Television on a computer monitor. We make a TV from a monitor with our own hands

TV tuners are separate small-sized devices for receiving a television signal. They have been around for a long time. But with the beginning of digital TV broadcasting, TV tuners have become especially popular. This small and inexpensive box will allow you to turn an outdated analog TV into digital and receive 20 channels with perfect quality even in areas of poor reception, where previously you could only “catch” a few analog channels with noise and ripples.

In fact, a TV tuner is a full-fledged TV, only without a screen and speakers. To view programs, it only requires a screen and a part of the electronic filling, which is directly responsible for displaying the image, therefore, in principle, a computer monitor can be used with the tuner.

So is it possible to use a computer monitor as a TV: let's try to figure it out.

How can a computer monitor be used as a TV?

There are two types of TV tuners - computer (in the form of a board installed in a computer case, or a USB device connected to a computer) and external.

The built-in computer TV tuner is not relevant, since now many TV channels broadcast via the Internet, and you will have to watch programs under the noise of computer fans, and even laying an antenna cable to the system unit is generally not an option.

But to hang a small box on the back wall of an outdated, but still quite functional monitor, and send it to work in the kitchen, dacha or garage (if, of course, you have one) is quite possible, and will save you a lot of money.

So, in order to turn a monitor into a TV, first of all, you need a TV tuner.

Do-it-yourself conversion of a monitor into a TV: what you need to know?

When choosing a TV tuner for a computer monitor, you need to determine the type of video signal connection (to avoid unnecessary adapters) and the method of sound reproduction.

About sound:

There have been monitors with built-in speakers on the market, but this is rather an exception to the rule, so you need to provide for computer speakers that you can free up, for example, as a result of an upgrade of "computer sound" (after the monitor).

Perhaps an old lady-cassette recorder with an external entrance is already waiting in the garden - also an option, and often of better sound quality than tiny computer speakers.

Finally, our enterprising Chinese friends have launched tuners with a built-in speaker.

The sound will not be of very high quality, but the “all-in-one” solution is compact and does not require an abundance of wires: an acoustic cable to the speakers, a speaker power adapter, a connecting wire between the speakers.

In a word, if you are not a fan of Muz-TV, and if you are against the kitchen resembling a radio center in terms of the number of wires, take a device with a speaker.

About video signal:

A modern and high-quality interface for.

TV tuners with such an interface are on sale and are minimal in price, but the HDMI interface has appeared relatively recently.

And most likely an old monitor of the previous generation with a VGA video input will go to the dacha as a TV.

You can, of course, purchase an HDMI-VGA adapter. But the circuit with an adapter has its own pitfalls. The HDMI standard is evolving, has many specifications, and it is not a fact that an inexpensive adapter will cope with converting a digital signal to analog. And the cost of a high-quality HDMI-VGA converter can be more than twice the cost of the tuner itself.

Therefore, it is wiser to purchase a TV tuner specially designed for connection to an old monitor and having a VGA output "on board". Here is one of the popular models of such tuners:

Note that it also has a VGA input. This allows you to include such a tuner "in the gap" with the connection of the monitor to the computer, ie. you can continue to use the monitor for its intended purpose, but at the same time watch TV programs with the computer turned off without manipulating the cables. Although, if you are "collecting" a TV set in the kitchen, this option is not needed.

How to convert a monitor into a TV do it yourself?

In addition to the presence of the video output you need (usually VGA), when choosing a tuner, you should pay attention to the possibility of receiving a digital DVB-T2 / C signal, since outdated purely analog tuners are still on sale.

Some tuners also have an input for playing video, sound and photos from USB devices, but the presence of such an option significantly affects the cost of the device. By the way, now there are monitors on sale that have a built-in TV tuner, but they are hard to find in price lists if you sort the list "in ascending price".

There are situations when an old TV breaks down and it makes no sense to repair it. If the plans for the near future did not include an item on creating a home theater, then you should not rush to the store for a new TV receiver - watching TV on a computer display may well satisfy. When the screen size does not play a big role, then the small thing is to learn how to make a TV out of a monitor.

Features of LCD monitors

In the minds of consumers of the middle age category, there are still bulky lamp monitors with a high level of negative radiation from a picture tube. More compact versions of cathode ray tube (CRT) displays can still be found on the shelves of some stores. They were replaced by completely flat models using liquid crystal (LCD) technology. They have undergone many transformations to improve their performance and do not emit harmful radiation.

