Technology Networking & Internet

How Do I Play Internet Movies on My TV?

By Technology Last updated Tuesday, June/04/2024

What You'll Need

To connect your computer to your TV you will need two different cables. To connect the video component, you will need a 4-pin S-Video cable. Depending on your computer, it may have a 4- or 7-pin port, but the 4-pin cable will work with either.

To connect the audio component, you will need a 1/8 inch to RCA cable. This "Y" cable will have a regular headphone jack on one end and red and white RCA jacks on the other. If you wish to have the sound play through your computer's speakers the steps involving the RCA cable can be skipped.

Your PC will have an S-Video out with its collection of ports. It is a circular port that is smaller than a dime. Plug one end of your S-Video cable into your computer, and the other into the corresponding port on the back of your TV. Then plug the 1/8 end of your audio cable into the headphone port on your computer, and the RCA end into the red and white ports next to the S-Video input. Make sure that the cables are plugged into the same input or they will not appear on the same input on your television.

Now that your computer is connected to the television, it must be set up to send a signal through the S-Video port. In the control panel, select "Display," then choose "Settings." Slide the resolution bar down until it reads 800 x 600. This will look weird on your computer compared to the higher resolution you are used to, but the movie will appear clear on your television. Click "Apply," to save the settings. You will have to press the "FN" key, then one of the "F+number" keys to activate the "TV-Out" setting. Finally, change the input, or source, on your television until you see the computer's screen. Once you see your screen on your TV, you can grab your popcorn, and start the movie.

Mac computers require a special adapter to convert their DVI or mini-DVI output into an S-Video output. Your computer will automatically adjust to transmit the image through the S-Video out when the adapter is plugged in. The rest of the instructions are the same.