Figuring out how to connect your computer to your TV can be quite intimidating.  There are a lot of different ways to go about, and oftentimes video and audio must be connected separately.  Then there’s the matter of what is the best way to connect a computer to a TV.  I’m going to try to answer all of these questions, and if I don’t cover what you need me to in this article, go ahead and use the comments to ask me about your connection, and I’ll do my best to provide an answer.

HDMI is the Best Way of Connecting Your Computer to Your TV

HDMI is the best way to connect your computer to your TV.  One reason for this is that it’s the easiest, requiring only a single cable.  It’s often also the least expensive, because HDMI cables are quite cheap; they are usually under $10.  Don’t be fooled by companies selling very expensive cables.  Those expensive cables don’t work any better than cheap ones, but that is a topic for another day.  Finally, there’s the simple matter that HDMI will carry the best possible signal for both HD video and your high quality audio signals as well.  If your computer has an HDMI output, the solution here is very simple: use an HDMI cable to hook your computer to your TV, or received, depending on how you have your home theater set up.

Displayport & Mini DisplayPort Are Second Best

Mini DisplayPort is the port found on newer Macs, and Thunderbolt is an even newer and better technology that uses this same port.  DisplayPort can be found on more than just Macs.  Both of these connections are HD video & high quality surround sound audio capable just like HDMI.  The only thing that makes this connection “second best” is that an adapter will be required to plug into most TVs because TVs tend to have HDMI inputs, but neither of the DisplayPort inputs.  The quality is the same, there’s just that added expense, and slight extra hassle of using the adapter.  The Standard and MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adapter will have a male DisplayPort end, and a female HDMI end.  Plug the male end into your computer, and then plug an HDMI cable into the female side of the adapter, and the other end into your TV.  Still pretty easy, and you’re still getting the best possible signal.

DVI, Mini DVI & Micro DVI to Your TV

You’re unlikely to encounter a situation where this is the only way to go about, however, I’m going to go over it briefly anyway.  For the purposes of connecting your computer to your HDTV, these connections are digital video connections capable of carrying those HD signals.  Some TVs even have DVI inputs.  This connection is quickly disappearing though, as better technologies emerge, such as HDMI.  It also only carries video, and leaves you to connect stereo (not surround) sound from your headphone jack to an RCA (red/white) input.  And though some TVs have DVI inputs, many don’t, but they will have HDMI.  This means at least 2 cables and an adapter will be required to make this connection.  So you’ll have to use a 3.5mm to RCA audio cable to get sound from your computer to your TV, and then you’ll need a Standard, mini or micro DVI to HDMI adapter, and then an HDMI cable to make this connection.  This is your best option to still get a digital HD video signal if you don’t have the digital audio/video outputs mentioned above.

Using Composite, S-Video or VGA to Hook Up Your Computer to Your TV

While VGA has high resolution (HD) capabilities, and S-video is even capable of low-end HD signals, these are all not great ways to hook your computer to your TV.  Though, they’ll certainly get the job done, it’s unlikely most people will require these connections within the next couple years.  Everything will have moved on to HDMI and other digital audio/video connections.  Either way, you might need to know how to do this, so here it is.  The audio will be hooked up the same way as mentioned with DVI using the 3.5mm to RCA cable.  Video will require either a VGA to Component cable (blue/green/red or YPbPr), VGA to S-video cable, or VGA to RCA composite (yellow) cable.  The video quality will be in that order from best to worst, VGA is best, Component is next, then S-video, and RCA (which is only standard definition).  This connection requires one of those cables, depending on the best input your TV or receiver has, and then the audio connection mentioned.

So there it is.  This should also cover how to connect laptop to TV, as the connections are basically the same.  Whether you are using a desktop PC or laptop, you should now be able to connect your computer to your TV, but again, if you still have questions please ask them in the comments section below.

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They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and computer enthusiasts often get really excited about barebones computer kits. This is largely because they love the technology and take genuine pleasure in combining all the separate components into a wonderful finished article. In the world of diy computer kits there is tremendous variation and opportunity to make something to your own design and specification.

