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How to Use Monitors As TV Screen

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How to use monitors As TV screens.Using a  monitor as a TV screen in 2024. Can save you a little money and save space as well. We are getting used to the versatile devices of life. Technology is starting to merge beautifully.

Whether you’re looking to repurpose an existing monitor you’re not using or buy a new monitor for dual use, this article covers it all. In this helpful guide, you will find everything you need to know about using your computer monitor as a TV screen.

Here is a simple way to guide you on How to Use Monitors As TV Screen. I hope this guide will be helpful to you.

What is the difference between a computer monitor and a television?

TVs and computer monitors have a lot in common. After all, both devices offer HD displays for a variety of activities. Functions, sizes, and even prices can overlap. The differences between TVs and computer monitors are shrinking, but there are some differences in general. You can find the difference here.

Television Computer Monitor

Mostly available in larger sizes Commonly available in smaller sizes,

Typically offers a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. The aspect ratio can be wider or narrower.
Comes with a high-resolution screen. High-resolution images can be displayed.

Supports multiple ports including USB, VGA, and HDMI Supports most ports similar to TV screens except for coaxial cable connections,
Can switch between multiple inputs Multiple accessories and display modes can be supported, but not necessarily multiple inputs.

All TVs have built-in speakers. Not all computer monitors have built-in audio jacks or speakers.
As you can see, the two types of displays are similar, but there are key differences. An additional aspect to consider is pricing.

Both types of displays give you what you pay for. The cheapest TVs cost less than $100 but can go up to $50,000 depending on all features, resolutions, ports, screen types, inputs, and more.

The coolest computer monitors aren’t as expensive as modern TVs. The main reason is that modern TVs use display technology that has not yet been tuned for use with computer monitors. Both TVs and computer monitors can now support resolutions up to 8K. We will find the best resolution, screen size, and input port for this task.

Can you turn your computer monitor into a TV?

Yes, as long as your monitor has certain modern features, it can be used as a TV screen quite easily. However, for many models, it is not as easy as connecting a cable box to a computer monitor. There are a few details to consider first. Depending on your monitor and media source, you may need to adjust some entertainment settings.

Does your computer monitor have an HDMI input? This is currently the primary means of connection for home audio/video.
If you already have a monitor and have a VGA connector or DisplayPort connection, you can always convert the monitor to HDMI using an adapter.
Does your computer monitor have built-in audio? To use your computer monitor as a TV screen, you need to be able to hear it.

If you don’t have speakers or an audio jack, you can use an adapter that works as an audio extractor (for HDMI).
If your monitor has an audio jack, you can connect external speakers (such as a soundbar) directly to it.

Finally, you need to consider the screen resolution of your monitor. Not all computer monitors offer the highest resolution. If you’re looking for something to watch TV, consider buying a computer monitor that can support at least 720p.

How to convert a computer monitor to a TV screen?

In an ideal world, converting a computer monitor into a TV screen could be relatively simple. Your computer monitor has an HDMI port so you can connect it to most modern devices. However, some older monitors do not have an HDMI input. Before HDMI, VGA input was standard.

If you have a computer monitor that doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can use the HDMI to VGA converter from Jide Tech. Simply connect the HDMI output of your streaming device, DVD player, or cable box to this adapter and connect your computer monitor to the adapter’s VGA connection.

Note: The media source must have an HDMI output. Otherwise, you cannot use this device to convert the VGA input signal of your computer monitor. With this adapter, you can get both a display signal and audio.

This adapter also helps with sound. There is also an audio output that can remove the audio signal from the HDMI connection. You can connect the soundbar directly to this device.

Even if your monitor has built-in audio, you won’t be satisfied with the sound quality. To get better sound from the newly converted computer monitor, it is recommended to use an additional device.

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on an expensive surround sound system. A small soundbar like Majority’s Bowfell “you can find it on Amazon “would make a big difference. You can enjoy better quality sound that you can’t get on a computer monitor.

