How can I use my TV as my computer monitor?

How can I use my TV as a computer monitor?

• I have a Sanyo Flat Panel HDTV. The back has HDMI, Digital Audio Output, Digital Antenna In, S-Video, A few other Audio Out/Inputs and the HD Y Pb Pr. I have no video outputs on my computer nor the S-Video. My computer has the A/O/O/ and that's it. My friend has his computer hooked up to the his TV with no additional cords, besides the original monitor cord. But I don't have that hook up on my TV. What would be the cheapest way to go?

• Answer:

  Find a cheap DVI to HDMI adapter (looks like a little block with ports on either side) and buy what ever length HDMI cable you need. Image: http://www.sanace.com/IT/images/dvi-hdmi.jpg Computer - DVI cable - DVI to HDMI adapter - Your TV's HDMI input You can achieve this same connection with a DVI/HDMI cable that consolidates the two connections into one cable, as the electronics for DVI-D and HDMI video are the same: Image: http://www.jdr.com/interact/..\images\products\C\cbl-hdmi-dvi.jpg Be aware that the quality of cables/adapters does not matter as long as they work. This is because the signal passed over DVI is digital, so there is nothing to degrade as long as it gets through in one piece. NOTE: This solution assumes you have a video adapter in your computer that has a DVI output. If you don't have a modern video card or motherboard with DVI you probably won't be able to connect to your HDTV. An exception to this may be a VGA to component (3 RCA coax cables red, green, and blue) adapter: Image: http://www.everything2connect.com/images/Component_VGA_RCA.jpg This will work, however it won't make the most of your LCD set's digital nature because the video is being through a rather reduced analog signal. Component can still pass 720p, which is HD, just not very well. The DVI/HDMI setup is your ideal solution because it will allow you to pass the video digitally and uncompressed at the native resolution of your HDTV (look that up, it's important).