We make a TV from a monitor with our own hands. Can the monitor be used as a TV? How to do it - tips and tricks DIY TV from an LCD monitor

If you have an old or more modern unnecessary LCD monitor, then you can turn it into a full-fledged TV. Or perhaps you want to save money on purchasing a TV for the kitchen, car or garage? This possibility exists, let's look at it.

There are enough methods for using a monitor in the form of a TV. You can turn your monitor into a TV using a set-top box, or add some money and connect a mini-computer to an old display. Although there is a more specific way.

• See also diagram

How to make a TV from a monitor - selecting a v56 controller board

Many LCD screens have input and output capabilities and are called LVDS. When you remove the back panel from the display and get to the internal parts, you will see that the connectors are arranged on a separate board. This board is connected to other parts by a flexible cable, similar to an IDE for PC drives.

When upgrading a monitor for this interface, you will need to buy a v56 controller expansion card, which has an integrated video decoder. It is sold in many online stores and is available on Aliexpress. The decoder provides the ability to display simple (and if you have a more advanced board, even digital) TV without the use of third-party devices and a PC. This is an important advantage, because we are looking at the question of how to make a TV out of a monitor without a computer.

TTX board:

1. Frequency range - from 48.25 to 863.25 MHz.
2. Color configuration - SECAM/PAL/NTSC.
3. Sound configuration - B/G, NICAM/A2, D/K, l, M/N,BTSC.
4. Number of channels - 200.
5. Video resolution format (HDMI, VGA) - 1920-1080 60 Hz.
6. Video resolution - 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p.
7. Sound amplifier - 2 - 2.3 W (40) 1 HD + N< 10%-1 KHz.
8. Power supply - 12 Volts.

1. Power supply - 12 volts.
2. VGA input.
3. HDMI connector.
4. Stereo audio and video connector.
5. Audio connector when using TV as a PC screen.
6. Headphone output.
7. USB connector (for firmware update).
8. Connector for connecting cable TV or antenna.

• See how to do it on 2 TVs

How do I know if the board is suitable for my LCD display?

Go to panelook.com. Find your matrix model number there and find out the exact resolution and connection method of your LCD panel. Also, when purchasing a board, provide this information to the seller, he will send you a board with firmware for your model.

How to make a TV out of a monitor with your own hands - step-by-step installation

First you need to remove the back cover of the monitor. Find the required board and remove it - disconnect it from the cable.

Note! Removal must be done very carefully: the cable can become unusable even from a strong bend.

In the future, you need to connect a new board. There are 2 ways: find a suitable cable in a Chinese store or solder it. The second path is long and painful, but for those who know how to solder and have a soldering iron, it is quite feasible and much more profitable. But the pinout, unfortunately, must be selected separately for a specific model.

• Schematic diagram

There are situations when we need another TV, but we cannot buy it for many reasons. Then the question arises: can the monitor be used as a TV? Or is it possible to connect a TV set-top box to the monitor?

If you have an old computer monitor, then it is quite possible to use it as a TV. This transformation is achieved in several ways. The simplest of them, as you may have guessed, is connecting a monitor to a TV set-top box. You don't need a system unit, keyboard, mouse or various cords for them. You need nothing more than to connect the monitor to the digital TV box directly and use it only as a TV screen.

Connecting the set-top box to the monitor

Purchasing and connecting a DVB-T2 set-top box to a monitor is a reliable way to miraculously transform a computer display into a television receiver. Modern displays, like televisions, are equipped with built-in speakers and are practically self-contained devices. But if you have a regular monitor (perhaps even a lamp one), then you will need separate speakers - you will connect them to the corresponding connector on the DVB-T2 decoder. It would be great if they had stereo sound. If desired, you can purchase speakers with a remote control.

An external digital set-top box is an independent device that connects to the electrical network, television antenna and monitor. It is controlled using a remote control, just like a regular TV.

The situation with DVB-T2 receivers is such that the manufacturer did not intend to connect them to computer monitors, but only to televisions. At the same time, new monitors, like modern television receivers, are equipped with an HDMI connector, which is present on set-top boxes, while older ones can only be found with VGA and DVI-D.

The options for connecting it to a digital television set-top box will depend on what connectors you find on the display. The following combinations are possible (see table).