Building your own pc can certainly be a lot of fun, but it is also a great way of keeping costs to a minimum and the supplier will usually have selected and tested each component. DIY computer kits vary in terms of which items are included, but will typically have a computer case, motherboard, hard drive, power supply and a processor complete with its cooler. Whichever items are not part of the package will need to be purchased separately and that might include the operating system software, the Random Access Memory and various other devices, such as a keyboard or printer. Nevertheless, it’s worth pointing out that these kits do come in a wide variety of combinations and it’s simply a case of choosing the right kit for your own personal requirements.

People use computers for widely differing reasons. It could be for games, pictures, videos, music, blogging or various other activities. For this reason, diy pc kits often target different markets, aiming at say gaming or media. Then the more technically inclined might prefer to use an Open Source operating system such as Linux, which is increasingly popular. If that is your preference you would need to make sure that the kit you choose has the right components in order to be compatible with such a system. Let’s face it, the vast majority of ready-built computers use Microsoft Windows as the standard operating system, so if that is not your preferred option then building your own computer is the best way forward.

There are many advantages to buying barebones computer kits and these include price, choice of components, being able to tailor the computer according to personal preferences, and the pure satisfaction derived from building your own pc. A wealth of different options are available on the internet. The flexibility you have when choosing and building your own computer is phenomenal and opens up your imagination to a world of exciting opportunities. If you’re a real computer enthusiast, you can get far more pleasure and enjoyment from a pc you have built yourself than from any ready-made alternative.

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1. DIY Computer Kits

All right, you’ve decided you want to build you own PC, but you’re a bit overwhelmed by all the choices available.  This is understandable, as there are quite a few parts involved, and each part has many options.  Further, you have to make sure all those parts are able to play nice with each other, otherwise you’re going to be spending a lot of time troubleshooting.  If you’re just starting out with your first diy computer, there’s an option that allows you to do the building, but someone else picks all or some of the parts  - diy computer kits.

DIY computer kits, or barebones kits, can be found at places like Tiger Direct.  They can include all the parts you need to build your own PC.  More frequently they will simply include all the main components like the motherboard, processor, RAM, HD, and case.  More complete kits will also include the cooling system, power supply, graphics card, and audio card.  Computer kits don’t usually come with a monitor, so that’s something you will almost always have to purchase separately.  They also don’t come with peripherals like keyboard and mouse, which is something else you’re going to have to consider when looking into diy computer kits.

You can find these kits ranging in price from $200 to $4000 or more.  The pricing depends on the quality of parts in the kit.  If you need a simple home PC, then you can stick to the lower end.  The higher end computers are liquid cooled, have 6GB RAM, high-end graphics cards and are made for hardcore gaming.  Whatever your needs are, you can find a kit to suit them.  Don’t worry about getting an underpowered computer either; you’re just starting out in the world of building your own computer.  Your next step will be to learn how to upgrade your computer, which you can do with barebones upgrade kits.  These kits come with new motherboards, processors, and other pieces and parts depending on what you’re upgrading for.  Eventually you’re going to want to branch out from the crutch of diy computer kits, but they’re a great way to start learning about how to build a computer.

DIY computer kits don’t actually save you very much money.  After you’ve bought the monitor, mouse, and keyboard, you’re coming in around the same price you would if you just bought the complete computer.  If you’re looking for the cheapest possible computer, just purchase a cheap desktop and don’t worry about the hassle.  However, if you’re interested in the inner workings of your home computer, and have always wanted to build on from the ground up, a diy computer kit is a great way to start learning.

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1. Barebones Computer Kits

When you choose to build your own computer, you’re going to have to have an idea of what you need your computer to do.  Are you building the ultimate gaming machine, or do you simply need the cheapest computer possible?  Here are some diy computer project ideas to get you started.

The Bare Bones Computer

The first on our list of build ideas is the bare bones computer, or the el Cheapo.  This is the ideal computer build if you’re looking for a cheap functional computer, or are just getting into diy computers.  This computer will consist of the cheapest components you can find, regardless of quality.  The idea here is to get your hands dirty building a computer without having to worry about shorting out a $400 graphics card.  You can buy a barebones computer kit, but if you want to make a hobby or business of building computers, try seeking out the pieces yourself.  This gives you the experience of having to match compatibilities, and understand the complimentary strengths and weaknesses of the parts.

The Ultimate Gaming  Computer

This is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the bare bones computer.  People will tend to put the latest and greatest of all the components in their diy gaming computer.  A lot of people take the diy gaming computer route, because you can spend more money on the components and get real performance machine for much less than it would cost to buy a similar computer whole.  Some people even taylor their diy gaming machine to the game they most play.  In general though, for a gaming computer, the bigger and faster things are, the better the computer is considered to be.

