How to connect your laptop to your TV via HDMI: expand the computer's capabilities

How to watch TV via a laptop with HDMI connection - general information

It stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. That is, high-definition multimedia interface. Physically it represents two devices connected via a cable. In this case, it connects the laptop and TV. Naturally, you need to both have HDMI ports. Before you bring a laptop to the TV screen, it is necessary to know that there are several versions of the interface, and the technology is constantly evolving. Depending on the version changes the interface's ability to support the resolution bandwidth and other parameters. Last current version, released in early 2017, - 2.1.

Types HDMI-cable

There are three basic form factor, where the HDMI-cable can be carried out. First - A simple type having 19 pins, is used in full-size devices - computers, televisions and set-top boxes. It is the most common type. Mini-HDMI type C - a compact connector, which is used in no less compact devices - smartphones, tablets, netbooks and sometimes graphics cards. It is also equipped with 19 contacts and its characteristics is not inferior to its "big" brother.

Micro-HDMI Type D - the smallest jack in the whole family. Despite its size, it also contains 19 contacts, and fully complies with the specifications. In addition to the mini-version is used in smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other portable devices.

In fact there are two other types - B and E. The first is only in the official specification, but in real devices has never been applied, as it has 26 contacts and quite large. The second is quite rare - used in automotive multimedia systems. Equipped with 19 contacts, and has an additional shielding for protection from interference due to other vehicle devices. There is a huge amount of adapters and adapters for other types of connectors that allow you to display an image from a laptop over HDMI, for devices such as the old TV or PC.

Connecting a laptop to a TV via HDMI

Nothing unusual and complex in the process there is no connection. The only before connecting laptop to your TV over HDMI, it is desirable to ensure that both versions of the interface satisfy the parameters of the transmitted data.

Where is the HDMI input on your TV and laptop

TVs connector may be located either behind or on the side panel. It is easy to identify it, since it is unique, and connect to other cable will not work.

HDMI-input on the laptop and especially not standardized, so it can be anywhere. But it is most common on the back of the device.

Setting the TV to connect via HDMI

To switch the TV in the reception of an HDMI signal mode, you need to explicitly ask for it on the menu. Typically, the remote has the type of Source or Input button. In the TV menu, you need to look for items with the name "source signal" or "Data Source". Naturally, the need to make adjustments after the HDMI cable is connected to a TV and a laptop.

How to set up and turn on the HDMI on a laptop

If your TV simply specify the source of the signal on your PC sometimes have a bit of tweaking connection. Before you connect your laptop to your TV, you can select the type of display. Usually by default it will simply duplicate the source screen. But you can specify other types. In versions of Windows 7 and above this can be done by pressing Win + P. As soon as a window opens where you can select the connection options.

There are only 4:

• Once the computer. The signal will not be transmitted to the TV, but only at a laptop screen;
• duplicate. The TV screen will be exactly the same as the PC screen;
• expand. This type adds another screen, which can be run separately, for example, video or open a website, while another application will be used on a laptop;
• Only the projector. The signal will not be repeated on a PC, and will leave only on TV.

TV resolution is usually adjusted automatically. But it can be changed manually in the settings of the operating system screen.

Setting the sound transmission from the laptop to the TV

As we know, HDMI is capable of transmitting and sound. But not always it happens in practice. To switch the sound, you need to turn to the sound settings in the operating system. To do this, simply right click on the speaker icon in the system tray, and select "Playback Devices".

This opens a window that displays all the possible devices that can output sound. Among them must be present and connected TV. By clicking on it, right click and select "Set as Default", we switch the sound on the TV.

What if the laptop is not connected to the TV via HDMI

Yes, when you connect problems can occur, but it is possible and it is necessary to deal with them. Consider two of the most frequent case.

The laptop does not see the HDMI cable from the TV

Be a situation can only two cases: physical cabling or connector and a problem with the video card drivers.

Calculate whether the damaged wire from a laptop to a TV, you can try to connect another. You also need to ensure that the appropriate version and choose the appropriate version of the cable. With the connector all the more difficult to establish whether the case in it at home is really quite difficult. If only to try to switch the cable into the other available slot. The video card everything is easier - it is necessary to update the driver, or, on the contrary, they roll back to an older version.

TV does not see a laptop via HDMI

The reasons why television did not see a laptop via HDMI, too, can be a little. The first thing that comes to mind - incorrectly set the signal source. On some models, with 2 or more connectors may be confused and choose the wrong one. It is worth checking the correctness of the choice.

Also, it is likely that the HDMI may not operate properly due to the Smart TV. The situation is rare, but still happens. It should try to update the software. In all other cases, the suspicion can fall only on the failure of cable or connector.

How to connect your laptop to your TV via Wi-Fi.In a special publication of our portal, we describe in detail how to connect your TV to your laptop via WiFi. You will learn the advantages and disadvantages of the connection laptop to your TV via Wi-Fi, both the notebook display the image on a TV with DLNA technology and how to use a laptop to display the image on the TV technology WiDi.

How to connect the HDMI output of a laptop to an old TV

Since the standard of the young, the old TV is not equipped with these connectors. So you have to figure out which inputs have TV, and, building on this, look for an adapter or adapter for HDMI. In fact, connectors are not so many, and they all differ in the number of contacts and form. But under all of them have adapters and adapters. It looks like the TV inputs:

Title	Photo	Description
SCART	SCART connector	Universal and the old standard, which can even be seen on the new TV. And transmits the audio and video.
S-Video	S-Video connector	The standard divides the video into two parts and transfers separately. It does not transmit sound and are becoming increasingly rare.
component	component connector	Divides the video in three gradations, and audio into two channels. It encountered so far.
composite	composite connector	It transmits video over a single cable, and the sound is divided into right and left channel. It is used less and less.
VGA	VGA connector	An established video transmission interface to the PC. It does not transmit sound. By the way, if a laptop has an additional VGA, which is not uncommon, it does not need an adapter.
DVI	DVI connector	Gradually outdated standard. Only transfers the video.

Now you can determine what types of connectors installed on your old TV, and choose the appropriate adapter or adapter.

How to connect a TV with a laptop if the laptop is no HDMI connector

In general, it is difficult to imagine a situation where on the laptop no video interface connector, which would allow an alternative way to connect the HDMI. But perhaps just on the laptop does not work HDMI-out. Since all modern TV has a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, while the PC has a USB, which is universal, then there are always other ways to connect.

The solution is to connecting the laptop to the TV wirelessly, through both the DLNA, and using a variety of WiDi, or Wi-Fi Direct. For DLNA need to be in the same network, and the other two - support these technologies both devices.

Another interesting way - to connect a special USB-HDMI adapter. This is nothing, as an external graphics card with HDMI-connector. A rare thing in the Russian market, but foreign websites of online shops to find the device as possible. If you know of interesting ways to connect the PC to the TV, you can share them in the comments.