How to connect a TV set-top box to a monitor

If you already have a free display, and you want to purchase a set-top box for watching TV, then pay attention to a hybrid digital TV tuner, equipped with both VGA and HDMI slots. If the design additionally includes “tulip” sockets where you can connect speakers, then you are simply lucky: you are the owner of a universal device that is compatible with various models of television equipment.

Another way to connect an old monitor to a digital set-top box is to use YPbPr or SCART sockets that work with an analog signal. To do this, you will need a signal converter from AV to VGA format.

Pay attention to such a characteristic as the length of the connecting cable. Surely you know how the length of the antenna coaxial wire affects signal attenuation. So, the cables connecting the displays to the T2 decoder have their own requirements:

• VGA – no longer than three meters;
• HDMI – no longer than five meters;
• DVI – not exceeding ten meters.

If, after connecting all the cables (don't forget about the antenna) and connecting the devices to the network, the screen is blank or an error message appears, then this indicates problems with one of the devices or cable incompatibility.

Connectors and ports of TV set-top box

To understand which sockets are used to connect a DVB set-top box to a computer monitor, you need to become familiar with the types of connectors that this type of gadget is equipped with. It is noteworthy that depending on the class of the monitor and the year of manufacture of the console, the set of connectors may differ. So take a close look at the back of your devices.

Antenna connector

Previously, it was the most important thing in our television receivers: an analogue television antenna, video player or satellite television tuner was connected to it. Today it is used to receive digital terrestrial television using a classic external antenna.

HDMI

The HDMI multimedia interface is the most significant functional connector. It is responsible for simultaneous transmission of digital video and audio. Sharing media does not result in loss of picture or sound quality. It is good, regardless of the connected devices, such as a monitor, camera, camera or player.

Euro/Scart

Thanks to it, outdated devices are compatible with more modern equipment. This is especially true if there is no HDMI connector. This connector has been in use for many years, but will soon become a thing of the past.

USB

USB is a connector that allows you to connect equipment such as a camera, webcam, flash drive, MP3 player, and even a smartphone. The USB input is determined by the version standard: the higher it is, the faster the transfer of multimedia from devices to the TV screen. Later receivers have a USB 3.0 version. Today, the USB connector is the main parameter of any TV.

VGA

VGA provides video transmission from external devices to the TV, such as images from a monitor to the TV screen. The connector is useful for older equipment that does not have an HDMI input (laptop or computer). VGA then ensures device compatibility, allowing images to be transferred.

DVI

DVI technology replaced VGA and was developed for connecting image display devices; the connector does not transmit an audio signal. DVI and HDMI connectors are mutually compatible and can be combined with each other using appropriate adapters.

Memory card reader

It is used to display multimedia on the TV screen of portable memory cards. More and more manufacturers are offering this alternative and convenient solution - it is faster to use the reader directly, bypassing the USB port.

Ethernet/LAN

The Ethernet/LAN connector or local area network is the main function that provides the TV connection to the Internet. Thanks to it, you can use a wired connection to access search engines, applications, services and all the online tools that are included in Smart TV.

Component input

Component input allows you to send high-resolution analog images from other equipment directly to the screen you are viewing.

Surely many people have an old monitor gathering dust at home that was once connected to the computer system unit. An old display can be given a new life by turning it into a means of watching television, for example, in a country house or in a garage. In this article you will learn how to make a TV from a monitor without complex manipulations with motherboards.

Both CRT and LCD displays can be re-qualified as TV. The main thing is that the device has a VGA input, through which the image will be transmitted from the receiver. The tuner can be placed both inside and on the body (we use glue or small screws). In the first case, you should be prepared to disassemble the device body and solder additional elements into it - not everyone can cope with such a procedure. The article will discuss only those methods that absolutely any user can use.

HDMI to VGA adapter

The connection of two devices will be carried out through a special adapter, the type of which is determined by the choice of data transfer interface. Please note that the final output of the adapter must always be a male VGA port.

Smart TV set-top box

The Smart-TV set-top box, from a functional point of view, is the best way to turn a monitor into a television device: you will have the opportunity not only to watch the usual TV broadcast, but also to use various “smart” applications, including playing 3D shooters or strategies. The main disadvantage of such a set-top box is the need for an Internet connection. Connecting such an accessory to the screen requires the use of a special HDMI-VGA adapter, which is used to transmit images.

