Questions About Hooking Computer to TV with HDMI Cable

[Ro_Laren]

Just bought a new TV, but it is not a smart TV. Since I have an HDMI cable input on my TV and an HDMI cable output on my computer, I know that I can easily hook my computer up to my TV. Just curious about something: is it possible for a computer virus to spread to my TV software? Does it matter if my computer already has a virus vs. if it gets a virus while it is hooked up to my TV?

Also, does it really matter what type of HDMI cable I use? That is, are some HDMI cable (like those that are gold plated) better than others? And will the quality look better if the cable is shorter (i.e. right next to the TV) vs. longer (i.e. all the way on my couch)?

Lastly, do you generally find that the larger your TV, the worse quality picture you will get when you hook your computer to your TV? For example, if I am watching a show on Hulu will it look better on a 32” TV vs. a 60” TV?

 

[RobertVA]

A regular, non-smart, high definition flat panel display/TV has little more chance of catching a computer virus/Trojan/worm than a common stone. There might be a slim chance with a flash drive or other device connected to a display/TV USB port if the TV/display is based on a derivative of a computer tablet operating system like Android, Windows or one of the Apple systems.

Twelve or fifteen foot HDMI cables shouldn't make any difference from the two or three foot cables used for equipment like BluRay players, cable converters and satellite receivers operating right next to the TV/display. Many retailers take a huge markup on audio/video cables to make up for the cut throat competitive prices on the actual electronics. I recently bought a twelve foot HDMI cable at a discount chain store for only $5.00 US and it worked fine connecting a laptop to a DLP projector.

A high definition TV is pretty much a computer monitor with a built in ATSC over the air RF tuner (analog TV was NTSC) so it should look just fine if the computer's display properties are set to match the TV/display specs.

 

[Bisz]

- Your TV here can't catch a virus.

- Yes, it matters what kind of an HDMI cable you use. If you pay $150 for a monster cable you'll get the same quality as a $10 cable from monoprice.com but pay 15 times more than you have to. But seriously, HDMI are digital cables which means that quality differences are orders of magnitude less apparent based on what cable you use when compared to analogue cables where a better cable makes a significant difference.

- Now this question modifies the answer to the previous one slightly. If you are going with a super long cable (~10m+) then there are some considerations. It's harder to push a signal that far than it is a short distance so there are special, and more expensive, HDMI cables used for it. Since in this case I don't think you're approaching the kind of distances that make a difference I would just recommend that you get a cable with a Ferrite versus one without.

Take a look here: http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10240

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Just bought a new TV, but it is not a smart TV. Since I have an HDMI cable input on my TV and an HDMI cable output on my computer, I know that I can easily hook my computer up to my TV. Just curious about something: is it possible for a computer virus to spread to my TV software? Does it matter if my computer already has a virus vs. if it gets a virus while it is hooked up to my TV?

The previous responses are correct, your TV cannot get a virus in this way.

Also, does it really matter what type of HDMI cable I use? That is, are some HDMI cable (like those that are gold plated) better than others? And will the quality look better if the cable is shorter (i.e. right next to the TV) vs. longer (i.e. all the way on my couch)?

The previous responses on this are also correct. Essentially, a digital signal does not degrade the way an analog signal does. If anything is wrong with the HDMI cable (e.g. poor build quality), it will manifest as serious corruption of the video/audio, in which case you should return it and get a new one. But all HDMI cables have to meet certain quality and testing standards to carry the HDMI logo.

Lastly, do you generally find that the larger your TV, the worse quality picture you will get when you hook your computer to your TV? For example, if I am watching a show on Hulu will it look better on a 32” TV vs. a 60” TV?

A bigger TV won't have any higher resolution--it's still 1080 lines. So, yes, in theory, it will look worse on a bigger screen because you're more likely to see the individual pixels. The real factor that determines your screen size should be your expected viewing distance. For instance, Crutchfield recommends that you get a 32" TV if you're going to sit 4 to 6.66 feet away from it, and a 58" TV if you'll be 7.25 to 12 feet away from it. Further details here.

I have a 40" TV in my room, and the recommendation for that is 5 to 8.33 feet, which is within the range I tend to be. It's plenty adequate, too.

 

[Metryq]

Just bought a new TV

Congratulations. Now you can look forward to upgrading to a 4K TV!

Relax, it will take a while. Although lots of cameras, switchers, non-linear editors and other gear are already on the market. Still, I have an affinity for that low-res era, even though I argued with a friend (who is a professional cinematographer) that electronic systems would one day replace film, and even best it.

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rKkpHLl1Ew[/yt]
Golden Shower music video
"Video Computer System"​

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I think I'm using a 15' cable when I hook my PC to my TV with no problems. I think for watching video or playing games it's no different than hooking up a Blu-Ray player or even a cable box to your TV using HDMI.

However if you are planning to use the TV as a full-time monitor including surfing and reading text there may be other considerations as to practicality. Sitting eight feet away from your TV may not work well for reading small text even if you have a large display.