At first glance, modern LCD monitors are no different from TVs made using the same technology. The only difference between the two is that the displays cannot show TV programs due to the lack of a tuner. However, some developers have eliminated this oversight by releasing several models with a built-in TV receiver.

But there are still differences. And each device has its own characteristics.

1. TV receivers diagonal selection much more than monitors. This is especially true of the gigantic size of the screens, which practically do not have displays.
2. Minimum distance between the viewer and the TV is three diagonals of the screen, while from the monitor you can be at the length of your arm.
3. The pixels on the TV screen are more noticeable while the monitor, because it supports many formats, has more dots and is harder to see.
4. The system elements of the latest TV models use more methods for interaction than monitor... But the frame scan of the latter always uses only the most advanced.
5. If we take two devices with the same small diagonal, then the monitor cost will be less... But if you compare the largest display with the same TV, then on the contrary, the price of a computer screen is much higher.
6. Controllers are not available for monitors for remote control.

Of course, in the most modern TVs that support the monitor function, these differences are significantly smoothed out. But we are not talking about these models.

Using the TV tuner

After buying a new monitor, the fate of the old one is to gather dust in the closet. Meanwhile, it is easy to convert it into a full-fledged TV. To do this, you need to buy a tuner. But when choosing a device, you need to be careful - you will need a completely independent console, and not an application to the computer, even if it is external.

Important! A separate TV tuner is inherently a TV, but without a screen. This is achieved thanks to the built-in motherboard. All that remains is to connect the device to the monitor using a wired connection.

To connect, you need to use complex RCA cable... You will also need access to an analog antenna. And if you want to watch programs in a digital signal, then you can't do without a DVB T2 receiver.

The tuner comes with a remote control. And if the monitor does not have built-in speakers, then you will have to connect separate speakers to the receiver. But in this regard, the choice of the decision remains with the owner - the sound can be output even through a home theater, even through a music center.

Of the pluses such a decision is distinguished by the following points:

• when connecting, no driver installation is required;
• the compactness of the TV tuner allows you to place it anywhere;
• a simple and quick connection can be applied to a laptop, temporarily turning it into a TV;
• it is possible to connect to both a room and an external TV antenna.
• The tuner can be used as a hub for all home audio systems thanks to its own audio output.

Of the minuses you can note the very weak own speaker of the TV tuner (if any). Also, devices with a receiver are expensive and do not have USB ports.

Advice! Using an external TV tuner when converting a monitor into a TV is perhaps the best solution for places where there is no Internet coverage or the network signal is very weak.

Using a set-top box

If you have the Internet, you can use a set-top box to turn your monitor into a TV. They are different. Via T2 set-top boxes an ordinary monitor turns into a full-fledged TV showing a high definition image. Conversion of a simple tuner into a digital receiver was described above and consists in adding a receiver. But Smart TV boxes are an improved type of tuners with increased functionality: in addition to watching any TV programs directly from the World Wide Web, you can surf the web and even enjoy the gameplay without a computer.

Smart device advantages:

• access to YouTube, social networks and other useful applications;
• support for both wired and wireless (Wi-Fi) connections;
• receiving a clear signal and demonstrating it on the monitor matrix create a picture, the quality of which is much higher than the image on a regular TV;
• the presence of a two- or four-core processor at the console speeds up all actions at times.

The disadvantages are the impossibility of using the set-top box outside the Internet, the high cost and the obligatory presence of an HDMI-VGA converter. Also, in this case, you need to be prepared for additional expenses for an audio system, which also needs additional space.

Advice! From the above, it follows that making a TV from a Smart set-top box is an expensive pleasure, which is relevant only for the city. It will not work to use the method for the summer cottage option. Yes, and unprofitable.

Using the board

You can apply the option without a TV tuner - using a board (scaler), of which there are a great many. But of all the models, it is better to choose universal ones - they contain a video decoder and all the necessary connectors, including HDMI and USB... Three models are distinguished from them.

1. MV29.P... A budget option. Although there is one USB port, it is only used for firmware.
2. MV56U... Already with USB support.
3. VST.3463.A... Provides digital and analogue television reception.

To make a TV in this way, you need to disassemble the monitor and instead of the LVDS board, install one of the three described above... In this case, you may have to replace the cable and add a power supply. You also need to make sure that all the parts fit into the monitor case. If you do not have certain skills, then you cannot do without the help of a specialist. Of course, this can increase the cost of the operation, making it unprofitable.

other methods

Do not forget about installing the tuner, but already in the computer. Unlike the stand-alone device described above, there are three types of tuners that cannot be connected directly to the monitor - they definitely need a computer or laptop to work.

