How to Connect Projector to Laptop | Wireless, Using HDMI Cable, and VGA Cable

3 Easy methods to connect Projector to Laptop

In this article, we will tell you 3 easy methods on “how to connect a projector to a laptop” by using HDMI cable, VGA port, and Wi-Fi. Also know some shortcut keys for connecting the laptop to the projector.

Alongside this also get to know, what is a projector, types of projector, and the uses of the projector.

But before going to the main topic of ways for connecting the projector let’s explore some relevant topics first.

What is Projector?

Projection meaning varies depending on where it is being used. In general, projection means something to be sent out or forwarded.

For example, a presentation is projected onto a white screen or surface in the auditorium for the students.

A projector is an output (optical) device that displays an image onto a surface generally known as a projection screen.

It projects images on the projection screen by getting input from a device like a computer, laptop, etc.

The British photographer Eadweard Muybridge made the first movie projector in 1879 and it was known as Zoopraxiscope

A projector is used for expanding images, videos, and slides onto a surface for large gatherings like classrooms, auditoriums, etc.

What is a projector used for?

In order to understand the topic more clearly it is important to understand the uses of projector in daily life.

We had mentioned below 5 uses of projector in daily life:-

  • Overhead projectors are commonly used in classrooms for educational purposes like student presentations, to discuss slides, and announcements.
  • A video projector is used by MNCs business for conferences, meetings, and presentations.
  • Home theatre projectors are used at home for creating a mini-home theatre for watching movies.
  • Film projectors are used in cinema houses or movie halls for displaying movies to the public.
  • Lastly, projectors are also used nowadays in airports, metro stations, malls to display advertisements.

Types of Projector

There are three types of projectors. Which are as follows:-

  • Digital Light Processing  (DLP)
  • Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
  • Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)

Digital Light Processing projectors

DLP are of two types i.e. one chip DLP and Three Chip DLP. These are manufactured by Texas Instruments.

In DLP projectors image is created by microscopically small mirrors also known as Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). The images produced by DLP projectors are very sharp.

Liquid Crystal Display projectors

LCD projector uses three liquid crystal panels to display images, and videos. They are portable and smaller in sizes as compared to CRT. These are widely used in business conferences, meetings, and seminars.

An LCD projector is energy efficient and produces excellent images or videos.

Cathode Ray Tube or CRT projectors

CRT projectors were used commonly in early days of projection. It utilises three tubes for each primary colour green, red and blue.

However, the main disadvantages of CRT projectors were they were heavy in weight and big in size.

How to Connect Projector to Laptop wireless in window 10

Do you know you can connect to a projector wirelessly from your Windows 10 laptop?

Here we will explain how you can be able to project your presentation, images, or videos to a large projector screen from Windows 10 device.

Requirements for connecting Projector to windows 10 laptop for wireless display

Your laptop must have windows 10 pre installed to use wireless projection.

You can also use your windows 10 desktop PC for projection, if it has a Wi-Fi card installed in it.

To confirm that your PC or laptop supports wireless projection simply press Window + K.

A connect menu will open, here in connect menu you will see that does your device supports wireless display or not.

If in case it doesn’t support wireless display you will see the message at the bottom of the connect menus.

The device that we want to connect like projector, desktop monitor, or TV must support Miracast.

Most of the smart TVs have a built-in wireless projection feature that supports Miracast technology.

In some cases, you might need to install a screenshare app like LG Screen share.

However, if in case your projector, TV or Desktop monitor doesn’t support wireless connection.

Then you need to invest in a Microsoft wireless display dongle/ Adapter that will be plugged in on the device you wish to use for projection.

While purchasing the device you should ensure that the dongle you are purchasing should support Miracast technology.

Steps to Connect Projector to Laptop Using Wi-Fi

Now if you had ensured that all the above-mentioned requirements are fulfilled or taken care of, then we are ready to go ahead to connect.

  • Power on both the devices and turn on your laptop Wi-Fi.
  • Plug in wireless display dongle on your projector, TV or desktop monitor if your device doesn’t support wireless projection.
  • Press Windows + K to open the connect menu on your laptop.
  • In connect menu you will be able to see your device (projector, desktop monitor or TV) that you wish to connect with the laptop.
  • Select the desired display device to connect and you will see that your laptop screen is shared with your device.

How to connect Projector to Laptop with HDMI

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. The main advantage of using an HDMI cable is that it transfers both video and audio signals over a single cable.

HDMI Cable

Nowadays, HDMI cable is widely used in home appliances like TVs, BluRay Player, Projectors, and Playstation etc.

Steps to Connect Projector to Laptop Using HDMI

In order to connect the projector to laptop using HDMI cable follow the below mentioned steps:-

Plug in Cable – Connect one end of your HDMI cable to the laptop HDMI port and another end to the projector HDMI port. Please ensure that cable is plugged in properly.

Power on Devices – Turn on both the devices (projector and laptop).

Now press Window + P simultaneously. Here you will find four options. Which are as follows:-

  • PC screen only – it means that the display output will be visible only on the main device i.e. laptop or desktop.
  • Duplicate – means that you will have the same display on the projector screen that you are watching on your laptop screen.
  • Extend – means that you can move your elements from one display to another.
  • Second screen only – it means that you will have your display only on the second screen, not on the main screen.

How to Connect Projector to Laptop using VGA Cable

VGA stands for Video Graphic Array. These are the standard connectors used to get video output. A VGA connector has three rows of pins and consists of 5 pins in each row.

VGA Cable

It provides only video output, so if you want to have audio output along with video, you will have to connect an audio cable to the audio in port of the projector from your laptop or desktop audio out port.

Steps for connecting projector to laptop with VGA cable:-

Ensure both the devices are turned off initially.

Connect one end of the VGA cable to the laptop VGA port and another end to the projector VGA port.

Now, power on your both the devices i.e. projector and laptop.

Connect audio output cable to the projector or external speaker, since VGA cable only provides image output not the audio.

Now press Window + P key on your laptop and select the desired projection from the four options namely, PC screen only, duplicate, extend or second screen only.   

Note: – You can also share your mobile phone screen with the projector. Nowadays, Android phones offer many ways to send a wireless signal to the projector, TV, or desktop computer by using Chromecast or Miracast.   

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