Connect PC to TV or Laptop to Television

There are many ways to connect your computer and television together. Whether you have a laptop, Netbook, tablet PC, Smartphone or desktop computer, you will need either cables (such as HDMI, VGA, Mini DisplayPort or S-Video) or a wireless streaming kit dongle from your USB port.

There are, however a couple of things you should consider if you want to connect PC to TV. If you are connecting PC to TV using a VGA cable, the VGA cable will only transmit video and not sound. As a result, if you want audio and video to play through your television from your computer, you will also require a 3.5mm Mini Jack to RCA cable. The same principle applies for DVI-I, DVI-D, and DVI-A cables.

Moreover, these cable combinations assume that both your PC and TV have the same input socket (eg VGA laptop to VGA High Definition television). If for example your computer has a VGA (Video Graphics Array) 15 Pin D-Sub socket and your television has a HDMI Type cable, and a VGA cable, + audio to HDMI converter.

If the prospect of having to use three or more different cables to connect a VGA computer to your HDMI television sounds chaotic, you can instead stream PC to TV wirelessly from your USB port. Wireless PC to TV connectivity has become increasingly popular in recent years, due to the fact that the vast majority of personal computing devices come equipped with either USB Type A, Mini USB Type A or Micro USB Type A port. Wireless PC to TV kits enable you to stream audio and video content wirelessly from a distance of up to 30 feet.

Connecting your PC and TV is in most cases the cheapest method of connecting devices together, however you must make sure you do not overspend on a PC to TV cable, as there are many overpriced cables on offer online.

You can also connect PC to TV using your WiFi Wireless Network. The latest products, known as Digital Media Adapters, allow you to watch TV content, music and photos on your monitor, with surround sound.

The D-Link Boxee Box Digital Media Player is a recent PC to TV connectivity product which allows you to stream visual and audio content on your HDMI High Definition television. The main benefit of this product is that you do not need a PC, as the Boxee Box is a computer itself, and can work from your wireless home network (WiFi).

If you need to connect your Apple iPad to TV, you will need an Apple 30-Pin Dock adapter. These adapters are available from most trusted online retailers, and can connect your iPad to your HDMI, VGA Composite or Component television.