Difference Between Computer Monitor and TV in an easy way.

In a broad sense, both TVs and computer monitors are display devices that provide visual information. But we often see TV as a TV and monitor as a monitor.TVs are large displays, usually at 42-43 inches (there are smaller TVs, but for TVs, the bigger the better), up to 82 inches and larger.

In the early days of CRTs and first-generation LCDs, 15-inch to 19-inch monitors were considered to be reasonable-sized monitors. These days, 24-inch monitors have become the minimum spec, and 27-inch and 32-inch sizes are also available.

Resolution is another important property of any display, be it a monitor, television, or cell phone display. 4K UHD, or 3840 pixels × 2160 pixels, has become the standard resolution for TVs. You can get low-resolution (usually Full HD, or 1920 × 1080 pixels) TVs, but 4K TVs are getting cheaper and cheaper.

For monitors, Full HD is still a popular resolution, although you can get monitors with 1440P (2560 × 1440 pixels) and 4K resolutions, the price increase is significant at 1080P.

A display’s refresh rate determines how many times an image can be drawn in one second. Some high-end TVs such as LG C2, Sony A95K, Samsung S95B, etc. have a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. However, a typical value is 60Hz for most TVs.This is not the case with monitors. You can easily get monitors with 144Hz, 165Hz, and 240Hz refresh rates.

TV monitor

Large screen size, easy to obtain. Some popular TV screen sizes are 42″, 55″, 65″, and 75″.
Computer monitors typically come in smaller screen sizes such as 24 inches, 27 inches, and 32 inches.

Solution

4K UHD (3840 × 2160) is a very common resolution on TVs. Full HD is still popular, but there are several monitors with 1440P and 4K resolutions.
Aspect Ratio Almost all modern TVs have an aspect ratio of 16:9.
Monitors come with all types of aspect ratios: 16:9, 16:10, and 21:9, wider aspect ratios for widescreen monitors, and narrower aspect ratios for box-shaped displays.

Refresh rate

60Hz is a very standard refresh rate for TVs. Some high-end TVs offer a 120Hz refresh rate. Even on a primary monitor, 60Hz playback is still popular. But with 144Hz, 165Hz, and 240Hz refresh rates, you can easily get it.

Response Time The amount of time the display takes to change the color of a pixel (typically from black to white or vice versa). TVs typically have slow response times of tens of milliseconds.
Even entry-level monitors from reputable brands have decent response times of 5 – 8ms. It’s easy to find monitors with much faster response times.

Speaker

Almost all TVs, regardless of size, come with a decent pair of speakers. Monitor speakers are very rare. It sounds mediocre even on some monitors.
Port HDMI is the most common port on TVs. All TVs have 2 to 4 HDMI ports with additional features such as HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC. Other ports include optical audio output, USB, and Ethernet.
VGA, HDMI, and DisplayPort are popular ports for monitors. When it comes to audio, monitors usually have an audio jack (3.5mm), but it’s very rare to find another audio output.

Wireless Telephone

Since all modern TVs are “smart”, wireless connectivity is now almost a necessity. TVs usually support high-speed wireless networks. The monitor does not come with a wireless connection.
In terms of price display size, TVs are usually cheaper. You can get decent 4K 55-inch TVs in the $350-$500 price range.

Monitors are usually expensive compared to TVs. A 32-inch 4K monitor from a good brand costs between $300 and $350.Because we often sit very close to our monitors (usually arm’s length), text must be very clear and colors must be very accurate. So most people still prefer monitors to TVs.

Set your TV as a second monitor

If you want to use your TV as a monitor, here’s how to set your TV as a secondary monitor. We used screenshots from Windows 8 here.

Go to your GPU manufacturer’s website and check how many displays your GPU supports. To use your TV as a second monitor, it must support at least two.
number of displays

Check the ports on your laptop. Newer systems usually come with HDMI and display ports, while older interfaces usually have VGA and DVI ports. Use a splitter if you have only one monitor port and need to connect more monitors.

