My computer doesn't have a HDMI port, How do I connect my computer to my TV?

Question

My computer doesn't have a HDMI port, How do I connect my computer to my TV?

Answer 1

If the computer has a DVI output socket (rectangular about 2cm long with three rows of holes) then you can buy a DVI-HDMI adaptor for a few ££ from most electronic shops or ww.maplin.co.uk. This will allow you to connect to the HDMI port on the television. It will not carry sound so you'll also have to get a 3.5mm-phono lead to connect the computer's heaphone socket to the Audio In sockets (red and white) on the telly.



If your computer has a VGA socket (D shaped about 2cm long with 15 pins arranged in three rows) then you should check that the telly has a similar one (it may be labelled "PC"). You can buy VGA-VGA leads fairly cheaply to connect them together. This does not carry sound either.



New ACER laptops usually have an HDMI socket on them somewhere but it may be hidden as an unlabelled black hole on a black background.



Do not waste your money on simple VGA-SCART or VGA-HDMI or HDMI-SCART adaptor cables. These are frauds and cannot work without an expensive electronic interface device.

Answer 2

a VGA and an audio cable will do it if the ports are available or buy a q-waves system to do it wirelessly

Answer 3

Scart lead or VGA will do it depending what port ur computer has, easy peasy stuff if it fits in the hole your onto a winner

Answer 4

"i was told"

You mean you didnt already know this? If you did not work it out yourself then you deserve to live in the dark ages

Answer 5

- Hdmi and dvi have about the same video quality.

- Hdmi has better audio quality than s/pdif optical or s/pdif coaxial.



This is the best way to hook up your devices.

- 1st hdmi cable to hdmi out on device to hdmi in on receiver for surround sound audio, then 2nd hdmi cable to hdmi out on receiver to hdmi in on tv for tv video.

or

- 1st hdmi cable to hdmi out on device to hdmi in on tv for tv video, then 2nd hdmi cable (or s/pdif optical or s/pdif coaxial cable) to hdmi out on tv to hdmi in on receiver for surround sound audio.

or

- Hdmi cable to hdmi out on device to hdmi in on tv for tv video and tv audio. (Audio outs on tv to soundbar if you got a soundbar.ect).





(If you use a low resolution video cable to receiver, your receiver should have 1080 i/p up scaling for that low resolution cable and converts that low resolution cable to hdmi from receiver to tv).



For video: From best to least.

- hdmi out on computer/laptop to hdmi in on tv.

or

- dvi out on computer/laptop to dvi in on tv.

or

- dvi-d to hdmi cable (does not carry audio).

or

- vga out on computer/laptop to vga in on tv.

or

- component out on computer/laptop to component in on tv.

or

- s video(super-video) out on computer/laptop to s video in on tv.

or

- composite video (video) out on computer/laptop to composite video in on tv.

or

- coax video out on computer/laptop to coax video in on tv.



(For audio, it is possible to go to tv with hdmi cable, then tv's audio outs go to receiver).



For audio: From best to least.

- hdmi out on computer/laptop to hdmi in on receiver.

or

- s/pdif coaxial or s/pdif optical out on computer/laptop to s/pdif coaxial or s/pdif optical in on receiver.

or

- rca, Red (right channel) and white (left channel) stereo out on computer/laptop to in on receiver or tv.



Now there is usb options. (These are the only two extra methods I will provide, there is many other options out there).

- Like displayport cable to hdmi adaptor, or use a regular usb on a blu-ray player.







For audio:

- You have to use a hdmi cable for audio if you have a 8 channel=7.1 surround sound speaker system hooked/wired up to your 7.1 receiver. You want to use hdmi cable for audio if your receiver supports the dolby-true-hd or dts-hd surround sound formats.

- You need to download k-lite codec pack for windows media player or media player classic and use ffdshow decoder (output -> ac3 s/pdif encode mode+48000 hz+many other settings) to send a surround sound signal through a s/pdif cable.



For computer speakers for sound card audio:

- If you have a sound card that supports multi-channel audio (select output + 5.1 or 7.1.ect speaker setup).

- Some computers have a sound card that can decode audio to a receiver.



For video:

- You need a video driver that supports multiple monitors in a extended view or dual/clone view.

or

- If you cannot use the above (if your video driver is up to date and is not able to do multiple monitors in a extended view or dual/clone view),

- Method 1: Use a control center for your video driver or windows media center so you can set your tv as your primary monitor+many other settings.

(I have a ati display driver, so I downloaded a matching version of my ati display driver with ati/amd catalyst control center).

- Method 2: Shut down computer, hook up video cable from computer to tv, disconnect your computer monitor (vga), turn tv onto either video 1 or hdmi or w/e works, then turn on computer and video will display on tv.