV.
Depending on your laptop and TV, you might be able to mirror your laptop’s screen via Miracast. This is a standard supported by Windows 10 and other modern operating systems that mirrors your laptop’s screen to any compatible smart TV or device. You’ll need to make sure your devices are both on the same Wi-Fi network and that they’re both running the Windows Display settings.
Once you’ve established your connection, you can select the proper configuration on your laptop to mirror your display. Some laptops will automatically do this, while others will require you to press a button. In any case, your laptop and TV should automatically recognize each other once they’re both on.
If you’re using a MacBook, it will likely have a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port. If your laptop doesn’t have these ports, you’ll need a Mac to TV adapter that has an HDMI port.