How To Use Laptop As Monitor For Switch

I have a satellite TV decoder and a laptop. Is it possible to plug the decoder's HDMI into my laptop's HDMI plug and use it as a monitor somehow?

  1. Use Laptop As Monitor For Xbox
  2. How To Connect Two Monitors To Laptop

Another option you might prefer is to use your laptop’s display (and its keyboard, mouse, trackpad) to control another computer. Obviously, this is a little bit different of an option than using your laptop as a monitor, as instead, you’ll be using your laptop to have complete control over your main PC.

  • Hi guys just got my new pc today but i dont have a monitor just yet, is it possible to connect it to my laptop and use that as a monitor or even keyboard also? My laptop is a toshiba qosmio x500 18.4 inch.
  • You can't use a VGA cable or HDMI cable to connect the desktop to the laptop and use it as a second monitor as the VGA and HDMI ports on a laptop are for video out.

Edit: I have an Asus S550C but I don't know what kind of HDMI port I have on this.

Hennes
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How to use laptop as monitor for switch replacement
PaulPaul

Use Laptop As Monitor For Xbox

3 Answers

Only if your laptop supports HDMI-input, which is highly unlikely. You would need to get a USB video-input dongle of some sort.

JoshuaJoshua
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No.

Laptop displays are generally only wired to receive signals from the built in graphics system on your laptop. Additionally hdmi display ports on are unidirectional meaning that they are output only, they cannot receive a signal, they can only send signals.

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Okay, apparently there are some laptops that do have HDMI input such as the Clevo 8100 and it sounds like they're more common than I thought. Check if you have an input port on your laptop, though if it is a cheaper laptop it is unlikely that you do.

Otherwise you may want to look into HDMI capture tools and hardware.

Googling for 'HDMI record USB' shows an assortment of devices that would do the job.

Mokubai♦Mokubai
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This question has been going around for years, As it is 'Highly' Uncommon to find a laptop with an HDMI Input, The answer to your question Is Yes if you have the correct Laptop. Or If you purchase A HDMI to VGA Adapter of Ebay, Amazon Or any other of the sort. If you own a Capture Card Such as Elgato, Dazzle and other. You would only need to get a Video Encoder to Bring up the Display. The hardware needed prices can be between 20-100 AUD

Mokubai♦
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Reg_EditReg_Edit

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If you work with multiple programs at once, you can use dual monitors to extend the desktop and place some of the windows on the second screen. You can also duplicate the desktop on the second screen. If you don't plan on working with multiple programs for a few hours, there is no need to have both monitors powered on. In this case, you can toggle from dual monitors to a single monitor with just a few keystrokes. Windows 7 is able to manage multiple monitors, but your video card software can also include a utility that enables you to control multiple displays.

Using Windows Hotkey

Step 1

Press the Windows key and the 'P' key simultaneously and click 'Computer Only' in the Display Mode dialog box to switch from dual monitors to a single monitor.

How To Connect Two Monitors To Laptop

Step 2

Turn off the unused monitor and adjust the display settings on the primary monitor, if the process changed them.

Turn on the unused monitor, press the Windows logo key and the 'P' key simultaneously again and click 'Extend' to switch back to dual monitor mode.

Using the Screen Resolution Menu

Step 1

Right-click an empty area of your desktop and select 'Screen Resolution' from the context menu to open the Screen Resolution window.

Step 2

Select the 'Show Desktop Only on 1' option in the Multiple Displays drop-down menu to use only the primary monitor, or the 'Show Desktop Only on 2' option to use only the secondary monitor.

Step 3

Click 'Apply' to switch to single monitor mode and then 'OK' to close the Screen Resolution window.

Step 4

Turn on the unused monitor, open the Screen Resolution window, select 'Extend These Displays' in the Multiple Displays drop-down box and click 'Apply' to switch back to dual monitor mode.

Tips

  • The primary monitor is labeled '1' and the secondary monitor is labeled '2' in the image at the top of the Screen Resolution window.
  • Click the 'Detect' button if Windows doesn't display the second monitor.
  • If the second monitor is still not detected, restart your computer and try again.

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