Connect Laptop to TV: HDMI

Showing posts with label HDMI. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Connect Nettop to TV | Home Theater PC

One solution, and the solution that I personally use for connecting my laptop to my TV, is to get rid of my laptop all together. Instead of constantly messing with cables, changing resolutions and screen settings, and booting up my laptop all the time, I decided it was worth the investment to buy a Nettop for about $350.

A nettop (half netbook, half desktop) is a very small computer that runs silently, puts off very little heat, and uses hardly any power. They're about the size of the Nintendo Wii, so they'll fit easily in your entertainment center, and can run any media file you can run on your laptop.

At my house I have an Acer AspireRevo 1600, but they're currently discontinued. The new Acer model is the AspireRevo AR3700-U3002.

Acer AspireRevo AR3700-U3002

With a 250GB hard drive, 2GB RAM, an HDMI-out port, 6 USB ports, and an Intel ION graphics card, this device will be the last thing you ever need to connect to your TV. The AR3700 comes with Windows 7 pre-installed, so all you need to do is plug in the power cord, included mouse and keyboard, and connect it to your TV with a garden variety HDMI cable. Then just power the nettop on, use the built-in WiFi to connect to your home network, and you instantly have yourself an excellent Home Theater Personal Computer (HTPC).

Of course, there are a few things that you could consider purchasing to make your HTPC setup that much more enjoyable...

4GB SODIMM DDR3 PC3-10600

While the AR3700 comes with 2GB RAM pre-installed, you can get a lot more power out of it by simply adding more RAM. It is not recommended to mix RAM modules, as it can cause blue screens and other technical problems. If you buy this 2GB x 2 set from Crucial you can't go wrong. Installing it is simple and it is the single biggest DIY hardware improvement that will make your nettop faster.

HDMI Cable

Without an HDMI Cable it will be difficult to connect your nettop to your TV. Simply plug one end into your AspireRevo's HDMI output and the other end into your TV's HDMI input, switch your TV's input to HDMI, and your nettop is successfully connected to your TV. Of course, if your nettop or TV doesn't have an HDMI connection you can check out your other options with my easy to use form that shows what cables you need to connect your laptop to your TV.

Logitech diNovo Mini

Lastly, and probably my favorite gadget in my entire house, is the Logitech diNovo Mini. This small device featured in several episodes of 24 makes controlling your TV-connected nettop (or laptop) as easy as possible from the comfort of your couch. The diNovo mini connects to your nettop or laptop via a USB Bluetooth connection, allowing you to wirelessly control your HTPC from up to 30 feet away. It allows for control of both keyboard, mouse, and media buttons through possibly the most intuitive compact controls I've ever used.

In my experience it holds a charge for 3-4 days of regular use before needing to be plugged in. It fits perfectly in the palms of your hands and takes up a lot less space than a full-sized keyboard and mouse would in your living room.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Index of Ports (Inputs and Outputs)

Video

Digital Video

HDMI (Can carry both audio and video)

DVI

Analog Video

VGA (High Resolution Analog)

S-Video/RCA (Yellow) (Low Resolution Analog)

Audio

Digital Audio (Provides Surround Sound)

Optical

Coaxial

Analog Audio

RCA (White and Red) Stereo

3.5mm (mini-jack) Stereo

Connect DVI Laptop to S-Video/RCA TV

Your Laptop (DVI Out)

Your TV (S-Video/RCA In)

While an extremely unorthodox setup, sometimes you have to work with what you have. In the instance of connecting your laptop's DVI OUTPUT to your TV's S-Video/RCA INPUT you'll need a few things. Before reading further though, I'd recommend using just about any other cable and conversion method available to you before doing this, as it requires more than 1 or 2 cables and a converter and to me just seems like more of a hassle than it's worth.

DVI to HDMI Cable

This cable allows you to send your digital signal from your laptop's DVI OUTPUT to your converter's HDMI INPUT in a single cable.

HDMI to S-Video/RCA Converter

Once your DVI to HDMI cable is connected to your laptop's DVI OUTPUT, connect it to this converter's HDMI INPUT. Since DVI is unable to carry audio, this will only convert your laptop's video to an analog signal, meaning the only two cables that need to come out of this converter's OUTPUT are an S-Video cable (optional for better quality) and a single RCA video cable. There should be NO cables connected to the LEFT (white) and RIGHT (red) audio outputs, as there is no audio signal coming from them in this scenario.

RCA Video Cable

Connect one end of this RCA Video cable to your HDMI to S-Video/RCA converter's video OUTPUT and the other end to your TV's video INPUT.

S-Video Cable

For better video quality, connect one end of this S-Video cable to your HDMI to S-Video/RCA converter's video OUTPUT and the other end to your TV's S-Video INPUT.

Recommended Audio Connection

3.5mm to RCA Y-Splitter

There are many ways you can connect your audio to your TV, except in this convoluted solution the absolute easiest method is to get a simple 3.5mm to RCA stereo Y-Splitter. Connect the 3.5mm end to your laptop's headphone jack for audio OUTPUT, and the other end to your TV's left (white) and right (red) audio INPUTS. For more information regarding this cable, please read my article on connecting your laptop to TV via 3.5mm to RCA Y-Splitter.

