What you need to connect a monitor to a TV signal

A computer monitor can display TV content, but it needs two things a regular monitor doesn't always have: a tuner to receive broadcast or cable signals, and audio output since monitors have no speakers. Most modern monitors lack a built-in tuner, so you'll need either a cable box, streaming device, or external tuner to send the picture to your screen.

The simplest path is to connect whatever device already delivers your TV content — a cable box, satellite receiver, or streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV — directly to your monitor using an HDMI cable. This works with any monitor that has an HDMI port, which nearly all do made in the last ten years.

If you want to receive over-the-air broadcast TV (channels 2 through 51 in your area), you'll need an external TV tuner box that connects between an antenna and your monitor. These cost $30 to $100 and plug into your monitor's HDMI port.

Key Takeaways

  • Any monitor with an HDMI input can display TV from a cable box, satellite receiver, or streaming device by connecting them with a single cable.
  • Monitors have no built-in speakers, so you must route audio to separate speakers, a soundbar, or headphones using the monitor's audio output or the source device itself.
  • To receive broadcast TV without a cable subscription, you need an external tuner box and an antenna, since most monitors don't have tuners built in.
  • HDMI is the standard connection; older monitors with only VGA or DVI ports can still work but require an adapter and separate audio cables.

Connecting a cable or satellite box to your monitor

This is the most common setup. Take an HDMI cable and plug one end into the HDMI output on the back of your cable box or satellite receiver, and the other end into any HDMI input on your monitor. Power on both devices. The picture should appear on your monitor within a few seconds.

Your cable or satellite remote will control the channel and volume on the box itself, but the monitor's volume controls won't work — the monitor is just displaying the picture. If you want to adjust volume, you'll do it on the cable box remote or through your TV service's app.

The audio comes through the same HDMI cable as the picture. If your monitor has a 3.5mm audio jack (a small round port, usually green), you can plug speakers or headphones into it to hear the sound. If your monitor has no audio output, the sound will only come from the cable box if it has speakers, or you'll need to buy powered speakers with an HDMI input.

Using a streaming device with your monitor

Streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast all plug into an HDMI port and work when ready with any monitor. Plug the device into an HDMI input, plug its power cable into an outlet, and follow the on-screen setup to connect to your Wi-Fi. Within minutes you can watch Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, or any other streaming service.

Audio from streaming devices travels through the HDMI cable. If your monitor has a headphone jack, plug speakers into it. If not, some streaming devices have audio outputs on the back — check the manual for your specific model. Many people use a soundbar with HDMI input instead, which handles both picture and sound in one device.

Streaming devices are often cheaper than keeping a cable subscription, and they let you watch what you want when you want it. The trade-off is that you're paying per service (Netflix, Disney+, etc.) rather than one monthly bill, though many people find this cheaper overall.

Receiving broadcast TV with an external tuner

If you want to watch local news, sports, or network shows without paying for cable, you need an antenna and an external TV tuner box. The antenna connects to the tuner, the tuner connects to your monitor via HDMI, and you can then scan for available channels.

Popular external tuners include the Hauppauge WinTV and the Elgato EyeTV, which cost between $30 and $100. Plug the tuner into power, connect an antenna to its input port, then connect the tuner to your monitor with HDMI. Use the tuner's remote or software to scan for channels in your area — this takes a few minutes and finds every broadcast station your antenna can receive.

Audio from the tuner comes through HDMI, so you'll need speakers or headphones connected to your monitor's audio output. The tuner itself has no speakers, so without external audio you'll see the picture but hear nothing.

Antenna placement matters. A straightforward indoor antenna works for many people, but if you're far from broadcast towers or in a building with thick walls, you may need an outdoor antenna mounted on your roof. Check what channels are available in your zip code at TVFool.com before buying an antenna.

