投影仪非常有用。无论您是将它们用于Powerpoint 演示(Powerpoint presentations)，还是用于家庭影院(home cinema)和游戏设置，没有比这更好的方法来获得大屏幕了。不幸的是，并非所有的投影仪和计算机都可以一起工作。
一些投影仪通过HDMI、DVI或VGA等专用视频电缆工作，而另一些则使用各种 USB 电缆(various USB cable)类型。其他投影仪使用无线协议。在许多情况下，需要转换器才能将投影仪插入计算机的端口。
本文将介绍将投影仪连接到Mac 或 Windows 计算机(Mac or Windows computer)的几乎所有方式、您可能需要的设备以及需要更改的设置。
使用 HDMI 电缆
高清多媒体接口(High-Definition Multimedia Interface)( HDMI ) 电缆是视频传输的标准。它们可以同时处理未压缩的视频和音频(video and audio)，同时保持向后兼容DVI等较旧的视频技术(video technology)。
大多数投影仪都有一个 HDMI 输入端口。大多数 Windows 机器都有一个HDMI 输出端口(HDMI-out port)，您可以使用HDMI 电缆(HDMI cable)将其直接连接到投影仪。如果您使用的是macOS 计算机(macOS computer)，您可能需要购买转换器，因为近年来 Apple 的电缆标准发生了根本性的变化。
现代 MacBook(Modern MacBooks)经常使用多功能USB Type-C加密狗，并且许多都将HDMI 输出(HDMI-out)作为一项功能。为您的计算机输出类型找到匹配的转换器后，使用HDMI 电缆(HDMI cable)将其连接到投影仪。
接下来，请参阅投影仪手册以获取将HDMI设置为输入源(input source)的帮助，并在您的计算机上执行这些步骤。
对于Windows用户：
- 打开开始菜单(Start Menu)，然后单击设置。(Settings.)
- 导航到System > Display > Advanced Settings.
- 您的投影仪应该显示为第二个屏幕，如果没有，请单击检测。(Detect.)
- 选择复制这些显示器(Duplicate These Displays)以使投影仪镜像(projector mirror)您的计算机显示器(computer monitor)。
- 单击应用。(Apply.)
对于macOS用户：
- 单击左上角的Apple图标，然后选择(Apple )系统偏好设置。(System Preferences.)
- 选择Displays > Arrangement.
- 选中镜像显示(Mirror Displays)框。
您的桌面将镜像到投影仪屏幕上(projector screen)。如果遇到问题，请尝试重新启动投影仪。HDMI电缆如果损坏可能会出现故障，因此请确保您获得优质(quality one)的电缆并安全存放。
(Connect)使用 DVI(Computer Using DVI)连接到投影仪(Projector)到计算机
在HDMI占主导地位之前，数字视频接口(Digital Visual Interface)( DVI ) 电缆是(DVI)高质量视频传输(high-quality video transfer)的最佳选择。今天仍然得到广泛支持，几乎所有投影仪都配备DVI端口，并且还兼容各种计算机硬件。(computer hardware)
使用DVI的步骤与(DVI)HDMI 部分(HDMI section)中的步骤相同，但您可能会发现需要转换器才能使其正常工作。幸运的是，有大量用于USB Type-C、HDMI和VGA的(VGA)DVI转换器。
如果您将DVI作为您唯一的计算机输出(computer output)，您会发现这些转换器是反向工作的。DVI 和 HDMI 视频(DVI and HDMI video)之间的兼容性使其易于使用。
(Connect)使用 VGA(Computer Using VGA)连接到投影仪(Projector)到计算机
长期以来，视频图形阵列(Video Graphics Array)( VGA ) 显示器一直是计算机视频(computer video)之王。最初(Initially)于 1987 年开发，它仍然是许多现代投影仪的一个特点，甚至现在的一些笔记本电脑和台式电脑仍然使用VGA作为一种可靠的视频传输方式(video transmission method)。
如果您的投影仪和计算机(projector and computer)都有VGA，您可以使用标准VGA 电缆(VGA cable)连接它们。如果没有，您将需要一个DVI或HDMI 到 VGA 转换器(HDMI to VGA converter)来充当桥接器。
连接后，选择VGA作为输入源，然后按照与上述(input source)HDMI 部分(HDMI section)相同的步骤进行操作。
VGA 质量(VGA quality)在更高的分辨率下会降低，因此您可能会发现将系统分辨率(system resolution)更改为 1024 x 768 会产生更清晰的图像。
(Connect)通过 USB(Computer Via USB)连接到投影仪(Projector)到计算机
由于投影仪主要与计算机一起使用，因此许多投影仪都具有用于连接的本机USB 端口(USB port)。如果您的投影仪具有用于在屏幕上绘图和演示的交互式笔，则需要使用USB启用它。
在Windows计算机上，将标准USB-A 电缆连接(USB-A cable)到您的计算机，并将另一端插入投影仪的USB 端口(USB port)。在 macOS 上，您可能需要购买转换器以允许使用USB-A 电缆(USB-A cable)。大多数标准Macbook转换器应该可以工作。
插入电源后，您可能会收到一次性提示为您的投影仪安装驱动程序。安装后，您可以按照HDMI 部分(HDMI section)中的步骤设置投影仪显示(projector display)。
如果您遇到问题，请确保您使用的投影仪能够进行USB 通信(USB communication)。许多投影仪的USB端口仅用于连接外部硬盘驱动器或拇指棒等存储设备，不支持与计算机进行USB 通信。(USB communication)
如何连接 Wi-Fi 投影仪
在您的计算机和投影仪之间铺设电缆可能会很烦人，尤其是当您的投影仪安装在天花板支架上(ceiling bracket)时。许多现代投影仪都具有像无线第二监视器一样使用的能力，完全不需要电缆。有些使用Wi-Fi 网络(Wi-Fi network)与您的计算机通信，有些使用不需要本地无线路由器的(wireless router)Miracast等连接协议。
开始之前，请确保投影机已通电并按照设备用户手册中的说明进行无线通信配置。(Wireless communication)使用以下步骤将您的计算机连接到它：
对于Windows用户：
- 按住Windows键并按K打开连接窗格。(Connect Pane.)
