Hooking laptop to TV

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

How difficult is it to hook my HP laptop to a flat screen tv? I would like to do this when I work from home so I have a larger screen to look at instead of my 15" laptop screen.

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User

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Windows 7 should be pretty easy. Should set everything up for you.

The connections in this picture are on the bottom of a Monitor but the connections on your Laptop should be very similar looking (maybe a different color).

Most LCD/LED TV's have a VGA Connection and an HDMI Connection. It really depend upon the Age of the TV. Some may have the DVI connection but most don't. HDMI would be the best connection as far as a Quality Picture on the TV Goes.

I used a VGA Cable last night because I just didn't want to crawl on the ground to hook up my DVI or HDMI Convertor Cable (DVI on Computer to HDMI on TV). My Computer already had an DVI to VGA convertor on it so I just ran the VGA connection to the TV!

Below is a Picture of a Diagram I made for Jane a while back. She was just hooking her laptop to a larger monitor, but hooking it to a TV would be Generally the same thing!

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Comments (6)

User
8 years ago
It all depends upon you Laptop. What Operating System do you have (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 or 10)? Also depends upon your connection availability (what is the Model Number of your Laptop)? When talking about the Connection Availability I mean; do you have a VGA Connection, DVI, HDMI or WiFi connection on the Laptop?

If you are talking about hooking up a Wired or Wireless it's usually pretty simple, If you have one of the newer Operating systems (Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10). Usually just plugging it in or changing a few settings. Let us know Your Operating System and Model Number and we'll be able to help a little easier!
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User
8 years ago
I just hooked a 32" Curtis LCD TV up to my Desktop Computer a couple of hours ago. All I had to do was to Plug the TV into the Wall Plug and then Attach the VGA Plug to the TV. Once everything was connected I turned the TV on and set it to VGA using the Source Button/Input Button on the remote. I then turned on the Computer and that was all there was to it! BTW, I'm running Widows 10 Professional on my Desktop Computer!

My daughter had the 32" Curtis LCD TV in her room. It started acting up and we couldn't get it to work. I happened to have a 32" Emerson LCD TV in my closet. The Emerson had stopped working and I was able to repair it. I gave the Emerson to my daughter. Last week she won a 48" Vizio LED TV and no longer needed the Emerson. I was going to put the Emerson back in my closet but had to remove the Curtis. When I took it out I decided to plug it in to see what the problem was so I could fix it. Well, plugged it in to the wall and my Cable Box In my bedroom, the TV was working fine. I decided to hook it up to the computer to let it run all night to check for problems (so far, so good, still working).

This is a long story, but that's why I have it hooked to the Computer right now. Hooking up a Laptop isn't much different from a Desktop Computer! Hope this helps you out!
linda_6 thanked User
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linda_6
Original Author
8 years ago
This computer is Windows 7 Professional. I'm not sure what a VGA plug is.
linda_6
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all for your information. I'm going to check into this. I don't have a tv yet. I wanted some info first. Now I might just go out and buy a cheapo tv for my laptop. At work I have my laptop hooked up to a docking station w/2 large monitors. It's just two large to take home every time I need to work from home. I thought having a tv would be better.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I don't think I would want to use a TV as my Primary Screen. The picture quality isn't nearly as good on a TV as it would be on a monitor. It's okay for short periods of time. The 1080p TV's do look much better than the 720p TV's, so cheaper isn't always better in this case! The 32" I have hooked up to my Desktop Computer right now is a 720p and the picture is horrible. The 42" I'm casting to right now is a 1080p and it looks much better! But again, it will NEVER be my Primary Monitor!

I also have Neck problems and the small screens are easier on my Neck. I have a 26" monitor on my Desktop Computer and I rarely ever use that computer because it hurts my neck. Some of this is caused because I have Bi-Focals (Blended Lenses) and have to tilt my head back to use the Bi-Focal part of my glasses. I do have a 22" Monitor hooked up to that computer, so I guess I shouldn't use the larger monitor and being the reason I don't use that computer (guess I should use my Laptops as the reasons)!

Guess I'm saying: Don't just go out and Buy a Cheap TV. You will regret it in the long run! Spend a little more and get a better TV, your Eyes will thank you! Not sure what size you're looking for but you can pick up a 32" Samsung with 1080p for under $200. For another $60-$80 you could have a Samsung Smart TV.
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