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Easy Steps to Connect Your Laptop To Your TV With a HDMI Cable

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How to Connect a Laptop to a TV

While most people stream video on their TV using a player like a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV, some opt for a more DIY approach and opt to use their laptop in lieu of a streaming device.

If that sounds like you, then check out the guide below for how to connect a laptop to a TV.

Connect Laptop to TV via HDMI

Most of the instructional guides out there focus on how to connect an older computer to a TV – via a DVI, VGA, S-Video, or an RCA connection. The problem with this approach is that analog video cables, such as these, break down the picture signal into three different cables — red, blue, and green.

When you’ve got analog cabling connecting digital sources (such as an LCD or plasma screen with a laptop), the digital video and sound signals have to be converted into analog to travel through the cable, before being re-converted back into digital at the receiving end. This leads to signal degradation and a resulting loss of video and sound quality.

Below I will explain how to hook a laptop to a TV, retain the highest video and sound quality possible, and how to access full episodes of your favorite TV shows online – with no monthly subscriptions costs of any kind.

What is HDMI?

Simply put, HDMI is an all-digital connector that can carry high-definition video and several digital audio channels all on the one cable. HDMI delivers the highest video and sound quality available and has been on the market for a while now, so most new DVD players, set-top boxes and TVs feature at least one HDMI port.

If you do not have HDMI on your computer you can use an adapter to convert HDMI to DVI.

Does your Laptop have an HDMI Out Port?

To connect your computer to a TV, your computer needs to have an output port that matches one of the input ports on your TV. And I know this is not what you want to hear, but if you do not have an HDMI Out port, you should probably buy a laptop that does.

The good news is that laptops have dropped dramatically in price in the last few years, and you can get a great laptop (with an HDMI Out port) for under $350. If you cancel cable today, that laptop (on average), will pay for its self in 3 ½ months. After that, you will be saving up to $100 a month and will have a nice laptop that will last for years to come.

What is HDMI

Is your Internet Connection Fast Enough?

Without a good internet connection, you will not be able to watch TV shows or movies in high-definition. Your object should be to reach a download speed of at least 5Mbps (Faster the Better).

If you find that your internet connection is too slow, try these helpful tips:

  • Connect via wired connection vs a wireless connection. Wireless speeds can vary based on device, transfer speed and interference.
  • Remove all other bandwidth-intensive applications (i.e. video games, file sharing, Skype).

If nothing seems to work contact your Internet Service Provider to find out what it would cost to increase your speed.

With cable costs going up and the economy getting worse, canceling cable is an excellent way to cut costs.  Are you ready to make the leap? If not, why?

As always, comments are welcome and encouraged. Cheers!

p.s. If you really enjoyed this post, please consider helping me out and spreading the word below! Thanks!

Ditch “Big Cable” Now – 3 Simple Steps to Cut the Cord

  1. Pick the right streaming service
  2. Get the content you deserve with the best VPN.
  3. Supercharge your internet provider

That’s it — you’ll save money, take back control, and enjoy TV more!

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Frank Moraes
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By Frank Moraes

Frank Moraes is Content Editor at HotDog where he oversees the creation and maintenance of articles. His focus is on sports and the regional programming issues that flummox streamers.

He has led the efforts to create pages that fully address problems fans have watching out-of-market NFL games. And he is responsible for the site's thorough coverage of the regional sports networks that are essential for fans of MLB, NBA, and NHL.

Frank got his PhD in Atmospheric Physics from Oregon Institute of Technology back in 1995. After that, he spent much of that time developing remote sensing technology including streaming video back in the days when most people were using VHS tapes.

Since that time, Frank has become a veteran tech writer who specializes in the nexus of entertainment and technology. It was natural that he gravitated toward the streaming industry. He started streaming early, back in 2007 when Netflix introduced "instant watch." Then Hulu started and he was hooked.

Outside his work life, Frank is a longtime cord-cutter. He streams pretty much everything while his library of thousands of Blu-rays and DVDs collects dust.

Frank currently subscribes to the following streaming services:

* Amazon Prime Video
* AMC+
* Curiosity Stream / Nebula
* Hulu / Disney+ / ESPN+
* Max
* Netflix
* NFL+ Premium
* Paramount+ / Showtime
* Peacock

He streams mostly on a Roku-powered TCL TV and a VIZIO with an Amazon 4K Fire TV stick.

Frank also writes about horror and other cult films at Psychotronic Review

Contact Frank with thoughts, questions, and story ideas at [email protected].

Frank's Work on HotDog.com:

7 replies on “Easy Steps to Connect Your Laptop To Your TV With a HDMI Cable

my desktop is so outdated any recommendation on what i should get to enhance my LCD?

I am trying to find a way to get rid of verizon forever!! I need
the best computer, tv, land line that I can get!!! Any help will be
appreciated. I have netfix streaming thru my wii and will be happy to
invest in other equipment to get my computer and tv off of verizon!!! Please help!!

Thank you so much for addressing my situation! I will be printing out your suggestions and will press forward in my emancipation from the choking bills of verizon!!!

Perfect. I was looking around the internet trying to find a good way to go from my PS3 to my TV. Seems like HDMI is the way to go.

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