Connect the TV to the PC and select the Input source.

  • Press Windows+P.
  • Choose from the given options.
  • project
  • Right-click on a space on the desktop.
    Select the screen resolution.
  • Click Multiple Display.
  • Choose Duplicate or Extend.
  • Arrange the display orientation settings to match the physical layout of the screen.
    Click Apply and OK.

Can I use my PC monitor as a TV?

If you have a PC monitor in your bedroom or office, you might be wondering if it can also be used as a TV. After all, a screen is a screen, right? Well, yes. There are certainly ways to use your PC monitor as a TV, and there are screens that do both roles, but there are some pitfalls to consider here as well. Let’s be trapped.

Using your PC monitor as a TV
If you want to use your PC monitor as a TV, there are a few things to consider.

Let’s deal with input first. You will need some type of device, such as a set-top box, that provides a television signal. Most monitors made in the last decade have an HDMI input, which is the most common connection used on TV equipment such as Sky or Freeview boxes.

HDMI is also used in devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick, which can be used to turn your monitor into a streaming system without turning on the connected PC (note: the Fire TV Stick also requires a spare USB port to power it).

If your monitor doesn’t have a spare HDMI socket, you can always buy a cheap cable that converts HDMI to DVI or an adapter that converts HDMI to VGA.

So, if you have extra input sockets on your screen, you’ll be fine. Yes?

Well, not that fast. One of the biggest limiting factors when using a PC monitor as a TV is audio. Many PC monitors do not have built-in speakers. Therefore, even if you can connect a TV set-top box via HDMI, there will be no sound from the screen.

There is a way to solve this problem. For example, a set-top box may have a dedicated audio output to which you can connect a set of speakers or a soundbar. Your monitor may also have audio output, such as a 3.5mm headphone socket to which you can connect a pair of speakers. Take a close look at your screen/set-top box to determine which port you should use.

How to Use Monitors As TV Screen

Two other things to pay attention to if you plan to use your PC monitor as a TV are aspect ratio and refresh rate.

PC monitors, especially older models, may have more square aspect ratios than the widescreen ratios typically found on today’s dedicated TVs. This may mean that your TV screen is distorted or that large black bars appear at the top and bottom of the screen when using it as a TV.

Your monitor may have a limited refresh rate. This means that fast-moving action, like a soccer game, will start to spread across the screen.

How to convert a monitor to a TV?

The main purpose of TV is to watch TV shows, movies, and news, among other things. With that in mind, we’ll show you some other ways you can convert a monitor to a TV.

Using the TV Tuner:

Monitors usually do not come with a tuner. So, if you want to use your existing monitor to watch cable TV that relies on a TV tuner, you will need to purchase a TV tuner kit/box. Prices range from $30 to $200 or more, depending on brand, features, and more. Find a tuner that has an HDMI output for easy connection to the HDMI port on your monitor.

Connect with any HDMI Source

Another way to turn your computer monitor into a TV or video output device is to use an HDMI streaming device such as a Chromecast, Fire Stick, IPTV box, or Android TV box.

Some Internet service providers also bundle a media box with the package. All you need is a display device with HDMI input.

Using a set-top Box/Satellite dish

If you have a satellite connection, it usually comes with a receiver or set-top box. These devices typically output using HDMI. This makes it easy to connect a set-top box with HDMI output to the monitor.

Other Important Things to Consider

Sometimes monitors are a bit old and have a VGA port instead of an HDMI input port. In situations like this, you need to invest in additional converters (HDMI-to-VGA converters) to connect the latest streaming, media, and set-top boxes.

Another major issue with using a monitor as a TV concerns audio. Monitors don’t usually come with speakers, and even if you have a pair, the sound quality is very poor.