Connect HDMI Laptop to S-Video RCA TV

Your Laptop (HDMI Out)

Your TV (S-Video/RCA Out)

When dealing with newer laptops and older TVs, sometimes the only option is to take that excellent digital audio and video quality provided by your laptop and bastardize it down to an analog technology originally designed in the early 1940's. That's when you have to convert your laptop's HDMI output to your TV's S-Video or RCA input. Fortunately, it can be done for less than $50... Which is a lot cheaper than buying a new TV! Here's what you need to make it happen.

HDMI Cable

A simple HDMI cable will carry a digital signal from your laptop's HDMI OUPUT to your HDMI to RCA converter's HDMI INPUT port.

HDMI to S-Video/RCA Converter

This device converts the digital HDMI signal from your laptop into an analog source that is output via S-Video and RCA cables. There are many models out there, but this one so far carries the best reviews and the most reasonable price.

To use it, plug the HDMI cable originating from your laptop into the adapter's HDMI INPUT end, and plug one end of your S-Video and RCA cables into the adapter's OUTPUT end.

S-Video Cable

While not entirely necessary for the HDMI to RCA conversion to work properly, the use of an S-Video cable will improve your video quality. It won't be mind-blowing by any stretch of the imagination, but it will make your image crisper and text easier to read.

One end of the S-Video cable will plug into your adapter's S-Video OUTPUT and the other end will plug into your TV's S-Video INPUT port.

Component (RCA) Cable

The old tried-and-true, 3-color RCA cable is still probably the most common A/V connector cable available. Each of the three cables are physically identical, but are color coded for ease of use. Traditionally, the yellow cable carries video, red carries right-channel audio, and white carries left-channel or mono audio.

As with the S-Video cable, one end of each of the three cables will plug into the adapter's Video, Left, and Right OUTPUT while their corresponding ends will plug into your TV's Video, Left, and right INPUT port.

HDMI to S-Video/RCA Audio Options

If you are able to transmit audio through your HDMI cable, there's nothing else you need to do. The converter takes care of the audio and you're in business. However, if your video card is unable to transmit audio over your HDMI cable, there are a few other common options for you to connect your laptop's audio to your TV's speakers.

Connect HDMI Laptop to VGA TV

Your Laptop (HDMI Out)

Your TV (VGA In)

If connecting your laptop to your TV directly with an HDMI cable or with an HDMI to DVI converter cable isn't an option, the next best option is to use an HDMI to VGA converter. While VGA is not a digital signal like HDMI or DVI, and therefore will never be quite as crystal clear, it does allow for higher resolutions than its component, S-Video, and RCA counterparts.

Using an HDMI to VGA converter to connect your laptop to your TV will allow for 1920x1080 resolutions (the same pixel resolution as 1080p), but when viewing the same picture at the same resolution through an HDMI cable, the trained eye will notice a slight difference in quality. In order to successfully connect your laptop's HDMI output to your TV's VGA input, you'll need the following items.

HDMI cable

First, you'll need a standard HDMI cable. Nothing fancy is necessary; a simple, $3-$5 cable with good reviews is all you need. Don't get tricked by a salesman at Best Buy into buying a $200 "guaranteed for life" Monster cable that carries the exact same 1's and 0's as a $5 BlueRigger cable.

One end of this HDMI cable will attach to your laptop's HDMI OUTPUT and the other end will attach to your HDMI to VGA converter's HDMI INPUT.

HDMI to VGA Converter

Since HDMI carries a digital signal and VGA carries an analog signal, a converter is necessary to connect your HDMI laptop to your VGA TV. In addition to converting video, this adapter also will take audio from your HDMI cable if you so desire and output it to an analog 3.5mm audio format.

To use this adapter, simply plug the HDMI cable originating from your laptop into the adapter's HDMI INPUT port and plug one end of your VGA cable into the adapter's VGA OUTPUT slot.

VGA cable

Lastly, you'll need a VGA cable to carry the analog signal from the adapter to your TV. A VGA cable is your basic monitor cable and usually has a blue colored plug on each end. If you have a spare montior cable lying around (make sure it's VGA and not DVI) that will work as well.

One end of your VGA cable should already be plugged into your adapter's VGA OUTPUT port, so simply plug the other end into your TV's VGA INPUT port, change your TV's input to VGA, and you should be up and running!

HDMI to VGA Audio Options

While HDMI cables have the ability to carry audio, VGA cables, being analog in nature, do not. There are several options you can pursue when connecting your laptop's audio to your TV's speakers. However, considering the build of the HDMI to VGA converter listed above, your best bet in my opinion is to simply buy a 3.5mm analog audio cable and connect it from your converter directly to your TV. Check to make sure your TV accepts 3.5mm audio input first, but chances are if it accepts VGA video input it does. Then, set your computer to send audio over HDMI and you're in business!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Connect HDMI Laptop to DVI TV and Vice Versa

Your Laptop (HDMI Out)

Your TV (DVI In)

Your Laptop (DVI Out)

Your TV (HDMI In)

Often times you'll find your laptop or desktop is equipped with an HDMI output, but your TV (or your friend's TV) is just old enough that it doesn't have an HDMI input. Fortunately, before HDMI became as popular as it is today, DVI inputs were widely available. If your laptop has an HDMI port and your TV has a DVI port, you can successfully connect your laptop to your TV using a single cable.

