Our laptop allows us to do many things. We can work, surf the Internet and also use it to stay in touch with friends and family. In addition, we have the possibility of using it also as a multimedia center. For it, we can connect the laptop to the TV. Thus, we can see on television everything that is on the laptop. A good option to watch series, movies, videos or images.
Connecting our laptop to the TV is simple. Although many users do not know very well how to do it. We have several ways available for it. Next we are going to explain the different ways we have to do this. So you know how the laptop connects to the TV.
This way you will be able to use your computer as a multimedia center in a simple way and give new uses to both devices.
Guide Index
By cable
The first of the ways is probably the simplest and most comfortable of all that we can use. To connect our laptop to the TV we can use a cable. It's as simple as that. In addition, we have different types of cables that make this process possible. Therefore, we explain below the various options that are within this category.
HDMI Cable
Surely most of you this option sounds familiar. It is the most common and simple option to connect the laptop to the TV. In order to do this we need an HDMI cable with a double male connection to carry out this process. Although it is important that we first check that both the television and the computer have a connector for this type of cable.
Once we have purchased this and have the appropriate cable to carry out this process, the steps to carry out are as follows.
We have to turn on the TV and the laptop. We look at the back or on the sides of our TV for an HDMI connection, it is usually indicated. So it will be easy for you to identify it. Most likely it will be at the rear, but it depends on each model. Once the location is located, we simply have to connect the HDMI cable to the television.
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Then we repeat the same operation with our laptop. Therefore, we find the place where the HDMI connector is located and connect the cable. When we have done this we will see how the laptop blinks for a few seconds. This is because it is identifying the HDMI connection. So there is nothing to worry about.
The next thing we have to do is take the TV remote and look for the option to change the input. There is usually a button that says "Source" or "Input" when pressing on it we get a menu where we have the possibility to choose HDMI.
We also have to choose HDMI on our laptop. Normally the most common thing is that we can press F5 and we get the possibility to choose HDMI. Once this is done, we can now enjoy our TV to see the contents that are on the laptop.
Note: HDMI connection transmits audio and video using the same cable. You won't need any more cables.
VGA cable
Another option we have available to connect our laptop to the TV is to use the VGA cable. This is a possibility that is still valid, although It usually gives a somewhat lower quality than if we use the HDMI cable. But, we show you the steps to follow in this case if you want to use the VGA cable.
We have to use a VGA cable with two males, they usually have blue connectors. Therefore, we have to find where the connector for the VGA cable is located on both the television and the computer. Once we have located it, we simply have to connect the cable at both ends.
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On the television control, click on “Source” or “Input” and select the VGA or PC option. It may vary depending on the model. So it depends on the television you have, but it will be one of these two.
On our laptop we press the F5 key next to the Fn key. We wait a few moments and the TV and the laptop will have been synchronized correctly. We can now consume the contents of the computer on our TV.
Note: The VGA connection only transmits the image. To listen to the audio on the TV you will need a 3,5mm audio cable or an optical cable if your laptop has an optical output.
DVI
Third we have another possible cable that makes this connection possible. In this case this connection is used to transmit video. So it is a good option if we want to watch series or movies using TV. In addition, it stands out for its great image and audio quality. That is why it is such a good option for this purpose.
The process is unchanged from HDMI. We simply have to locate on the television if there is an input port for DVI. Also look for the connector on our laptop. In this case you have to be careful, since in general many laptops do not have this port. So you probably can't use DVI.
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But, going back to the process, we must locate the connectors, connect both ends of the cable and go to the television control and click on "Source" or "Input". In this way we have access and we simply have to wait for the computer to recognize it. We press F5 on the laptop and we should wait for it to work.
These three are the most common options and that work best to connect the TV to the laptop.
No wires
We can use cables to connect our laptop and TV. It is a good option that works very well, but if we want, we also have the possibility of carrying out this process without using cables. Options that stand out especially for being very comfortable in this regard.
There are two possible options for connect laptop to TV wirelessly. We can use Chromecast or Apple TV if you have a Mac. Both options stand out for working well and are very fashionable. Below we explain how to make use of both.
chromecast
Chromecast gives us many possibilities. One of them is power connect the screen of our laptop and television in a simple way. So we can enjoy the contents of the laptop on TV whenever we want. Although not all users know how this is achieved. The steps that we have to carry out are the following:
First you have to open Chrome and click on the options icon (three dots) and we choose the option to send. An option will open to us to connect to Chromecast directly. Next we have to click on the send option that appears in the blue bar in the Chromecast connection window. The sharing tab options are displayed and we select the one to send desktop.
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By selecting this option we are sending the entire screen in the same way that we see it on the computer. But we have several options to choose from, so you can select the one that suits you best. Once chosen, we return to the previous window and click on the name of the Chromecast of our house.
Before the broadcast begins, a preview screen opens where we can see a preview of what will be seen on our TV screen. All we have to do is press share and after a few seconds the TV will start showing what is on the laptop screen. Most likely there is a one second delay in the broadcast. But it is not at all worrisome.
You can see that it is very easy to connect the laptop and your TV using Chromecast. So if you have this device at home, it is a good option to use in this process.
Apple TV
Apple TV is the option for users who own a Mac to be able to connect your computer with the TV. So it fulfills a similar function to Chromecast, but for Apple. We explain below the steps you have to carry out in this case.
In this case we have to have the Apple TV turned on and we can start the process on our computer. We go to the Mac and click on the AirPlay icon at the top of the screen. It is in the shape of a rectangle with a triangle that is inserted into it. You will recognize it right away.
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Once we click on this icon, a drop-down menu opens. One of the options is the Apple TV. So we have to click on it. In case they do not go out, it is important to verify that both the Mac and Apple TV are connected to the same network. Since it is usually the most common problem in this case.
Once we have clicked on Apple TV, the AirPlay menu opens. At the bottom you will see that there is an option one to duplicate the screen. Make sure that this option is pressed. In doing so we are making what appears on the computer screen to be shown on TV. Therefore, we mark this option and exit. After a few seconds we will see on the Apple TV the same thing that appears on the computer screen.
plex
Another option for make our TV a multimedia center is to use Plex. This is an option that is not so well known, but it was quite popular a couple of years ago. Although it has lost some strength before the advancement of options such as Chromecast. But thanks to it we are going to see on TV what is on the computer screen.
First we have to create a local network in which the devices in question are connected. Therefore, both the Smart TV and our laptop and others must be connected to it. You may already have it created. If not, we must go to the laptop and go to workgroups within the system in the configuration. There we can create this local network that will allow us this.
When we have configured this network for our home, we have to create a user account in Plex. So we go to the company's website and in it we have the possibility of creating this account. You can do it in this link. When we are done, an email is sent to us with the information and we can now access the account.
The next thing to do is download Plex Media Center on our computer. On the company's own page there is a download section where we have the program available. Once downloaded, we open it and we can enter it with our account. Next we create our own library with the contents that we want to have in it.
We have to download the Plex application also on our Smart TV. Thanks to this we will be able to synchronize the contents that are in the laptop and access the library that we have created from our TV. So you can watch these contents easily on TV whenever you want.
Mini PC
If none of the above options convince you, perhaps you should consider purchasing a mini computer and use it exclusively as HTPC to watch movies, listen to music or play games from your TV.
Telecommunications Engineer closely linked to the world of computing. I complement my daily work with a suitable laptop for my tasks and I help you to achieve the same adapted to your needs.
