Television resolutions used to be horribly inferior to computer monitors. Today's televisions are different; they have resolutions that are not only getting closer in framerate to computer monitors, their resolutions are getting downright competitive. In fact, if you're looking to stretch your budget, you might want to double up the task and use your television as a monitor. Here's how.Contents |
What you'll need
You'll definitely want to use a high definition (HD) television with your computer. Older, standard definition television resolutions are such that windows and graphics look far too blurry to do many of the tasks a computer is meant for. Beyond that, the connections on the back of newer HDTVs are much more compatible with the graphical demands of computers. Of course, this doesn't mean you can get a little creative with your hand me down cathode-ray-tube (CRT) television. Simply lower your expectations a little bit in the process.
Using a Video Card
Newer video cards actually do the hard work of complying to television standards for you. The buzzword you'll be looking for when looking for a video card compatible with your HDTV is "HDMI." High-Definition Multimedia Interface is a new standard that allows encrypted audio and digital signals to be transmitted over a single cable, as opposed to the many RCA cables you might be used to. Video cards with HDMI ports are getting more and more common.
Using DVI or AVI ports
Some televisions are now equipped with the basic ports used for computer monitors. In many cases, this is all you need to hook up your computer to any standard computer. Simply use a basic DVI or AVI monitor cable to connect your computer to your television. Check the back of your television or your television's manual to find out if your television has a DVI or AVI port.
Extending Your Desktop
Once your television is hooked up to your computer, most operating systems will automatically detect the television as if it were another monitor:
- Ensure the television is switched on and set to the correct "input." For example, if you are using an HDMI cable in port 1, ensure the video input setting is set to "HDMI 1" or similar
- In your display preferences (found in your control panel or system settings), click Detect displays(Mac) or Detect (Windows). Your operating system will automatically look for the standard settings and drivers to find and install your television.
- If you have an existing monitor and are looking to use your television as a second screen, you'll want to select Extend these displays or similar to extend your desktop across screens
In the future
The difference in resolution and quality between televisions and computer monitors is getting more and more minute. In fact, the future of televisions and monitors are one and the same. In many ways, the only difference is the speakers built-in to televisions are absent in computer monitors.
Newer televisions are hooking into the internet, in many ways subjugating the need for a computer in the first place. Looking for the future of computers? Look no further than your television.
