Use Laptop On TV

OnePoundNote

Hi

I am a member of a few apps which are linked to YouTube channels which I can view on my big smart TV screen, but as far as I know I can only watch the bonus footage on my laptop or mobile. 

I have an old laptop and even an old tablet that I was able to view the Patron and similar apps on them. 

I'm wondering if there's a way I can connect either the old laptop or tablet to the tv so both me and my husband can watch at the same time?

I have the old simplified Chromecast but that isn't capable as the apps don't support it. So I basically need to plug either the laptop or tablet into the tv and use it as a larger monitor.

Thanks for any helpful suggestions.

pramsay13

If the laptop has an hdmi output and the TV has an hdmi input it's usually as simple as just plugging it in the TV will show what is on the laptop screen. 
You might have to restart the laptop or play about with display settings but usually it's automatic. 

Coveredinbees!!!!

I've got an old desk pc we got for the kids to do there school work on in lockdown connected via hdmi to my tv. I use team viewer to access it from my laptop, then I can play what I want from it on my tv. You could use any pc as long as it has the right ports to connect to you tv

FreeBear

Coveredinbees!!!! said:  You could use any pc as long as it has the right ports to connect to your tv

Indeed. I regularly connect a PC to my TV using a VGA cable - Old school tech, but it still works.

Annemos

I use a thing similar to this. It's an hdmi splitter. 

The "one" end of the Switcher goes into the back of my TV into its hdmi socket. 



Re the "two end". My Sky box cable is always in one of those hdmi sockets and it stays in there. 

Then when I want to switch from my Laptop screen to the TV screen, I use a blue HDMI cable to link the laptop's hdmi slot to the second Switcher hdmi slot. 


When all is connected, I just hit the little switch on the top of the Switcher in the middle and it automatically toggles between the laptop screen and the TV screen. 

That is to say.... it toggles between the "TV screen showing Sky TV" and the "TV screen showing laptop view/screen". 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Splitter-Switcher-Pigtail-Supports-Firestick/dp/B0CQLS89NH/ref=asc_df_B0CQLS89NH?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333258031350&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932723782223&psc=1

DullGreyGuy

Annemos said:

I use a thing similar to this. It's an hdmi splitter. 

The "one" end of the Switcher goes into the back of my TV into its hdmi socket. 



Re the "two end". My Sky box cable is always in one of those hdmi sockets and it stays in there. 

Splitter is normally 1 to many, hence it splits the signal.

For a many to 1 you would normally use a switch (eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Basics-Switch-Pigtail-Supports-Black/dp/B07QZ46SLH). 

A laptop is probably ok, but HDCP will often not work with a splitter used backwards. A cheap switch like the above will work with HDCP but it means getting up and pressing the button to switch the source. Spend a bit more and you can get auto-switching or a remote control.