You’ve been thinking about putting a nice TV in your bedroom for some time, but occasionally you never find the time or opportunity to buy one. Absentmindedly, you noticed that your computer monitor, when not in use, is neatly aligned with your bed or armchair and could very well turn into a TV if it had a built-in tuner.
Is this how it’s going to be? So stop a little and pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you: if you carefully follow the advice I’m going to give you in this guide, you’ll learn how to turn a monitor into a complete TV, so you can watch digital terrestrial or satellite channels without necessarily having to replace the device in your possession. The only fundamental requirement is that your monitor has at least one free HDMI port to which you can connect one of the “accessories” that I will be able to recommend to you during this tutorial.
I suppose at this point you don’t want to waste another minute: without delay, so take a few minutes of your free time and read very carefully everything I have to say to you on the subject. I am sure that, at the end of this reading, you will be perfectly able to evaluate the solutions that I am about to list, in order to choose the most suitable one for your case. Having said that, I have nothing left but to wish you good reading and good luck in everything!
How to turn a PC monitor into a TV
In this part of the guide, I will show you how to turn a computer monitor into a “classic” television, through which you can watch digital terrestrial channels or satellite channels. Remember that, relying on the methods that I will illustrate just now, you will only be able to enjoy the channels transmitted in clear and not the encrypted ones transmitted, for example, by pay TV (in this case, you need to have a real television that ” integrates” the necessary decoding mechanisms).
External TV tuner
The first category of devices that allow the visualization of television channels on a “simple” computer screen is that of external TV tuners , devices that connect to the monitor through the HDMI port and are configured exactly like a television: such a device allows you can view terrestrial digital channels transmitted without encryption simply and quickly. Below I suggest some of them, available on Amazon.
To use it, plug the antenna cable into the appropriate ANT IN slot (or antenna cable IN and similar names) on the back of the tuner, connect the ends of the HDMI cable (not included in the package) to the two appropriate ports on the back of the tuner or located behind the monitor, plug the device into an electrical outlet and finally turn on the device.
The monitor, once turned on, should automatically select the video source used; if this is not the case, you can always use the appropriate button located on the device (usually called Source and located near the bottom of the body, usually well “hidden”) to change the output used.
Once the tuner is started, you can use the supplied remote control to adjust the initial settings (language, region and LCN rating) and start searching for channels, which will happen fully automatically. After a few minutes, you will be able to watch TV channels without any problems, as you would on a “regular” TV.
If you experience problems tuning channels, I suggest you read my guides on how to tune channels and how to orient the TV antenna, in which I suggested the most useful techniques for manually tuning channels that are not displayed and for orienting the antenna in the right direction, for optimal reception.
Digital set-top box
If you want a device a little more “advanced” (and more expensive) than an external tuner, you can use a digital terrestrial decoder equipped with an HDMI port: below I will list some available on Amazon, but in my guide to buying on decoders digital terrestrials, you can find much more.
Also in this case, installing and using the device is extremely simple: in practice, what you have to do is connect and configure it exactly as you would on a “normal” TV.
Then connect an HDMI cable (not included) to the set-top box’s HDMI OUT port and the appropriate port on the back of the monitor, connect an antenna cable to the set-top box’s ANT IN socket and the appropriate wall outlet, connect the plug to the mains and turn on both devices.
After a few seconds, the decoder’s welcome screen should welcome you, through which you can select the language, country of residence and, finally, start the channel search. Again, just complete the initial tuning and you can immediately see the TV channels on your monitor.
If you have a satellite dish and need a decoder capable of displaying unencrypted satellite channels, you can take a look at the decoder models that I propose below or in my buying guide dedicated to satellite decoders.
In this case, the “physical” installation changes a bit: instead of using the cable from the antenna, you must actually connect the cable coming out of the satellite dish to the appropriate port on the set-top box (usually called LNB IN ) and then proceed not in the same way as was said before.
If you don’t see anything and/or you don’t know how to orient the satellite dish, I suggest you read my tutorial on how to point the satellite dish , in which I showed you all the steps to follow to point the antenna correctly and thus receive the broadcast channels clear.
How to turn a monitor into a Smart TV
In this part of the guide, I will show you how to turn a computer monitor into a “classic” television, through which you can watch digital terrestrial channels or satellite channels. Remember that, relying on the methods that I will illustrate just now, you will only be able to enjoy the channels transmitted in clear and not the encrypted ones transmitted, for example, by pay TV (in this case, you need to have a real television that ” integrates” the necessary decoding mechanisms).
External TV tuner
The first category of devices that allow the visualization of television channels on a “simple” computer screen is that of external TV tuners , devices that connect to the monitor through the HDMI port and are configured exactly like a television: such a device allows you can view terrestrial digital channels transmitted without encryption simply and quickly. Below I suggest some of them, available on Amazon.
To use it, plug the antenna cable into the appropriate ANT IN slot (or antenna cable IN and similar names) on the back of the tuner, connect the ends of the HDMI cable (not included in the package) to the two appropriate ports on the back of the tuner or located behind the monitor, plug the device into an electrical outlet and finally turn on the device.