To solve this, you need to purchase an HDMI audio extractor. Small box with HDMI in, HDMI out, optical audio out, RCA audio out (coaxial audio), and 3.5mm audio jack.

You can connect an HDMI source such as a firestick or set-top box to the HDMI input of the extractor, and connect the HDMI output of the extractor to a monitor. You can use one of the audio ports to connect an appropriate set of speakers or soundbars.

Conclusion

Although monitors and TVs are both display devices, there are some differences. We often see people using their TVs as computer monitors, but very rarely do they use monitors as TVs. If you are one of the few who want to use an old/spare monitor as a TV, this guide is for you.

We have seen how to convert a monitor to a TV using a simple method. We’ve also seen solutions to some common problems.

You can turn your old monitor into a TV screen if you have certain features. However, it may not be as simple as plugging the cable box into your monitor and starting to watch TV.

There are several factors to consider and you may need to make some adjustments to your monitor to use it as a TV. Some factors to consider are:

Does your monitor have an HDMI input, which is the default connection for video and audio? If your monitor has a DisplayPort connection or a VGA connector, you can use an adapter to convert it to HDMI.

Not all monitors offer high resolution, so you should also consider your monitor’s screen resolution. The monitor for watching TV must have a screen resolution of at least 720p.

You should also consider whether your monitor has built-in audio. If your monitor does not have an audio jack for connecting external speakers, you can use an adapter that acts as an audio extractor for HDMI.

A step-by-step guide on how to turn a monitor into a TV

Make sure your monitor comes with a connection other than an S-video or VGA port. If you have a connection port similar to the one on your cable/satellite box, use a cable to connect your device.
Connect the external TV tuner box to the cable receiver. You can use either RCA composite or RF coaxial cables.

If your monitor does not have speakers, connect the external speakers to a cable satellite box or TV tuner. You can use an RCA composite cable to connect speakers to the audio output of the video output. You will need a red and white plug audio cable.

Add any other peripherals you need, including game consoles and DVD players. Connect peripheral devices using available connection ports. If your cable box doesn’t have multiple input ports, you’ll need an external tuner.

Connect the External TV Tuner and Monitor Using a VGA Cable.

Turn on the computer monitor and cable box. Use the remote control to select the correct source in the tuner box. You can also use the cable box’s remote control to change streaming channels.

Conclusion

If you have an old monitor at home, consider replacing it with a TV rather than throwing it away. Instead of buying a new monitor, you can also use the new monitor to watch TV. Using your monitor as a TV will help you save money and space in your home.

Turning your monitor into a TV screen is a straightforward process, provided you have the required connection ports. Best if your monitor supports HDMI for video and audio. If your monitor does not come with built-in speakers or a headphone jack for connecting external speakers, you will need to use an audio extractor.

In addition to making sure your monitor has the necessary connection ports, you should also consider its resolution. The resolution of your monitor for watching TV must be at least 720p. Also, monitors may be limited in size than the large-screen TVs on the market. Also, your monitor may not support the latest display technologies.

To stream TV or movies from your monitor without using a computer.

For readers with relatively new monitors, it can be as easy as investing $30 in a Google Chromecast. Chromecast lets you stream any subscription service you use (such as Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Now), as well as access music, sports, and YouTube through thousands of apps supported by your Chromecast device.

Chromecast-compatible services like the recently added Sling TV and DirecTV Now let you stream cable stations like TNT, Animal Planet, and HGTV to Chromecast for over $20 a month, depending on your service tier and provider.

HDMI-compatible monitor with built-in speaker

This should be pretty much plug-and-play. Connect your Chromecast to your monitor, power on your monitor, and use your smartphone or another mobile device to set up your Chromecast. Once connected, you can use your smartphone or tablet as a remote control.

HDMI-compatible monitor without audio

If you want to get the audio while the video is playing on the screen, you should try a workaround.

