laptop to tv by hdmi

searchlight123

hi
if i connect a laptop to an HD tv for streaming purposes by hdmi lead, would the laptop's resolution be a factor on the resulting tv picture.
in other words would a higher resolution laptop produce a better quality definition on the tv screen than a lower definition laptop or is it all down to the tv's quality?

thank you

wongataa

When you connect a laptop to a TV with a HDMI cable you set the resolution of the external screen (TV) independently of the resolution of the laptop's built in screen. All laptops should be able to put out a full HD signal for a TV with no issues.

searchlight123

Thanks. I thought as much. So buying a higher resolution laptop would not improve picture quality displayed on TV then?

Cycrow

No it wouldn't make a difference, its the screen that determines the resolution, not the laptop.

The only time the laptop screen will effect the resolution of an external monitor is if you have them mirrored. Then both will run at the lowest common resolution

searchlight123

thanks for replies.
very helpful.

Fightsback

It depends on what you are using the laptop for, the laptops GPU capabilities and the resolution of your TV.

Don't expect 4k gaming on your TV out of a 5 year old laptop. Most laptops are supplied with a 1366 x 768 screen and you are possibly asking it to do 1920 x 1080 (or higher) for the TV which is double the number of pixels.

Exact model of laptop and TV would be helpful.

almillar

Your TV has a resolution, your laptop screen has a resolution, and you can't exceed either of these. You then also have to consider what the graphics 'card' in the laptop is capable of. It'll have a maximum resolution too.
Fortunately, with TVs being 1080p for the most part - Full HD, 1920x1080, most laptops' graphics can manage this no problem, EVEN IF the laptop's own screen might be a lower resolution.
As a very general guide - if your laptop HAS an HDMI output, it'll have no problem with a Full HD TV screen.
Remember to set it to the correct resolution, and make sure OVERSCAN is turned OFF so that you get each pixel on the screen.