Connectors
The connections on most computers are VGA, DVI, Displayport, HDMI, mini Displayport and occasionally an S-Video or Composite Video "TV output".
The connections on the TV are usually Composite Video, S-Video, Component Video, DVI and HDMI.

It's important to know if the signal is digital or analog since converting between the two always adds to the final cost. DVI can be either digital or analog, sometimes both are supported (though not at the same time) and sometimes not. DVI-A, the analog DVI signal can be considered the same as VGA requiring a simple adapter for conversion. Component Video can be analog or digital, although it is virtually never digital in Consumer products.

Digital Video Signals: DVI-D, HDMI, Displayport and mini Displayport
Analog Video Signals: VGA, Composite Video, S-Video, DVI-A and Component Video

Once you determine the connectors available on the computer and the TV, then you need to consider the signal and resolution capabilities compatible with them.
Standard Definition Signals: Composite Video, S-Video
High Definition Signals: HDMI, DVI, Displayport, Component Video

Standard Definition TV
If your TV is not high definition then your choices are limited, which on the positive side, makes your choices pretty easy. You'll just use an appropriate converter to take the computers output and convert it to Composite Video or S-Video. This is easiest if the Computer has a VGA output. There are numerous converter boxes available at low prices that will take a fairly wide range of Display signals and convert and format them to fit on your TV. Many of them don't support a lot of the new wide-screen monitor formats, so you may have to compromise on how high you set your resolution.  More difficult and, in most cases, not worth the expense is if your Computer output is Digital, like Displayport. You'll have to convert digital to analog signals and it will get expensive quickly - not worth the final results on a standard Def TV. One important thing to bare in mind when converting from a high to a low resolution like this is that the TV display is not going to be anywhere near as sharp and clear as a monitor display. A Standard definition TV has the equivalent resolution of 640x480 pixels. That is much less than the 1280x1024 pixels of the average computer monitor. The natural result is a blurrier, grainier picture.

High Definition TV
If your TV is high definition it's usually possible for you to achieve a high resolution on the HDTV. The down side is it can be more complex and expensive to do.
If your computer has a digital video output, the connection could be as simple as a DVI to HDMI cable, or an HDMI Cable. If the computer has VGA output, then it can be more complicated and expensive, since you'll need a video conversion box of some kind. If the TV is relatively new and has a VGA TV input – you’re GOLDEN--you just need a VGA cable!  If that's the case you may want to skip the rest of this part. Just connect them and use the highest compatible resolution. Check your TV's manual for supported resolutions.

VGA

The first thing you need to understand is that your TV only likes signals that are TV signals,  it is not going to give you a picture if you give it a signal that is only meant for a computer display. Some bad resolutions: 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x768, 1280x1024, 1400x900, 1680x1050, and 1600x1200.

Image cut off from incorrect aspect ratio

Some good ones: 640x480@60Hz, 1280x720@60Hz, 1920x1080@60Hz*. So the first order of business is to check which resolutions are available in your computers "Display Settings". Next you should check in the TV's manual or online specs for which signals it is compatible with. Normally that's 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i and possibly 1080p.  Now match them up. 480p is basically 640x480@60Hz. 720p is 1280x720@60Hz. 1080p is 1920x1080@60Hz. We don't suggest you torture yourself trying to get 1080i working, unless you want to do a whole lot of further reading**.

If your computer cannot output any of the resolutions your TV likes, then you will need a "Scaler". A scaler will convert between different types of signals and resolutions. If your computer and TV have a compatible resolution like, say 720p/1280x720@60Hz, then you can save some money getting a converter box called a "Transcoder". A transcoder costs less, but it does not convert between resolutions - the resolution that goes in, is the same as the one that goes out, it just converts between signal types such as RGB (VGA) and Y-Pr-Pb (Component Video).

Bit of a headache yet? Don't worry, we are now down to the nuts and bolts. Next is the scenarios and what you need to do.

Scenarios

or
HDMI or DVI

1) DVI/HDMI Computer out to TV DVI/HDMI input - You need to connect the two with an HDMI or DVI/HDMI cable. You need to use a compatible resolution.

TV Component Video

2) DVI/HDMI Computer out to TV Component Video input - You need an HDFury2. (Google it)
3) VGA Computer out to TV DVI/HDMI input - You need a VGA to HDMI or DVI converter box. Check to make sure it has an output compatible with the TV.
4) VGA Computer out to TV Component Video input - You need a Transcoder (see above) if you can match up compatible resolutions, or a Scaler (see above) if the computer and TV's input/output signals don't match. If you use a Transcoder, you have to make sure you match up the signals(example: 720p/1280x720@60Hz). If you use a Scaler you can use different input and output signals (example 720p/1280x1024@60Hz). With a scaler, for best results you should try and get the computer output resolution as close as possible to the TV's input resolution. When setting up a scaler we suggest first connecting it to a computer monitor. You connect it, and get into the settings menu and set it for the desired output. Sometimes the screen will go blank (meaning the computer monitor does not support that signal) . Disregard that and go ahead and connect it to the TV. If it does not work with the TV, look at the Scaler manual on how to reset it and try again.

* assuming your TV accepts 1080p.
** Please google "powerstrip guide" for more information.


Don't forget the Audio!
The audio connection is generally the easiest part, unless you want to get surround sound into a Home Theater system. If you just want Stereo, you just need a "3.5mm Stereo mini plug to Dual RCA Plug Cable". 

TV Component Video and Dual RCA Plug Cable

If you want surround sound there are external USB and Firewire "Audio Interface" devices, as well as internal sound cards that can give you this capability. For surround sound you will either need a digital audio connection or Multichannel Analog Audio outputs. The specifics depend on your home theater system or TV, what types of surround sound formats you desire, and how bad you really want it. Blu Ray lossless Audio tends to cost a lot more than older formats and compatibility issues are no fun to deal with.

Are the results of all this worth it? Yesiree Bob! As a longtime "HTPC" user, I enjoy watching and recording "over the air" broadcasts, watching DVD's, Blu Ray Discs, watching online content and browsing the internet using my computers with my HDTV's and save lots of money while having more fun and more flexibility. Getting things set up correctly in the first place is the tricky part. Hopefully this article will help some of you with that big first step.

RAM Electronic Industries Inc.
1704 Taylors Lane
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Toll Free: 888-726-2440
Phone: 856-864-0999
Fax: 856 786-2262
www.RamElectronics.Net