This tutorial will teach you how to set up your Monitor as a TV and TV as a Monitor. Also, understand the difference between TV and laptop monitors:
With such huge TV screens and better resolution, we are often tempted to use our TV as a monitor. We have also come to use our monitor as a TV. Technology is merging, and that gives us the freedom to use one as the other.
In this article, we will help you understand the difference between TV and laptop monitors. We will also tell you everything you should know about using the monitor as a TV and TV as a monitor.
By the time you are finished, you will know how to set up your monitor as a TV and vice versa, should you use the TV as a computer monitor or not? Will it work or not? And all the other things you need to know.
What You Will Learn:
How is a Computer Monitor Different from a TV
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The TV and computer monitors have a lot in common. They both come in HD displays, and their function, price, and size can often overlap. Even with limiting differences between them, they are still distinct from one another.
Refer to the table below:
| Computer Monitor | TV Monitor |
|---|---|
| Usually come in smaller sizes | Usually come in larger sizes |
| Wider or narrower aspect ratio than 16:9 | Standard 16:9 aspect ratio |
| Capable of displaying high-resolution images | Have High-resolution screen |
| Supports a wide variety of ports except coaxial cable connection | Supports various ports including USB, VGA, HDMI |
| Support multiple accessories and display modes but not simultaneously | Allows switching between several inputs |
| Might not come with built-in audio jacks or speakers | Always come with built-in speakers |
What we have been trying to tell you is that both monitors are similar, but not essentially the same. And then, you must also consider the cost and the features that come at that price. Although with technological advancements, even laptops are becoming as expensive as TVs, sometimes we find it hard to even compare.
Turning Monitor to TV
Your computer monitor must have some specific modern capabilities for you to convert your monitor to a tv.
Can You Turn Your Monitor to TV?
Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you can turn your monitor to the TV:
- Is there an HDMI input, a DisplayPort connection, or a VGA connector on your computer?
- Does it have a built-in speaker or an audio jack?
- Does your computer support a minimum resolution of 720p?
If the answer to all these questions is yes, then you can easily convert your Monitor to a TV screen.
How to Use Your Monitor as a TV
With monitors that come with HDMI ports, it is simple to convert them into a TV screen. However, older monitors rarely have HDMI ports. In such cases, you can use the VGA converter instead.
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To use a VGA converter, your media source must have an HDMI input. This adapter will also help you with the sound by allowing you to plug the soundbar right into it. This could be especially helpful if you are not happy with the built-in speaker of your computer.
Now, to attach a cable or antenna signal, you will need a TV tuner that will decode the signals and transform them into a picture. TVs usually come with a TV tuner while computers don’t come with one.
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Most people use Amazon Fire TV Stick with a monitor to watch anything on their computer. It doesn’t need a complicated setup and devices like TV tuners. It is simple, just plug it into your computer’s HDMI port and play it.
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Hooking a Cable Box
Hooking a cable box to a monitor is easy. Plug one end of the cable to the HDMI port of your cable box and the other end to your computer monitor. It is as easy as that. If you don’t have an HDMI port on your computer, you can also use the HDMI to VGA converter.
If your system has an HDMI input but no audio, you will need HDMI Audio Extractor. Your HDMI cord from your cable box will go directly into the extractors. Then plug the HDMI cable from the extractor into your monitor for the video signal.
Suggested Reading =>> Compare Different Types Of USB Cables
Connecting TV Antenna
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This is the case where you don’t have a cable box or Wi-Fi, and you don’t want a smart TV setup. You can use a TV antenna and TV tuner instead. The coaxial cable from the TV antenna will go into the tuner’s RF input. Then, connect the HDMI cable to your monitor. If you have an AV input, you can use the AV cables to connect the tuner to your computer.
There are various ways of using the monitor as a TV. Of course, you will need some extra hardware, which some of you might find to be a bit of a hassle. If you find it troublesome, we advise you to invest in a budget TV. There are many amazing options and you will not have to deal with the set-up as well.
Can you use the TV as a Computer Monitor
Often asked- Can I use the TV as a second monitor for a laptop? Yes, you can. Here, we will tell you how.
If you want to use your TV as a computer monitor, you will need to connect them using an HDMI or DP cable. First, make sure both devices have HDMI and DP ports. Once you have connected the cables, switch your TV to the right input source. Also, match the resolution of your PC to that of your TV.
To do this:
- Go to your PC settings.
- Click on System.
- Go to Display.
- Select Advanced settings.
- Click on Display adapter properties for Display 1.
- Go to List All Modes.
- Pick the resolution that matches your TV.
If you have an older laptop model, you might need to use Digital Visual Interface or DVI cables. It uses the same technology as HDMI but is a larger connector.
Also Read =>> Top USB Wifi Adapter
Setting up TV as a Second Monitor
If you are thinking of using a TV as a monitor, here’s how you can set up your TV as a second monitor. Here we have used screenshots from Windows 8.
- Go to your GPU manufacturer’s website and check the number of displays your GPU supports. It should at least support two for using TV as a second monitor.
- Check for ports on your laptop. Modern systems usually come with HDMI and Display Ports, while older interfaces usually have VGA and DVI ports. If you have just one monitor port and you need to connect more monitors, use a splitter.
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- Connect your TV to your PC and select the input source.
- Press Windows+P keys.
- Choose from the given options.
- Right-click on the empty space on your Desktop.
- Select Screen Resolution.
- Click on Multiple displays.
- Select either duplicate or extend.
- Arrange the display orientation settings to match the physical placement of your screen.
- Click Apply and OK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) How can I turn my monitor into a smart TV?
Answer: You can connect your laptop to a Fire TV stick, Blu-ray, or cable box via HDMI cable and turn it into a smart TV.
Q #2) Can you convert a computer monitor into a TV?
Answer: Yes, you can easily convert a computer monitor into a TV and a TV into a monitor.
Q #3) Can we use the monitor as a TV without a CPU?
Answer: Yes, you can, but you will need ports for RCA and digital sound cables, depending on what kind your cable box uses.
Q #4) How can I watch TV on my monitor without a computer?
Answer: You will need a TV tuner box, a cable, a satellite subscription, or an antenna to watch TV on your monitor. If your monitors don’t have speakers, you will also need these.
Q #5) Can I use a monitor with my phone?
Answer: You can cast your phone to your monitor if you want to use it with your phone.
Conclusion
It is easy to use a PC monitor as a TV because computer monitors are generally smaller, and they come with more pixels in their smaller spaces. That’s why their resolution is better. If you use your 8K TV as a monitor, use a wired setup to maintain its sharp resolution. For a 4K TV, you can use a streaming tech.
We hope by now you know how to turn your TV into a monitor or vice versa effortlessly since we have explained both the processes in great detail. We have also mentioned how to adjust the resolution of your monitor and how to tweak the other settings for a better view.