How to Connect a Dell Laptop to a Sony Bravia Television

By Nathan McGinty

i Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

When it comes to home entertainment televisions, one of the most advanced lines on the market is the Bravia (short for "Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture") line from Sony. In addition to being Internet ready, these TVs can also be hooked up to peripheral devices, such as laptops. If you want to connect your Dell laptop to your Sony Bravia TV, there are a couple of ways you can do it, depending on your Bravia and Dell models. The first is through a standard VGA (Video Graphics Array) cable, the same as used to connect computer monitors. The second is by using an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cable from the PC to the TV. Once the appropriate cable is connected, the Dell laptop should easily detect the Sony Bravia and send its display to the TV.

VGA Connection

Step 1

Power down both the laptop and the Sony TV.

Step 2

Connect one end of the VGA cable to the output on the Dell laptop. Connect the other end to the VGA input on the back of the Sony BRAVIA.

Step 3

Power on the TV and the laptop.

Step 4

Access the Sony Bravia menu by pressing the "Menu" button located on the remote or on the TV. Select "Input" on the menu. Scroll down to "Computer" and press "Enter" to select.

Step 5

Click Start on the Dell laptop and select "Control Panel."

Step 6

Click "Display" inside "Control Panel." Select "Adjust Resolution."

Step 7

Select "Detect" to have the Dell laptop detect the Sony Bravia. Arrange the Sony output and the Dell laptop monitor on the control panel screen by dragging the monitors to the position you need. Ensure that the "Duplicate display" button is checked, as opposed to extending the laptop screen onto the Bravia.You should now be able to see the Dell display on the Sony TV. Click "OK" when finished.

HDMI Connection

Step 1

Power down both the Sony TV and the Dell laptop.

Step 2

Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the laptop and the other end to the Sony Bravia HDMI input on the back of the TV.

Step 3

Power on both the laptop and the Sony.

Step 4

Access the Sony menu with the remote or the buttons located on the TV. Select "Display" from the menu.

Step 5

Scroll to the first HDMI connection on the menu using the remote control direction buttons or the buttons on the Sony console. Confirm your selection by pressing "Enter."

Step 6

Access the display settings on the Dell laptop by clicking Start and then selecting "Control Panel."

Step 7

Click "Display" inside the "Control Panel." Select "Adjust Resolution." Click "Detect" to have the Dell laptop detect the Sony Bravia through the HDMI connection. You should now be able to see the Dell display on the Sony TV.

Step 8

Arrange the monitors on screen as needed by dragging them inside the display control panel. Ensure that the "Duplicate display" button is checked, as opposed to extending the laptop screen onto the Bravia. Click "OK" when finished.

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