Share via

Using My HDTV As a Second Monitor (for Movies/Whatever)

Anonymous
2019-03-04T04:46:56+00:00

I’m trying to “extend” my laptop’s desktop onto my HDTV via an HDMI cable so that I can use my TV as a movie/whatever screen while still being able to surf the Internet or whatever else I might want to do on my laptop. Although I have successfully “duplicated” my laptop’s screen onto my HDTV several times in the past, I believe this is the first time I have tried to “extend” it.

Even though:

  1. my laptop and TV can detect each other;
  2. the “Extend” option is selected in the “PROJECT” list; and
  3. my TV plays audio that’s from my laptop,

I can’t seem to get my TV to show anything except my desktop and taskbar with the taskbar icons of the programs I have open. (That is unless I change the "Multiple displays" option in "Windows Settings" > "System" > "Display" to "Show only on 2.") As a result of my TV being to the left of my laptop, and Windows identifying my laptop screen as display "1," and my TV as display "2" (which is okay with me, I guess), I switched the order of the displays In "Windows Settings" > "System" > "Display" to better reflect the arrangement of my setup.

I’ve done multiple online searches, and, although my most successful search brought me to https://www.groovypost.com/howto-windows-10-dual-monitor-setup/, I'm still having trouble.

How might I be able to accomplish my goal?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | PC projection

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-04-27T20:28:10+00:00

    Ana,

    I think I figured it out.

    Because if you use extend you will have to move with the mouse to the right or left where the second screen is connected what you want in it is displayed, because with this option your screen will be as in expanded state and it will be divided as in 2 parts.

    With regard to the above-mentioned part of your reply, it appears I had not moved the media player program window over to my TV.

    In case other people are wondering, here's what I did (from start to finish):

    1. turned on my laptop;
    2. signed in;
    3. connected my TV to my laptop via HDMI cable;
    4. turned on my TV;
    5. selected the TV input that corresponds to the cable connected to my laptop (in my case, HDMI 2);
    6. opened Microsoft Edge to surf the Internet on my laptop;
    7. opened Windows' "Project" menu;
    8. selected the "Extend" option;
    9. opened the video program I use;
    10. moved the video program window over to my TV;
    11. moved my mouse pointer until it appeared on my laptop screen;
    12. left-clicked the volume icon in the Windows taskbar;
    13. selected my TV as the playback device;
    14. selected the window containing the video file;
    15. started the video file
    16. went back to Microsoft Edge

    As I'm typing this message on my laptop, I'm watching my video file on my TV (with the sound coming out of my TV).

    Although there may appear to be a lot of steps, once you're successful the first time, it's not very tricky.

    Here is a somewhat-simplified list of key steps to remember (once you've selected the "Extend" option) (I'll refer to the main monitor as monitor #1, and the TV as monitor #2):

    1. with your mouse, move the program you want to view on monitor #2 over to monitor #2;
    2. move your mouse pointer back to monitor #1;
    3. left-click the volume icon in the Windows taskbar;
    4. select monitor #2 as the playback device;
    5. select the window containing the video file;
    6. start the video file
    7. go back to whatever other program you were using

    Note: steps #3 and #4 can actually be steps #1 and #2.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-03-04T05:21:13+00:00

    Hi MasterYoda1041 , 

    My name is Ana. I am an Independent Advisor. Thanks for contacting our support.

    These are the 4 ways in which you can project a screen in Windows

    PC screen only. You'll see everything on your PC. (When you're connected to a wireless projector, this option changes to Disconnect.)

    Duplicate You'll see the same things on both screens.

    Extend. You'll see everything on both screens, and you can drag and move items between the two.

    Second screen only. You'll see everything on the connected screen. The other screen will be blank.

    As I understand what is happening to you, you are choosing the option to extend, and only show a part of the screen for the function that is performed.

    I recommend that if you want to see everything you have on your desktop use the option or duplicate or Second screen only.

    Because if you use extend you will have to move with the mouse to the right or left where the second screen is connected what you want in it is displayed, because with this option your screen will be as in expanded state and it will be divided as in 2 parts.

    Let me know any questions.

    Best regards

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-03-04T05:09:24+00:00

    You need a special television able to display different video sources at the same time ... a laptop stays a laptop what ever operating system you put in it.

    0 comments