Connecting your computer to your TV is something we help Sydney clients with almost every week. The right setup lets you enjoy movies on the big screen, show off work presentations, or get the mates around for a gaming session – without tech stress.

We’ve seen how a proper connection, a good cable or adapter, and a few minutes in the display settings make all the difference. No matter whether you want the stability of a cable or the convenience of wireless, our team is happy to make sure your gear works together effortlessly and looks and sounds great.

Key Takeaway

• Choosing the correct cable and TV input is essential for reliable wired connections.
• Wireless methods do best when both devices share the same Wi-Fi and support the right mirroring or casting features.
• Fine-tuning your computer’s display and audio settings can solve most picture and sound problems quickly.

Wired Connection Methods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpcph8H0r_c&pp=ygUdSG93IHRvIENvbm5lY3QgQ29tcHV0ZXIgdG8gVFY%3D

Credits: MJ Tube

There’s a certain reassurance in using a wired connection from your computer to TV – steady picture, no random dropouts, and minimal troubleshooting. We always steer clients toward a cable when they crave reliability, especially for business meetings or important events. Over the years, we’ve found a direct connection is almost never the source of a last-minute IT panic.

HDMI Connection

Why HDMI is a Favourite

Most people will find HDMI the easiest and most effective option. One cable carries both picture and sound, and connectors are standard across new laptops, desktops, and TVs. Even if your device doesn’t have the larger HDMI port, modern laptops often have USB-C, for which a good USB-C to HDMI adapter does the trick. [1]

Setting Up HDMI

• Identify the HDMI port on your computer, or fit a USB-C to HDMI adapter if needed.
• Plug one end of the HDMI cable into your computer and the other into the TV.
• Power on both devices.
• Use the TV remote to select the HDMI input you used (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.).
• If there’s no picture, open display settings on your computer (Windows + P on Windows or Displays in System Preferences on Mac) to pick Duplicate, Extend, or mirror your screen.

We find clients often skip the final step – adjusting the display options – then worry the connection isn’t working, when it’s usually just a quick tweak away.

VGA Connection

When VGA is Still Useful

A lot of older offices and older TVs still rely on VGA connections. We see them crop up all the time in schools, churches, and homes with slightly older gear. Just remember, VGA only sends video – not sound. [2]

Connecting with VGA

• Attach the VGA cable from your computer’s output to the TV’s VGA input.
• Use a 3.5mm audio cable (or similar) between your computer’s headphone jack and the TV’s audio in port for sound.
• On the TV remote, select ‘VGA’ or ‘PC’ input.
• Tweak resolution in your PC’s display settings if the image appears stretched or blurry. VGA connections sometimes default to low resolutions, so boosting it can help image sharpness.

We’ve run into plenty of situations where sound was missing, and it all came down to this forgotten audio lead.

DVI to HDMI Connection

Making DVI Work for TV

Desktops, especially older models, might only have DVI for video out. DVI is digital and produces a solid picture, but it doesn’t carry audio like HDMI.

Steps for DVI to HDMI

• Plug a DVI-to-HDMI cable into your computer’s DVI output and your TV’s HDMI input.
• Connect a 3.5mm or RCA audio cable from your computer to the TV for sound.
• Use the TV remote to pick the corresponding HDMI port.
• You might need to update the display settings on your computer, particularly if the TV’s native resolution looks off.

We recommend quality cables and adapters – cheap ones have caused us plenty of headaches with flickering and colour errors.

DisplayPort Connection

Where DisplayPort Comes In

Some high-end desktops, gaming machines or business laptops come with DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort. They’re mostly found outside the home theatre environment, but are a mainstay in professional and design setups.

DisplayPort to TV Setup

• Plug a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter into your computer, then connect an HDMI cable to your TV’s HDMI input.
• Choose the right HDMI input on your TV.
• If the image is missing or looks odd, check and adjust the computer’s display settings.

After setting up countless adapters, we can’t emphasise enough the difference a quality adapter makes. Too many support calls are a result of those little bargain adapters not doing their job reliably.

Wireless Connection Methods

Wireless setups are a real favourite among our clients – no clutter, no holes in the skirting board, and a lot less time crawling around on the floor. That said, wireless connections depend a lot on your home or office Wi-Fi quality, device compatibility, and sometimes just a little bit of tech patience. The convenience is great, but we’ve learned first-hand how easy it is for frustrations to crop up without the right foundation.

Chromecast

Setup and Essentials

You hook up a Chromecast device to your TV’s HDMI port, then join it to your Wi-Fi network. It’s essential that both your computer and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi. That catches people out all the time – most calls to us about “can’t see my TV” turn out to be a Wi-Fi mismatch problem.

Casting From Your Computer

Once it’s set up with the Google Home app, casting is straightforward: pop open Google Chrome, hit the three dots, and select Cast. You can either project an individual tab or the whole desktop. For streaming shows, family photos, or even collaborating in meetings, it really beats running cables across the lounge or boardroom.

We see a bit of lag now and then – particularly with games or anything fast-paced. Casting works a treat for casual viewing or presentations, but we always mention that latency’s a trade-off.

Miracast for Windows PCs

Built-In Wireless Mirroring

Miracast pops up in lots of Windows laptops and smart TVs. When it works, there’s no mess – no dongles or adapters. The only hiccup we run into is that the whole thing relies on both devices supporting Miracast. That means double-checking compatibility before spending time on the setup.

Connecting in Practice

• Make sure both your computer and TV are hooked onto the same Wi-Fi.
• Press Windows + K, or open the Connect app to scan for devices.
• Your TV should appear; pick it and wait a moment for the handshake.