  • Option 1: Invest in an audio extractor
  • Adapters like this one HDMI to HDMI + 3.5mm Audio Extractor.
  • Option 2: Screencast from your phone to a Chromecast connected to your monitor.
  • Connect a portable speaker to your phone or use an Aux cable to connect your phone to a compatible home theater system.

Please note: there may be a delay between audio and video using this method. Before investing time or money in this option, try a screencast with audio running on your phone.

Monitor with DVI or VGA input only

Chromecast doesn’t work on many older monitors. If your old monitor doesn’t recognize the Chromecast input, please keep your receipt so you can return the Chromecast and adapter.

You can set up your Chromecast using an HDMI to DVI converter with audio output, like this adapter from TNP products. However, it is important to note that many users have reported that Chromecast does not work on devices that do not have sufficient screen resolution (at least 720p).

Some troubleshooting tips:

• Make sure the monitor’s input is set to the port you connected to the Chromecast.
• “HDCP not certified. Content disabled” error? The monitor cannot stream HD content using a Chromecast or other HD input device.
• Transmission from the device often transmits only video without audio. Instead, launch apps like Netflix and Hulu on your Chromecast rather than your smartphone or tablet.

If you want to watch local TV on a monitor

To watch local TV on your monitor or TV, you need a cable or satellite TV subscription or antenna and TV tuner box.

You can connect most satellite or cable receiver boxes to your monitor, and a set of external speakers, assuming your monitor doesn’t have integrated speakers. If your monitor’s input doesn’t match the available output on your receiver box, you may need an adapter.

Even if you want to “break the cord” like many of our readers, you can still use your antenna to access local broadcasts. you’re right. Like the “rabbit ears” of the past, modern antennas have a wider range and look a bit more nimble.

TV reception with an antenna varies depending on the broadcast area, broadcast signal strength, obstacles, etc. If you live far away from a city with broadcast towers, network reception can be difficult without a satellite. Check out AntennaWeb to get an idea of ​​what channels should be accessible from where the antenna is.

You can buy indoor HDTV antennas with a range of 35 miles on Amazon for around $18-20. The 35-mile range is suitable for city dwellers. Here is the 1 By One that most in-town users find to fit their needs. If you live further outside of a metropolitan area, you may need a wider range (50 or 75 miles) where you may need an outdoor antenna.

For your monitor to recognize and play content received via the antenna, you need a TV tuner box that acts as a bridge between the monitor and the antenna. Which tuner box is right for you depends on the inputs and outputs of your monitor and antenna. If your monitor doesn’t have integrated speakers, make sure you have a tuner box that provides sound output.

If you have any trouble finding the right TV tuner for your monitor, feel free to call us or click the chat prompt to connect with Nerd. Keep in mind that we are a computer repair company based in Sacramento, CA, and other parts of Northern California. Have fun watching.

How to connect a wireless display to your Windows PC?

Connect a wireless display to your Windows PC

Miracast wireless display

  • Wirelessly connect your PC to a TV, projector, other PC, or another kind of external display that supports Miracast.
  • Turn on your TV or projector. If using a Miracast dongle or adapter, make sure it is connected to the display.
  • Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on on your PC.
  • On the right side of the taskbar, select the network icon > Transfers, then select your display or wireless adapter.
  • Follow any further instructions on the screen. Otherwise, you’re done.

WiGig wireless display

  • Connect your PC wirelessly to a monitor, projector, or another kind of external display connected to the WiGig dock.
  • Turn on your TV or projector.
  • Turn on your WiGig dock and make sure it is connected to your display.
  • Make sure your PC supports WiGig and is turned on. If your PC supports WiGig, you’ll see WiGig controls in Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane Mode.
  • On the right side of the taskbar, select the network icon > Transfer, then select Dock.

How to Connect your iPhone to any TV with an AV cable?

To connect your iPhone to your TV, you’ll need an adapter cable that matches the input style of your TV or monitor.