1. Built-in TV box... Such a tuner is inserted into a computer system unit or laptop.
2. External receiver... Connects to a computer via ExpressCard.
3. Network tuner... The device is connected to the router, and the software is installed on the PC. The connection is used both wired and Wi-Fi.

If to the old monitor connect smartphone or tablet, then you can also get a TV. This procedure requires an HDMI or VGA cable with adapters for your mobile device. If connected to the Internet, online TV will be received on a smartphone or tablet and displayed on a wire. In the absence of a network, the mobile device will work like a regular player. And on the big screen there will be a demonstration of the video that is recorded on the memory card.

It is even easier to arrange online TV viewing via computer or laptop using IP technologies. For this you need:

• download an IPTV player and install it on your computer;
• then you should load the playlist of channels in m3u format into the player, but you need to do this through the item "Address of the channel list";
• then it is necessary to save everything and use it for its intended purpose.

Features of connecting CRT monitors

There is a variant of a homemade TV from an old CRT monitor. Anyone who has not thrown away their first display with a tube tube can get a completely passable TV receiver for the kitchen or summer cottage. But this will require details, knowledge and experience in the installation of radio electronics. VGA inputpresent in every old monitor, and the necessary parts can be ordered on the Internet or visit a special store.

You will need:

• chromaticity module - it directly affects the image quality;
• TV radio channel - without it, you cannot select the necessary video and audio frequencies;
• control unit - preferably with an infrared port for coordination at a distance.

We disassemble the old monitor and remove the unnecessary control block and video card from it... We place the purchased modules inside the case and connect them to the corresponding nodes. You may need to solder a few resistors, after which the DIY TV is ready. It remains only to check all systems and you can connect it to the antenna.

Disadvantages of a monitor as a TV

Very often monitors have a higher screen resolution than a TV, so the image quality is higher. But since black depth on a computer display is poor, the impression can be ruined, especially if you watch the movie in the twilight. You also need to be very careful with adjusting the contrast - if you exceed it, the image will come out flat.

The response time of the monitor is deliberately made long than the TV. This is because a computer display was originally designed for work. It would be very difficult for a person to sit for several hours in front of a screen on which the picture changes very quickly. Therefore, the transitions between images were made smoother - for the eyes it is much better. But when watching dynamic scenes, the color change will be late. For example, where there should already be black, white is still displayed. Or there is an object on the screen from the previous frame.

Important! The work behind the monitor takes place in the immediate vicinity, so the developers do not take into account such a factor as the viewing angle. To prevent black spots from appearing on the screen, and not to distort the picture, the viewer, when watching video files, needs to be right in front of the display - at a right angle.

From the foregoing, a number of disadvantages can be distinguished that are inherent in monitors that act as TVs:

• greater signal response than television equipment;
• lack of viewing angle;
• insufficient depth of black;
• contrast problems.

You can also add the need to purchase adapters for VGA connectors... But this is not very important.

Which monitor is better

There is no definite answer to this question. Experts say that the higher the screen resolution of the monitor, the better the picture will be.... Accordingly, it will be better to show such a homemade TV receiver, even in comparison with some TV models. Further, the factors that were described in the previous paragraph will influence.

But still, experts have tested the suitability of the monitor to perform the functions of a TV. And in all positions, computer displays from South Korea were in the lead, from the famous manufacturer Samsung... They were far ahead of their closest competitors - Sony and LG. The rest of the less famous devices received low marks for these parameters.

So, turning an old and unnecessary monitor into a TV is quite within the power of any person. You just need to choose from all the methods the one that suits best both in terms of finance and capabilities. Of course, you can always contact the specialists, and they will perform everything at a professional level: both the assembly of the device and its connection. But if you follow all the above recommendations, then everything can be done independently.

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Surely many of you, having bought yourself a new monitor, wondered what can be done from the old monitor. I was puzzled by this thought too, although I was puzzled by this thought for a very long time, but then there was not such a large selection of different devices. But the Chinese brothers are not asleep and invent devices with an unprecedented combination of possibilities. One of these devices was a set-top box, which I purchased to add features to an old TV.

