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The projector is very useful. Whether you use them for Powerpoint presentations or in your home theater and gaming settings, there is no better way to get a big screen. Unfortunately, not all projectors and computers can work together.
Some projectors work through dedicated video cables such as HDMI, DVI, or VGA, while others use various USB cable types or wireless protocols. In many cases, it is necessary to use a converter to plug the projector into a computer port.
There are some practical methods of connecting the projector to a Windows computer, the equipment you may need, and the settings you need to change.
Next, refer to your projector manual for help setting HDMI as the input source, and perform the following steps on your computer.
The steps for using DVI are the same as those in the HDMI section, but you may find that you need a converter to make it all work.
If you use DVI as the only computer output, you will find that these converters work in reverse. The compatibility between DVI and HDMI video makes it easy to use.
After connecting, select VGA as the input source and follow the same steps in the HDMI section above.
On a Windows computer, connect a standard USB-A cable to the computer and plug the other end into the USB port of the projector.
After plugging in, you may receive a one-time prompt prompting you to install the driver for the projector. After installation, you can follow the steps in the HDMI section to set up the projector display.
If you encounter problems, please make sure that the projector you are using is capable of USB communication. The USB ports of many projectors are only used to connect storage devices such as external hard drives or thumbsticks and do not support USB communication with computers.
You need to use an Android or iOS device to initial set up the Chromecast. To use Chromecast on the projector, follow these steps:
After setting up, open the Chrome browser on your computer, click the three dots in the upper right corner, and select Cast. If you want to project the entire desktop, select Cast Desktop from the Cast to the drop-down menu.
In addition to being used for meetings and sharing information with a group of people, the projector is the perfect way to enjoy movies, Netflix, and games with friends. When you project your computer to the projector, you can enjoy the big screen with your friends in a room space. Also, you may use a laptop instead of a computer sometimes and need to project it to the projector. If so, there is another guide for you: How to connect laptop to projector? Hope they are helpful! If you have any questions about how to connect computer /laptop to the projector, welcome to leave a comment below.
Some projectors work through dedicated video cables such as HDMI, DVI, or VGA, while others use various USB cable types or wireless protocols. In many cases, it is necessary to use a converter to plug the projector into a computer port.
There are some practical methods of connecting the projector to a Windows computer, the equipment you may need, and the settings you need to change.
1. Connect the projector to the computer with HDMI cable
High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cables are the standard for video transmission. Most projectors have an HDMI input port. Most computers have an HDMI output port, and you can connect it directly to the projector with an HDMI cable.Next, refer to your projector manual for help setting HDMI as the input source, and perform the following steps on your computer.
- Open the start menu and click Settings.
- Navigate to System> Display> Advanced Settings.
- Your projector should show up as a second screen, if not, click "Detect".
- Select Duplicate these displays to make the projector mirror your computer display.
- Click Apply.
Connect the projector to the computer with DVI
Before HDMI dominated, digital visual interface (DVI) cables were the best choice for high-quality video transmission. It is still widely supported today. Almost all projectors have a DVI port and are also compatible with various computer hardware.The steps for using DVI are the same as those in the HDMI section, but you may find that you need a converter to make it all work.
If you use DVI as the only computer output, you will find that these converters work in reverse. The compatibility between DVI and HDMI video makes it easy to use.
Connect the projector to the computer with VGA
For a long time, video graphics array (VGA) monitors have been the king of computer video. If your projector and computer both have VGA, you can connect them with a standard VGA cable. If not, you need to use a DVI or HDMI to VGA converter as a bridge.After connecting, select VGA as the input source and follow the same steps in the HDMI section above.
Connect the projector to the computer with USB
Since projectors are mostly used with computers, many projectors have a local USB port for connection. If your projector is equipped with an interactive pen for drawing and presenting on the screen, you need to use a USB to enable it.On a Windows computer, connect a standard USB-A cable to the computer and plug the other end into the USB port of the projector.
After plugging in, you may receive a one-time prompt prompting you to install the driver for the projector. After installation, you can follow the steps in the HDMI section to set up the projector display.
If you encounter problems, please make sure that the projector you are using is capable of USB communication. The USB ports of many projectors are only used to connect storage devices such as external hard drives or thumbsticks and do not support USB communication with computers.
Use Chromecast with your projector
Perhaps the easiest way to connect the projector to the computer is to use a Google Chromecast dongle. They are cheap, easy to set up, and can be used with almost any computer or smart device. You need a projector that supports HDMI input to use this method.You need to use an Android or iOS device to initial set up the Chromecast. To use Chromecast on the projector, follow these steps:
- Connect Chromecast to the HDMI input of the projector.
- Download the Google Home app for Android or iOS.
- Stand near the Chromecast dongle and choose to set up 1 device when prompted.
- Follow the steps on the screen to complete the setup.
After setting up, open the Chrome browser on your computer, click the three dots in the upper right corner, and select Cast. If you want to project the entire desktop, select Cast Desktop from the Cast to the drop-down menu.
In addition to being used for meetings and sharing information with a group of people, the projector is the perfect way to enjoy movies, Netflix, and games with friends. When you project your computer to the projector, you can enjoy the big screen with your friends in a room space. Also, you may use a laptop instead of a computer sometimes and need to project it to the projector. If so, there is another guide for you: How to connect laptop to projector? Hope they are helpful! If you have any questions about how to connect computer /laptop to the projector, welcome to leave a comment below.
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