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This thread will help answer questions on how to connect your new display - LCD or plasma to your existing laptop or desktop computer.
This replaces the older thread as it was getting too long to get facts from:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2124011&page=7
Some options:
Connect Laptop To LCD TV
After you have physically connected your laptop to your PC, you basically now have two monitors connected: the laptop screen and the LCD TV. You now want to hit your TV remote input button until you get to the desired choice (it’s usually labelled “PC” or “HDMI” depending on your selection above). Now, on your laptop screen, you will want to right-click a vacant area of the desktop and then choose properties. Then, click the settings tab. You should now see a second choice in the monitors window. If you want to use the LCD only, you should click the monitor and then select the “Use this device as the primary monitor” checkbox. If you want to use both the laptop screen and the LCD TV at the same time, then select “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor” and you can use both monitors at the same time! This is my preferred choice.
I use a Dell laptop and you can switch on the fly between using the laptop monitor, the LCD, or both at one time by pressing the function key (Fn) and F8 at the same time.
Connect Desktop Computer To LCD TV
From a software perspective, connecting your desktop computer to your LCD TV is very simple. After you have made the physical connection in one of the three ways above, simply change the input on your TV to reflect the appropriate choice (VGA–often labelled PC, DVI, or HDMI). You may want to modify the settings on both your TV and your PC for optimum resolution.
If you would like to use both your standard monitor AND your LCD TV, you will need a graphics card that is capable of dual monitors. Many of the new ones are. If your graphics card is capable of dual monitors but only has one DVI output, you will want to purchase a Cables Unlimited DVI-D Splitter Cable (PCM-2260). For those with VGA, you can purchase a VGA Monitor Y Splitter (for situation #1) to see both screens at one time. In many cases, especially VGA, these splitters only allow you to see the same screen on both monitors (not an extended desktop) and with VGA the signal degrades a little bit. To learn more, you will need to contact the video driver manufacturer.
If you want to have a two monitor setup with your desktop, right-click a vacant area of the desktop and then choose properties. Then, click the settings tab. You should now see a second choice in the monitors window. If you want to use the LCD only, you should click that monitor and then select the “Use this device as the primary monitor” checkbox. If you want to use both the computer monitor and the LCD TV at the same time, then select “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor” and you can use both monitors at the same time! (Note: Your video card supplier may have incorporated different video software in which case the instructions will differ slightly.)
http://www.thisishowyoudoit.com/blog/connect-tv-to-pc-cables-needed-to-hook-up-pc-to-tv/
This replaces the older thread as it was getting too long to get facts from:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2124011&page=7
Some options:
Connect Laptop To LCD TV
After you have physically connected your laptop to your PC, you basically now have two monitors connected: the laptop screen and the LCD TV. You now want to hit your TV remote input button until you get to the desired choice (it’s usually labelled “PC” or “HDMI” depending on your selection above). Now, on your laptop screen, you will want to right-click a vacant area of the desktop and then choose properties. Then, click the settings tab. You should now see a second choice in the monitors window. If you want to use the LCD only, you should click the monitor and then select the “Use this device as the primary monitor” checkbox. If you want to use both the laptop screen and the LCD TV at the same time, then select “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor” and you can use both monitors at the same time! This is my preferred choice.
I use a Dell laptop and you can switch on the fly between using the laptop monitor, the LCD, or both at one time by pressing the function key (Fn) and F8 at the same time.
Connect Desktop Computer To LCD TV
From a software perspective, connecting your desktop computer to your LCD TV is very simple. After you have made the physical connection in one of the three ways above, simply change the input on your TV to reflect the appropriate choice (VGA–often labelled PC, DVI, or HDMI). You may want to modify the settings on both your TV and your PC for optimum resolution.
If you would like to use both your standard monitor AND your LCD TV, you will need a graphics card that is capable of dual monitors. Many of the new ones are. If your graphics card is capable of dual monitors but only has one DVI output, you will want to purchase a Cables Unlimited DVI-D Splitter Cable (PCM-2260). For those with VGA, you can purchase a VGA Monitor Y Splitter (for situation #1) to see both screens at one time. In many cases, especially VGA, these splitters only allow you to see the same screen on both monitors (not an extended desktop) and with VGA the signal degrades a little bit. To learn more, you will need to contact the video driver manufacturer.
If you want to have a two monitor setup with your desktop, right-click a vacant area of the desktop and then choose properties. Then, click the settings tab. You should now see a second choice in the monitors window. If you want to use the LCD only, you should click that monitor and then select the “Use this device as the primary monitor” checkbox. If you want to use both the computer monitor and the LCD TV at the same time, then select “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor” and you can use both monitors at the same time! (Note: Your video card supplier may have incorporated different video software in which case the instructions will differ slightly.)
http://www.thisishowyoudoit.com/blog/connect-tv-to-pc-cables-needed-to-hook-up-pc-to-tv/
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