If possible, use an HDMI cable that provides the best quality. You’ll want to buy a Lightning to Digital AV adapter from Apple. Third-party options are also available but may lack HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). Without HDCP, streaming service apps won’t deliver video to your TV.

If you have an older monitor without an HDMI input, Apple also sells a Lightning to VGA adapter.

If you have an adapter, do the following.

  • Connect the adapter to an HDMI (or VGA) cable.
  • Connect the cable to an input on your TV or monitor.
  • Plug the adapter into your iPhone’s Lightning port and turn on your phone.

iPhone AV adapter:
An adapter allows you to connect your iPhone to an AV cable. Dave Johnson/Business Insider
Use your TV’s control panel or remote control to switch to the input you just connected the cable to.
You should now see your iPhone’s display mirrored to your TV.

The TV will duplicate the iPhone’s resolution, which will look a bit odd on a large display. But when showing photos and videos, the iPhone sends their full resolution to the TV, so they should look crisp and clear.

Immediate: You’ll notice that the adapter has an extra Lightning port. You can use it to connect to the AC adapter to power your phone while connected to your TV. You will need an additional AC adapter and Lightning cable as Apple does not include an adapter. A multi-port adapter allows you to charge your iPhone while connected to the AV cable.

How to Connect iPhone to LG Smart TV

Here are easy steps to mirror an iPhone to an LG Smart TV using the free TV Assist app.

  • 1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
  • 2. Search for the “TV Assist” app and install it.
    3. Open the TV Support app.
  • 4. Allow the app to access any type of content you want to mirror to your TV, such as your iPhone’s camera or microphone.
  • 5. Make sure both your iPhone and LG Smart TV are on the same local wireless network. Otherwise, casting is not possible. You may need to disable the VPN service on your iPhone.
  • 6. That’s all. You can log in to as many third-party streaming or uploading services as you’re interested in within the app, giving you access to content beyond what’s physically on your phone.
  • You can see that there are several other mirroring apps in the App Store. some are expensive Some are prone to crashes. Some are both.
  • After testing these apps, we found TV Assist to be the best all-around compromise.
  • The free version is quite useful on its own and the ads aren’t invasive, but there’s also a paid version that removes ads and allows unlimited media storage within the app.

Short Question /Answer about How to Use Monitors As TV Screen

1) How do I turn my monitor into a smart TV?

Ans: You can connect your laptop to a Fire TV stick, Blu-ray, or cable box via HDMI cable and turn it into a smart TV.

2) Can I turn my computer monitor into a TV?

Ans: Yes, you can easily convert your computer monitor to TV and TV to monitor easily.

3) Can I use the monitor as a TV without a CPU?

Answer: Yes, it is possible. However, depending on what type of cable box you use, you will need ports for RCA and digital sound cables.

4) How can I watch TV on a monitor without a computer?

A: You will need a TV tuner box, cable, satellite subscription, or antenna to watch TV on your monitor. If your monitor doesn’t have speakers, you’ll need them too.

5) Can I use the monitor with my phone?

A: If you want to use it with your phone, you can cast your phone to the monitor.

How to Use Monitors As TV Screen

How to play movies from PC to TV using wireless?

Can any monitor be used as a TV?

Most modern computer monitors are interchangeable with television sets and vice versa. Most computer monitors do not include integrated speakers, TV tuners, or remote controls, so using your computer monitor as a TV set may require external components such as a DTA box.

As long as you don’t need a cable tuner, yes, you can technically use your monitor as a TV. If you want a cable tuner, you should invest in a decent external tuner module. But why would you want to use your computer monitor as a television?

For example, you have an old but good monitor and you don’t want to throw it away. You can then use this monitor as a TV. Another example is if you don’t have enough space/budget to buy a new TV and you want to use the same monitor for both PC and TV.

The reason can be anything. If you have a good monitor at your disposal, you can do anything with it, like watching a TV show or streaming a movie, with little or no investment. How to Use Monitors As TV Screen