In order to connect your laptop to your TV, you will need an HDMI cable.
Purchasing the right one and knowing how to connect it to your devices, these are the questions that Raz Tech wants to answer in this blog post.
HDMI* (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the current standard for connecting your video and audio devices. Requiring little configuration, it transfers both audio and video signal digitally. It allows you to connect your electronic devices without having to worry about color-coded cables or multiple plugs. An HDMI cable will carry both video and audio signal from a device to your final display, connecting devices like an USB cable. We would suggest you buy a cable a bit longer than what you need after measurements: for example for a 3-foot cable, you should get the next length up in case you'll move your devices around.
FYI: If you plan on running HDMI cables over long distances (longer than 25 feet - 7.6m), you will have to get a signal booster for these cables to transmit the signal. Active cables or booster boxes require an external power source.
Methods to connect your HDMI cables:
I) The Home Theater System1°- Find the HDMI on all your devices
You simply need to plug the cable into each device: if your receiver has enough HDMI input ports and your TV has one HDMI input, you will be able to connect all of your devices to get the best possible quality from your home theater.
2°- Check which version of HDMI your TV supports
Check that you TV supports HDMI 1.4 ARC (Audio Return Channel): Most TVs made after 2009. It allows the TV to send audio back to the receiver, which routes your TV sound through your home theater speakers.
- If your TV doesn't support HDMI 1.4, you will need to use a separate audio cable to connect TV to receiver. The best for that is a digital optical audio cable. You just have to connect the digital optical cable from the TV output to the receiver input.
- If you are watching TV through a cable box that is connected to your receiver, don't worry about ARC cause the sound is coming from the cable box into the receiver.
3°- Connect your devices to your receiver inputs via HDMI
This is including DVD/Blu-ray players, game consoles, and more. In the case you've got limited HDMI inputs, use HDMI cables for the most recent devices first (they will benefit the most) (For example: if you only have two HDMI inputs on your receiver and you have a Xbox One, a PlayStation 4 and DVD player, plug the game consoles in with HDMI and use a component connection for the DVD player. They will benefit more from the HDMI connections.
4°- Connect the HDMI output on the receiver to the HDMI input on the TV
You allow the image from all the devices connected to your receiver appear on your TV.
5°- Use your remote to switch between inputs on your receiver
If all your devices are routed through your receiver, you can set your TV to the HDMI and switch between inputs.
6°- Connect your device direct to your TV
Even you are not setting up a home theater system, you can still plug your HDMI directly to your TV and then control the inputs using the TV remote.
7°- Enable HDMI-CEC
This allows you to control your HDMI-connected devices using one HDMI remote, instead of using the TV remote. HDMI-CEC is enabled in your device's settings menu, and will have to be enabled for each device that you want to control.
- HDMI-CEC can have different names such as Anynet + (Samsung), Aquo Link (Sharp) , Regza Link (Toshiba), SimpLink (LG)...etc.
II) Computer to TV
1°- Find the HDMI ports
Newest computers have HDMI ports but if yours doesn't, you will need to install a new video card. They are typically located on the back or on the side of the computer/laptop.
- If your computer doesn't have an HDMI port but a DisplayPort or DVI, you can just purchase an adapter that will allow you to connect an HDMI cable. (If DVI, you will also need an additional cable for audio).
2°- Connect the computer to an HDMI input on your TV
Put an HDMI cable between the two devices. Your computer should detect your TV automatically if it is turned on.
3°- Switch to the input using your TV remote
Your TV needs to be set to the HDMI input that your computer is connected to.
Use the "Input" function on your remote to find the right one. If you're not sure, look at the physical port on the TV, they labeled.
4° Choose your computer image display
There are several options for displaying your computer's image on TV. Choose the mode that works better in the computer's display menu:
- Windows: Right-Click on your desktop and select Screen Selection
- OS X: Click on the Apple Menu, select System Performance, and then Displays.
Then, you can:
- Set your TV to be your primary display (shut off your computer monitor)
- Mirror your display (same image on your computer and your TV)
- Extend your desktop so that both monitor and TV comprise your desktop space.
III) Game Console to TV
1°- Plug your console into your TV's HDMI input
Note that not all consoles support HDMI except the new ones like most Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, Wii U and Xbox One.
The Wii doesn't support HDMI and the original Xbox 360 neither.
2°- Switch to the HDMI input using your TV remote
3°- Configure your console to connect through the HDMI cable
Most consoles will automatically detect the HDMI cable and attempt to configure the best settings or you may go through a short setup.
Source: Wikihow, Quora