PCTVCables.com : Installation Guide, How to set up and use your PC to TV Cable or PC to TV Converter

Installation Guide

It's easy to connect your PC to your TV with our specialty video-and-audio-in-one cables. Now we'll show you how to set up your PC and your TV to make it work. Connect your cable to your PC and TV first, then follow the instructions below.

If you are using one of our PC to TV converters, click the appropriate link:

How to set up your VGA to RCA/Composite or SVideo PC to TV Converter

How to set up your VGA to HDMI with Scaler PC to TV Converter

How to set up your VGA to COMPONENT PC to TV Converter

PLEASE NOTE: There are many different PC and TV software and hardware combinations, so please be patient. You may have to experiment to find your optimum settings. If you encounter any difficulties, email us at support@pctvcables.com and we will be glad to help. Be sure to specify the make and model number of both your PC and TV.

IMPORTANT: Please disable your screen saver if you plan on watching movies (or extend it for several hours). If your screen saver activates while your are watching a movie it may disrupt your audio and/or video settings (especially with HDMI cables).

1. Setting the input mode on your TV:

You'll need to set up your TV to receive the video and audio signals from your PC. Usually this can be done quickly from your remote control. Look for a button that says "Mode" or "Source" or "Input" or something similar.

Select "PC" as the source on your HDTV

If you don't have a source button on your remote control, look for a "Mode" or "Source" or "Input" button on the side or top of your TV:

If you are using our VGA cable simply scroll through the options until you find "PC." If you don't see "PC," then try another source such as "Auxillary" or "Input." If you are using our HDMI cable select "HDMI." If you are using our S-Video cable select "S-Video" or "Composite." If you are using our S-Video cable with an old tube TV try setting your TV to channel 3 or 4. NOTE: Some HDTVs will not allow you to select a mode that is not detected.

2. Setting the output mode on your PC

HDMI Cable Setup:

HDMI cables are so easy to use. Plug the cable into your HDTV first. When you plug the cable into your PC the first time, Windows Vista will offer you some configuration options. Select the "Dual Display" or "Clone" mode. The next time you plug in your PC it will already be configured and the PC screen will instantly appear on your HDTV. Your PC and HDTV will likely coordinate the best possible compatible screen resolution so you won't have any other settings to make. The audio will also work automatically. If you have any problems with the audio you can adjust your sound card. Here's some advice:

Sound Cards: Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for fixing common sound problems

We recommend that you switch back to PC only mode prior to disconnecting your cable. This will return your PC to it's highest resolution (which may be higher than when your TV is connected). It should also return the audio control to your PC speakers. See below How to Activate/Deactivate your PC's Video Output.

VGA and S-Video Cable Setup:

While your PC always has a primary display enabled when you start your computer, your secondary PC output jacks (VGA, S-Video) are not usually enabled. So each time you restart your PC, you will have to enable your secondary output jack if you wish to connect your PC to your TV with a VGA or S-Video cable. It's easy once you figure out how to do it.

There are many different computer manufacturers, television manufacturers, operating systems and graphics controllers. These instructions are general in nature and may vary based on your equipment brand and/or model. Please refer to your computer and/or TV documentation as required.

NOTE: If you have a tube television, your output device will be "Television." If you have an HDTV, your output device will be "Monitor."

How to Activate/Deactivate Your PC's External Video Output

There are several ways to activate/deactivate your PC's external video output:

1. Right-Click Method (our preferred method)

2. Monitor Key Method

3. Via your Control Panel (Start >> Control Panel; then look for Graphics Properties)

4. Other ways that might work depending on your specific computer and operating system:

You may have a monitor icon on the lower right side of your screen. Right-click on this icon to see what options are available. Or left double-click to quicky access your Graphics Properties
If you have Intel graphics, you may be able to quickly access your Graphics Properties with the following hot-key combination: CTRL+ALT+F12.

Note:

From the Graphics Properties dialog box you can save various "schemes" for easy access from the monitor icon. For example, once you figure out the best settings for a Notebook + Monitor (HDTV) combination, you can name and save this configuration. If your computer supports a higher resolution than your PC and HDTV combination, you can save a "Notebook Only" scheme to quickly reset your computer's resolution after you disconnect your HDTV.

