Connecting your Laptop/Desktop to a TV

There are many ways to display media content stored on your computer onto your tv. Most laptops/desktops come standard with an S-Video out port. This small circular port is usually located at the rear of your computer and transmits video signal from your computer to your tv. Check the back of your computer and your TV for a port that looks like this. If S-Video ports exist on both your tv and laptop all you need is an S-Video cord. These can be purchased at any electronics specialty shop or big box store (Futureshop, Wal-Mart, Radio Shack). Plug the S-Video cord from your computer to your tv. There are two ways of activating the tv display. Most laptops have a keyboard shortcut built-in to enable S-Video output, this is usually the Function key + F7 or F8. The appropriate F key will probably have an illustration of two screens. If this shortcut doesn't work for you or you are using a desktop simply right click on the Windows desktop and choose Properties. Under settings look for a second display marked with a number 2. Click on this display and check the box "Extend my Windows desktop onto this display". This will turn the TV into a second display that you can drag open windows onto. (You may need to adjust the resolution according to your TV).

Newer HDTV's have the option of VGA-Input. This will be seen on your computer/tv as a small blue port. (photo here) For this you will need a VGA cable, these can be a little more expensive than an S-Video cord but are much higher quality. Once both ends are connected to the TV and computer repeat the steps provided for S-Video.

Now that video is taken care of, we need to get the audio to your TV/Sound System. The easiest way of accomplishing this is a 3.5mm male to RCA male cord (photo here). Plug one end into your headphone/audio out jack of your computer and the other into the audio jacks of your TV. If you are using S-Video this will usually be Video 1 on your TV, for VGA the jack will be labeled.

Once everything is hooked up simply open a video, the internet, powerpoint, etc. and drag it over to your TV. For video playback you may need to disable your screensaver and monitor power saving features.