• Nexbox A95X TV Box: we make Smart TV from a regular TV

But having connected the TV to the set-top box, I was a little disappointed in the clarity of the picture, it was difficult to use the set-top box, but I helped out the ability to remotely control from a smartphone or tablet... As a result, the set-top box exceeded my expectations because it was taken to watch a bunch of videos from a home server, but the set-top box's functionality turned out to be much wider and as a result, this little box turned a simple TV set into remote control computer... Why am I all this? Read on and you will understand everything.

Since my parents do not like to throw away equipment, the Samsung SyncMaster monitor (CRT monitor), after purchasing an LCD monitor, was carefully taken away for storage in a barn in the country and was safely forgotten there. Once again putting things in order in the "trash storage" father came across a monitor and wondered if it was possible to watch the news on it at the dacha. But he could only get an answer from his advanced son, that is, from me, which he did by calling me one evening.

The monitor itself:

Since the monitor, if simplified, is a kinescope with a scanner without a radio receiver, which is in the TV, and without a sound system. In other words, this is a TV, but simplified and devoid of some parts. In fact, the monitor contains only a power supply, a scanner and a video amplifier. The only signal source is the VGA plug (D'SUB), which carries an analog signal. What does that mean? And that means we just have to find a device that will be the source of the signal.

If you have a newer monitor, then it is probably even easier with it, because some monitors, if we are talking about LCDs, were equipped with speakers, and newer ones do have an HDMI input. If you have one, then you have a very wide range of options for making a TV out of a monitor.

First experiment: Smart TV from the monitor

Remembering that I had an adapter from HDMI to VGA lying around, I decided to look for it and, having found the adapter, I took the set-top box and went to my parents. After wiping the monitor from dust and dirt, we connected it to the mains, and then to the set-top box. Despite the small diagonal, it was very, very comfortable to use the set-top box due to the clearer picture, since the monitor, unlike the TV, is designed for high resolution and the relatively small print is easy to read.

HDMI to VGA adapter

Now you probably thought: “Cool, I’ll buy myself a prefix!”, But do not rush. It was just an experiment because we have no sound, VGA gives only a picture. Therefore, if you want to go this way, you will have to purchase an HDMI to VGA adapter with an audio output, something like this:

You can order a similar adapter on Aliexpress, here is the link to the seller: buy an HDMI-VGA converter.

When you go to the page with products, you will only have to find the adapter that suits you, it is not at all difficult, the main thing is to pay attention to the fact that the adapter has a connector for power and audio-out.

Thus, we can make a "smart TV" out of the monitor, but we will also have to buy active speakers, which will also have to be connected to the audio jack on the adapter. As a result, we will give a second life to the monitor and get a good option for the kitchen or work.

Advantages

Within the framework of the summer residence, there are no advantages due to the lack of full-fledged communications.

Flaws

1. This prefix is ​​useless without the Internet.
2. The cost of the set-top box.
3. The need for an adapter.
4. Lack of speakers.

Do you want to watch 200 channels for free for half a year?

When buying a set-top box, you will receive not only a configured and ready-to-use device, but also the ability to watch more than 200 channels for six months For a present! To your attention there is a wide selection of categories of channels: children's, cinema, music, educational, sports, news, foreign, for adults and much more.

The second experiment: ordering a special TV tuner

Since the place where the barn is located is a place far from communications and, accordingly, there is no Internet network there, so the set-top box could not function fully there. In addition, the old father was no longer eager to master another high-tech device and asked to find a TV receiver with a remote control for him.

I present to you a wonderful device that makes a TV from a monitor:

Having studied this device in detail, I came to the conclusion that it is enough to buy this set-top box, connect the monitor and the TV is ready. Then you probably ask: "Where is the sound?" We also thought about this nuance, so this TV tuner has a built-in speaker, and if you don't have enough of it, you can always connect computer speakers that cost mere pennies.

After asking my father if he was ready to buy this device and having received a positive answer, I decided to buy several of these, since there are a lot of old monitors and, for sure, many would like to make a TV out of them.

After waiting for the long-awaited package, we drove with her to the dacha. We unpacked the package and began to study the device. In fact, it was a finished TV but without a monitor. On the body you could see holes behind which the speaker was hidden, among other things, the TV tuner also has an RCA video input, to which you can connect another source, for example, the same DVD player.

Actually, here is the set-top box itself after unpacking:

As you can see, the attachment itself is very compact. Pay attention to the two cords included, the presence of these cords expands the use of the set-top box.

