# How to hook up computer to tv screen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 9, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032 "2003-03-09T03:56:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Apex\_Rogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@Apex\_Rogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apex_Rogers)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032/1 "2003-03-09T03:56:52Z")
I have an nVidia ti4200 that has a tv out, though I don’t know how to use it. What is the process I must go through in order to hook up my computer to the tv? My tv has the S-Video cable running to it from the computer, but I’m not sure if I have to tell the graphics card to divert the screen image away from the computer and to the tv. Hopefully one of you can help. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032/2 "2003-03-09T04:16:42Z")
Bring up “Display properties” by right clicking on the background. Go to Settings --\> Advanced --\> Output Device Change that setting from “Analog Monitor” to “TV”. ---
**Author:** ![Apex\_Rogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@Apex\_Rogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apex_Rogers)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032/3 "2003-03-09T04:28:42Z")
there’s no option that says “Output Device” I’ve looked through the settings and can’t find anywhere that controls where my computer’s video is being sent. I will update my video card drivers and hopefully I’ll be able to change those settings. ---
**Author:** ![Kewk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7ab992/32.png) [@Kewk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kewk)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032/4 "2003-03-09T04:49:57Z")
You’re prolly using the Det 40.XX drivers. In that case Display properties \> Settings \> Advanced \> Geforce4 \> Device Selection. Make sure you have your Resolution set to 640x480 or possibly 800x600 depending on what your TV will support. Always best to start with 640x480. ---
**Author:** ![Apex\_Rogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@Apex\_Rogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apex_Rogers)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032/5 "2003-03-09T05:00:56Z")
I can get to a screen where I choose the output device, but it doesn’t let me click on TV, it’s gray. What do I do to enable this option? ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032/6 "2003-03-09T06:02:49Z")
Just a WAG. Maybe this particular card is set up as a twin-head, and the TV-out can operate independently. In which case, go to Display Properties --\> Settings, and activate screen 2. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032/7 "2003-03-09T16:11:08Z")
Some cards, like the one I have, require that your tv be ON before you start the computer,then you can select it. ---
**Author:** ![Kewk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7ab992/32.png) [@Kewk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kewk)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-hook-up-computer-to-tv-screen/160032/8 "2003-03-10T00:16:50Z")
The option will be grayed out if the s-video cable is not plugged in to the back of the card. Also make sure that its plugged into the tv and it is on.