Nowadays, data transfer from one device to another is becoming more and more popular, bypassing portable drives. One such method is an HDMI cable. Further you can learn how to enable HDMI on a laptop.
The versatility of this type of cable is so popular that it can be used to:
- Connect the TV to the computer.
- Transfer data from a laptop to a monitor.
- Connect your smartphone to a TV or monitor.
- Connect between the video card and the monitor (or TV).
- Play movies and music using one high quality cable.
Connecting one device to another is getting easier, which is why HDMI is so popular. Now there are practically no devices that do not have this port. In some cases, you can use adapters, for example, to connect a smartphone to a monitor or TV. Only the image broadcast from the source device will be displayed.
For example, if you connect the system unit to a laptop, you will need a video card port and a laptop computer port. The main thing is not to mix up the input and output connectors, otherwise the image will not appear.
The role of the HDMI connector
Before you know how to enable HDMI on a laptop, you need to understand what this connector is for. With it, you can broadcast movies, clips and music. The principle of operation is simple - replacing the analog connection method, HDMI facilitates the transfer of high-quality video and audio from one device to another. This can be a connection from a computer to a TV, from a smartphone to a monitor, and so on. Even video cards are connected to the monitor in this way.
Modern cable versions are capable of transmitting images in 2K and 4K quality. Unlike its predecessor VGA, this interface does not distort the image and has a higher data transfer rate when updating the screen at 60 and 120 Hertz. And the presence of an audio channel helps to avoid additional audio connection.
Cable versions
Unlike many devices, the HDMI interface has a reverse connection between any of its versions. For example, you can use a first-generation cable and enable data transfer from a second-generation connector. However, in this case, the data transfer speed and image / sound quality will correspond to the standard of the cable, not the connector.
Also, many experts recommend paying attention to the cable length / thickness ratio. The fact is that the market is full of fakes, and if there is no way to learn more about the characteristics of the cable, then you should pay attention to its appearance.
Firstly, if the cord is long, then as it increases, the thickness should also increase. That is, a cable one and a half meters long will be much thinner than a cable with a length of ten meters.
Secondly, safety is most important. Cable manufacturers, in order to protect their products, install special filters that prevent electromagnetic interference. Outwardly, they look like a cylindrical thickening at the base of the cable.
Port activation
In most modern devices, which implies the presence of an HDMI connector, this interface is activated automatically, but in some cases a little configuration is required. So how to enable HDMI on a laptop?
This often happens when a laptop is used as a second monitor for a desktop computer.
To do this, you need an HDMI cable and connecting it to the video card, and from it you need to connect to the laptop. If one of the devices does not have such an interface, then there is the possibility of using adapters, but then you should prepare for the loss of quality.
Next, you can move on to how to enable the HDMI input on the laptop. After the cable has been connected, you can turn on the laptop and wait until the system is fully loaded. After that you need to use the fn + F4 key combination. However, on laptops of different models, these may be different keys. This combination activates the switching of monitors, so you need to look for a key with a screen image.
In the event that this method did not work, then you can use other options. To do this, click the "Start" button and go to the "Control Panel". Next, you need to select the “Screen” parameter, and in the left column, select the “Screen settings” option. This is the HDMI setting on the laptop.
To find the first display, click on the "Find" button, and then set the options for the "Expand these screens" pop-up menu. Here's how to enable HDMI on a laptop.
Connect laptop to laptop
Now you can consider how to connect a laptop to a laptop via HDMI. In fact, connecting two laptop computers in this way will not do anything. The fact is that the HDMI connector on the laptop is designed only for data transfer, but not for receiving.
For such cases, there is an RJ-45 connector, as well as a wireless Wi-Fi connection. So connecting a laptop to a laptop via HDMI does not work. Some laptops have a built-in Bluetooth adapter, with which you can also connect laptop computers to each other.
Connect to a TV without HDMI
It also happens that the laptop does not have the right port, so you have to resort to methods such as an HDMI adapter to the laptop. To do this, you need an HDMI cable and a DVI-HDMI adapter.
All operations are carried out exclusively on de-energized equipment. Now you can start connecting. The adapter is inserted into the DVI port on the laptop, and a cable is inserted into the HDMI connector, which is located at the output.
After that, you can turn on the TV and laptop. On the laptop, press the right mouse button and select the "Screen Resolution" option. A window opens with options and two screens. You need to select the orientation - landscape, several screens - expand these screens, then the "Define" button. This button will help you understand which screen the TV belongs to and which laptop.
After that, you need to select the number to which the TV belongs - most often it is "2". Next, turn on the TV and select the HDMI connection. Now you can broadcast the image and sound from the laptop to the TV.
Interface version
In order to purchase the right cable, you need to understand how to find out which HDMI is on the laptop. To do this, you need to consider the characteristics of the video card, as it is responsible for this output.
If the video card is discrete, then you should visit the manufacturer’s website and view the detailed characteristics of the video card, or rather, its outputs. For laptops, this will be seen in their technical specifications.
Interface troubleshooting
If there are problems with the image output through this connector, it is logical to assume that the HDMI port on the laptop does not work. However, do not rush to conclusions, as there are several “symptoms” of breakdown that you need to pay attention to.
The first and most obvious sign of a breakdown will be the disappearance of the image on the TV or monitor. To begin with, it is worth checking the connection, and if the laptop detects it, it is recommended to inspect the cable. Firstly, it should "sit" tightly in both nests. Secondly, you need to pay attention to its entire length: are there any excesses, external damage. Thirdly - a type of port - it is often possible to confuse the input / output jacks, as they are installed by several pieces, especially on TVs.
Solution to the problem
If the sound signal is lost, you must visit the "Control Panel" and the "Hardware and Sound" tab. Next, we need only the “Sound”, a window will open where you can choose the connection options. If the problem is with a stationary computer, then you need to choose a video card, and in the case of a TV, respectively, a TV. After that, click "Apply."
Do not rule out a problem with the port itself, as it could just burn out. To prevent such a disaster, it is necessary to disconnect extraneous connections: cable TV and satellite dish before connecting to HDMI. Checking the outlet is not superfluous - its grounding plays an important role. If the connector burns out, contact a service center to replace the socket.