What Cables Do I Need?

need info for two cable uses: 1) from server to smart tv to access internet. 2) from computer to tv (acting as a monitor). will need to buy them so I need to know how they are described or numbered or something.
Thanks

 

Well, you need to provide more information.

For starters, you told us nothing about the TV or the type of input connections it has for both network connectivity and for video connectivity. You may not need network access for your TV but with it, you will have access directly from the TV to more of its "smart" features. These may include local weather, stock market info, firmware updates, or integrated services like Netflix and Hulu. Without network access for the TV, all services will have to come from connected devices.

Network connectivity usually includes Ethernet and/or wireless.

Video is usually via HDMI but could also include DVI and/or DisplayPort. If an old TV, then maybe VGA/D-Sub but that is analog and typically less desirable. HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort are all digital connections and typically provide better quality video.

VGA also requires a separate audio connection as do "some" DVI connectors. Not all DVI connectors do carry audio.

Server? What kind off server? When I think of "server", I think of a PC type computer on a network that "serves" files to other computers on that network. They typically connect via Ethernet cable.

If you mean a "streaming" device like a Roku device, mine connects to my smart TV via HDMI cable and it connects to my network via Ethernet. It could connect to my network via wireless but I chose Ethernet since my house is already wired for it.

To connect your computer to your TV (acting as a monitor), the cable you need depends, again, on the input (video "source") connections of your TV. But it also depends on the video output connections your computer provides.

So, to specifically answer your question the following specific information is needed:

TV: Video/audio and network "input" connections (or at least brand and model)
Server: Video/audio "output" connections
Computer: Video/audio "output" connections​

All this information can be obtained by visual inspection of the devices, and/or referencing the userguides (hard copy or on device website).

 

WOW! I'm glad I didn't ask what time it is. Seriously, I appreciate all this knowledge. Don't know most of these issues. I will research this further via userguides, etc.

 

Well, you would need to provide more information - like, what time zone? LOL

Yep. Userguides and just looking at the back the devices too.

 

Well basically, you can find all the answers to your questions in the user guide. Just spend some time reading it to familiarize everything.