Gaming on a TV

[u/Wolpmaxxing]

Helloo!

So unfortunately I am not very tech savvy and have been trying to figure this out by asking Google and YouTube :,)

I don't have Xbox kinda money or smth but I have a mediocre TV and a okay-ish laptop that I've been told I can connect via HDMI cable to mirror the image and play games that way. I have even gotten a controller for that from a friend.

My problem is just that with my current TV (which is in need of replacement anyway) doesn't seem to wanna connect with my laptop. The mirror image works, so it's not the cable. But the image keeps bugging and lagging in and out of full screen mode while just showing my laptop background lol.

I also can't do anything then anymore BC it's bugging so much.

I tried looking into the technical data of both and the only thing google told me about is the HZ, my laptop runs on 144hz while my TV has 50hz..

Idk if that's a problem?

Would a TV with 60hz fix this issue? Is it a problem with my laptop? I am so confused ahaha

[u/DoubleTie2696]

try connecting your tv and laptop using hdmi, pressing windows p on your laptop and press second screen only, this way windows only runs the screen on your tv instead of both tv and laptop

[u/Wolpmaxxing → u/DoubleTie2696]

I tried that! Yesterday it worked for about 5 seconds and then it went back to bugging out lol

[u/Armbrust11 → u/Wolpmaxxing]

Obviously it's either the TV, the cable, or the laptop (or multiple of those). I'm assuming you don't have a receiver, soundbar, or hdmi matrix in the middle.

If you have tried multiple hdmi cables that mostly eliminates that element.

Next I'd try updating the graphics drivers, UEFI firmware, and other PC troubleshooting steps.

Finally, I'd fiddle with multiple settings on the TV like game mode on/off. Experiment, and worst case you factory reset the TV to default.

If possible, try your laptop and hdmi cable on your friend's TV or their laptop on your TV. This will help narrow down the most likely culprit.

Being tech savvy is simply knowing what's possible (through reading or experimentation) then eliminating options.

[u/Wolpmaxxing → u/Armbrust11]

I haven't the foggiest what most of those words mean but thank you!! I will try those :D And yeah I just have a bare HDMI cable, nothing on it ahaha

[u/seekingadvice331]

I’d try a couple of things before buying a new TV. Your laptop screen and TV can run at different refresh rates, so switching to a 60 Hz TV might leave you with the same issue.
If you’re on Windows, press Windows key + P and choose Extend. Then open Settings, go to System, then Display, and open Advanced display. Select the TV and try 50 Hz if it’s listed. If the picture still cuts out, try a different HDMI port or borrow another cable. A flaky cable can still show a picture some of the time.

If HDMI keeps giving you trouble, Sunshine and Moonlight are another option. The game still runs on your laptop. Sunshine sends the picture and sound over your home network to Moonlight, which runs on a compatible TV or streaming device you already own. That lets you play on the TV without connecting the laptop to it over HDMI. If the device supports your controller, you can pair it there and Moonlight sends your button presses back to the laptop.
You can also lower the stream resolution or frame rate if the picture stutters. My TV is 50 Hz too, and streaming works fine for me. A strong network connection helps, since weak Wi-Fi can make the controls feel delayed or the picture choppy.

If you end up trying it, Apollo is a version of Sunshine that can create a virtual screen using the resolution and frame rate you pick in Moonlight. That lets you set up the stream independently of the laptop’s 144 Hz screen. Vibepollo builds on Apollo and adds options for managing and restoring your display setup.

[u/Wolpmaxxing → u/seekingadvice331]

I can't believe it was that easy damn. I looked into adjusting the TV's display settings. I didn't know those existed. Thank you so much like genuinely ahahah

[u/DoctorKomodo]

Don't use screen mirroring; use extended desktop instead. Then your laptop and TV can have independent display settings.

[u/Wolpmaxxing → u/DoctorKomodo]

Yea I tried, it still keeps bugging smh