The peculiarity of this connection is that the VGA interface does not support audio codecs: audio output will have to be carried out via another channel. The easiest way is to buy an HDMI-VGA-MiniJack adapter, to which you can connect speakers to the 3.5 mm jack. You can order such an adapter on AliExpress.

Advantages

Since the Smart Console is a multimedia solution, it is not advisable to use it only for watching television. It is very likely that you will spend extra money and realize that a simple tuner would be enough to meet your needs. Nevertheless, the undeniable advantages of such an accessory include:

• Smart hub support. YouTube, social networks and other useful applications will be available on a regular video monitor.
• Supports Wi-Fi and LAN (Ethernet) connections.
• High image quality. Since the maximum resolution of the monitor matrix is ​​higher than that of a conventional TV, the output picture quality will please you.
• Additional spot for Internet access. The console solution can be used both as a TV device and as a candy bar on a “stripped-down” operating system.

Unfortunately, in “extreme” conditions, all the advantages of this method are negated by the system’s dependence on network access.

Flaws

The significant disadvantages of this connection are:

• Internet access is required. Smart TV cannot work without high-speed access to the World Wide Web, which significantly narrows the range of possible uses of the accessory.
• For example, you won’t be able to use Smart TV at your dacha.
• Cost of the console. A smart console can cost tens of thousands of rubles.
• The need to purchase an adapter. It is extremely difficult to call the VGA interface popular these days, so an adapter for this port cannot be found in every store. Not everyone will want to wait a month and a half for a package from Chinese AliExpress.
• Using external audio equipment. Speakers not only take up extra space, but also require an investment of additional money.

As you can see, there are quite a few disadvantages, but they are outweighed by the number of advantages.

TV tuner

Another way to convert an old video monitor into a TV is to connect a special TV tuner, which is essentially a full-fledged TV device, but without a built-in display. The average cost of such a receiver is 1,500 rubles: the user can independently choose the device that is optimal for his needs and pocket. It's important to note that there are four types of TV tuners these days:

1. built-in board (mounted in the system unit);
2. external card (installed via ExpressCard);
3. network tuner (connects to the router);
4. stand-alone console (connected via a wired interface).

The first three types of devices are an addition to the technical content of the computer and cannot be connected to a simple screen. When purchasing, you should be especially careful and purchase only a device that is a ready-made solution with its own motherboard.

The process of connecting a TV set-top box to the screen is quite simple: you just need to connect both devices with the included RCA cable. TV viewing is controlled using the remote control supplied with the tuner, and the resulting picture is displayed automatically.

Important! Not all receivers have their own speaker, so in some cases you will need to connect external audio equipment (speakers, home theater) to the set-top box via a special audio output or a simple mini-Jack.

To watch digital television, you need an appropriate receiver that has not only an RCA output, but also HDMI and VGA interfaces. The setup process is no different from analog TV.

pros

An external TV set-top box has the following advantages:

• Easy to connect. Synchronization with the video monitor is automatic and does not require the user to install any drivers.
• Compactness of the resulting system. A small box is unlikely to take up much space, and thanks to special fastenings it can be hidden from view anywhere.
• Ability to work simultaneously with a laptop. You can connect the device either to a laptop via HDMI or to a tuner via a “tulip”: after turning off the television, the display will begin to display content from the computer.
• Connecting a television antenna.
• Has its own audio output. Even if the set-top box is not equipped with a built-in speaker, it can always be used in conjunction with custom audio equipment. Thus, the receiver turns into a kind of hub for the entire periphery.

An additional advantage of such a device for summer residents is the ability to hide the TV system from unwanted persons or take it with you.

Minuses

On the other hand, the receiver has the following disadvantages:

• Weak speaker. The factory sound quality is unlikely to please the owners, but the situation can be easily corrected with the help of external speakers.
• The need to pay extra for digital television. A device with TV support (the so-called dvb t2) of high quality is more expensive: the price ranges from 3 to 5 thousand rubles.
• Lack of own USB and HDMI ports. To view files from a removable disk, you will have to purchase an additional adapter.

It is worth mentioning separately that digital signal receivers are not always compatible with a computer and do not have their own audio output - before purchasing, you should pay special attention to the technical specifications of the device.

