In that location's no incertitude that having a second monitor can make using your PC much more convenient. For both work and play, there's nothing better than being able to keep social media or Reddit upwardly on your second screen – or even to lookout man Netflix while you work.

Only what if y'all don't have a 2d monitor lying around? If y'all take a spare HDTV lying effectually with an HDMI input, yous can hook it right into your computer and use it similar you would a monitor.

If yous've done this, you may have meet a frustrating problem with this procedure, even so, and rest assured you lot're not lone. Even with the Television set to the correct resolution, you might cease up with a picture that is cut off on your TV screen.

The Notorious "Overscan"

There's one major culprit for this problem, and information technology'south a characteristic built into many TVs known every bit "overscan." If you're noticing that part of your screen is cut off and you tin't access your taskbar or the edges of your screen, there's a pretty dated technology to blame.

If nosotros go back in time for a moment to talk about TVs that were around long before the appearance of LCD or Plasma screens, there was one master trouble that content creators were running into: the lack of standardized equipment that made it virtually-incommunicable to design shows and movies that would look groovy on all screens. Overscan was the solution, and would cut off the edges and only really show the parts of the screen that were considered important.

Overscan is a relic of a bygone time that isn't really needed anymore, but is annoyingly still part of many HDTVs. This tin can create resolution bug when setting up the screen to be used as a secondary display, and then let's discuss how to gear up the issue and make your TV into the all-time monitor information technology tin be.

Fixing TV Resolution: Goggle box Settings

Information technology'south hard to requite a specific guide for how to disable overscan on your Television receiver, since it will vary pretty significantly by brand and model. In virtually cases, you'll be looking for an option in the "Movie" menu that allows you to adjust aspect ratios or even just disable overscan outright.

In most cases, your attribute ratio will be gear up to something along the lines of a 16:nine resolution. You'll desire to modify this to an selection that says "Screen Fit," "Just Browse," or something similar that. If you don't see those options, y'all may want to refer to your TV manual (or just try some practiced erstwhile trial and error). You tin can also merely Google your TV make and model and the words "overscan setting".

In some cases, despite your best efforts, yous might have no luck getting the film to show upward correctly. Fortunately, at that place are some steps you tin can take in your Windows and Mac settings that might be able to ready the problem for you.

Fixing Idiot box Resolution: Mac Settings

If yous're on a Mac and/or are using a device like an Apple Boob tube, yous can bank check out this article from Apple tree support that goes through all the details for adjusting overscan or underscan is OS X and tvOS.

Fixing TV Resolution: Windows Settings

Fixing Tv set resolution through Windows settings is a trivial bit more complicated, only shouldn't be too difficult using the steps below. Keep in mind that this tutorial focuses on the Nvidia Control Panel, but those running Intel CPUs shouldn't accept too much difficulty following forth either.

Those with AMD equipment may be a little disappointed, however, every bit in that location isn't actually an easy fix for overscan within their settings.

So, first off, right click on your desktop and click on Nvidia Control Panel.

A window should popular up with a menu on the left that looks similar to the one below. Select Arrange Desktop Size and Position.

On the right side of the card, you'll run across a bunch of settings. Click on the second monitor (your TV) and make sure the settings expect similar to what we have set. Merely go along in mind that your resolution and refresh charge per unit may be different depending on the make of your TV.

Click on the Size tab, ready your settings similar to the ones within the image, and click on Resize….

At this betoken, a screen should pop upwardly similar the one below. You lot'll only elevate the sliders untilt the corner indicators are placed correctly. This will adjust the resolution of your monitor (potentially abroad from its native resolution), merely it'southward an excellent fallback if you're non able to disable overscan through your TV.

We promise this process has given yous all the tools you need to go your HDTV up and running as a secondary monitor. Savor streamlining your workflow, or even goof off with YouTube while y'all're working or gaming at present that you've managed to set resolution when using your TV.