I don't understand why, but the set-top box is supplied with a stand, which, in principle, is not cleverly attached to the body:

By sticking the stand into the special holes and sliding it to the side, we will fix the stand and our set-top box will be able to stand upright:

By the way! The set-top box can not only make a TV out of a monitor, but also complement a computer. It is enough to connect two cords to the set-top box:

And then connect them to the system unit and to the monitor:

This is how the set-top box supplements our computer, becoming, let's say, a "layer" between the system unit and the monitor, to turn on the TV, we just need to turn on the set-top box and we can watch TV, and after turning off the set-top box, we will see the picture from the computer again. Conveniently? In my opinion, it's even cool.

Benefits of a TV tuner

1. External speaker
2. VGA-out
3. Sound output
4. The ability to connect a computer (turn on the set-top box - watch TV, turn off the set-top box - the picture comes from the computer)

This tv tuner is not only ideal for a summer residence due to its compactness, that is, his you can hide, take home with you etc., but also a great addition for a stationary computer. And if thieves visit the dacha, then they are unlikely to steal an old and heavy monitor, and a more or less working TV is likely to be upset.

Flaws

1. Not very strong speaker
2. Doesn't catch digital TV
3. USB missing
4. HDMI missing

And they forgot about digital TV ...

To be honest, nobody forgot about digital TV, we just didn't have it at that time, or we didn't know about it. When I was asked the question: “Will it catch digital TV?” I upset my parents, the set-top box does not have such a function.

Realizing that the presence of support for digital TV for some people may be critical, then through the already familiar Chinese, a similar prefix was found, but with different parameters. You can still connect a monitor to it, but it is no longer possible to connect a computer, and there is no audio output and built-in speaker, that is, you will have to connect external speakers.

As you can see, it looks little different from the previous version, but this is not yet a look at the rear panel.

As you can see, there is still the same VGA, but besides it there is also HDMI. By the way, if you connect this set-top box via HDMI, then the sound will go through it. For example, my TV, in the kitchen, has HDMI, but it does not have a digital TV, and if such a set-top box is connected to it, then the sound will come from the TV. In addition, this set-top box was also equipped with a USB connector, so it becomes possible to watch videos from a flash drive and not only.

As well as the first version of the TV tuner for the monitor, this set-top box has RCA (CVBS) jacks.

But unlike the first set-top box, where this is an AV-input, in this case these jacks are an AV-out, that is, this set-top box, in addition to a monitor and relatively modern TVs, can also be connected to very old TVs.

Features of the console

Since the set-top box accepts digital TV, in addition to everything else, we get a lot of buns. But first, we need to find channels, this is done in an elementary way. Press the "menu" button on the remote control and use the volume buttons to select the appropriate menu item (see photo):

Select "auto search" and click on the volume up button. We observe the picture:

After a while, we will see the found channels and radio stations:

The search for channels is completed, as you can see there are 20 of them in our city, in other cities the number of channels may be different.

By pressing the "info" button on the remote control, you can see what is going on and what will happen next. If we press this button again, we will see more detailed information:

Using the "up" and "down" buttons, we switch between gears, and with the yellow and blue buttons, we scroll through the description if it is not displayed in full.

To display the program guide, we need to press "EPG" on the remote control:

Use the "left" and "right" buttons to scroll through the channels, use the "up" and "down" buttons to scroll through the programs.

And here the most interesting thing awaits us. If we press the "OK" button on a particular program, we will see a strange picture, but if we press the red button, we will see this:

This is the addition of a schedule for recording a program. Click "OK" again and the task will be added to the queue. The most interesting thing is that we can safely turn off the set-top box, it will turn itself on and record the transmission. The only thing that is necessary for the successful completion of this task is the presence of a flash drive in the USB connector of the set-top box.

A flash drive is also needed for the "timeshift" function, which means "pause" in Russian. Yes, you heard right, the set-top box can pause TV... But the set-top box will not be able to pause the TV for a long time, since the volume of the recorded stream is limited by the settings of this function. By default, the volume is 1Gb, but you can increase it. This is done in the menu:

To do this, we need to select "PVR Configure" and click "OK".

Select "Record device" and click "OK" again.

Actually, here we select our flash drive, and just below we set the amount of memory available for recording.

You probably wondered what the choice of a flash drive is for if there is only one connector. Nobody forbids us to connect to the USB-hub connector, and to it there is already a USB flash drive, an external hard drive, and a card reader.

