Pros: Best picture quality and input lag. Most reliable
connection. Supports 4K. Arguably the only method
really suitable for gaming.
Cons: Physical wires can be a pain to run between
rooms or across long distances. Limited range without
additional equipment to boost the signal.
CABLE-FREE CABLES: WIRELESS HDMI
If running a physical cable between your laptop and
your TV isn’t realistic, but you don’t want to deal with
streaming software, you can use a wireless HDMI
extender. It sends HDMI data wirelessly between a
transmitter and receiver, letting you simply connect
your laptop to a nearby small box with a short HDMI
cable and connect your TV to another nearby small box
with another nearby HDMI cable. With the paired
extender devices powered and connected, they work
just like an HDMI cable. Many have better range than
HDMI cables alone, reaching up to 100 feet, and since
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on your home wireless network.
The wireless connection requires some compromises.
First, most wireless HDMI extenders top out at 1080p,
so you can forget about streaming 4K HDR video
directly through them. Second, they tend to be pricey,
running from around $130 to over $200. Third, they
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issue when you’re just watching video, but playing PC
games can feel very awkward.
Pros: The same easy, direct connection as HDMI
cables. Longer range without physically running cables.
Doesn’t rely on your home network.
Cons: Doesn’t usually support 4K. Too much lag for
games.
If running a
cable between
your laptop
and your TV
isn’t realistic,
you can use a
wireless HDMI
extender.