How to Wirelessly Connect a PC to a TV

When you have a huge, high-definition television sitting near your computer, it's a great convenience to be able to play Internet content or the music on your hard drive without connecting the two with cumbersome wires. Several HD wireless adapters can beam your computer's display right to your HDTV wirelessly. Laptops with the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors have a functionality called WiDi, or Wireless Display, that can automatically connect to a receiver hooked up to a TV. Some receiver options are from Belkin, Netgear and D-Link. If you don't have such a laptop, you can also get a standalone solution for wireless display, such as the devices available from Asus, Atlona and Wisair.

Instructions

1. Intel WiDi

   • Connect the receiver to a power outlet and the HDMI cable to your television. Set your TV to receive input from that HDMI source. You should see the start screen for the WiDi with the brand of your receiver on the TV screen.
     
   • 2
     Power on your laptop that has the Intel WiDi technology. Note that it will have a WiDi sticker on it if you have that capability. Some laptops allow you to press a button to connect to the receiver. The button has a drawing of a laptop with radio waves coming off the right side. If you have a dedicated button, press it.
     
   • 3
     Click the Windows Start button, type "Intel Wireless Display" and press "Enter." This procedure launches the connection software if you don't have a dedicated button. Click on the receiver in the list and then click "Connect." The software connects your laptop display to the TV automatically.
     

   Standalone Adapters

   • 4
     Connect the receiver unit to your TV with the included HDMI cable and plug the power adapter into an outlet. Power on the receiver if it's equipped with a switch.
     
   • 5
     Connect the the transmitter unit to your PC. Depending on your setup the transmitter may be a USB device or require another HDMI connection. Consult the manual for your product for specifics.
     
   • 6
     Set your computer to connect to the external display. Press the Windows Start button, type "Connect to an External Display" and press "Enter." Click on the drop-down list next to "Display" and choose the option associated with your wireless HDMI adapter. It will likely have the name of the brand of the adapter in the title. Your PC is now connected to your TV wirelessly.
     

Tips & Warnings

• One thing to check Before you buy a kit like this is to make sure that the TV will accept the type of connection that the kit provides. In this example, my TV had to accept Composite Video and Audio typically labeled Video 1 or 2.
• Research, shop, and research. There is a certain reward for doing a little extra research before you purchase a product to make sure what you are buying is compatible.
• Some standalone adapters require a line of sight between the transmitter and receiver. Carefully review the documentation before making a purchase.

Wisair : Shop

Atlona : Shop

Belkin : ScreenCast TV Adapter

Asus : WiCast Adapter

Netgear : PTV

D-Link : Mainstage