The monitor, once turned on, should automatically select the video source used; if this is not the case, you can always use the appropriate button located on the device (often called Source and located near the bottom of the body, usually well “hidden”) to change the output used.
Once the tuner is started, you can use the supplied remote control to adjust the initial settings (language, region and LCN rating) and start searching for channels, which will happen fully automatically. After a few minutes, you will be able to watch TV channels without any problems, as you would on a “regular” TV.
If you experience problems tuning channels, I suggest you read my guides on how to tune channels and how to orient the TV antenna, in which I suggested the most useful techniques for manually tuning channels that are not displayed and for orienting the antenna in the right direction, for optimal reception.
Digital set-top box
If you want a device a little more “advanced” (and more expensive) than an external tuner, you can use a digital terrestrial decoder equipped with an HDMI port: below I will list some available on Amazon, but in my guide to buying on decoders digital terrestrials, you can find much more.
Also in this case, installing and using the device is extremely simple: in practice, what you have to do is connect and configure it exactly as you would on a “normal” TV.
Then connect an HDMI cable (not included) to the set-top box’s HDMI OUT port and the appropriate port on the back of the monitor, connect an antenna cable to the set-top box’s ANT IN socket and the appropriate wall outlet, connect the plug to the mains and turn on both devices.
After a few seconds, the decoder’s welcome screen should welcome you, through which you can select the language, country of residence and, finally, start the channel search. Again, just complete the initial tuning and you can immediately see the TV channels on your monitor.
If you have a satellite dish and need a decoder capable of displaying unencrypted satellite channels, you can take a look at the decoder models that I propose below or in my buying guide dedicated to satellite decoders .
In this case, the “physical” installation changes a bit: instead of using the cable from the antenna, you must actually connect the cable coming out of the satellite dish to the appropriate port on the set-top box (usually called LNB IN ) and then proceed not in the same way as was said before.
If you don’t see anything and/or you don’t know how to orient the satellite dish, I suggest you read my tutorial on how to point the satellite dish , in which I showed you all the steps to follow to point the antenna correctly and thus receive the broadcast channels clear.
How to Turn a Monitor into a Smart TV
In addition to the terrestrial and satellite digital platform channels, would you like to be able to view on-demand Internet content and videos on your monitor, without having to own a real computer? Then this is the most suitable section for you: below, in fact, I will show you some useful devices to transform a simple monitor into a Smart TV of the latest generation, to be able to play any type of multimedia content available on the Web .
Chromecast
Chromecast is a small HDMI device marketed by Google, capable of “receiving” content from applications and devices compatible with the Google Cast protocol. It is available in two versions: a basic one, which supports Full HD content and costs 33 dollars, and another called Chromecast with Google TV, which costs 30 dollars (no additional cost), supports 4K content and has a remote control and Google TV operating system for use. directly from applications on the device. It can be purchased directly from the Google store or from major electronics stores.
Described this way, the device may seem out of place in this guide: with a little imagination, however, you can use it as a true receiver of TV channels transmitted over the Internet; this solution is very useful in all scenarios where there is no antenna input in the room where the monitor is located, but good Wi-Fi coverage.
To succeed, once you have the Chromecast, connect it to the monitor’s HDMI port, then to a USB port or wall outlet, turn it on and immediately do the initial setup using an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet and Google Home app : if you don’t know how to proceed, you can read my guide dedicated to the subject. Once that’s done, install the free Web Video Caster app on your “mobile” device, available from the Android Play Store or iOS App Store.
After installing the app, connect your smartphone (or tablet) to the same Wi-Fi network that you connected the Chromecast to during setup, launch it and tap on the cast symbol located at the top (shaped like a square with waves ). , then choose your Chromecast from the list of supported devices that appears in the center of the screen.
Once associated with the application, use the address bar at the top of the screen to access one of the websites that transmit digital terrestrial channels in streaming over the Internet; I have gathered some of the websites that you can use in the list below.
Once you have reached the address of the site you are interested in, select the channel you want to follow via streaming on the page and tap on the Play symbol in the center of the video box to start playing the streaming on your smartphone or tablet. After starting to play the stream, you may see some ads: wait patiently for this to finish, until you see the live video you are interested in.
When this happens, you can finally “send” the video stream to the Chromecast and view it on the monitor: press the yellow button in the shape of a circle and, among the various streams displayed, select the one that actually contains the streaming channel next to it. live (usually identified with the name playlist or index , but I suggest you try them all): after a few seconds, the content will be sent to the Chromecast and therefore to the monitor. To learn more about how to watch TV without an antenna, I suggest you take a look at my thematic study, where you will find other useful methods to be able to watch digital terrestrial channels without necessarily having an antenna cable in the room.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Another valid device that you can use to turn a monitor into a TV is the Amazon Fire TV Stick , the Amazon HDMI stick available at the homonymous store.
