Step 1
Shutdown your computer and look at the rear of the case to determine the type of video connections that your machine has. Nearly all computers will have the standard 15-pin VGA output port. In addition, you may also find that your computer has an S-video port, an RCA composite video port, a set of three component RCA video outputs or perhaps even an HDMI output port.
Step 2Determine the types of video inputs that are available on your plasma TV. There should be a standard RCA composite input, a three-jack RCA component input and an S-video input. In addition, you may also find a 15-pin VGA input, a DVI input or an HDMI input.
Step 3
Select which type of connection you will use. HDMI and DVI represent the highest-quality connections, followed by VGA, Component, S-video, and composite. If your computer has only a VGA output and you will not using it solely to drive the plasma TV, you may want to invest in a video card upgrade. Most new video cards will offer dual monitor connections and possibly a separate TV connection. The first monitor connection is intended for the main computer monitor, and the second monitor connection, or the TV output, can be used for either a second monitor or a TV. Depending on the card, the TV output may be DVI, HDMI, component, S-video or composite.
Step 4Purchase a video cable long enough to reach from your PC’s video output to your plasma TV. If the distance is over ten feet, you may want to invest in high-quality cables to ensure that the plasma TV receives a clean signal for the best possible picture. Cables over thirty feet in length, depending on the connection type, may result in poor video performance.
Step 5Set your computer’s screen resolution to something that your plasma TV can accept, using the “Display” settings in the “Control Panel” in Windows. Refer to the owner’s manual of your plasma TV for the supported resolution and refresh rate. If you are using the S-video, composite or component outputs on your computer, this step may not be necessary.
Step 6Connect your PC to your plasma TV using the appropriate cable. Start the computer up and it should recognize the attached display. In the “Display” settings, you will need to configure how the plasma TV is used if it is attached a second display. Most video cards support “Clone” or “Mirror” mode, which displays the same content on both displays. In addition, there is the “Extended” mode, where the second display will operate independently, and windows can be dragged from one screen to the other. If your plasma TV is the only monitor for the computer, you will not to configure the multiple display modes.
Step 7Connect a cable from the sound output of your PC to your plasma TV using the appropriate audio adapters. Then relax on the couch and enjoy your videos on the big screen.
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