Phone or tablet

You can also make a TV device out of a dusty device using a smartphone or tablet. In this case, any content from a mobile gadget will be displayed on the big screen, including online television.

HDMI

To use the mirroring feature, you will need an HDMI cable and a dedicated phone/tablet adapter. The connection process is as follows:

• Configuring the device for an HDMI signal source.
• Connecting equipment with wires.
• Set the optimal resolution for the display.

VGA

You need to purchase an AV adapter and a VGA cable, and also do the following:

• Assembling the structure and connecting the devices to each other (note the “tulip” colors).
• Separate connection of the gadget to the power source.
• Outputs sound to external speakers via 3.5 mm MiniJack.

You can always load your favorite TV series into the memory of your tablet or smartphone and enjoy offline viewing by synchronizing your equipment via the USB interface. The resulting system cannot be called television, but this method is the simplest and cheapest.

Computer or laptop

You can enjoy television using a computer and IPTV technology, which allows you to watch television via the Internet. The process of directly connecting a desktop or laptop to the display is identical to synchronization with mobile gadgets, and to watch IP television you should:

• Download and install IPTV player.
• Download a playlist of channels in M3U format from the network.
• In the settings of the installed player, find “Channel list address” and use this form to “upload” the downloaded playlist into the application.
• Save the new settings and start using.

The IPTV player supports such useful functions as, for example, displaying several TV channels on one screen at once, which will be useful for some users.

Conclusion

Now you know how to make a TV from a monitor and what accessories you will need for this. Regardless of the chosen method, the connection procedure will not take much time, and as a result the user will receive a full-fledged TV device. You can't achieve 4K quality on ancient LCD equipment, but at least it's something.

If you have additional knowledge in connecting television equipment, then you can not use third-party gadgets, but solder all the components necessary for the TV into the body of the screen itself.

Video

The question of the advisability of using TVs as monitors arises against the backdrop of a steady trend towards a reduction in the cost of the former and an improvement in image quality and diagonal size. Let's try to find the answer to it.

It must be said that in addition to its main purpose - broadcasting television programs, modern televisions are used as multimedia players (a screen in a home theater), as well as devices on which images from game consoles are displayed. And models that support SmartTV can generally be an alternative to a computer. And all this is good, is the TV capable of providing full-fledged work with text files, graphic images or video editing?

The majority of TV models do not require a person to remain in front of their screen for a long time. A picture characterized by extreme brightness, contrast and saturation has a tiring effect on the eyes. And the presence of all kinds of enhancers, the purpose of which is to give the image maximum realism when viewing it from a considerable distance, leads to a deterioration in the clarity of the text on the display. In addition, the presence of embellished color rendition, and in addition the narrow gamut of sRGB color spaces, not to mention AdobeRGB, prevents video and photo editors from working correctly.

Of course, the whole aspect of the capabilities of TVs opens up when watching movies on the Internet or active gaming. This statement especially applies to televisions that have a large screen diagonal, which significantly increases the realism of everything that happens on the screen. Below we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of televisions when used as computer monitors.

Positive aspects

1 - The absolute trump cards of TVs include their cost, taking into account the size of the screen diagonal. Purchasing a TV will allow you to save a lot, as its cost is significantly lower than that of monitors of similar sizes.

2 - TVs have special operating modes that allow, for example, dynamic mode to backlight dark scenes when watching movies or while playing games. Actually, this technology was first used on televisions, and only much later it began to be used on monitors.

3 - The large screen allows you to comfortably work with small details, which is important when editing video. Many videographers have to use two monitors for this, which are installed back to back. And of course, it’s much easier when all the same things can be done on one TV with a large diagonal.

4 - An important advantage of a large television screen is the effect of immersion into what is happening, regardless of whether you are watching a very interesting film or an action scene in a computer game.

Negative sides

1 - TVs with an IPS matrix have an increased level of contrast, and this inevitably leads to a loss of detail in black shades. This is especially noticeable if the screen is located at a great distance.

2 - For embellished pictures on TVs, the saturation is excessively raised, and this has a negative impact on the ability to perceive colors and does not allow you to work in photo editors in the correct mode.