The DIY Home Theater Computer

This type of computer acts as the brains of your home theater.  This will act as your storage device for your media, as well as the visual and audio output.  They can also be used as a digital recorder.  There are some special considerations when building a home theater computer.  You’re going to need a remote control, and accompanying software, as well as a way to interface cable or satellite with your computer.  You can also use a TV tuner card to capture over-the-air television.  You’re also going to need a way to connect your computer to your television.  The easiest way to do this is though an HDMI, or DVI input.  Most TVs these days come with one of these inputs, and you’ll have to tailor your computer to be compatible with your television.  Another option is to use a large LCD computer monitor as your Home Theater’s “tv.”  Also, ensuring that your computer has plenty of storage allows you to rip DVDs to its hard drive for easy accessibility and cataloging.

This is only 3 different types of diy computer projects.  There are more options available, when building your own computer, than you can possibly imagine.  Basically, you can make your computer do whatever you need it to, and having the skills and knowledge to build your own computer really comes in handy if you need a computer to perform a specific task or tasks.

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If you’ve built your own computer, you’re often going to have to take care of repairs yourself.  You could always bring it to someone else, but you’ve taken the time, and learned the skills to build the computer, and you’re going to know it better than anyone.  Even if you haven’t built your own computer, sometimes it’s easier and cheaper to do your own repairs.  If you do take on repairs on a computer you’ve purchased, make sure you won’t be voiding any warranties by doing so.

Before digging into your diy computer, make sure you’ve exhausted any software maintenance options you might have.  Often times, if you’re computer seems to be on the fritz, it can repair itself using built-in software tools.  Also make sure that the errors you’re encountering aren’t be caused by viruses.  Again, there is antivirus software available to combat viruses if this is the case.

Okay, so you’ve determined you might have a serious hardware issue, and you need to start troubleshooting parts.  What are you going to need for the job?  Well, to make things easy, you can often buy a complete computer repair tool kit.  You can find these on Amazon or Tiger Direct costing anywhere from 20 to several hundred dollars, depending on how many tools are in the kit.

These kits have many tools in common though, and if you want, you can build you own set.  What you’ll need in your computer repair kit includes the following; a set of small screwdrivers.  These come in sets of 4-6 sizes in either phillips or flathead or both.  Most commonly, you’ll find Phillips head screws, but it might be wise to get the complete set of both head types just in case.  You’ll also need a set of small hex wrenches in both standard and metric sizes, as well as a small set of sockets and an adjustable angle socket wrench.  Keeping a small selection of spare screws in various sizes is also handy.

You also may encounter some odd types of screw heads to include star, tri-wing, and square.  You might want to add these to your repair kit, but if you’re looking to save money, and don’t plan on doing extensive repair on multiple computers, you might want to hold off on purchasing these until you encounter such a head.

If you plan on digging into the wiring, you’re going to need a wire cutter/stripper, a wire crimper, a soldering iron and solder, and a small electronic tester.  It’s also helpful to have cable ties to keep the wiring tidy and organized inside the computer.

Is you’ve decided to build this kit yourself, you’re going to need a place to store all of these tools, and keep them organized.  Obviously, a small tool box will work.  Another useful option is a small tackle box.  Anything with a variety of compartments will work.

This is solid list to get your started on a building a diy computer repair kit, though it is not all-inclusive.  Can you think of anything I’ve missed?

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DIY Computers are fun to build and maintain.  There are many reasons why people build their own computers. Some do it because it’s cheaper, and some take the DIY computer route simply because they enjoy building computers from the ground up. Here are some of the benefits of building your own computer.

Custom Build For You - No one knows what you need better than you do.  Often with pre-built computers you have to sacrifice some aspect of your computing needs in the name of price.  Or you end up paying for, and getting way more computer than you need because you needed a boost in one area, such as the graphics card.  If you do it yourself, you get exactly what you want or what you need for a price that tends to beat that which you will find in an off-the-shelf computer, which brings us to our next point;

DIY Computers are Cheaper - This point is debatable, but in general, with some shopping savvy, you can build a cheap computer that outperforms the same priced computer you’d find in a store.  While large companies have volume purchasing power that allows them to get components rather cheaply, they are not volume-purchasing the best components.  In addition, they obviously need to mark up that premium to make a profit, in addition to paying for the labor to build the computer.  Building your own computer allows you to purchase quality components direct from the reseller or manufacturer, eliminating the middle-man from the process.

