# Why doesn't my LCD-TV work with my computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 21, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-my-lcd-tv-work-with-my-computer/345546 "2006-02-21T23:40:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-my-lcd-tv-work-with-my-computer/345546/1 "2006-02-21T23:40:34Z")
I’m looking at my magnificent 40" Samsung LE40R51BX that I got today. One of many reasons I got it was that it’s possible to connect the computer an have PiP, meaning I can IMDb when watching a movie. As a TV it works great. As a computer monitor, not at all. It’s got a VGA connector on the back, I have all the latest drivers on my computer, the videocard (Asus N6200TC) should be good enough, but the screen is black. I’ve checked the User’s guide, the FAQ over at [Samsung.com](http://Samsung.com) and I can’t find a clue. Oh, and if you’ve read this far - how do I get a resolution above the choices XP gives me? I want to set the resolution to 1366x768, but I can’t get it above 1280x1024. I need to play HL2 on a big ass screen NOW. ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-my-lcd-tv-work-with-my-computer/345546/2 "2006-02-22T00:07:14Z")
Are you using it in a 2nd monitor situation? In other words, in addition to your real computer monitor? If so, you might have to enable the 2nd monitor in display preferences. ---
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-my-lcd-tv-work-with-my-computer/345546/3 "2006-02-22T00:36:17Z")
[QUOTE=The Gaspode] Oh, and if you’ve read this far - how do I get a resolution above the choices XP gives me? I want to set the resolution to 1366x768, but I can’t get it above 1280x1024. [QUOTE] I suppose you’re not speaking about the television now, but about a separate monitor? If you’re up to date on all your drivers, then the video setup screen will exhaust your resolution choices. Your monitor probably doesn’t go up that high. ---
**Author:** ![Giant\_Spongess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@Giant\_Spongess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giant_Spongess)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-my-lcd-tv-work-with-my-computer/345546/4 "2006-02-22T03:03:53Z")
If it’s a laptop, there’s a key function you need to hit to convert to LCD. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-my-lcd-tv-work-with-my-computer/345546/5 "2006-02-22T03:10:16Z")
[Manual (9 meg pdf)](http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200503/20050330103819203_BN68-00883C-00Eng.pdf) See pages 49 50 & 63. If the option to display PC video absolutely requires the resolution rating you mentioned many video cards cannot do this. > [@](#): > > Frequency > Horizontal 30 ~ 61 kHz 30 ~ 61 kHz 30 ~ 61 kHz > Vertical 60 ~ 75 Hz 60 ~ 75 Hz 60 ~ 75 Hz > Display Colour 16,777,216 colours 16,777,216 colours 16,777,216 colours > PC Resolution > Maximum 1360 x 768 @ 60 Hz 1360 x 768 @ 60Hz 1360 x 768 @ 60Hz > Optimum 1360 x 768 @ 60 Hz 1360 x 768 @ 60 Hz 1360 x 768 @ 60 Hz > [@](#): > > Auto adjustment allows the PC screen of set to self-adjust to the > incoming PC video signal. > The values of fine, coarse and position are adjusted automatically. > Press the PC button on the remote control to select the PC mode. > 1 Press the MENU button. > Result: The main menu is displayed. > 2 Press the or button to select Setup. > Press the ENTER button. > Result: The options available in the Setup group are displayed. > 3 Press the or button to select PC. > Press the ENTER button. > Result: The options available in the PC menu are displayed. > 4 Press the or button to select Auto Adjustment. > Press the ENTER button. > Result: The screen quality and position are automatically > adjusted. > Adjusting the PC Screen Automatically ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-my-lcd-tv-work-with-my-computer/345546/6 "2006-02-22T07:09:56Z")
To answer your questions: No, it’s not a dual setup, I simply unplug my TFT and move the cable to the tv. The computrer is not a laptop. No, the choices in XP when I try to change display options, not the screen at all. Yes, I’ve read the manual, before posting, and followed instructions. Iy’s simply as if there’s no computer connected. Oh, well. Time to call Samsung support. It was evening here and I was hoping someone had a quick’n’easy sollution. Thanks anyway. ---
**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-my-lcd-tv-work-with-my-computer/345546/7 "2006-02-22T13:36:37Z")
Can I offer a suggestion you’ve \*probably \*tried but since you didn’t specifically mention it… Is your TV on the correct input? You know… TV / Sat / DVD / Game / Computer ??