3 - The TV does not provide the same clarity as on the monitor if you are surfing the Internet or working with texts. As a rule, the culprit is a system designed to process images in order to embellish them. On some models, it is possible to solve this problem by disabling text smoothing.

4 - If a model with a large screen is installed at a close distance, then on the screen you can see individual pixels that are components of any image. It is for this reason that for TVs whose diagonal exceeds 32″, it is recommended not to use a screen resolution lower than FullHD (1920x1080).

5 - If you work for a long time using a TV screen, your eyes get very tired. This is also greatly facilitated by the need to constantly move the gaze left and right across the surface of the large screen, and moving the eyes down and up is even more tiring.

6 - A large number of TVs have an image delay (Input Lag). Incident lag (not to be confused with the time required for the matrix to respond) is the length of time it takes for the TV to display the signal sent to it on the screen. Simply put, with each action taken, there will be a delay by the amount of Input Lag, which can last from 30 ms to 150. While watching a TV show or movie, this function is practically unnoticeable. The majority of modern TVs have special modes, the use of which can significantly reduce the output delay. In addition, today there are models, such as the Sony KDL-32WD603, in which it was possible to reduce this effect to a minimum level, due to which there is almost no effect on the perception of the picture.

How can you connect your TV to your computer?

Connecting a TV to a computer can be done using one of the three main interfaces: VGA (D-Sub), DVI and HDMI. And if with the help of the latter you can broadcast in FullHD quality, then the use of the first two is recommended only when other pairing scenarios cannot be implemented.
1 - Connection using a VGA connector. The main interface that allows you to connect the monitor to a computer is the analog VGA port. Therefore, if you decide to use the TV as a device through which information will be output, you can use this connector. However, we must remember that you should not expect the maximum resolution of the broadcast image to be FullHD, as it will be equal to 1600x1200 pixels. In addition, you will have to additionally use a cable with “tulips” (RGA) or “minijack” (3.5 Jack) to transmit sound.

2 - Connection via DVI interface. The majority of computer video cards have a DVI port - an upgraded version of the VGA interface. It can be in three types:

The analog version of DVI-A, which is almost impossible to find, as it is characterized by low image quality, which is due to the need to convert a digital signal to an analogue signal.

The digital version of DVI-D is perhaps the most common type, characterized by high signal quality. The two-channel Dual Link subtype provides a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels at a frequency of 60 Hz, and the single-channel Single Link provides 1920x1200 pixels, a frequency of 60 Hz.

The combined version of DVI-I consists of one digital and one analog transmission channel (Single Link). It can also consist of two digital and one analog channel (Dual Link), which operate independently of each other. In cases where this port is not among the TV connectors, if it is available on the computer’s video card, you can use special DVI-VGA or DVI-HDMI adapters.

3 - HDMI connection. This port is considered the most optimal in cases where the TV is connected to a computer. With its help, it is possible to transmit high-resolution video (up to 3840x2160 pixels) and multi-channel audio using a single cable. Often, TV interfaces have two to three HDMI connectors, making it possible to simultaneously connect several devices. Today, the disadvantages of an HDMI connection include the limited cable length (no more than 10 m) and a fairly high price.
The disadvantage of connecting using DVI and VGA cables is that the connectors are screwed together. This means that if someone accidentally touches these cables with their foot, damage occurs to both the TV and the computer’s video card.

When planning to purchase a TV for use as a monitor, you need to clearly understand what scenarios it will be intended for in the first place. So, if you plan to actively work with office applications and surf the Internet, then you can limit yourself to a 32-inch TV. But for gaming or watching videos with maximum immersion, you should choose models whose diagonal is in the range from 36″ to 50.

Modern electronics stores offer an extremely wide range of television equipment: from budget models to expensive new products. However, not every consumer can afford to purchase a new TV.

What is the way out of this situation? It’s all very simple, convert the monitor into a TV, especially since it’s really not difficult to do. Firstly, today probably everyone has a computer monitor. Secondly, even if it doesn’t exist, a new one is still much cheaper than a TV device.

How to make a TV from a monitor? There are several different ways. Anyone can set up a TV with their own hands, the main thing is to follow the instructions. In the future, it can even be used to receive cable channels.

Monitor as a TV

Many may think that turning a monitor into a TV is impossible, but this is not so. To implement this plan you will need some free time. Let's start with choosing a monitor - which one is best suited for such functions?

