How to connect a laptop to a TV via vga

Many users often have a question - how to connect their computer to the TV screen. This need often arises when watching movies, because it’s no secret that watching a movie or TV show on a large screen becomes more comfortable than a computer monitor, laptop or netbook. However, connecting a large screen to a computer may also be a work need. This function is also necessary for engineers, for a more detailed and convenient analysis of drawings in environments such as Micro-Cup or artists, for more convenient work with the image.

In any case, connecting a TV device to a laptop is a feature that can be useful to absolutely everyone. For users who are not very close to technology, connecting a TV and computer may be accompanied by some difficulties. This article serves to ensure that any user can understand and satisfy their need to connect a TV screen to a laptop, regardless of their level of knowledge and skills.

Cable selection and connector definitions

In modern devices, there are many different ports that allow you to connect most modern devices for a variety of purposes. In this article we will look at one of the easiest ways to connect a TV and laptop using a VGA connector. Before starting the connection, you should make sure that there is such a port, both on the TV and on the computer. Usually this does not cause any problems, however, older models may exist in which such ports are not provided. In this case, an adapter or a special adapter may come to the rescue, but more on that later.

The next step for the user will be the selection of the cable. Here, options with a combination of ports are possible, both on TV and on a laptop. If the connectors on both devices match, then the simplest cable is suitable for the user, without unnecessary additional devices. However, a problem often arises when the TV has VGA connectors, and on the laptop only the HDMI port or vice versa. In this case, in addition to a simple cable, a special digital-to-analog converter will be required, which will allow switching devices with different connectors.

What you need to connect

It should be remembered that through the VGA input only an image without sound is supplied. Therefore, to use the acoustic capabilities of the TV, you should use a special VGA-HDMI converter, which will be equipped with additional audio connectors. It can be ordinary “tulips” or a 3.5mm mini-jack.

Important! Due to the adapter, picture quality may deteriorate due to inevitable interference with the DAC. Without going into details, this problem is associated with quantization noise when transferring an image from analog coding to a set of digital sequences.

Training

To connect a TV device and laptop via a VGA connector, the user will need a special cable. If the ports on the two devices do not match, then together with the cable the user will need an adapter that will allow you to convert the signal from analog to digital. Also, this adapter will be needed by the user if he wants to play sound from the TV speakers. This problem arose because the VGA format is not capable of transmitting audio signals.

For switching, one end of the cable should be connected to the connector on the computer, and the other end to the adapter or directly to the TV device. The output of the adapter must be connected to the TV through the appropriate port. Also, do not forget about the sound outputs. If this is a mini-jack, then it should be connected to a special port of the appropriate size. If it is "tulips" should use color marks. Usually these are red and white colors. On the device, the connectors are also marked so that the user does not confuse them.

Instruction manual

After switching the two devices, you should configure the image display device from the computer to the TV display.

1. The first step is to open the menu for selecting connectors on the TV with the Input (or Source) button. After that, the user will see a menu where you can see the signal sources, with the ability to display the image on the screen.
2. In this menu, select the desired connection. If the user connected the laptop directly using the VGA connector, you should use it. If a converter has been used, select the HDMI connection. After pressing the OK button, the computer desktop should appear on the display. If this happened, then the connection was successful. For some models, you may need to switch to TV AV or TV Video mode.

Reference! In modern TVs, selectable connections are highlighted, and empty ports will not be highlighted.

Next, proceed to setting up the software on the laptop. You can do this in the screen settings, which can be accessed in several ways.

The first way. Click "Start", then "Control Panel". Then you should click “Screen” and select the sub-item “Screen resolution”.

The second way is much easier. Just click on the desktop with the right mouse button and select the sub-item "Screen resolution".

And the easiest way is the Win + P keyboard shortcut. After using this combination, a special menu will appear that allows you to select the operating mode with the connected screen.

After the user entered the menu. You should choose the TV with which you were connected. If the connected device did not appear immediately, click the "Find" button, after which the system will begin to search for connected screens.

Reference! In this menu, you can configure not only the transfer of images from a computer screen, but also functions such as split screen, install an additional display or expand the desktop.

For more comfortable use of the TV in the "Resolution" sub-item, you should set the maximum available parameter. This will save the image quality on a large screen, which will make viewing more comfortable. Otherwise, the image may be distorted, contracting or stretching.

When interacting with an additional screen, the user has several options for working.

1. Simple duplication of the image. This method is suitable for watching a movie or launching a computer game.
2. Screen extension. In this case, the desktop is divided into parts. One half will be on the computer screen, and the other on the TV screen. This method helps when performing several tasks at the same time, providing great functionality.
3. Display image only on a PC - even when connected to a TV, the image will be displayed exclusively on a laptop.
4. Display image only on TV. The image will disappear from the PC screen and will be broadcast only on the TV display.

Reference! This configuration method is similar for both Windows 8 and Windows 10, so users should not have problems with the configuration.

After choosing a resolution and mode of operation, you should begin to configure the sound. It should be recalled that the transmission of image and audio is not available when connecting the TV via VGA port. To play sound through the TV speakers, you need an adapter on which there will be either “tulips” or a 3.5mm mini-jack connector. The setting for both is the same.

The user should open the sound settings (a small speaker image in the "Notifications" section on the desktop). In the settings you should find the connected device, and right-click on it. After that, just select "Use by default" and the sound through the TV audio system becomes available.

Reference! In order not to make a mistake with the device you select, remember that in its name there should be a connection method. In this case, HDMI.

There is a situation when it was not possible to find the necessary device in the lists of possible connections. In this case, you need to move the cursor to the free space, and right-click. In the submenu that opens, select "Show disconnected devices". If there are no hardware problems in the connection, then the necessary connections will certainly appear. After this procedure, just click "Use by default" and the sound will play from the connected device.

Reference! Sound quality does not depend on the adapter and cable, but depends only on the acoustic capabilities of the speakers of the TV device itself.

Many models may have additional functionality that allows you to improve audio capabilities. Such functionality can be represented as an equalizer or an additional amplifier, which can be included optionally. These settings improve the quality and depth of sound effects.

Recommendations

In conclusion, it should be said about the multifunctionality that provides the connection of an additional screen. This allows users not only to enjoy watching videos or playing computer games not on a small laptop monitor, but on a large TV screen, but also provides multifunctional tasks. An additional screen allows the system to display much more information on the desktop, which can provide indispensable assistance in working on important projects.

Also, if there is only one computer in the house, this function can become a compromise between work and entertainment. After all, the function of two monitors allows you to start a film and a series on one of them, and on the second you can continue to work on an important project. This feature allows the owner of the laptop at the same time to work. And provide entertainment for the rest of the family. Also, a large screen allows for a deeper immersion in the gaming process.

A large TV has many more advantages over a conventional monitor in matters relating to computer games. It is much more fun and interesting to arrange battles or solve puzzles on a large TV screen. But apart from entertainment, screen sharing also helps in working on various kinds of projects. It's no secret that modern TV displays have much better color reproduction. What makes them indispensable in complex graphic works.

Also, with high resolution, much more necessary information is placed on the screen, which eliminates the need for the user to constantly switch between tabs. A couple of years ago, dual-screen technology seemed something far and futuristic. However, now this opportunity has migrated straight from fiction films to every house of ordinary people.