Summary
PC monitors are getting better every year, offering higher resolutions and brighter screens, but even with ultra-wide options, a computer screen just can’t compete with TVs in terms of size. Sure, most TVs aren’t as speedy or fluid as PC monitors, but there are plenty of high-end options that are more than sufficient for most gamers. For those who love to play on the couch or who switch between PCs and consoles frequently, using a TV instead of a monitor is especially enticing.
Although the idea seems fairly straightforward, it might be a little strange to begin the process of setting up a TV with your PC. After all, many PCs use DisplayPort cords, while TVs rely on HDMI for their inputs. Even with this bit of mismatching, it’s still incredibly easy to use a TV as a computer monitor.
Five Easy Steps to Use Your TV as a Computer Monitor
Step 1: Figure Out What Ports Your TV and PC Have
Most modern TVs and PCs are compatible, but it’s important to verify that your devices have matching ports of some kind. PCs often use VGA or DisplayPort connections, but it’s becoming more common for them to also have HDMI. A fourth option also exists: DVI. This is an older version of the same technology used with HDMI, and it is being slowly phased out, meaning it won’t be ideal for modern PC setups. Consider upgrading your PC if it still relies on a DVI connection.
What’s the difference between each type of connection? VGA was considered the superior option thanks to its ability to be fine-tuned by those with the proper know-how, but in recent years its prowess has waned. In its place, DisplayPort (DP), has risen to the top of PC performance. The main reason for this is the fact that DP connections have a much higher refresh rate limit than HDMI in most cases. Graphics card manufacturers also tend to prefer DP due to licensing costs associated with HDMI.
Looking at the hard data, HDMI 2.0 is typically expected tocap out at 120Hz in 4K, regardless of what or where it is trying to display content. DisplayPort 1.4 is far less limited, offering a max of 144Hz at 4K, though users would need a GPU that supports Display Stream Compression (DSC) to achieve that. Using these numbers, you’re able to figure out which type of connection to use if your TV and PC are compatible with both HDMI and DP.
Their TV’s refresh rate will limit most users, as this is typically lower than what a PC can handle. If you aren’t sure what your TV’s refresh rate is, try checking the manufacturer’s website or the TV’s settings menu.
Some TVs can also connect to devices wirelessly over a network. This is far from ideal and not recommended for most games, but we will further discuss using your TV as a wireless monitor later.
Step 2: Purchase Adaptors If Necessary
Unless you’re building a new PC and getting a TV to go with it, you likely already have a TV you’d like to use. If that TV is incompatible with Displayport, you may want to purchase an adapter to make it work. Most graphics cards come with at least one HDMI port, so if your PC is anything close to modern, you likely don’t need to do anything at all to use an HDMI connection. Unfortunately, if you need to add an HDMI port to your PC, that usually means gettinga new graphics card.
It should be noted that most adapters increase latency, so only use them if you absolutely must. Even if you think using DP would be better than using HDMI, if you have to buy an adapter to set that up, the display will likely end up being equivalent to HDMI due to the increase in lag.
Luckily, DP to HDMI adapters are extremely affordable. Even high-quality ones can be had for less than $20 through most retailers. They’re also extremely simple to use, being a plug-and-play accessory. Keep in mind the length of your available cords and the length of the adapter when shopping for options. Typically, the longer the adapter cord is, the higher latency you will experience, which is why most of them are quite short.
Step 3: Create a space for your PC to connect to your TV
It’s not as simple as setting up your PC on a nice gaming desk when it comes to playing on a TV. Sure, some very large gaming desks have ample room for a TV up to 48 inches, and wall mounting a TV makes it easy to place just about anywhere, but most people will want to use their TV in a living room or similar type of space.
In either case, you’ll want to make sure your PC has plenty of breathing room, as keeping the PC cool is paramount to reducing visual lag. Additionally, you need to consider how long your cords are. Obviously, the PC needs to be within range of the TV if it is connected via a cord. Even if you want to connect wirelessly, it’s a good idea to keep the PC as close to the TV as possible to reduce lag.
If you also have consoles, try to keep the PC away from them, as they will also give off heat while in use and, if placed too close to the PC, can even act as an insulator, bouncing heat back to the PC. It may be tempting to place the PC behind the TV to create a more minimalist look, but again, heat can become an issue with both the TV and the PC running. If you would like to keep your PC behind your TV, make sure there is plenty of room and consideradding extra coolingto your PC beforehand.
Step 4: Adjust your PC’s display settings
You will need to change the display settings on your PC, at least to tell the computer what resolution is necessary. In your computer’s display settings, you should be able to choose from a variety of resolutions. Most TVs and PCs will automatically make the screen size match, and that may be all you care about, in which case, you’re done almost as soon as you open the display settings menu. However, if you want to get the best possible display, you need to match your PC’s resolution to the max resolution of the TV.
It’s important to note here that 4K isn’t a single, standard resolution. 4K can mean 4x720p (3840×2160 resolution) or 4x1080p (4096×2160 resolution). Most models use 3840×2160, but you should check the exact specs of your model to determine pixel density. you may find out which resolution would work best with your TV by checking the TV’s settings or the manufacturer’s website.
