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How to Connect PC to TV Using HDMI

How to Connect PC to TV Using HDMI

You are used to watching your favorite content directly from your computer, but a friend told you that it might be more comfortable to do it from the TV using an HDMI cable. Indeed, it seems he is right, as choosing a larger screen with higher resolution could enhance your viewing experience.

If you are here, it means you have no idea how to connect the PC to an HDMI TV. First, let me explain that HDMI (which stands for “High Definition Multimedia Interface”) is a compact interface for transferring video signals (usually in Full HD 1080p or 4K resolution) and audio between a compatible source (such as a computer) and a compatible receiving device (like a TV).

By spending very little, you can purchase the necessary “equipment” to achieve your goal and view all computer content directly on your living room TV. Nice, right? However, there are several factors to consider, both in terms of cables and operating system configuration. The variables at play, in fact, are more than one might think, and for this reason, I will delve into the topic in detail in the following chapters. I wish you happy reading and viewing!

Table of Contents

Preliminary Information

Since you are trying to understand how to connect the PC to an HDMI TV, I would say it’s worth analyzing the overall picture where this option fits. To this end, the first step you must take is to verify that both the computer you intend to use and the TV you have equipped have an HDMI port.

To check this, just look at the back of the PC case and the sides of the laptop for a small black input labeled as HDMI. To verify that your TV supports HDMI, which is very likely, take a look at the back and ensure that among the various available inputs, there is one (or more) labeled with the HDMI marking.

If your computer or TV does not have HDMI ports, you can still remedy this by purchasing an HDMI adapter. You can find many at very low prices at various electronic stores. If you are wondering, for instance, how to connect a PC with VGA output to an HDMI TV, what you can do is buy a suitable adapter. However, be aware that the output quality might not be optimal.

Instead of an HDMI port, you might also deal with a Thunderbolt USB-C port (like those on recent MacBooks), Mini-HDMI (Type C connector), or Micro-HDMI (Type D connector). In all these cases, simply pairing the classic HDMI cable with a USB-C to HDMI adapter, HDMI to Mini-HDMI, or HDMI to Micro-HDMI will suffice. Therefore, there are many options available to you, keeping in mind that I always recommend checking that the cable you intend to purchase can actually work in your intended context and is of good quality.

Once it is established that your devices support the HDMI interface, to create the connection between the computer and the TV, you obviously need an HDMI cable. Again, you can either go to an electronics store or find one online. The price of an HDMI cable tends to be quite low and may vary depending on its length. If you need to transmit streams in 4K resolution with maximum quality and refresh rate, make sure to buy a cable that supports this type of display.

How to Connect PC to TV Using HDMI

After acquiring the right HDMI cable, the steps you need to take to complete your “mission” are very simple. All you need to do is open the package the cable comes in, unfold it, and connect one end to the HDMI port of the TV and the other to the HDMI port of the computer. After you establish the cable connection, tune into the video signal channel coming from the computer.

To do this, take the remote control of the TV, press the button to select the video source (for example, Source), or access the setup menu of the device, navigate to the source options, and select the port to which you connected the computer (for example, HDMI1). Once you’ve done this, you can choose whether to use the TV screen as a duplicate of the desktop on the computer (so you can mirror what is happening on the PC screen) or to set it up as an extension of the desktop and use it as a secondary monitor. Below I will explain how you can do this from the operating system settings, both for Windows and macOS.

Connect PC to HDMI TV: Windows 11

Once you have understood, thanks to the previous instructions, how to connect the PC to a Samsung TV using an HDMI cable (or in general, how to connect the PC to the HDMI TV since the brand involved really doesn’t matter), it’s time to set up Windows 11 to make the most out of your TV.

To proceed in this direction, right-click on an empty spot on the desktop and select the Display settings option from the menu that appears. At this point, select the screen you want to affect (in this case, the TV). This way, you will view various options that could be of interest to you, starting from Screen Resolution and Scaling options.

This last option is particularly important on a TV, as the larger diagonal and higher resolution might display, for example, Windows icons too small. So, consider the options at your disposal to enhance the display in this context. If you want advice on this, also delve into the area of Advanced display settings, as this highlights all the details of the TV involved and provides the Select a refresh rate option, which could be useful to set, especially from a gaming perspective.

If you are wondering how to connect the audio from the PC to a TV using HDMI, access the Control Panel of Windows (by searching in the Start menu below), select the option Hardware and Sound, click on the Audio option, and from the Playback tab, select the TV. To apply the changes made, click on the OK button.

 

Connect PC to HDMI TV: Windows 10

If your reliable computer is equipped with Windows 10, I have a few quick tips that may be helpful.

 

How to Connect Gaming PC to TV with HDMI

In recent years, connecting a gaming computer to a TV, to have an experience similar to the console world by using a controller, has become an experience explored by many gamers.

This is also thanks to significant advancements made both in the already covered Windows area and in terms of TVs. It is worth noting that while the gaming monitors still lead the sector, there are now what can be defined as gaming TVs, meaning that they integrate specific functions for video games and support an increased refresh rate.

This doesn’t account for support for HDR and the latest HDMI standards, another reason why I recommend you carefully evaluate the purchase of the HDMI cable. However, despite the progress made in this area, there can still be issues with resolution.

Especially with certain TVs, the setting of a “strange” resolution, even using in-game settings, can lead to a black screen, requiring intervention during the Windows boot phase. Even today, it’s best to avoid “playing” too much with video display options in this context.

How to Connect Mac to TV Using HDMI

If, instead of a Windows PC, you use a Mac, you can adjust all settings related to the connection between the computer and the TV by accessing the appropriate control panel.

To access it, click on the System Preferences icon in the Dock, then go to the Displays tab on the left. This is where all options of interest will be found.

There are indeed options related to resolution and color profiles (if available), as well as to screen rotation and refresh rate.

How to Connect PC to TV Without HDMI

In conclusion, after explaining all the issues related to HDMI, I think it might be of interest for you to quickly learn about the options available for wireless connection between the computer and the TV.

If, for instance, you have a PC running Windows 10/11 and a relatively modern Smart TV, you might succeed in connecting the two devices through the wireless transmission system Miracast, which is built into Windows PCs and recent TVs, or can be used through specific adapters.

Alternatively, you could leverage the features of Google TV Streamer (4K), the famous TV box produced by Google that effectively “replaced” the previous HDMI dongle Chromecast.

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