It is crucial to know how to connect a projector to a laptop in case you are to share your laptop display with many people.This is a simple approach which allows you present what is on your laptop with a group of people by connecting your laptop to a projector.
It is still wise to use a projector even if the presentation is going to be made to a small number of people because many laptop displays suffer loss of brightness, contrast, and saturation when viewed from an angle. We have reviews of several projectors: the best projector under $2000 and the best projector under $1000 but all with a high picture quality to select from.
Is an Adapter Required to Connect a Laptop to a Projector?
An adapter is required only under the circumstance, where the ports present in your laptop are different. For instance, most projectors do come with an HDMI input port and therefore, if you do have a full sized HDMI on your laptop, you wont need an adaptor. Should your projector support VGA input and you have a VGA output on your computer, then it is the same case.
Here are the many sorts of ports your laptop is likely to have, as well as an explanation of which adapter you'll need if you require one:
1. HDMI Port
If your laptop has full sized HDMI port and the projector has the same then you won’t need an adapter. When it comes to connecting a projector to your laptop, HDMI is probably the simplest method to do it.
2. HDMI Type-C
Mini HDMI Port, also known as HDMI type-c, is the same as HDMI but just miniature version. There is an adapter or cable with the HDMI connector at one end which has the HDMI type-c at the other end.
3. DisplayPort
These are mostly seen on desktop video cards but they can also be found on your laptop. If it does, use HDMI-to-DisplayPort cable or an HDMI to DisplayPort converter can be used.
4. USB-C
If your laptop currently has a USB-C output for the video, then you will require a HDMI port or you need to purchase a USB-C to HDMI converter. However, on some of them, you’ll find that they have USB-C video input so you can directly connect your laptop to the projector using the USB-C connection.
5. VGA
Image Credits: projectortop.com
This is an outdated video connection that can only support up to 640×480 resolution. So if yours projector and laptop have VGA port, then no special necessity of the VGA Adaptor and you can directly connect them using the VGA cable. You nevertheless will have to use another method to transfer sound from your laptop to the projector since VGA passes on sound like HDMI does not.
How to Connect Projector to Laptop
- Press the “Power” button on the projector to switch it off.
- Take VGA cable usually a 15-pin and connect it to the laptop’s Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) output port. It has what is commonly referred to as a trapezoid plug, which means that you can only use it in one orientation, you shouldn’t cram it in. After that, screw it, making sure that it is not loose, to avoid falling off.
- Twist the thumbscrews at the other end of the cable and then connect the VGA port of the projector.
- Plug in the headphone or audio line-out port of the laptop to the projector in through an audio cable with Rh negative 3.5mm sockets. You can ignore this step if your projector does not have a speakers system.
- To switch on your projector press the “Power” button and wait for a few seconds for it to start heating up.
- To select the input your computer connected to, turn the source selector button of your projector to the desired icon. Several projectors have a button, which, when pressed, makes the projector scroll through the inputs to select that mode. As for the others, you press the specific button corresponding to the input on the latter.
- Press the key whose led lights up as you press it together with another key to switch on the VGA port on your laptop. The “Fn” or “Function” key traps the F keys and this often includes F4 or F7 or any other number on the top line of the keyboard.
- The F-keys on different laptops are labelled CRT/LCD or LCD/VGA, therefore, look for a laptop that has CRT/LCD or LCD/VGA marked on the keys. Otherwise look for one with a monitor or a monitor and computer installed on it.
How to Customize Your Projector Display
Your projector should be ready to use but you find that your projector is not projecting the right image or if the image is distorted. It could also show your main desktop when it should be acting as a separate display.
Here's how to make your projector show more personalized:
- To get to the Windows 10 projection menu, press, the Windows key + P on your keyboard.
- Choose your preferred projection setting.
- PC screen only: Your projector is not going to operate.
- Duplicate: Your laptop and the projector screen will contain similar information.
- Extend: With the help of the projector, you can use it as the second monitor. If the image seems distorted; the aspect ratio appears skewed – stretched or squashed you should check your monitor settings.
- Second screen only: The screen of your laptop will appear to be shut down and the image which is being projected will serve as your primary display of your laptop.
- Make sure that the projected image is correct.
- If the projected image is distorted in that the image is either too long or too short vertically or horizontally, then right click the empty area on the screen and select Start > Settings.
- Go to System and choose it.
- Then to select the display that correspond to the projector, click on it.
- Twirl the knob till the image on screen seems to be of the right size.
- Your projector is now ready to be used as an extended or as an extension of the main display source.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. How Can I Use HDMI to Connect a Laptop to a Projector?
First, ensure that the laptop is on, and the projector is power on as well. It must then be connected to the HDMI of the laptop and to the projector on the other side. After that the requested laptop screen should be on projector so that you are set for the operations.
2. How Can I Use Bluetooth to Link a Laptop to a Projector in Windows 10?
Once the laptop and projector have been switched on, most projectors have a button or a remote control that actually switches on Bluetooth to enable the device to be detected. Then, to connect, you can access the taskbar and, after moving the cursor over it, turn Bluetooth on in the laptop.
3. How Can I Use a Mac to Link a Laptop to a Projector?
You'll need to double-check that everything is switched on and all cables are properly connected. Moreover, you may need to buy an adaptor because it is a Mac. The most standard output ports include VGA ports which comprise of three rows of five holes each.
If there isn’t one already then one should be installed. If both of them are lacking, then you will have to go for a VGA or HDMI adaptor. The Thunderbolt port can be used using adapters.
Once you connect, if you’re using a Mac, click the Apple icon in the top left corner once. Then you will go to System Preferences, then to Displays and select the Arrangement tab from there. You can use the arrows to highlight the four display screens and right click and drag them which is the same as picking up the highlighted screen and dropping it next to the mirror displays box where the same thing can be done by checking the box.
4. Why isn’t My Laptop Connecting to the Projector?
Loose wires in your cables and improper connection in auxiliary port of the cable connectors should be rectified. If the cable looks worn or damaged then replace it. Also, make sure that VGA connection on the laptop’s setting is enabled to show on an external screen.
5. What is a Short Throw Projector?
A short-throw projector projects an image that is from three to eight feet away from the projection screen. An example is the width of the image is about 100 inches, however, even larger projector produces a wider image of about 240 to 300 inches. Therefore, it is ideal for small spaces because it does not requires much space on a screen. This is a brief of the best ultra-short-throw projector for big and clear vision.
Featured Image Credits: www.allprotechnologies.com
