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Today, Mytour will guide you on how to connect various video devices (such as computers, cameras, and gaming consoles) to your TV via an HDMI port. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a widely used standard for transmitting high-quality digital video and audio between devices. Even if your device lacks an HDMI port, you can still establish a connection using cables or adapters (adapter/converter).
Steps
Connecting a Standard HDMI Device
Locate the available HDMI port on your TV. Most modern TVs come with at least one standard-sized HDMI port (Type A), measuring 13.9 mm x 4.45 mm. These ports are typically labeled as "HDMI." If there are multiple ports, each will be numbered (e.g., HDMI 1, HDMI 2).
- Some TVs also feature HDMI ports on the front or side panels.
Select the appropriate HDMI cable. If your device has an HDMI port of the same size as your TV (Type A/13.99 mm x 4.45 mm), you only need a standard Type A HDMI cable with 19 pins on both ends. However, some devices (often cameras and portable media players) have smaller HDMI ports, requiring different cables:
- Type C/Mini-HDMI: This HDMI port is commonly found on older DSLR cameras and camcorders. It measures 10.42 mm x 2.42 mm and is significantly smaller than Type A. If your device has this port, you’ll need a Mini-HDMI-C to HDMI-A cable.
- Type D/Micro-HDMI: This port is even smaller than Type C, measuring just 6.4 mm x 2.8 mm, and is often found on compact recording devices like GoPros or certain smartphones. In this case, you’ll need a Micro HDMI-D to HDMI-A cable.
Connect one end of the cable to your device. Power on the device you want to connect to your TV, then gently plug the appropriate end of the cable into the device’s HDMI port.
- HDMI cables can only be inserted one way. Never force the cable into the port, as this could damage both the cable and the device.
Plug the other end of the cable into your TV. If the TV is off, turn it on and connect the cable properly. If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, make a note of the port number you’re using.
Switch to the HDMI input on your TV. Use the SOURCE or INPUT button on your remote or TV to select the HDMI port. You may need to press the button multiple times to reach the correct port number. Once you’ve selected the right input, the device’s display will appear on the screen.
- On Windows, press ⊞ Win+P to open the Windows Project menu, then choose the display option for your TV. For example, select Duplicate to mirror your desktop screen on the TV.
- On Mac, the screen will automatically project to the TV. If the display size appears unbalanced, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > Display and select Default for display. To input a specific resolution, choose Scaled and enter the desired dimensions.
Configure your computer’s audio settings to play through the TV (optional). If you’ve connected your computer to the TV and want to ensure audio plays through the TV’s speakers, follow these steps:
- On Mac: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Sound > Output and select the TV or HDMI output.
- On Windows: Right-click the sound icon in the system tray (near the clock), select Sound Settings, and choose your computer’s default audio device, typically labeled Speakers (High Definition Audio), from the "Choose your output device" menu.
Connecting a Device Without an HDMI Port to a TV’s HDMI Port
Identify the port compatible with HDMI on your device. If your TV has an HDMI port but your gaming console, computer, or other electronic device does not, you can still connect using an adapter or converter that converts the available port to a standard HDMI Type A. You can find HDMI cables or adapters for the following ports:
- DisplayPort: This port, when converted to HDMI, supports both high-definition video and digital audio. It is labeled "DP" or "DisplayPort." If your laptop or tablet uses a DisplayPort, you’ll need a DisplayPort-to-HDMI-A cable or adapter.
- Some devices, including Microsoft Surface, use a Mini DisplayPort instead of the standard size. In this case, you’ll need a Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI-A cable or adapter.
- DVI: While DVI ports do not support audio transmission, you can still transmit high-quality video using a DVI-to-HDMI-A cable or adapter. Note: DVI ports come in various sizes, so ensure the cable matches the number of pins in the port.
- VGA: For older devices with VGA ports, you won’t achieve the best image quality on your TV, and audio won’t be supported. However, you can still connect using a VGA-to-HDMI-A converter or adapter.
Choose the appropriate cable or adapter.
- Most modern TVs have at least one standard HDMI (Type A) port measuring 13.9 mm x 4.45 mm. You can easily find cables with an HDMI-A connector on one end and DVI, DisplayPort, or VGA on the other. Ensure the non-HDMI end matches the port on your device.
- Another option is to purchase a smaller adapter/converter. With an adapter, you’ll plug a standard HDMI cable into the HDMI port and a standard DVI, DisplayPort, or VGA cable into the other end of the adapter. This means you’ll need two different cables connected to the adapter.
- Ensure the HDMI cable is long enough to connect your device to the TV. Opt for a slightly longer cable to reduce strain on both the cable and the devices.
Plug the HDMI-A end into the TV’s port. Turn on the TV if it’s off, then connect the cable properly. If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, note the number of the port you’re using.
Connect the other end of the cable to your device or adapter. If using an HDMI-to-(other standard) cable, plug the appropriate end into the corresponding port. If using an adapter, connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI side of the adapter, then link the adapter to your device using the appropriate cable (DVI, DisplayPort, or VGA).
- Do not force the cable into the port. It only fits one way, and if you encounter resistance, the cable may not be compatible.
- If using a VGA adapter, ensure the adapter’s video and audio connectors match the corresponding ports on your computer.
Switch to the HDMI input on your TV. First, power on the device without an HDMI port, then use the SOURCE or INPUT button on your TV or remote to select the HDMI port. You may need to press the button multiple times to reach the correct port number. Once the correct HDMI port is selected, the device’s display will appear on the screen.
- On Windows, press ⊞ Win+P to open the Windows Project menu, then choose the display option for your TV. For example, select Duplicate to mirror your desktop screen on the TV.
- On Mac, the screen will automatically project to the TV. If the display size appears unbalanced, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > Display and select Default for display. To input a specific resolution, choose Scaled and enter the desired dimensions.
Connect separate audio if necessary. If you’re not using DisplayPort, you’ll need a separate cable to transmit audio to your TV.
- If both your input device and TV have compatible ports, you can directly connect them using a separate stereo audio cable.
- Alternatively, you can use an audio cable to route sound from the input device to nearby speakers already connected to the TV.
Tips
- If you don’t see an image on your TV, check the port and connector for dust or corrosion. If regular cleaning doesn’t work, try applying a small amount of lubricant. To avoid short circuits caused by excess oil between contacts, use only a minimal amount for cleaning.
- Don’t worry about buying expensive HDMI cables. Since the signal is digital, it either works or it doesn’t, and there’s no significant quality difference between cheap and expensive cables.
- Note: You may need a signal booster or an active cable to transmit 1080p signals over distances longer than 7.6 meters or 1080i signals over 14.9 meters. Both options require a power source connected to a wall outlet.
