Connecting Your Computer to an HDTV

Use your big HDTV as a computer monitor and get the most from both devices!

It seems like a natural fit. You've got this big, powerful computer that can play games and DVDs and videos you've downloaded off the web and you've got this big, powerful HDTV sitting on your wall. They should be together. But how do you accomplish this feat? With a little knowledge and a few cables, your computer and your HDTV can finally fulfill their destiny and you can not only have the biggest TV on the block, but the biggest computer monitor.

The Hookup

First, you need to be aware of what hookups your HDTV and your computer have. The most common video outputs on modern computers are DVI, S-Video, and VGA. All three allow you to hook up your computer to an external monitor or a television that has the appropriate inputs.

VGA is probably the most familiar. You've been using it for years to hook up your computer to its monitor. It's analog, not digital, and while it can transmit HD signals, it's highly unlikely that you'd find this connection on an HDTV. In a pinch, it can be made to work with some adapters.

S-Video is also analog and standard definition, and while very good for standard video, won't be the best bet for connecting to your HDTV. It's very common on both computers and televisions.

DVI is widely available on most modern computers, especially laptops, and until manufacturers start slapping HDMI outputs on their products, it's going to provide the best quality connection for a computer to HDTV hookup. If your TV and computer both have DVI connections, you're good to go. Get a DVI cable and plug right in. If your TV doesn't have a DVI input, but does have HDMI, then you can pick up a DVI-to-HDMI adapter. They're both digital, so they play nice together, and should still provide excellent image quality.

Note: DVI, S-Video, and VGA do not transmit audio signals like HDMI does. You will need to have a separate hookup from your computer's AUDIO OUT port to your TV's AUDIO IN.

If you're one of the poor unfortunate souls whose computer or television lacks DVI, then things get complicated. With a VGA-to-Composite adapter, you can make a purely analog connection, but where's the fun in that? It's an expensive purchase as well, so you're probably better off looking into a new video card for your computer, one that has DVI or at least Component outputs so you can make a direct, high-definition connection with the TV.

The Resolution

Another important aspect of connecting your computer to your HDTV is finding the proper resolution. TV resolutions come in a few varieties. If you've got a 1080p television, then the resolution in pixels is 1,920x1,080. If you've got an LCD or large-size Plasma that's considered 720p, the resolution in pixels is most likely 1,366x768, whereas a 720p plasma TV that's 42" and under is probably 1,024x768. A 720p projection or DLP TV comes in at about 1,280x720. Check your HDTV's Owner's Manual to find out what resolution in pixels fits your TV .

Once you've figured out what resolutions your TV can handle, make sure your computer's video card can reproduce that resolution. Change your video card settings to match the resolution of the HDTV so that when you plug in, everything is ready to go.