Learn How To Setup Your PC To TV System Using Video And Audio Cable Connectors!

When setting up a basic PC to TV system to watch television channels on a computer or computer Internet TV on a home TV-set, a video card with the right video connector/adapter cable is required to make it all work. Making this connection using a video connector cable and identifying which one to use will be the focal point of this article.

Whichever one is the goal, watch home television on a PC or watch computer Internet TV (with PC Satellite TV software) on a home television set, keep in mind the picture quality on a digital high definition television will be higher than on a computer screen. This has a lot to do with the computer and screen capabilities/limitations that determine the video quality.

Setting up a PC to TV can be very cheap and simple enough that even a cave man can do it. For instance, while there are all kinds of computers today, many of them share common audio and video ports to make the transition easier. There are essentially four types of video connectors that will do the job, and only takes a little tech know-how. Here is a list of some of the most popular video connectors to consider:

Identifying Four Connector/Adapter Cables...

1. VGA, stands for Video Graphics Array, and are available to almost every Windows-based computer. Although this connection doesn't offer the highest quality that a HDMI or DVI connection offers, it's commonly used and works well with a SD (standard definition) or HD (high definition) TV that uses a VGA port. The price for a used VGA connector can be a few dollars and under $20.00 to buy it new.

2. HDMI stands for high-definition multimedia interface and DVI means digital visual interface. Both of them offer the best connection for HD TV. Some high-end video cards on computers will have HDMI ports on HD TV-sets. Many times, MAC computers will have DVI ports that allows a connection to your television's HDMI port--using an HDMI-to-DVI cable or adapter. For a used HDMI connector, it could run under $10.00 and a new one can cost over $10.00.

3. S-Video means separate video an can be found on SD and HD TV-sets. This type of connection is more common when connecting a DVD player to a SD TV-set. And it works well when using either a desktop or laptop computer that has an S-video port. The cost can be as little as a couple of dollars for a used connector cable to over $5.00 for a new one.00 (new).

4. Composite/RCA often comes with many TV-sets. More than likely, you have seen these cables at one time or another. You may recall those white, yellow, and red connector head cables for video and audio outputs. You can also use them to connect your video camera and DVD player. Some computers have video cards with RCA connections and they can be used to convert a computer's video signal through the RCA cable going into a TV-set.

How to make the audio connection depends on what type of port a computer has, which determines whether or not separate cables are needed to get the video and audio to work properly. More than likely, you will have to optimize the computer's audio output such as volume settings and surround sound. This requires going into the computer's Control Panel to make minor adjustments.

How to make the audio connection depends on whether or not a computer has a HDMI port, which in turn determines if a single cable or separate cables for the audio and video are required. Also, connecting a headphone jack and external speakers to a computer can be made as well. Optimizing the audio output may be required but very simple to do. It's just a matter of adjusting the volume settings by going into the computer's control panel.

After determining which television and computer connector is needed, the next step is picking the correct video/audio cable to make the PC to TV connection. You can find any one of these connectors/adapters in local computer stores or online easily. The cost is very low and can take minutes to setup a PC to television system.