Much like the Chromecast, this device can be connected directly to the monitor’s HDMI port (as well as the power supply) and, in a few simple steps, is immediately ready to be used (usually associated with the same Amazon Account used for the purchase ): just enter the Wi-Fi password to be able to access the Internet.
The Fire TV Stick has a real internal operating system, based on Android: thanks to it, it is possible to install multimedia applications and thus start viewing any video content on the Web, in particular with natively compatible services (Amazon Prime Video and Netflix ). Another feature is the presence of a dedicated wireless controller, which allows you to navigate through the menus and select the various applications.
If you want to know more about the Amazon Fire TV Stick, I invite you to dedicate just a few more minutes and read my specific guide on the subject, in which I explained in detail how to connect the device correctly, how to install new applications, how to play the entire screen of the your phone or tablet and much, much more.
Android TV box
Android TV Boxes are small computers, equipped with a dedicated remote control that can be connected via HDMI to any monitor. Many of these devices are equipped with the Android operating system and usually include several applications such as the browser, the Kodi media player and the YouTube and Netflix applications, but you can install others through the Play Store, like any smartphone or tablet. android tablets. Properly configured, an Android TV Box allows you to watch movies, TV series, anime, documentaries and many other content on demand in a simple way.
There are so many TV Box models, each equipped with precise functions and with different performance compared to the others: if you are interested in trying out a device of this type, I recommend that you carefully read my guide to buying the best TV Box. in which I illustrated the fundamental characteristics for choosing a good appliance, as well as an exhaustive list of TV Boxes suitable for the purpose for which they are intended, divided by price range.
Using an Android TV Box is not complicated at all: you need to connect the device to the monitor via an HDMI cable and then to the power supply, turn on the two devices and do the simple initial configuration to connect the Android box to the Internet.
Once this operation is completed, the main screen of the TV Box (different from model to model) should be displayed, which allows you to start the applications already installed on the device or purchase new ones through the Play Store. The latter, in particular, must be activated by entering the credentials of a Google account: if you don’t know how to do it, I invite you to take a look at my guide on how to activate the Play Store .
How do you say? You bought and set up a TV Box and now you’d like to get the most out of it? If so, you can check out my in-depth look at how Android TV Boxes work, where I was able to cover the topic in detail.
Apple TV
If you often use Apple devices (iPhone and iPad), it might be a good idea to equip your monitor with an Apple TV. This small TV Box has been designed to integrate perfectly with any other device in the Apple ecosystem, from which you can receive any type of audio/video content via a network connection.
It is available in two versions: a 32GB base that supports content in Full HD format and another 4K that also supports 4K content and is sold in 32 and 64 GB variants. It can be purchased at major electronics stores.
To use Apple TV to turn your monitor into a kind of Smart TV, connect the device to the monitor via an HDMI cable (included in the package), then start the Apple box and proceed with its initial configuration, where you will be asked you enter the Wi-Fi password (if you don’t use the network cable) and then the credentials of the Apple ID used on all other devices.
After having subsequently indicated the region, the language and accepted the various terms of use, you will have access to the main screen, where you will be able to find some applications optimized for use on a television, which can be selected using the practical remote control supplied.
But the real strong point of the Apple TV is its compatibility with AirPlay: through this protocol it is possible to send any video played on the iPhone and iPad directly to the Apple TV and, consequently, to the monitor.
To do this, make sure your home Apple device (iPhone or iPad) is connected to the same network as your Apple TV, start playing the video stream on the device (via browser or dedicated apps), press the AirPlay icon which should appear on the bottom right corner (the screen with the triangle next to it) and select the name of your Apple TV. Alternatively, you can stream the entire screen of the Apple mobile device by opening the Control Center, selecting the AirPlay icon, indicating the name of the Apple TV and, finally, choosing the Dubbing item in the menu that opens.
To learn more about Apple TV I invite you to read my guide on how Apple TV works , while if you want to learn more about AirPlay and other similar protocols you can read my tutorial on how to cast your screen .
NOW TV SmartStick
Do you have a NOW TV subscription or are you interested in using this service for your on-demand content? in this case, I advise you to connect the NOW TV Smart Stick to the monitor , the device “dedicated” to the homonymous platform.
The NOW TV Smart Stick is an HDMI stick optimized for accessing on-demand content and live channels from the NOW TV platform, which also includes various multimedia applications such as YouTube and Vimeo.
To use it, simply plug it into the monitor’s HDMI port and power it via USB/electricity, turn on the two devices, configure the monitor to the correct source and enter, when prompted, your home Wi-Fi password and then the NOW TV account credentials.
If you don’t already have it and are interested in learning more, you can check out my dedicated in-depth study. Once on the main screen, you can use the handy categories to view on-demand content or watch live channel broadcasts.
To learn more about this topic, I invite you to read my thematic guide dedicated to the NOW TV Smart Stick , in which I have illustrated the steps to follow to configure it on the device, how to use the various applications, how to watch NOW TV content and how to control the Smart stick from smartphones and tablets.