How can I connect my computer to my television screen?

How can I connect my computer to a TV or television screen?

• I want to use my television to be able to view my computer as another screen. From what I've read so far, I understand I'll need an S-Video cable. Other than that, I don't really know what else to do. Therefore, can someone tell me, before I buy the cable if I'm missing something, so as not to waste time. Thnx!

• Answer:

  If you use an S cable, don't expect a good picture. The S cable is only capable of standard definition. You won't be able to read your text-unless you make it real big. Your monitor is much better than SD. To get a real desktop on your TV, you'll need an HD connection-HDMI, DVI, VGA or component. It all depends on what connectors your TV and PC have. If you have a VGA connector on your PC, you're all set. Just hook-up to your regular VGA port or install an A/B switch so you can switch between your TV and monitor. Or add a VGA splitter so you can use both at the same time. If your computer has a Video card, then you probably have more flexibility. If not, then you can add a video card with more connectors. Update If you don't have a VGA inputr on your TV, do you have any other video outputs on your PC? If you have S, that's only SD. It would not be unusual if you only had S, or didn't even have that. You can buy a converter that will change your VGA into one of the HD inputs you do have on your PC. Just Google VGA to "whatever" converter".My preferred approach would be to install a video board into your PC. It would probably cost less, and it would give you a bigger choice of connector types and probably a better picture. Update2 Besides the S video, what other connectors does your TV have? Update3 Then you're all set. Get an S cable. After you're hooked-up, set theTV to look at the S port and go into your display settings and enable the TV out. You'll also have to add a video cable from the ministereo on the PC to the RCA red/white on the TV. Radio shack should have everything you'll need. update 4 You will only have 480 resolution. You won't be able to read text unless you use a large font. You will be able to watch streaming TV and DVDs with the same resolution you have on a normal SD TV. No matter what you do, you can't do better than the resolution of your TV., which I gather is SD. Try setting your PC resolution close to 480 vertical. That's something like what you'll have to do to use your TV as a desktop and be able to read text. Update5 You can't have an HDTV that doesn't have HD inputs-you must have other connectors, like component.