Since HDMI and DVI are both digital signals that are very closely related, no converters are necessary. All you need to get a video signal from your laptop to your TV is this 3 meter HDMI to DVI adapter cable from Amazon. Be careful wwhen purchasing an HDMI to DVI adapter cable, as digital signals can sometimes only be sent in one direction. However, this specific cable has the ability to transmit both ways, so whether you want to connect your HDMI laptop out put to your DVI TV input or connect your DVI laptop output to your HDMI TV input you're good to go.

Once you have the necessary cable, plug the HDMI end into your laptop and the DVI end into your TV (or vice versa). Take note of the input name the DVI port is associated with, and set your TV to that input. Once the TV input is set, you should have a crystal clear picture... But no sound.

HDMI to DVI Audio Options

While HDMI cables have the ability to carry audio, DVI cables unfortunately do not. Therefore, you'll need to purchase a separate cable if you wish to carry your laptop's audio to your TV. Take note when purchasing your desired audio cable that some TVs will automatically associate a single audio input with the DVI input method. This is most often the 3.5mm or "mini-jack" audio input. However, some TVs allow more flexibility. If you're unsure, you should check with your TV's manual before purchasing an audio cable. I have listed the following audio connectivity options in order of highest quality to lowest quality. Click on them to read the description and connectivity methods of each.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Connect Laptop to TV via HDMI

Back in the day it was an accepted fact that in order to transfer audio and video from one source to another they needed to be transferred over at least two separate cables. Anyone who has ever bought a VCR is likely more than familiar with these old-school RCA cables.

With these cables, the yellow cable carried the video data, the white cable carried left-channel (or mono) audio, and the right cable carried right-channel audio. If you had all three outputs on your VCR but your TV only had the yellow and white inputs you were getting mono sound whether you liked it or not. Flash forward to 2003 and suddenly we were able to get pure digital video and surround sound over a single cable. Behold the magic of the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable!

HDMI Cable via Wikipedia

If your laptop and TV both have an input in this shape, chances are this little cable is all you need. To determine whether or not that's the case, check both your TV (or receiver) and laptop for an HDMI port. It may say HDMI or BD (short for Blu-Ray Disc), or any number of other various inputs. However, if it looks like this with the two tapered corners, it's an HDMI port.

HDMI input via Wikipedia

Connecting Your Laptop to Your TV

You'll want to find an HDMI output port on your computer and an HDMI input port on your TV or receiver. Since most computers and laptops do not possess an HDMI input, we can assume any HDMI slot found on your computer is HDMI output. First, make sure your laptop is booted up and your TV is turned on. Next, using your HDMI cable, connect the HDMI output on your laptop to the HDMI input on your TV. Take note of the exact name of the HDMI input you're plugging into on your TV (e.g. HDMI-1, HDMI-2, BD, SAT, etc...)

If you're really lucky, your TV will automatically change its input to the newly detected source and you'll instantly see a duplicated version of your desktop appear on the TV. If you're even luckier, the sound card on your laptop will automatically detect the change and will route all audio directly to the TV. However, if there's one thing I've learned over the years of dealing with IT and A/V equipment, it's that no one is ever that lucky.

If your TV did not automatically switch to the new input source, grab your TV's remote and press the button labeled Input or Source or TV/Video. It may be named something else, but those are the three most common button names I'm aware of. Keep pressing this button while you see the different inputs cycle through on your TV screen. Stop pressing it once you see the input on your TV screen match the input you plugged the HDMI cable into (HDMI-1, HDMI-2, BD, SAT, etc...) Now your TV is set to the proper input.

If you are still having issues with the video or audio not appearing as it should on your TV, please see my article on how to configure your laptop to connect to your TV.

Shopping for an HDMI Cable

Cables, accessories, and other various peripherals have long been the providers of the highest margins at retail electronic stores like Best Buy (trust me, I used to work at Circuit City). They'll try (and often succeed) in selling you the "top of the line, gold plated, guaranteed for life" cables for any electronic device you may purchase. One of my friends, without consulting me first, got suckered into buying a Monster brand, gold-plated, 10-foot HDMI cable for $120. The sales rep told him that it was the highest quality HDMI cable available and that it carried the best possible quality video and audio that was on the market. He said it was gold plated so it would never oxidize like some of the other "cheaper cables" and that if anything ever went wrong with it, he was guaranteed a replacement for life.

What the sales rep failed to mention to my friend was that HDMI carries a digital signal (that's literally 1's and 0's), so any quality signal is always going to be the highest possible quality. With digital signals the picture and audio either work... or they don't. There is no in between.

So, don't do what my friend did. When buying an HDMI cable to connect your laptop to your TV, buy in bulk and buy cheap. A simple, 2-meter HDMI cable that carries every signal you could possibly need only costs a few bucks on Amazon Prime... And for the price of 1 Monster cable from Best Buy you could buy 20 of these.