How to Use My TV as a Monitor for My Computer

Introduction

For many of us, our living room is the ultimate entertainment hub. Whether it's streaming the latest Netflix series or immersing ourselves in a video game, a large TV screen can make all the difference. However, sometimes we find ourselves switching between work mode and relaxation mode at home, and having to constantly turn off and on different screens can be a real hassle. Luckily, with modern technology, it's easy to connect a computer to a TV and use the TV as a monitor instead. This can give us a much larger and more immersive display, perfect for both work and play. Here are some tips to get started. And if you don’t have a big-screen TV yet, don’t forget to check out TCL XL Collection.

Can You Turn Your TV to Monitor?

You may want to use your TV as a monitor if you're looking for more screen space, or if the monitor on your computer is broken. To do this, you need to check your PC’s outputs and your HDTV’s inputs, and a few settings.

• Most current HDTVs come equipped with one or more HDMI connectors. This is the quickest and easiest way to connect, as well as the highest quality. Only HDMI allows for the transmission of both audio and video via a single wire.
• DVI is still present on many HDTVs and SD TVs, despite its declining use.
• VGA is often not available on HDTVs, however, it is available on standard-definition TVs.

You're good to go if your graphics card supports an HDMI output: Simply connect your Laptop to your HDMI with an HDMI cable.

Read more: Can I use my smart TV as a digital picture frame? If so, how?

Setup guide for windows

1. Recognize the computer connection method for your TV and make a note of the TV's input label.
2. Purchase the appropriate video cable for your selected connection. If your computer and TV don't have the same connector, you'll need an adaptor. For instance, you can purchase a DVI-to-HDMI adapter or cable if your computer has a DVI connector but your TV only has an HDMI port. Given that DVI doesn't enable audio in this situation, no audio could be transferred via HDMI. A wireless display adapter would be the best choice for Windows.
3. Connect your PC to your TV with a cable. You won't need any more cables if you are connecting HDMI to HDMI. An audio cable is also required if you are connecting in a different way.
4. Turn off your TV and PC first if you're using a VGA connection. You don't need to bother about shutting off your device for DVI and HDMI.
5. Your TV should now be on the proper input.
6. Change your computer's display to the TV's. You can choose "Screen Resolution" or "Properties" by right-clicking on the desktop in any version of Windows. You can choose between the various display modes by using the "Multiple displays" menu (computer, TV, extended desktop, or duplicate displays).
7. Change the display's resolution (if necessary). It's possible that the resolutions of your TV and computer monitors differ, and switching between them may result in blurred TV images. To choose a clear resolution, use the "Resolution" slider in the "Screen Resolution/Properties" window. Most HDTVs have a native resolution of 1920x1080. If you can, choose the "Recommended" option.

Explore our selection of smart TVs at TCL. Find smart TVs with different sizes, 4K HDR and QLED models, gaming TVs, and more.

Setup guide for Mac

Your Mac or MacBook may have one of four different connector types:

• HDMI - The HDMI port has tiny indents on each side and resembles a longer, slimmer USB port.
• Thunderbolt - This is a port that is slightly smaller than a USB port. Above it will be a little lightning bolt icon.
• Mini DisplayPort: This port has a similar appearance to the Thunderbolt port. A little box with a line on either side makes up the logo.
• Micro-DVI is one of the more ancient ports you might come upon. Although the connector resembles a tiny USB port, it has the same symbol as the Mini DisplayPort.

1. Locate the TV's input ports. They could be at the side or in the back. VGA, DVI, and HDMI are the three most used TV input connections.
2. Get the right adaptor (if necessary). You'll need a Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter if your TV supports HDMI but your Mac only has Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort.
3. Buy the right cable. Get any HDMI cable if your adaptor has an HDMI input. HDMI cables of any price range will function just as effectively. You'll need an audio cable in addition to the video cable if you're connected through DVI or VGA.
4. Connect your cables and adapter to your Mac.
5. Your TV should now be on the proper input.
   On your Mac, click the Apple menu and choose "System Preferences".
6. Choose "Displays" from the list of options under System Preferences.
7. Under the "Display" menu, choose the "Best for external display" option.
8. Choose "Arrangement" from the tabs.
9. Drag the TV's white menu bar from the computer's screen.
10. Choose "Sound" when you are back in the System Preferences box.

Also read: How To Cast Your Screen To Your Smart TV Using Chromecast

TCL TV Multiview 2.0

TCL TV Multiview 2.0 is a feature that allows you to cast up to four devices on one screen simultaneously. This feature can be used by many people at the same time, so you can enjoy Olympic Games Live+Netflix+Gaming+News Reading together with your family and friends!

(Available in C835)

Should I Buy a Monitor or a TV for My Computer?

As you can see, there are several advantages to using a TV as your computer monitor. For example, TVs are generally cheaper than monitors and they're also bigger, which is great if you want to play games or watch movies in high definition. They also tend to have more ports than monitors do--for example, many TVs come with HDMI inputs that let you connect them directly to your console or other devices like Blu-ray players.

Related: How to connect your laptop to your TV via HDMI or Wireless

Can I use my TV as a monitor for gaming?

Injecting your gaming adventures with grandeur, it's completely plausible and often beneficial to use your TV as a monitor for gaming. In the current digital landscape, modern TVs are equipped with rich functionalities that make them a tempting alternative to traditional gaming monitors.

Impressive screen sizes and superior resolution are the immediate benefits when you venture to use your TV as a monitor. Contemporary TVs offer expansive 4K and even 8K resolution, engendering a gaming reality that's engrossingly immersive and detailed.

But how exactly can you use your TV as a monitor for gaming? Wholly considered, it boils down to connectivity and compatibility. HDMI ports are pivotal in this setup, since most modern gaming consoles and TVs flaunt HDMI as a standard.

Your engagement to use your TV as a monitor would also be enhanced by the 'Game Mode' found in many TVs. This mode curtails input latency, rendering a game that's more interactive and swift.

Conclusion

That's it! You've now got your TV working as a monitor for your computer. It can be used for many things, including gaming and watching movies. If you want to go back to using your TV as usual, simply unplug the HDMI cable from your computer and plug it into one of the other ports on your TV.

Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube for the latest updates on our TCL products and events.