You can use a monitor as a TV if it has the right inputs and a way to receive a signal

A computer monitor can display TV content, but it is not a TV by itself — it has no tuner to pick up broadcast signals and no speakers in most cases. What you need is a source device that sends video to the monitor. That source can be a streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick), a cable or satellite box, a gaming console, or an antenna connected to a tuner box. The monitor must have an input port that matches your source: HDMI is the most common and works with nearly everything made in the last ten years.

The second requirement is sound. Most monitors have no speakers or very small ones. You will need external speakers, a soundbar, or headphones plugged into either the monitor (if it has a 3.5mm audio jack) or directly into your source device. Without this step, you will have a picture but little or no sound.

Key Takeaways

  • Your monitor needs an HDMI port or other video input to connect a source device like a streaming box, cable box, or gaming console.
  • Most monitors have no built-in speakers, so you must add external speakers, a soundbar, or headphones to hear audio.
  • A monitor does not receive broadcast or cable signals on its own — you need a separate tuner box or streaming device to send content to it.
  • Resolution and refresh rate matter less for TV watching than they do for computing, so older or budget monitors work fine for this purpose.
  • Check your monitor's input ports and audio options before buying a source device, because not all combinations work together.

What input ports your monitor needs

HDMI is the standard connection for TV content. Nearly every streaming device, cable box, gaming console, and antenna tuner has at least one HDMI output. If your monitor has an HDMI port, you can connect almost any modern source. Check the back or sides of your monitor for a port labeled HDMI — it is a flat, rectangular connector about the size of a USB port but wider.

Older monitors may have DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA inputs instead. DisplayPort works with many newer devices but not all cable boxes or older streaming hardware. DVI and VGA are older standards and will not work with most current TV sources without an adapter, and adapters for these connections are unreliable. If your monitor has only DVI or VGA, your easiest option is to use a streaming device with HDMI output and an HDMI-to-DVI or HDMI-to-VGA adapter, though picture quality may suffer.

Some monitors have USB-C ports that can carry video. If your source device supports USB-C video output (some newer laptops and tablets do), this works, but most TV sources do not use USB-C yet.

How to add sound to your monitor

Check whether your monitor has a 3.5mm audio jack (a small round port, usually on the back). If it does, you can plug powered speakers or a soundbar directly into it. Powered speakers have a built-in amplifier and need only a power outlet and an audio cable. A soundbar is wider and flatter and often includes a remote control. Both are better than monitor speakers because they are louder and clearer.

If your monitor has no audio jack, connect speakers directly to your source device instead. A streaming device, cable box, or gaming console usually has an audio output or can send sound through HDMI to a soundbar or receiver. Some soundbars have HDMI inputs and can sit between your source and monitor, passing video through while handling all the sound.

Headphones are another option if you live alone or do not want to disturb others. Plug them into the monitor's audio jack if it has one, or into your source device. Wireless headphones or earbuds work too if your source device has Bluetooth.

Choosing a source device for TV content

A streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast is the most flexible choice. These plug into your monitor's HDMI port and let you watch Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and dozens of other services. They cost between $25 and $100 depending on the model and features. You pay for the streaming services themselves (Netflix, Disney+, etc.), not for the device to display them.

A cable or satellite box from your provider works if you already subscribe to cable or satellite TV. It connects to your monitor the same way a streaming device does. The box receives the signal from your cable or satellite line, not from the monitor.

An antenna and tuner box lets you watch free broadcast TV (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS, and others). You plug an antenna into a tuner box, then connect the tuner box to your monitor with HDMI. Tuner boxes cost $30 to $150. This is the only way to watch live broadcast TV without a subscription.

A gaming console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) can also stream TV services and works with any monitor that has HDMI. If you already own one, you have a TV source ready to go.

Setting up the physical connections

Turn off your monitor and source device before plugging anything in. Connect an HDMI cable from the HDMI output on your source device to an HDMI input on your monitor. If your monitor has multiple HDMI ports, any of them will work — note which one you used so you can switch to it if needed.

Plug your speakers or soundbar into power and into the audio jack on your monitor, or directly into your source device if the monitor has no audio jack. Turn on the monitor first, then the source device. The picture should appear on the monitor within a few seconds.

If you see no picture, check that the monitor is set to the correct input. Most monitors have an input button or menu on the front or side. Press it and select the HDMI port you plugged the cable into. If you still see nothing, try a different HDMI cable — some cables are faulty.

Picture quality and performance expectations

A monitor will display TV content at whatever resolution it supports — 1080p, 1440p, 4K, or higher. Most streaming services and cable TV are broadcast at 1080p or 4K, so a 1080p monitor will show a clear picture. A 4K monitor will show even more detail if your source is 4K, but the difference is smaller on a monitor than on a large TV because monitors are usually smaller.

Refresh rate (measured in Hz) does not matter for TV watching the way it does for gaming or computing. A 60Hz monitor is fine. Higher refresh rates like 144Hz do not improve the TV picture.

The monitor's size affects your viewing experience more than its specs. A 24-inch monitor is small for TV watching — you will want to sit close. A 27-inch or larger monitor is more comfortable for normal viewing distance. If you are repurposing an old office monitor, it will work, but you may find it cramped compared to a TV.

When a monitor is not the best choice

If you want to watch live broadcast TV without paying for cable or streaming services, you need an antenna and tuner box. A monitor alone cannot receive these signals. The tuner box is the part that picks up the broadcast; the monitor just displays it.

If you want a large screen for a living room, a TV is usually cheaper than a monitor of the same size. A 55-inch TV costs less than a 55-inch monitor because TVs are made in higher volume. Monitors are better for smaller spaces or if you already have one sitting unused.

If you need a remote control, some monitors do not have one. Streaming devices and cable boxes come with remotes, but if you are using a gaming console or computer as your source, you may need to buy a separate remote or use your phone as one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special monitor to use it as a TV?

No. Any monitor with an HDMI input and a way to add sound will work. You do not need a "smart" monitor or one designed for TV. An old office monitor works just as well as a new one, as long as it has the right ports.

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

No. A monitor has no tuner, so it cannot receive cable signals on its own. You need a cable box from your provider, or you can use a streaming service instead. An antenna and tuner box will let you watch free broadcast channels.

What if my monitor has no speakers and no audio jack?

Connect speakers directly to your source device — the streaming box, cable box, or gaming console. Most of these devices have audio outputs. If your source has no audio output either, you will need to buy a soundbar or speakers with HDMI input and place it between the source and monitor.

Is the picture quality worse on a monitor than on a TV?

Not necessarily. A monitor and a TV of the same size and resolution will look similar. Monitors often have better color accuracy because they are built for detailed work. The main difference is size — most monitors are smaller than most TVs, so the picture takes up less of your view.

Can I use a laptop monitor as a TV?

A laptop screen cannot be used as a separate TV display because it is built into the laptop. You would need to connect an external monitor to your laptop and then connect a TV source to that monitor, which adds extra steps. It is simpler to just watch on the laptop screen itself or use a dedicated monitor and source device.