How to Convert Computer Movies to a Television
by Robert Vaux, Demand MediaConverting computer movies to a television entails one of two basic operations. You can burn the movie to a recordable DVD and then play it on a DVD player connected to the television, or you can connect the computer directly to the television. The first option is more complicated but may be necessary depending on your computer's connections. Neither operation takes a great deal of work and both can be accomplished in just a few steps.
Items you will need
- PC
- Burning software
- DVD burner
- DVD-R
- DVD player
- Television
- Connector cable
Converting to DVD
Step 1
Connect a DVD burner to the USB port on your computer and install the pertinent software onto your computer. Most DVD burners come with specific software which let you transfer the movie files over to a DVD. Insert the disc containing the software into the computer's disc drive and follow the instructions on the screen, then check the software to make sure it was installed correctly.
Step 2
Check the movie file on your PC to make sure it is compatible with your DVD burner. In most cases, it needs to be an NTSC file or else it won't transfer correctly. The instructions for your DVD burner should tell you which file format you need to use, and how to transfer it over if it is a different format.
Step 3
Place a blank DVD-R in the burner, select the movie on the computer using the burner's software, then press the "Record" button on your burner. It may take some time to burn the movie onto the disc; don't touch or operate the computer while it does so.
Step 4
Remove the burned DVD and place it in a DVD player connected to your television. Press "Play" on the DVD player and check to ensure that the movie plays correctly.
Connecting to Your TV
Step 1
Examine the back of your computer for an S-Video cable jack, a DVI cable jack or a VGA cable jack, then check the back of your TV for the same type of jack. S-Video jacks are round and black with tiny pinholes in the center. DVI and VGA jacks are both rectangular with three rows of pinholes each. DVI jacks have three rows of five pinholes; VGA jacks have three rows of eight pinholes. Most newer TVs have at least one of the three, as do most computers.
Step 2
Use a cable to connect the computer to the TV via a matching set of jacks. Check the label on the input jack used on the TV; you'll need it in the next step.
Step 3
Turn on your computer, then turn on your TV. Press the "Input" button on your TV remote until the computer's desktop appears on the TV. The input source will be the same as the input jack used on the TV. Start the movie on the computer; it should begin playing on your TV screen as well.
