TV Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Can I connect a TV to my laptop for watching Netflix?

Posted on September 25, 2021

Question from Chad: My laptop has a 13 inch screen, and I’d really like to have a much bigger screen to use when I’m watching Netflix.

I’ve been thinking about buying a 27 inch computer monitor to hook up to the laptop through the HDMI port, but I think I might have just found a better (well, at least a much cheaper) option.

I just found out that my cousin has a practically new 50 inch flat panel TV for sale.

He said he’d let me have it for $60 because he doesn’t need it and it’s just in his way. It’s only a few months old and I’m pretty sure it’s never been taken out of the box.

I know this TV has an HDMI input connector. Do you think it’ll work with my laptop? I’d like to know for sure before I buy it.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why won’t my TV work with my computer?

Posted on September 8, 2021

Click here to sign up for my free Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter!

Question from Glenda: I bought a used flat panel TV at a yard sale and I want to use it as a monitor for an old desktop computer that I’m going to use just for watching Netflix.

I plugged an HDMI cable between the computer and the TV and nothing comes on the screen. It’s like it isn’t getting any signal.

I know the HDMI port on the computer is working because it works with the old monitor just fine. And I know the TV is working because I hooked it up to my cable box.

What could be causing the computer to refuse to work with the TV?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I connect my iPhone to a TV for watching Netflix?

Posted on January 30, 2021

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Marcella F.: I used to watch Netflix on my computer but it got fried by lightning.

I’ve decided that I don’t really need a computer now so I won’t be replacing it.

I now watch Netflix on my iPhone but I’d really like to watch it on my 32 inch Samsung UN32J4000 TV.

My boyfriend said I should be able to connect my phone to the TV through its HDMI port somehow, but he isn’t sure how to do it because my phone has a lightning connector instead of HDMI.

My first question is do you think I can connect the phone and TV together?

If I can, what exactly dol I need to buy? And will it be very expensive?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I pick the best TV from a wall full of display models?

Posted on August 31, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Sondra A.: I decided that I want to buy my husband a really nice TV for his birthday so I went to Walmart to pick one out.

What an exercise in confusion that turned out to be!

When I got to Walmart the TV section had dozens to choose from and the picture quality ranged from fair to really good, even on similar models.

How on earth is one to choose from all those different TV’s under those conditions?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Do you think I should have a 7 year old TV repaired?

Posted on May 8, 2020

Question from Marie P.: I have a 7 year old Sony 55-Inch Sony LCD TV that I like better than any TV I’ve ever owned.

The 55 inch size is just perfect for my living room, but now I can’t use it because it’s torn up.

My kids were horsing around and knocked it to the floor and now there’s a long crack across the screen.

The TV will turn on but there’s no picture. The screen just stays black. I can hear the sound though.

My question is do you think it would be cost effective to have this TV repaired or should I just grit my teeth and buy a new one?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]