How can I connect my PC to my TV for movie streaming?

[leroyjenkens]

Hello, I just got a TV for the first time in about a decade, so I'm unfamiliar with TV's that hook up to computers, but this is the only way I'll be able to watch anything on this TV.
The first is a picture of the connections I have on the back of the TV. The second one is the connections I have on the back of the computer.

I have the HDMI cable, but no connection for it on the computer. I went to Best Buy and the guy said that one plug I have on my computer with the 2 plus signs and the P is a thunderbolt slot. I did some research and I don't think that's a thunderbolt slot.
My goal is to simply watch movies from my computer on my TV. What would be the best plug or adapter to get? Thank you.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I did some research and I don't think that's a thunderbolt slot.
My goal is to simply watch movies from my computer on my TV. What would be the best plug or adapter to get?

Agreed, looks too wide for thunderbolt. No idea what it is though. Maybe someone else can figure that one out. I'd just go and buy a new graphics card that has HDMI output. Even cheap ones these days have them :)

 

[StevieTNZ]

Perhaps you need a HDMI to VGA cable.

 

[Vanadium 50]

The ++P is actually ++D, and it's Displayport. You need Displayport to HDMI.

 

[leroyjenkens]

I suppose I could try an HDMI to VGA cable, but it makes me wonder how compatible the two devices will be if I need an adapter for them, i.e. will the video and audio look and sound as good as it could if I just had a graphics card with an HDMI port?
I think I'll go ahead and just purchase a graphics card with an HDMI port. Now I have to find out what my computer can support, and I have to find out if my computer case is big enough. I know some of these graphics cards are huge.
Thanks for the help.

Edit: So Displayport to HDMI adapter? Is that usually a good solution, or does that often come with compatibility issues? Thank you.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Displayport to HDMI adapter? Is that usually a good solution, or does that often come with compatibility issues?

The ++ indicates the adapter is actually putting out HDMI, but of course you need the adapter to be right mechanically. Me, I'd try the $7 adapter before the $45 video card.

 

[robphy]

from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort#Dual-mode

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dynex-displayport-to-hdmi-adapter-black/8720184.p?skuId=8720184&ref=212&loc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015OW3P1O/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[rootone]

Most TV's these days have a VGA input socket.
You can use the TV screen same as you plug your PC video output into a normal smaller monitor screen,
I am doing that right now.
The only other thing you have to do is use the channel changer gadget to tell the TV screen that the input is from the PC (the VGA socket) instead of the TV receiver.

 

[robphy]

Most TV's these days have a VGA input socket.

While this may be true, the OP's TV doesn't have such a port (from the given photo of the back the TV).

 

[rootone]

Apparently so if that photo shows all of the inputs.
I am a bit surprised that a modern TV with no VGA input is even a marketable product.

 

[jrmichler]

I see two HDMI input ports in that TV. There are standard DP to HDMI cables that will connect DisplayPort to HDMI, however you will get 2K (1920 X 1080) resolution at best.

I am using a 40" 4K TV (3840 X 2160 resolution) for my computer monitor. In order to make it work at that resolution, I had to get a 4K DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, then a high speed HDMI cable. Figuring all that out took multiple technical support calls to the monitor, computer, and graphics card manufacturers.

VGA is considered obsolete. It's analog, while DP and HDMI are digital.

 

[ChemAir]

Why not get a wireless card and use a wireless display adapter plugged into the HDMI port?

Something like Screenbeam, Miracast, etc... Hereor here ?