Windows 7 - Linking computer to TV

I do not think this is the forum for the question but here goes.

I am looking for advice on the following:
I am an old pensioner in poor health and spend a lot of time in my bedroom on the internet.
I have a satellite connection coming in to my bedroom and I am going to purchase a flat screen TV and an HD box to receive Freesat.
I would like to be able to link my computer to the TV so that I could use the TV as another monitor, also watch films on the TV which are stored on my external hard drive.
Would this be possible say using WiFi?
Before I buy the TV I would like to know what to look for.
Any suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Or a link to another forum that deals with this type of stuff.

Thanks very much
jack

hi jack ,i currently use my flatscreen as a monitor, you dont say but do you intend to have the flat screen in your bedroom or the lounge.
p.s some new flatscreens have freesat built in.
it is possible to hook up your tv using a DVI cable ,some tv's have a dvi connection in built some you will need dvi to hdmi ,but its definately doable, if your tv is hardwired to the pc then it is another monitor and you can watch your movies as you would normally, do you use a laptop or desktop?.

To simply use the TV as another monitor is not possible via WiFi, you would actually need a video card that has more than one output and a TV that can accept either VGA and DVI or HDMI connections, which in modern LCD TVs is rather common. As far as the external hard drive, there are some LCD TVs such as the ones from Samsung that provide this functionality built-in and you can plug your external hard drive to the TV then simply browse its contents and watch whatever formats the specific TV you pick supports.

Picking a common size of 32 inches for a TV, this would be an example of a TV that has the connectivity you need and also supports that feature with the external hard drive directly on the TV: 32" 1080p LCD TV Series 5 | Samsung LN32C550 - LCD TVs. If you want to go cheaper, you can forgo the support for the hard drive directly and just plug it into your computer and get a TV more like this 32" 720p LCD TV Series 3 | Samsung LN32C350 - LCD TVs. And depending on the size of the TV, they can get cheaper or more expensive.

As far as if you're not sure about the video card, if you can provide the model and brand of your PC, we may be able to tell. If you don't have one with more than one output, even the cheapest modern video cards can provide output to a bigger TV for movie viewing so you can use it as a second screen. This one is an example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814134089. Here's another one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102877.

Thanks for the replies
The Tv I am looking for is a 32inch HD model for the upstairs bedroom.
I have Freesat in my living room downstairs via a Humax HDR box, when the guy installed the dish he also ran an LNB lead into my bedroom.
I am in the UK and was unable to find UK dealers listing the Samsung models recommened by Darician maybe there are UK equivalents.
If anyone knows of UK equivalents please let me know.
I was looking at a Samsung UE32C5800 yesterday and it had provision for a WiFi dongle, I do not know about linking a hard drive to it.
My computer is a Packard Bell iExtreme X6620UK desktop.
As a bottom line I am looking for a 32inch HD TV preferably Freesat where I can watch movies from my hard drive and the likes of Youtube, BBc iPlayer etc.
The monitor part is not essential.,
Many thanks
jack

Jack, it seems your PC has a Geforce GT220 graphics card. That card has three outputs: VGA, DVI and HDMI. Two of them, VGA and either DVI or HDMI can be used at the same time for a dual display system.

I'll bet you monitor at the moment is connected with VGA. That leaves both DVI and HDMI free. My recommendation would be to measure the distance from your PC to where the new TV comes, and buy a long enough HDMI cable together with the TV. Then it's simply to connect the HDMI cable's other end to your GT 220 card in your PC, and the other end to one of four available HDMI inputs on that Samsung TV your mentioned.

When you are so far, just come back here and we'll be happy to help you to set it up.

Kari

from what you say jack in your first post ,your pc is in your bedroom , the new tv you wish to purchase will be in the bedroom alongside your pc also. all that you need then is a lead to connect the pc to the tv and bobs your uncle , no need for wifi or dongles you just select source on the tv and choose pc. ,im guessing you would need an adaptor that would allow two leads out of the pc to each screen ,monitor and tv.
Edit ; kari 's got it nailed!

Jack, here's maybe a bit more clear what I meant in my last post. In this image you can see the backside of both the TV you mentioned you are interested in, and the Geforce GT 220 card you have in your Packard Bell PC:



(Click the image to enlarge)

Kari

Once again thanks for the prompt replies.
Kari, I just looked at the back of my pc the socket marked HDMI has a sort of black cover over it. I am wondering if it is just a cover or there is nothing there.
Assuming it is there will it just be a matter of connecting the two with an HDMI cable and plugging an aerial into the TV.
So I would not need an ethernet cable?
Will I be able to watch movies from my external hard drive and things like Youtube, BBC iPlayer etc.?
I also looked at the Samsung LE32C654 which is a bit more expensive and has provision to plug a hard drive in.

Thanks
jack

No need for ethernet cable. In that setup, you just need an HDMI cable, from graphics card to TV.

Yes, that black thing is just a dust cover. Yes, you can then select how to use your displays. Use monitor only, use TV only, duplicate displays (= show the same desktop on both displays) or extend the desktop. When TV is used as a monitor, you use your computer normally while TV shows your desktop. Double click a movie file on your hard disk and it plays on TV.

To visualize what extended desktop means, here's my current extended dual display desktop. Main display (external monitor), in my case the right one, showing this thread on a browser and my taskbar, while watching Singing in the Rain on the secondary (laptop's display) screen on the left:



Extended desktop allows you to open and place different windows and elements as you wish. In this setup of mine moving mouse over the left edge of the right display, or right edge of left display, moves pointer to next display.

Kari

Thanks very Kari
I will post when I get the gear.
jack