You can connect your Dell laptop to your Vizio television using either a VGA or HDMI cable. A VGA output comes standard on Dell laptops, but an HDMI output is typically found on higher-end or customized computers. The HDMI cable produces a clearer picture on your Vizio TV. You can connect your Dell laptop to your Vizio TV to extend your workspace, give a presentation on a bigger screen, use your laptop as a DVD player and much more.
Step 1
Plug one end of a VGA cable into the RGB PC input on the back of your Vizio TV. Typically, this input will be in the lower right corner on the back of your TV. Screw in the pin on each side of the VGA connector. Alternatively, you can connect one end of an HDMI cable into an available HDMI port on your Vizio TV. HDMI ports are typically located in the lower right corner of the back of the TV, and along the left edge of the front of the TV.
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Step 2
Plug the other end of the VGA cable into the VGA input on your Dell laptop. Typically, this input is located along the back left edge of the laptop and has an icon directly above the input that features a rectangle with one vertical line on each side of it. Screw in the pin on each side of the VGA connector. Alternatively, plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI input, typically located on the back right edge of the laptop and with "HDMI" written above it.
Step 3
Press the "Power" button to turn on your Dell computer and then press the "Power" button to turn on your Vizio TV.
Step 4
Press the "Input" button on your Vizio remote. Select "RGB" using the arrow keys on the remote and then press the "Play/Pause" button.
Step 5
Press the "Windows" and "P" keys on your keyboard at the same time. A box opens on your laptop screen displaying options for using the external monitor (the Vizio TV) you are connected to. Select "Computer Only" to view your screen on your laptop only; select "Duplicate" to view the same monitor on both screens; select "Extend" to use your laptop as the primary screen and your TV as an additional screen you can drag items over to; select "Projector Only" to view your screen on the TV only.
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