Sometimes the connection feels flaky – interference on the network, or support being dropped in older devices. In managed office environments, some Wi-Fi setups even disable these features for security, so we make a habit of testing before any meetings or events.

AirPlay for Apple Devices

Apple’s Screen Mirroring Approach

AirPlay is well-loved among our Apple clients. If you’ve got a MacBook and an Apple TV or compatible smart TV, there’s rarely a hitch once everything’s updated and on the same network. We field plenty of requests to tidy up AirPlay settings before training sessions and conferences, and generally, it’s smooth sailing with recent gear.

Getting AirPlay Up and Running

Open the Control Centre on your Mac, tap on Screen Mirroring, and your Apple TV or smart TV appears in the list. One tap, and it’s sorted. If the display doesn’t look right, adjust resolution or arrangement through Display Preferences. We’ve even seen whole boardrooms pivot to macOS just for how easy this makes projecting slideshows and videos.

Smart TV Built-In Screen Mirroring

Direct From Computer to TV

Most modern smart TVs now offer their own brand of screen mirroring – no dongles, just your computer talking to the TV over Wi-Fi. The TV’s menus often have a ‘Screen Mirroring’ or ‘Wireless Display’ option. On your laptop, search for wireless display devices and connect once they find each other.

It’s a nice option for households or small offices, but we have noticed consistency issues between different makes and models. Sometimes the feature is there but just doesn’t play nice, especially if the TV is a few years old. We often help clients troubleshoot these quirks, making sure devices talk to each other properly and optimising the network for best results.

Display Settings and Input Selection

Getting the connection right is only part of the story – once you’ve got your cables sorted, the real difference comes from nailing your display and audio settings. Over the years, we’ve seen just how much these tweaks can mean to the overall experience, whether it’s for a home cinema setup or an office boardroom.

Selecting the Correct TV Input

Using Your TV Remote

It sounds simple, but so many times we’ve been called out, the main culprit is just the TV being on the wrong input. Grab the remote, slowly step through each source option – HDMI 1, HDMI 2, VGA, or occasionally a PC input – until your computer’s screen finally pops up. Sometimes it takes a few moments for the handshake between devices, so patience here is definitely worthwhile.

Adjusting Computer Display Settings

Windows Display Options

When working on Windows machines, there’s a handy shortcut: by pressing Windows + P, you can instantly flip between Duplicate (same image on both screens), Extend (uses your TV as a second, independent monitor), or Second screen only (laptop screen goes black, output solely on the TV). If you want something more customised, right-click the desktop and select Display Settings for options like resolution and scaling – great for sorting out fuzzy text or off-centre images.

Mac Display Preferences

Our Mac clients often head straight into System Preferences > Displays, where arranging screens or toggling “Mirror Displays” is all quite visual and user-friendly. If you want that seamless, matched-image look across both screens, tick “Mirror Displays.” For those with presentations or who want a bit of extra workspace, dragging windows between screens is second nature after the initial setup.

Managing Audio Output

HDMI Audio

HDMI’s supposed to carry both sound and picture, but every so often, sound just decides to keep playing through the laptop. We always check the computer’s sound output settings and select the TV (might show up as the TV’s brand or just ‘HDMI’). It’s one click, but it can totally change the experience.

Separate Audio Cable Use

If you’re using older connections – VGA or DVI, for example – audio won’t make it over the signal. In these cases, a 3.5mm audio cable from your computer’s headphone jack straight into the TV’s audio input does the trick, or sometimes RCA connectors depending on the model. Don’t forget this extra step, especially if you’re looking for videos or presentations with sound.

Troubleshooting and Optimising Connection Quality

We’ve lost count of the times we’ve been called to a site for “no signal,” only to resolve it with a cable re-seat or a simple setting. It’s always satisfying to see relief on someone’s face when a looming presentation goes from stress to smooth.

Common Issues and Fixes

No Signal or Black Screen

• Check all cables are snug – wobbly connections can cause a world of grief.
• Make sure the TV input matches where your cable is plugged.
• Unplugging both TV and computer, then reconnecting while both are off, often fixes handshake hiccups.
• If issues linger, a reboot of both devices can clear up most digital cobwebs.

No Audio Output

• Make sure the computer’s audio output is set to the TV, especially after switching which device is plugged in.
• For anyone using VGA or DVI, connect an audio cable from your computer to the TV or a nearby sound system – otherwise, things stay oddly silent.

Improving Picture and Audio Quality

Enabling Game Mode on your TV cuts down on input lag dramatically – especially for anyone doing gaming or needing smooth cursor movements. We get this question all the time from business clients who want exactly what’s on their laptop, without mishaps, for conferences and training.

If the TV speakers aren’t cutting it, connecting external speakers – whether directly from the computer or through the TV – gives your sound an instant lift. Many offices we help out have truly transformed meeting rooms just by upgrading their speakers.

Multiple Displays and Extended Screens

Running an extended desktop (instead of duplicating) gives you a lot more space – great for working on spreadsheets while keeping an eye on emails on the laptop. Some of our business clients really value using their TV as a presentation space while still handling their admin on the laptop.

Cable and Adapter Selection Tips

• Stick with quality HDMI cables for most setups – reliable and simple.
• For newer laptops with USB-C or DisplayPort, trustworthy adapters are a must. Cheap ones are often the reason for signal dropouts or bad picture quality.
• Keep cables neat; don’t force bends or cram them behind the TV. Damaged or kinked cables are a very common cause of flickering or sudden loss of signal.
• If a cable’s looking the worse for wear, replacing it is almost always better than wrestling with random issues.

FAQ