Three radios are a nice bonus:

Flaws

1. No audio output
2. There is no built-in speaker, you will have to connect external speakers
3. Unable to connect computer

Advantages

1. Receiving digital TV
2. USB availability
3. HDMI availability
4. Availability of AV-out

Summary

By and large, I presented you not just two ways of making a TV out of a monitor, but in fact more than that. Here, not only can you make a TV out of a monitor, here you can make a digital TV receiver from a TV or in a Smart TV in general with the help of.

In general, summing up, we can state a wide range of options. The option with an Android set-top box is suitable for those who want to make a TV out of a monitor for a kitchen or other room where there is access to the Internet. Two versions of the TV tuner for the monitor will suit those who do not want to depend on the Internet and have a very simple solution for watching TV on a monitor. The first version of the TV tuner is suitable for those who want to supplement their computer with the ability to watch TV, and the second option is suitable for those who just want to return a second life to the monitor and be able to receive digital TV.

Content:

In connection with the widespread use of laptops, tablets and netbooks, ordinary computers used in stationary conditions began to fade into the background. The main reason is their large bulky dimensions, which cannot serve as an interior decoration in any way. This technique is used less and less and many owners often have the question of how to make a TV out of a monitor without a computer with a minimum number of wires and connections. This task is easily solved with the available means, and the missing elements can be freely purchased.

Preparation of materials and equipment

In order to make a compact TV op in the kitchen or in a country house, you will need a monitor, an external TV tuner, a power cable, a plug, a piece and an antenna plug. If you plan to mount the TV on a wall, you will need a wall mount. The main problem is the placement of all elements in such a way as to hide the wires and the tuner as much as possible.

The work of the external TV tuner is carried out completely offline and does not require the participation of a computer. The range of these devices is represented by a very wide assortment, which allows you to choose the most optimal option.

As a rule, standard inexpensive tuners are nice looking and have all the basic functions. They are distinguished by good sensitivity and high image quality. These devices can fully support widescreen monitors and work in PIP mode. These tuners have a stereo decoder function.

The front panel is equipped with jacks for game consoles, DVD players and other electronics. A window for receiving infrared signals from the remote control is installed here.

All the most important volumes are located on the back of the case. This is an FM antenna input, a power supply connector, a jack for connecting to speakers, an audio input for connecting to a computer, a VGA output for connecting a monitor, a VGA input for connecting a computer, and an ion antenna TV input. After preparation, you can proceed to the direct installation of elements and parts of the TV set.

Mounting the TV-ion system

The main task is to compactly place the tuner and all the wires behind the monitor case, except for the antenna and power cables. During the installation process, a certain order of actions should be followed.

First of all, you need to prepare the monitor: remove the stand and remove the remaining mounts. This is done when the future TV set is planned to be installed on the wall. Next, you need to determine the location for the tuner and wires. The infrared receiver of the control panel must point in the correct direction. The tuner body can be fixed in the holes left over from the monitor mounts. It is recommended to make fasteners for wires from available tools, for example, from plastic bottles and install them under the fastening screws.

The plug of the tuner's power supply unit, if necessary, can be extended using a heat-shrinkable tube and additional wires. For this purpose, a piece of power cable from the monitor is used. The cut is connected to the plug and fed to the power supply.

The TV-ion antenna wire is connected in the most convenient way. A small piece of antenna cable is taken from the TV tuner and connected to the main wire. Fastening is also done with plastic parts. The power supply itself is fixed in place with glue or double-sided tape. The power cord of the power supply and the power cord of the monitor are connected together, insulated and secured with plastic parts.

Thus, the problem of how to make a TV out of a monitor can be considered solved. It remains to hang the monitor on the mount, connect the antenna cable and turn on the power.

We make a TV op from a lcd monitor with our own hands

Many people often have an old computer monitor at home, which after buying a new one has become completely unnecessary. However, do not write off the old display, it can be converted into a TV and used in the kitchen or in the country. Converting the monitor into a TV will take a few minutes. Everything can be done independently, it is enough to buy the necessary adapters in advance.

Important technical points

Structurally, the monitor has a lot in common with a TV - only a TV signal receiving device is missing. Accordingly, to view TV programs, you will need to use additional devices.

Both LCD and CRT displays can be converted into a TV. The key point is the presence of at least a VGA-input. It is through it that the image will be fed to the screen.

