Even the largest standard computer monitors and laptop screens can seem diminutive compared to contemporary televisions. Luckily, you’ve got the option of transforming your TV into your widescreen display. Continue reading to discover the best practices for using your TV as a computer monitor.

Can You Do It?

Your first question may naturally be, “Is it possible to use a television as your computer monitor?” The answer is yes, as long as you have the correct setup.

You might require a specific cable, depending on your PC’s outputs and your TV’s inputs, and you’ll likely need to check a few settings beforehand. However, once you’ve confirmed these are available, you shouldn’t have an issue connecting most recent TVs and computers.

Using a TV as a Second Monitor

You can also use your television as a second monitor to help reduce the clutter on your screen and allow you to do more work simultaneously. However, you should check whether your graphics card can broadcast at the same resolution as your TV. To do this, simply compare the highest resolution supported by your graphics card to the resolution of your TV (such as 1080p or 4K) to check whether they match.

Check Your Outputs

Most modern televisions use HDMI to transmit video and audio. You can use a conventional HDMI cord as long as your computer or laptop supports these outputs as well. You can get an inexpensive DVI-to-HDMI cable if you have an older video card or motherboard with just a DVI port.

Some older HDTVs and PCs have VGA inputs and outputs. See if you can find a blue trapezoid with holes in it. VGA sends video, but sound requires a separate audio wire, such as an A/V cable. If your TV doesn’t have this port, look for a VGA-to-HDMI cable adapter.

What To Do With DisplayPort

Many modern computers prefer DisplayPort or mini-DisplayPort connections over HDMI, which can be inconvenient since most televisions lack them. Fortunately, you can use DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter cables for desktops and USB-C-to-HDMI adapter cables for laptops.

Knowing the best practices for using your TV as a computer monitor helps ensure you get the best possible image and audio quality. You can buy VGA cables from CableWholesale that are perfect for transmitting video on older computers and televisions. We also offer a comprehensive selection of all your essential computer and electronic components and accessories.