How to access your Graphics Properties:

After you activate your PC's external video, you may wish to make adjustments to your Graphics Properties. Follow these steps:

Windows XP

Hold down <CONTROL> and <ALT> at the same time, then press <F12>. This may open your Graphics Properties dialog box.

Or you access your Graphics Properties like this:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select "Properties"
2. Click on the "Settings" tab.
3. Click on the "Advanced" button

You will see a tab with the name of your graphics controller. There are three popular brands: Intel, NVIDIA and ATI. We will walk through the setup for the Intel graphics controller here; if you have the NVIDEA controller, click here for detailed instructions. If you have an ATI Catalyst Control Center, click here for detailed instructions (select HDTV Users Guide link on left).

4. Click on the tab for your graphics controller; for example "Intel Extreme Graphics 2 For Mobile"
5. Check the box to "Show Tray Icon." This will place a little icon on the lower right side of your screen which will make accessing your graphics properties easy.
6. Click the "Graphics Properties" button.

Your Graphics Properties dialog box is now open. On the left side you will see tabs labeled Display Devices, Display Settings, Color Correction and Hot Keys. The Display Devices tab should be selected.

7. If your PC has an S-Video output jack you will have the option to select "Multiple Display" and "Dual Display Clone." If you don't have an S-Video output you will only have this option after a VGA cable is connected between your PC and TV. NOTE: If you don't see the "Dual Display Clone" option, close the dialog box, make sure your cable is securely connected, and try again.
8. Always set the Primary device to "Notebook."If you are using an HDMI or VGA cable set the Secondary device to "Monitor". If you are using our S-Video cable set the secondary device to "Television." Your HDTV is a large monitor for your PC, not a television. Then click on the "Device Settings" tab.

If you have have selected the "Multiple Display" option under Display Devices, you will now have several Device tabs at the top of the Graphics Properties dialog box. For example, Notebook, Monitor, or Television. Click on each Device tab to configure that device.

9. If you are using an S-Video cable set the Screen Resolution to 800 x 600. For an HDMI or VGA cable start with an initial Screen Resolution of 1024 x 768. Set the Refresh rate to 60 hz and Display Expansion to "Full Screen." For a Televison in North America, set the Video Standard to "NTSC_M." NOTE: If you are connecting an HDTV your PC's resolution must match your HDTV's resolution. Refer to your HDTV's documentation to find the supported resolutions. Usually your PC will communicate with your HDTV and only offer you resolutions that are supported by both.
10. After making changes always click on the "Apply" button to activate your selections. You should now have a clone of your PC on your TV or HDTV.

Windows Vista or Windows 7

1. Hold down <CONTROL> and <ALT> at the same time, then press <F12>. This may open your graphics properties dialog box.

Or you can access your graphics properties like this:

1. Right-click on your desktop.
2. Depending on your computer, select one of the following:

NVIDIA Control Panel. Then click the "Set up multiple displays link" on the left side. Refer to your NVIDIA documentation.
ATI Catalyst Control Center. Then refer to your ATI documentation.
Personalize. Then click on the "Connect to a projector or other external display" link on the left side under "Tasks." Follow the instructions or refer to your computer's documentation.
Graphics Properties. This will bring you to the Intel graphics controller setup. Follow the instructions above starting with Step 7.

Use And Care Of Your PC TO HDTV Cable

Your PC to TV cable is a high-quality, carefully constructed product that contains multiple conductors, insulators and shields. When storing your HDMI or VGA cable, please roll it up carefully in a coil not less that 8 inches in diameter. We recommend leaving your cable permanently attached to your TV. When not in use, simply roll it into a coil and place it behind the unit. Bending or crimping your cable will render it useless. For optimal sound and picture quality, do not allow your PC to TV cable to contact or cross other cables or wires, especially power cords.

Questions? Comments? Email us: support@pctvcables.com

Enjoy the Internet on your TV!

Enjoy the internet on your HDTV via your PC!