Experts conducted extensive testing, checking the performance of a huge number of different monitors, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the results of the study in order to make an objective decision. The leading position is held by the popular South Korean manufacturer Samsung. Converting such a display into a TV is quite simple.

Second place was shared by Sony and LG, offering consumers updated screens with exclusive designs. You can use a computer monitor as a TV, regardless of the manufacturer.

When using a monitor as a TV, you need to take into account such a parameter as screen resolution. Naturally, if it is high, then the image quality will be appropriate.

Perhaps the main difficulty for a beginner will still be the lack of special skills. For example, not everyone will be able to solder a module or connect a component. To avoid mistakes, follow the instructions or seek professional help. You don't need a system unit, the main thing is that you have a screen and a power supply for it.

TV from an old CRT monitor

Cathode ray tube displays fell out of favor with the advent of liquid crystals. However, few people sold or threw out CRT monitors that had gone out of use; prudent owners hid them, as they say, “for later.” Actually, today the moment has come when you can make a TV out of an old screen, breathing a second life into unnecessary equipment.

How to make a TV? We answer the main question, which is undoubtedly of interest to absolutely everyone. The easiest way is to remove the control unit and graphics card. You also need to purchase additional components; they can be found at any TV equipment store.

The main condition is the presence of a VGA connector; without this interface, turning an old CRT monitor into a full-fledged TV device will absolutely not be possible. However, all old screens were equipped with this port for connecting a PC system unit.

If you know absolutely nothing about connection diagrams and basic computer components, then it is unlikely that you will be able to turn an old monitor into a TV; certain skills and knowledge will still be required to achieve the task.

The created product requires the following components and components:

1. The most important functional device of television equipment is the module responsible for adjusting the color of the image. The quality of the broadcast image depends on the correct operation of this node.

Color module from AIWA TV-1402KE TV

1. Radio channel - this module selects intermediate frequencies among all incoming signals, necessary for television broadcasting.

Radio channel modules 40-32V6GM-NIUI2XG

1. The control unit is a part responsible for setting up and controlling the TV in manual and remote modes.

Samsung TV control unit UE32F4500AKXKZ

To make your own TV, connect the missing nodes and insert them into the screen body, after connecting them with cables to other basic modules. It is possible that to enhance image quality you will need resistors; they need to be soldered. A comprehensive audit is then carried out.

TV from LCD monitor

The modern consumer is gradually abandoning the desktop PC. It’s not surprising, because you can buy more compact and no less functional laptops and netbooks. Therefore, if you still have an LCD monitor, do not rush to throw it away or sell it, since you can make a TV out of it.

Again, first you have to visit a store or radio market to purchase the components necessary to implement this idea:

• TV tuner;

• splitter and cord for connecting digital television;

• antenna and cable for connecting it.

To connect a new TV, you will need at least 2 sockets - for the tuner and the power adapter. Connect the antenna cable and plug the plugs into the outlet. You need to attach the tuner and power adapter to the back.

The tuner is equipped with a built-in speaker; its sound will fully satisfy the needs of the average user. Aesthetes and music lovers will have to additionally purchase an external speaker system to expand the sound range. What options? For example, you can take a soundbar or DC with a subwoofer; even ordinary speakers will do.

A TV from an LCD monitor will pick up channels perfectly, but TV broadcasting in HD quality will remain unavailable - perhaps this is the main drawback.

If we compare the image quality of liquid crystal and CRT displays, then the advantage is on the side of the former.

How to make a TV with a high-quality picture from a monitor? When making a TV from a monitor, you must consider several important points that largely determine the image quality:

• signal response time;
• viewing angle;
• illumination;
• depth of dark tones;
• contrast.

The LG 710 monitor, like LCDs from other manufacturers, is characterized by a long response to the signal. The viewing angle is also very small. These are too significant shortcomings. The bottom line is that the broadcast image will be of high quality as long as you sit clearly in front of the screen; a slight tilt will cause black spots to appear and the picture will be distorted.

It is impossible to solve problems associated with insufficient black depth, which is why LCD monitors have lost the competition to LED displays.

In most cases, tuners are connected to the TV via a VGA connector. However, if the required interface is missing, you can always use an adapter.