subject: How to View Your Computer Files on Your Television [print this page] How to View Your Computer Files on Your Television
While computers are now focal points in our lives, they have not yet supplanted the TVs as the hubs of home life recreation. Therefore, many computer users find themselves wishing that they could display their content, such as images, music, and video, from their computer and other gadgets, onto their televisions. In many cases, the device has the capability built-in, but the user lacks the knowledge to use it. In other cases, it is usually not difficult to make it happen. Here is a look at some of the more common ways to watch computer content on a TV.
TV-out
Most desktops and laptops from high-profile manufacturers, such as some Toshiba laptops, include some form of TV-out. This is generally an HDMI port, but computers older than the last few years will have an S-Video port instead. In these cases, displaying content on the TV is as simple as setting the TV up as a second monitor. If a desktop lacks TV-Out, the user can remedy this by upgrading the video card.
If the laptop lacks TV-out, making the connection is trickier since it is not practical to upgrade the laptop's video card. If the laptop has a DVI-out, the user can use that in combination with stereo-out to feed the television. Another option is a wireless converter, which will take a signal from the laptop and transmit it to the television.
iPad
iPad users can connect their device directly to their TV with any iPad-compatible cable. These cables include, but are not limited to, the Apple iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter, Apple Composite AV Cable, and the Apple Component AV Cable. In order to view videos in HD quality, use the Apple Component AV Cable.
Game Consoles
Modern game consoles serve as excellent, although sometimes limited, media players. The consoles connect to modern televisions seamlessly, and they can play the most common video and music files in addition to playing DVD and Blu-Ray movies.
Hardware Media Player
The hardware media players are like the game consoles except they are generally much smaller, and since their sole focus is media, they offer a wider range of functionality. Users can connect a hardware media player to a network either wirelessly or through a hard line. Users also have the option of storing files on external hard drives or transferring files to the player via a USB flash drive.
Media Centre Extender
Media Centre extenders are an effective alternative to game consoles and other hardware media players. They offer simple access to all of the media files on the wireless network. The catch here is that these devices are pricey, and they require the accessible computers to be using the Windows OS.
