Connecting Screens to Televisions & Casting

For Desktops, it is typical that we would have a computer monitor to use our computer. On a laptop, we have our built-in screen for viewing. For a variety of reasons, we connect our computers to larger screens often for entertainment, presentations, etc.

Before you can plug in monitor, it has to be plugged in to a power source. Then, you need to know what type of input options you have. Below is a list of the most common ports on monitors.

• VGA – Old & Slow – Usually Blue with 15 Round Pins)
• DVI –  Newer than VGA – Some cables can send audio – Usually white with a few different pin layouts with pins and flat terminals
• HDMI – Modern – A female port with a cable that has a male plug on both sides. Some HDMI cables are capable of sending audio, while others cannot. To be more specific, modern HDMI systems use DOLBY standards where an HDMI ARC cable is the most common supported cable and format. IF your cable is not an ARC cable, you may find that some devices in your house will not play any audio.
• Display Port – This is the newest and fastest way to display any type of media including gaming. Also sends audio to the monitor which you can send to speakers. A display port looks similar to an HDMI, however one of the corners is angled at a 45-degree angle.

The most common way to display your computer screen on a TV is to connect an HDMI cable from your computer to an HDMI port on your TV. Then select Input on your TV remote and select the HDMI port you plugged in your HDMI cable from the laptop to. Most televisions do not have Display ports just yet. So, your only option oftentimes is an HDMI cable.