OS Freedom - When you build your own system, you have the freedom to install whatever OS you’d like.  You are not bound to whatever OS comes with a pre-made computer.  Pre-built computers often come with components that are only compatible with the OS (generally Windows) that they come with.  If you build your own computer, you are free to run a Linux environment because you can choose compatible components.

DIY Computer Repairs Become Easier – It’s not really that the repair process itself is easier, but if you build your computer from the ground up, you have a much better idea of the inner working of the system.  If something goes wrong, you’ll be able to troubleshoot the issue better than if you’d bought the computer, and have never opened it up.  This educational experience also gives you a better grasp of the components and their compatibilities, allowing you to upgrade easier.  You’ll be more aware of what your computer can handle, what you need, and how to go about installing new components.

There are many reasons why building your own computer might be beneficial, however it is not for everyone.  While it doesn’t require exceptional skill to build a computer, it does require an ability to research, and tinker with electronic parts until things work properly.  You also don’t have the benefit of warranties and technical support that comes with a pre-made PC.  If you like to investigate the inner workings of things, and are looking to add a new skill your repertoire, then a diy computer might be for you.

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A DIY Computer may seem to be overwhelming, but putting your own PC together is not as hard as you might think, and there are not as many components to put together as one might imagine.  There are many benefits to doing this such as saving money, getting exactly what you want out of your PC and none of the things that you do not need. If you don’t feel like picking out the parts yourself, but still want to build your own computer, you can find barebones computer kits at many places online.

The key elements of a DIY PC include: Power supply, mother board, CPU processor (Central Processing Unit), heat sink, memory/RAM, hard drive and CD/DVD drives.  For some people the excess drives are not needed and you do not have to include them.  If you change your mind, you can either add them later or use an external drive that is usually connected to your computer by a USB cable.

The first thing you will need is a case to hold all the elements together, and for this it is just a matter of taste and desk space.  There is a desktop version that sits under the monitor, and the tower version sits upright either on or under the desk.  Of course, there are many color options to choose from; the only important thing is proper ventilation for the components inside.

The mother board is the most important part of any computer including DIY computers.  It connects everything together from the processor to the drives.  You can purchase them with built in video and graphics cards, or you can find some with slots to add your own.  For some people the graphics and video is more important, and for others, they want to edit audio and might want additional cards for that.

Without electricity, your computer will not run; therefore, a power supply is needed.  This connects the mother board to the outlet and comes with an on/off switch and a fan to keep it from over heating.  Even with this cooling system in place, you will still want to get a heat sink that will keep the processor cool.  There are so many circuits and so much power running through the system, that getting too hot is a real issue if you do not take care of it.

The processor or CPU is the brains behind the computer. It will say on the packaging whether it is a dual core or a quad core.  All this means is the number of micro chips inside of it.  The more chips it has, the faster it will run.

The CPU works together with the RAM (random access memory), which you will also need to buy.  It differs from a hard drive in that it makes the information in the hard drive that you are using at the moment easily accessible for the processor.  It is kind of like your short-term memory in your brain as opposed to the long-term memory you have.  By looking at the types of programs you will be using on your computer, it should be a good gauge as to how much RAM you need to get.

The hard drive is something you definitely will need (CD/DVD drives are optional).  Different drives come with different amounts of memory, so gauging how much you will need so that you do not overspend is completely up to you.  Once the computer is together, you will load your operating system that allows you to connect with the files and programs that you will be using.

For additional drive space, you can also use a flash drive or a Secure Digital (SD) card.  This stores lots of information in a very small space and can make it portable to go from one computer to the next.  More often people are option for a micro SD card, which is even smaller than the original, and for some brands of computers you might need to get a micro SD adaptor so that it can be read.

Fit these elements together, inside the case or tower.  You should be able to see where these pieces connect and fit together.  A modem (which allows your computer to connect to the web is also optional, though these days it is probably a necessity.

By knowing how to build a computer, now DIY computer repairs are much easier too.  Since you know how the components fit together, you can understand more easily what is not working and what you might need to fix or replace.

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