Given the customizability of PCs, you may always down-scale or upscale your display to make it work the way you want. Most often, when using a TV as a monitor, you’ll want to down-scale your resolution to match the TV’s or to reduce lag. For instance, just because your TV is capable of 4K content, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll want your PC display to be run at such a high resolution. This is where the refresh rate comes into play, as you may want to lower that to get more fluid visuals at higher resolutions and avoid the worst possible lag.
Step 5: Connect your PC to your TV
Now that you’ve checked the compatibility of your devices and fully prepared your PC and TV, it’s finally time to have your PC screen displayed on a TV.
If you are using a physical cord,simply plug in the cord and adapter (if you’re using one) to both the TV and the PC. Accept or adjust the display when prompted. You may choose to have the screen mirrored or split rather than simply displayed on the TV alone, thoughon larger TVsit’s usually best to just stick with one screen.
If you are connecting wirelessly,you’ll need to access your network settings on both your PC and TV. This method varies widely depending on which TV you have and what type of hardware and software your PC has. It is helpful to rename your TV and PC if they still have the manufacturer’s label, which is often a mad jumble of letters and numbers so that you know which device to choose when connecting, especially if you live in a household with lots of wireless devices. Once your TV recognizes your PC, you should be able to wirelessly stream, though you may need to adjust the display settings again. Please keep in mind that this is incredibly inferior to a physical connection, and likely only useful for streaming media, cozy games, or retro titles.
Related Products
Ready to get to PC gaming on a TV? Here are some things you may want to consider picking up:
BENFEI 4K DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter
The BENFEI DisplayPort to HDMI adapter is perfect for connecting computers and laptops to a monitor, projector, or TV with HDMI ports. This lightweight gadget is super portable and allows you to expand your desktop display on the fly. The built-in IC chip converts a DisplayPort signal to an HDMI signal, though it cannot transmit signals from an HDMI Source to a DisplayPort Monitor. The adapter supports up to 3840x2160@30Hz, 1920x1080@60Hz (1080p), including 720p, 1600x1200, 1280x1024 for monitors or projectors. The gold-plated DisplayPort connector resists corrosion and abrasion while also improving the signal transmission performance.
Warrky 4K DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter
The WARRKY Display Port to HDMI adapter transcends 1080P and 2K resolutions to offer an ultra-high definition of 4K at 30Hz. Immerse yourself in truly cinematic enjoyment with flawless visual and audio pass-thru. Compatible with PC resolutions of 140p at 60Hz and 1080p at 120Hz, this device is an easy way to transmit content from a PC to a TV. The sleek aluminum gray case has decent heat dissipation and is impact-resistant. Plus, the robust gold-plated pins, durable aluminum casing, 28+32AWG stranded copper wire, and resilient braided nylon jacket make it corrosion-resistant and interference-free.
VIZIO 50-inch MQX Series Premium 4K TV
This Vizio MQX Series 4K television comes with a 50-inch display panel with QLED technology. The Quantum Color technology allows increased color performance in a 4K resolution with the use of Active Full Array Backlight technology and local dimming. The TV supports Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ for vibrant high dynamic range content.Vizio’s smart TV platform allows easy access to millions of titles from popular streaming channels and other apps. With Vizio WatchFree+, there are also over 250 live-streaming channels for free.
Samsung S90C OLED 4K
The Samsung S90c packs some exciting gaming features for a smart TV. It supports streaming on platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Xbox. It packs Samsung’s OLED technology along with 4K resolution and a native refresh rate of 120 Hz. Among its strong points are the Neural Quantum Processor with 4K upscaling, Quantum HDR OLED, and Real Depth Enhancer. It features the Samsung Gaming Hub where gamers can play console games and check out game streaming apps.
Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite
Continuing to innovate TV backlighting technology, the Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite features improved image processing and color-matching with fish-eye correction. The RGBICW LED lights on the included lightstrip can now match content with more accuracy and the camera is slimmer to accommodate the thinnest flat panels. The TV Backlight 3 Lite also supports the Matter smart home protocol which makes syncing with smart devices from many brands easier.
What About Lag?
Indeed, gaming on a TV is almost always going to have higher latency than with a gaming monitor. However, although the difference is quite significant when looking at fast-paced, competitive games, there’s essentially no noticeable lag when playing more relaxed titles. Players who enjoy games such asStardew Valley,Civilization 6,The Sims, and other more strategic or cozy titles will be able to play on a TV without problems.
Overall, gaming on a PC using a TV is not advisable for competitive gamers, but everyone else will likely not even realize they’re playing with higher latency. This is especially true when using a TV that comes with built-in gaming features such as Game Mode or Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which smooth visuals and cuts down on lag.
FAQ
Q: Can you use a TV as a monitor?
Yes, you can use a TV as a PC monitor, though it will likely take some extra work. You’ll at least need the proper cord or a strong wireless connection and compatible devices.
Q: What is the difference between a smart TV and a computer monitor?
While a smart TV can connect to the internet, and often to devices on the same network, including a PC or laptop, they are mainly designed for watching TV through cable boxes or apps. Computer monitors are designed to display PC content with as little latency as possible, which often results in smaller screens with no speakers or ability to operate without a computer.
Q: Which TVs can be used as a PC monitor?
Most modern TVs can be used as a monitor, but the best ones to choose are those with low latency, bright screens, and with built-in gaming features, such as ALLM.