Solving audio problems when using a monitor as a TV

The most common issue is connecting everything correctly but hearing no sound. This happens because monitors are designed for computer use and often have very small or no speakers. Start by checking whether your monitor actually has a speaker — look at the back panel for a 3.5mm audio jack (usually labeled with a headphone symbol).

If your monitor has an audio jack, plug powered speakers or a soundbar into it. "Powered" means the speakers have their own power cord and amplifier built in — passive speakers won't work. If your monitor has no audio jack at all, you have two options: buy powered speakers with an HDMI input (so they receive both picture and sound from one cable), or use the audio output on your cable box or streaming device instead.

Some monitors have audio output but it's very quiet. This usually means the monitor's volume is turned all the way down. Use the monitor's on-screen menu (accessed with buttons on the back or side) to find audio settings and turn the volume up. If it's still quiet, the monitor's built-in amplifier is too weak — switch to external speakers instead.

Connecting older monitors without HDMI

If your monitor only has VGA (a blue port with three rows of small holes) or DVI (a white or black port with two rows of pins), you can still use it as a TV screen, but you'll need adapters and separate audio cables.

For VGA: Buy an HDMI-to-VGA adapter (around $15), plug it into the monitor's VGA port, then plug an HDMI cable from your cable box or streaming device into the adapter. You'll also need a separate 3.5mm audio cable running from your cable box or device to powered speakers, since VGA carries only picture, not sound.

For DVI: Buy an HDMI-to-DVI adapter (around $15), connect it the same way, and use a separate audio cable for sound. DVI is slightly better than VGA because it carries a cleaner digital signal, but both work.

This setup is more complicated than HDMI and uses more cables, but it works. If you're considering this route, it might be worth upgrading to a monitor with HDMI instead — new monitors with HDMI cost less than $150 and eliminate the adapter clutter.

Choosing between a monitor and a TV for this purpose

A monitor works as a TV if you already own one and want to use it, but a real TV is usually better for full-time TV watching. TVs have built-in tuners, built-in speakers, and are designed to sit at a distance — their brightness and contrast work better from across a room. Monitors are designed to sit close to your face and often have less comfortable viewing angles if you're sitting to the side.

Monitors are sharper for text and computer work, and they're good for TV if you're using a streaming device or cable box and don't mind connecting external speakers. If you're buying new equipment specifically to watch TV, a TV is the simpler choice. If you already have a monitor and want to use it, the setup takes about ten minutes and costs nothing if you already have a cable box or streaming device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any monitor as a TV screen?

Any monitor with an HDMI input can display TV from a cable box or streaming device. Older monitors with only VGA or DVI need adapters. All monitors lack built-in tuners, so you'll need an external source — a cable box, streaming device, or external tuner box — to send the picture to the screen.

Do I need to buy special cables?

You need one HDMI cable to connect your source (cable box, streaming device, or tuner) to the monitor. That's usually $10 to $20. If your monitor has no speakers, you'll need powered speakers with a 3.5mm input, which cost $30 to $100 depending on quality. Older monitors may need HDMI adapters ($15 each) and separate audio cables.

Why is there no sound coming from my monitor?

Monitors rarely have speakers loud enough to hear. Check whether your monitor has a 3.5mm audio jack on the back — if it does, plug powered speakers into it. If it doesn't, use speakers connected directly to your cable box or streaming device instead. Make sure the monitor's volume isn't turned all the way down in its on-screen menu.

Is it cheaper to use a monitor instead of buying a TV?

If you already own a monitor, using it as a TV costs only the price of an HDMI cable and speakers. If you're buying new, a TV is usually cheaper than a monitor plus external speakers, and it has a built-in tuner so you don't need a cable box for broadcast channels. A monitor makes sense if you use it for computer work during the day and TV at night.

Can I watch cable TV on a monitor without a cable box?

No. Cable channels require a cable box or cable app to decrypt the signal. You can watch broadcast TV (local channels) with an antenna and external tuner box, or watch streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) with a streaming device, but you cannot receive cable channels without the cable company's equipment.