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Can You Use a TV as a Computer Monitor Guide

Noah Staum Avatar

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Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:11 PM

Using a TV as a monitor for a PC is a great display alternative to using the best computer monitor. Follow this guide to find out how to best connect your computer to your television. Check out this additional guide if you also want to do the reverse and use your monitor as a TV.

Key Takeaways:

  • Most modern TVs use HDMI video and audio connections.
  • If your computer does not have an HDMI port, you’ll likely need to find an adapter.
  • You can adjust the display settings on your computer to improve the fit and quality of the image on the TV.

Tips for Using a TV as a PC Monitor

Unless you know how to use a laptop as a monitor, using your TV as a monitor for your PC is the only way to go. The connection process can be fairly straightforward. Follow this guide to find out how to do it.

Check Your Connection Ports

The first step in using your TV as a monitor is to check the input ports on the TV and the computer you’re connecting to it. HDMI ports are the standard video and audio connection method on modern TVs. Most PC computers will also have an HDMI port. If your computer does not have an HDMI port, then you’ll likely need to use an adapter to connect to your TV.

Tip: HDMI ports are the standard video and audio connection method on modern TVs, unlike traditional computer monitor setups, which still offer DVI ports as a connection.

Warning: If your computer does not have an HDMI port, then you’ll likely need to use an adapter to connect to your TV

Find the Right Connecting Cable

Once you have identified the input ports on the TV display and the computer, you will know what type of cable you need to connect the two. If both devices use HDMI, then you will simply need an HDMI cable to be able to facilitate the connection. Plug one end of the cable into the computer and the other into the TV.

Tip: If both devices use HDMI, then you will simply need an HDMI cable to be able to facilitate the connection

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Switch the TV Input

On your TV remote, there will be an “Input” or “Source” button. Press this to change the source of video and audio of the TV to the HDMI port that you plugged the cable into. This will be labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3 depending on which port you used. After switching to the correct source, the desktop of your computer should display on screen so long as your PC is turned on and not in sleep mode.

Adjust Display Settings

The image on your TV may not fit the TV screen properly or otherwise look bad at first. You can fix this by adjusting the display settings on your computer. In your display settings, you can adjust the resolution and scaling of the picture on the TV so that it fits the full-frame and is as clear as possible. You can also decide if you want the TV to mirror your desktop or extend it, and reorder the layout order of your screens if you have multiple.

Warning: The image on your TV may not fit the TV screen properly or otherwise look bad at first

Tip: In your display settings, you can adjust the resolution and scaling of the picture on the TV so that it fits the full-frame and is as clear as possible

STAT:

200% scaling of your computer desktop on a 4K TV is essentially the same as using a 1080p display at a regular scale, just with clearer resolution.

https://linustechtips.com/topic/997445-guide-using-a-tv-as-a-monitor-and-why-it-is-a-good-option/

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_monitor

https://wiki.restarters.net/Flat_screen_TVs_and_monitors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_connectors

 

 

How to Use a TV as a Monitor FAQ

Should I use a TV or monitor for my display?

The correct choice of monitor depends largely on what you plan to use it for. TVs can be easy to connect your computer to but may be too large for frequent use or daily computer tasks.

Is it bad to use a TV as a computer monitor?

TV monitors can be great for playing videos, movies, and shows from your computer. Depending on the size of the TV, it may be too large to be practical to use for work and other common computer tasks. Since TVs are not designed to be computer monitors, the picture may not be as clear as a designated computer monitor.

How do I get my display to fit my screen?

Once you connect your computer to a TV display, you may need to adjust the display settings in the settings of your computer. Go into your computer’s settings and adjust the resolution and scale until the image fits the screen properly.

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