How To Convert An LCD Monitor To a TV

An LCD computer monitor can be converted to a TV by simply connecting it directly to your satellite TV receiver via video cable or using a TV tuner box that will work as a cable adapter. So if you have a monitor you're not using, it can be converted into an HDTV. You will also need speakers for the TV sound.

Things You'll Need

• Cable/satellite receiver
• TV tuner
• Speakers
• Audio/video cables
• VGA/DVI computer cable

Step 1

Check if your cable or satellite TV receiver box has a DVI or HDMI output port. This is usually located at the back end of the reciever. A DVI port uses a rectangular, multi-pin connector with screws, similar to VGA. HDMI port uses a very thin, trapezoidal connector.

Step 2

Connect the TV box to the monitor using one of these cable connections. If the monitor has an S-Video (the rounded, five-pin connector) or a composite video (yellow RCA-style port) input, connect it to the TV box with one of these cables.

Step 3

If the LCD computer monitor won't connect directly to the cable/satellite box, Purchase a TV tuner box for the monitor. Connect this tuner to the TV box's output using an S-Video connection or an RCA composite (yellow, white and red plugs) or RF coaxial (the thick, black, twist-in-place cable) connection.

Step 4

Connect the tuner box to the monitor using the same VGA or DVI cable you would use to connect the monitor to a computer.

Step 5

Connect the TV's audio output to a set of speakers using RCA audio cables (red and white plugs only). You can also connect them through the TV tuner if it has audio output ports. Otherwise, connect the speakers directly to the cable/satellite box.

Step 6

Now that the setup is complete, turn on all devices. Use the TV tuner's remote control to select its input source for the cable connection you're using. Use the cable/satellite box's remote control to change TV channels.

Tips and Warnings

• An S-Video connection is the best as it produces quality picture compared to RCA composite or RF coaxial.
• You can receive TV signals on the monitor without the cable box by connecting your wall cable directly to the tuner box. Use the tuner's remote to change channels in this case. You won't receive any premium channels that require the cable subscription.
• You can connect an antenna directly to the tuner box for over-the-air channels only.

Reference

http://africhow.com/tech/electronics/how-to-convert-an-lcd-monitor-to-a-tv