Connecting computer to TV

[Bernadine]

Hi,
First I’m not sure if this is the right forum, then I must apologize I don’t have all of the language or know what certain cables and ports are called. I will do my best.

I have a Samsung TV SyncMaster Model # B2230HD and a Dell inspiron 660 computer. I have a cable from the computer to a separate monitor using the ports that use a cable which screws to the port to keep a tight connection. That works well. My TV has what I believe are called HDMI ports but I have 2 recorders that are using those ports. They also work well.

Since I get very confused very quickly with all the alphabet scramble describing the different cables, I have attached pictures of the computer and tv.

Question 1. I would like to do this as simply as possible. That would be to connect the available ports. Would that work?

1. If that won’t work, what would? I think I see other possibilities, but I don’t have the words/skill to write them out, and don’t know if they would work.
2. Now I see there are different types of one cable, there seems to be a 2 and a 2.2 a 4. Which type of cable do I need?

I tried reading the manual and quick start guides and I’m totally confused. I hope I have included enough information.

Thank you,
Bernadine

[driver_ian]

The simplest way to connect is by using one of the 2 HDMI ports on the tv and plugging into the unused port on your pc.. it will mean having to disconnect one of your recorders for the duration.

EDIT using a ‘splitter cable’ like the one here should allow you to connect the pc and recorder to a single port on the tv

[jmarket]

You can also get a HDMI switchbox as Driver_Ian suggested with a remote control very cheaply which allows your to change inputs without actually having to manually operate the switch.

[Bernadine]

Thank you both for the help. I don’t think there is enough room on the back of the TV for the switch box. I’ll have to measure it and then see what I can find. Radio Shack might have something and Fry’s would if I take a little drive. At least now I know if someone is just trying to sell me something to sell me something.

Oh, and I should ask, are there more reliable brands than others in the US?

I appreciate your help,
Bernadine

[jmarket]

I don’t think there is enough room on the back of the TV for the switch box.

The switch box is quite small and can be located away from the TV as it’s connected by cable..

[veeg]

Any updates for us?

[Bernadine]

Hi,
Thanks for checking in with me. I didn’t mean to ignore this thread, by the time I looked for and received what I hope will work, I had to deal with a major bug infestation (not in the computer) and everything else had to take second place.

I got a Cabernet Ultra CL2 Active High Speed HDMI Cable and planned on just disconnecting one of the recorders while I watch the computer on the TV. That was the plan anyway. When I went to connect the cable I noticed it had labels on each end. I connected the “display” end to my TV and the other end to my computer. I switched the TV to the “PC” source - and just had a blank screen. I looked through the manual and that was written in geek speak so it might as well have been written in Martian. I don’t know if I need to change something on the computer or some other setting on my TV. I did look through the Menu on my TV and didn’t see anything that suggested it would help the problem. What can I do to get the TV to work with my computer?

Thanks,
Bernadine

[Rustys]

Since you had one of the recorders connected to the TV what channel did you use to watch the recorder?

“PC” source

Did not work since you are not using the PC connection. Which would be the one on the back of the TV you have marked as unused according to the diagram you attached on post #1

Use the same channel that the recorder was using when it was connected.

Boot the computer may have to log in before the screen shows on the TV.

If no picture press the Window Key and P at the same time.
The Windows key + P combination opens a handy toolbar:

Computer only is the default option–and the name says it all.
Duplicate clones your screen to a connected secondary display, monitor or projector.
Extend expands the desktop so you can make room for extra windows.
Projector only turns off your laptop’s LCD and turns the projector into your monitor.

[Bernadine]

Hi Rustys,
Now that you say it, it makes sense that the PC connection wouldn’t work.
I connected the new HDMI cable to the TV on the HDMI2 channel. I rebooted the computer and I turned both recorders to On. (I know the recorder on the HDMI2 wouldn’t be connected) Besides the PC and TV only the recorder on the HDMI1 channel was on the list of available sources. I did click down to the HDMI2 channel in a list below the available channels but when I clicked OK, it said “The source is not connected. Please check connection again.” And no picture from the computer.
I clicked the Windows + P and clicked on the Duplicate option and repeated what I had just done. Same result.
I rebooted the computer in the Duplicate option, but it came up in the Computer only option. Same result.
I had turned the TV on and off also, just in case. Same result
When I changed the HDMI2 cable back to the recorder, the TV recognized the recorder immediately and I had a good picture.
I hope I’ve said what I did so it makes sense to you. It seems like it should work, but the world of computers is a great mystery to me.
Maybe I should ask what it would take to make the connection to the PC channel.

Thanks,
Bernadine

[plodr]

I bought a pack of 3 HDMI cables for $9.99. I attached two netbooks to the tv and it just worked.

On the off chance that the Cabernet Ultra CL2 Active High Speed HDMI Cable you purchased is bad, trying using one of the HDMI cables that a recorder is using to connect to the tv.

I can’t check this because my desktop computers don’t have HDMI ports; they only have VGA.
Check that the Display is HDMI and not VGA on the computer. (Not sure how you’d do this if you see nothing on the HDMI screen).

[Bernadine]

Hi plodr,
“On the off chance that the Cabernet Ultra CL2 Active High Speed HDMI Cable you purchased is bad, trying using one of the HDMI cables that a recorder is using to connect to the tv.”
If you want me to connect the computer and the TV with one of the old cables, that’s pretty much impossible. It’s just not long enough. And moving the computer closer is just about impossible for me.
I looked for everything I could to find whether the display is HDMI or VGA and how to change it over. By looking at the back of the monitor and computer I guess it is VGA. But if I have a HDMI cable connected the computer would have to be able to also send a HDMI signal. ??? The question I see then is how to change the computer from sending a VGA signal to the monitor to sending a HDMI signal to the TV. ???
Figuring this much out has put my head cattywhampus. :censored:
I looked for how to change the signal and came up empty. In Devices it is only showing one monitor. Should the computer do it automatically or do I have to change it myself. Anyone have any clue?

[plodr]

Truthfully, I don’t know.
I’ve only connected laptops to tv sets, not a desktop computer. I see on both the laptop screen and the tv and I can set to either show a) just on laptop b) just on tv and c) on both.

[veeg]

Any updates for us?

[veeg]

Any updates for us? After 48 hrs this thread will be closed.