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How do I connect my laptop to a TV?

Posted by JD on January 14, 2010

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It’s amazing how much streaming content is available online, and more is being added every day. YouTube, Netflix, cable channels, and now even the old traditional broadcast networks are streaming their content over the web. This is even better than TiVo or a DVR because all these programs are just waiting for you to view on-demand.

But you probably already know how difficult it is to have everyone gather around a laptop to watch something. The whole point of a laptop or notebook is to have something small and light. So there is usually not a huge screen for everyone to watch. And if you have a netbook, forget it. You might be able to share that video with one close friend.

Obviously the best solution is to connect your laptop to a TV. The laptop serves up content from the Internet, and the TV displays it so that everyone can see it. Hooking up your laptop to your TV will depend on what kind of outputs you have on the laptop and what kind of inputs you have on your TV or video receiver.

The kinds of inputs and outputs that will be avilable really depends a lot on the age of your laptop or television. If you have a brand-new fully loaded laptop, there’s a good chance it has an HDMI output. Pair that up with a brand-new flatscreen with HDMI inputs and all you will need is one of those very simple (but remarkably expensive) HDMI cables.

Your next best bet in terms of quality is S-video. Both S-video inputs and outputs are round black sockets with an arrangement of holes for the S-video plug pins. You can find S-video cables in many different stores, including the big discount stores like Wal-Mart or Target. The only problem with S-video is that it doesn’t contain audio information. If you want the audio to play through the television speakers you’ll have to get an additional plug for that. Unless you have stereo audio output on your laptop — which is unlikely — then you need to find a cable that goes from a stereo headphone plug to “RCA” plugs. RCA plugs are usually red for the right stereo channel and white for the left.

Some laptops might have an RCA video out, which will look pretty much like the yellow plug on the back of many old VCRs. That’s another way you can get the video to your TV. You’ll need an audio cable for this solution too.

Those are the basic options for connecting your laptop to a TV. There may be other ways, or sometimes you can mix and match. If you would like to share your solution or you are stuck with a combination you can’t figure out, leave a comment below.