The tuner can be indoor and outdoor. In the first case, you will need to completely disassemble the display, solder a special board - many will not cope with this procedure.

In the following, we will consider the options where we will make a TV from an LCD or CRT monitor with our own hands. All the presented methods can be implemented by any user.

Smart TV box

This attachment is ideal. It is highly functional, but requires a Wi-Fi connection to work. Accordingly, in places where there is no Internet, it will not work to use the equipment.

An HDMI-VGA adapter is required to connect a set-top box. It will only transmit the signal. The difficulty is that the VGA format does not carry an audio track. Sound supply will need to be provided through another connector. The easiest option is to buy an HDMI-VGA-MiniJack adapter, then you can connect separate speakers.

Despite the huge number of advantages, this method has a number of significant disadvantages:

• rework will be expensive, since the price of a Smart TV set-top box is high;
• without the Internet, the prefix is ​​completely useless;
• it has no speakers.

Smart TV box

TV tuner

Consider another way of making a TV out of a monitor. In this case, a special TV tuner is used. Several varieties of such devices are now available:

• built-in board;
• external card, mounted via ExpressCard;
• network tuner, connects to a router;
• a separate attachment, you need to connect it via a wire.

The first three options are not easy to connect. In some cases, it is not possible to connect an LCD or LED monitor.

The procedure for connecting a set-top box is extremely simple. It is necessary to connect both devices with the adapter cable that comes with the tuner. Subsequent control of the set-top box is carried out using the remote control, the image is displayed automatically, there are no significant settings.

Several features of the TV tuner application:

1. Antenna connection is required - accordingly, this type of connection can be used in any required place.
2. The presence of an audio output - you can connect external speakers.
3. We choose a model with DVB-T2 support if you want to get access to digital TV.

This method is ideal for those who are looking to make a TV out of a monitor. Everything is done independently, with minimal investment. The device is compact, has all the necessary connectors, so the connection is easy.

TV BOX set-top box

We use a phone or tablet

You can also turn a monitor into a TV using a regular tablet or smartphone by simply connecting them to the monitor. In such a situation, you can display any video on the screen, including even online television.

HDMI

Micro USB to HDMI adapter

The easiest way is to use an HDMI cable and a Micro USB to HDMI adapter for your smartphone. You can buy it at any specialty store. The connection procedure is simple, just connect the devices with a cable and set the optimal resolution to ensure maximum quality.

VGA

To implement such a connection, you need an AV adapter, VGA or HDMI cable and the following steps:

• we connect the equipment using the above adapters;
• be sure to connect your smartphone or tablet to charging.

It is difficult to describe this method as television, but at any time you can load a movie into your phone's memory and then watch it online.

AV adapter

We use a computer or laptop

It is also possible to connect a TV using a laptop or computer by simply connecting your old monitor as another device. The connection process is extremely simple. An adapter cable, HDMI-VGA or HDMI-HDMI is selected for the available connectors.

In the Windows settings, you can enable a mode that allows you to display an image on a second monitor without taking up the desktop. As a result, you can watch TV and work in parallel on a computer.

For watching TV, it is best to apply IPTV technology. For this:

• install an IPTV player;
• download a playlist with the required channels;
• in the player settings, specify the path to the downloaded playlist;
• save changes and start viewing.

This option is the most budgetary, but completely dependent on the Internet. The IPTV player stands out for its wide functionality, allows you to customize the image with high quality, manage the channel lists.

Replacing the board

How to use an old monitor as a TV without using any devices - replace the LVDS board in displays. This can only be done by people who understand electronics.

Through the LVDS matrix, the TV cooperates with the signal processor. It is required to replace the base board with a version with a video signal decoder and the necessary connectors.

The self-connection diagram looks like this:

• disassemble the display;
• we remove the factory payment;
• install a new board, use an old ribbon cable or solder a new one;
• we carry out additional preparation of the case so that the new part is completely placed in its place, and the necessary connectors are available.

The method is laborious and few will risk disassembling their monitor without proper knowledge and skills. Although, the option is convenient, since there is no need for additional adapters when connecting.

In conclusion

Now you know for sure whether the monitor can be used as a TV, and what is required for this. Regardless of the method you choose, the connection process will take 20-30 minutes. As a result, you will turn your old monitor into a full-fledged TV.

If you have certain knowledge when working with electronic equipment, then you can solder all the necessary elements for. Of course, you won't be able to achieve superior quality on an old display, but as an additional TV it will be an excellent solution.