- 从列表中选择您的设备，注意它可能需要几秒钟才能出现。
- 您将自动连接到投影仪。要停止投影，请从连接窗格中选择断开连接。(Disconnect)
不幸的是，对于 macOS 用户来说，事情并不是那么简单。您需要使用支持 Apple Airplay 协议(Airplay protocol)的投影仪进行无线连接。为Airplay(Airplay)设置投影仪后，请在 Mac 上执行以下步骤：
从列表中选择您的投影仪。
- 如果投影仪显示Airplay 密码(Airplay passcode)，请在Mac上输入。
- 单击投影仪图标 (
) 并选择镜像内置显示器。(Mirror Built-in Display.)
在投影仪(Your Projector)上使用Chromecast
将投影仪连接到计算机的最简单方法可能是使用Google Chromecast 加密狗(Google Chromecast dongle)。它们价格便宜，易于设置，几乎可以与任何计算机或智能设备一起使用。您需要一台支持HDMI 输入(HDMI input)的投影仪才能使用此方法。
设置Chromecast(Chromecast)有一些怪癖。您需要使用Android或 iOS 设备进行初始设置。
要将Chromecast与投影仪配合使用，请执行以下步骤：
- 将Chromecast(Chromecast)连接到投影仪的HDMI 输入(HDMI input)。
- 下载适用于Android或iOS的(iOS)Google Home应用。
- 站在Chromecast 加密狗(Chromecast dongle)附近，并在出现提示时选择设置 1 台设备。(Set up 1 device)
- 按照屏幕上的步骤完成设置。
在设置过程中，您需要验证投影仪屏幕上(projector screen)显示的代码与应用程序中显示的代码相同。如果您在屏幕上看不到任何内容，请尝试将投影仪的输入源(input source)更改为其他输入源，然后返回HDMI 输入(HDMI input)。
设置完成后，打开电脑上的Chrome 浏览器，点击(Chrome browser)右上角(right corner)的三个点，然后选择Cast。如果要投射整个桌面，请从投射到(Cast to)下拉菜单中选择投射桌面。(Cast desktop)
把你的墙变成屏幕
投影仪以难以使用而闻名，但它们并不可怕——尤其是通过HDMI 电缆(HDMI cable)或 Chromecast 连接时。
除了对会议和与一群人共享信息很有用外，投影仪还是与朋友一起欣赏电影、Netflix和游戏的完美方式。
How To Connect A Projector To A Windows Or Mac Computer
Projectors arе incredibly useful. Whether you are using thеm for Powerpoint presentations or in your home cinema and gaming setup, there is no better way to get a huge screen. Unfortunately, not all projectors and computers work together.
Some projectors work via dedicated video cables like HDMI, DVI, or VGA, while others use various USB cable types. Other projectors use wireless protocols. In many cases, a converter is needed to plug a projector into the ports on your computer.
This article will cover almost every way to connect a projector to your Mac or Windows computer, the equipment you might need, and what settings you’ll need to change.
Use An HDMI Cable
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cables are the standard in video transmission. They can handle uncompressed video and audio at the same time while remaining backward compatible with older video technology like DVI.
Most projectors have an HDMI-in port. Most Windows machines have an HDMI-out port, which you can connect directly to the projector using an HDMI cable. If you are using a macOS computer, you will likely need to buy a converter as Apple’s cable standards have changed radically in recent years.
Modern MacBooks use multi-function USB Type-C dongles frequently, and many have HDMI-out as a feature. Once you have a matching converter for your computer’s output type, connect it to the projector using an HDMI cable.
Next, refer to your projector’s manual for help setting up HDMI as the input source, and follow these steps on your computer.
For Windows users:
- Open the Start Menu and click Settings.
- Navigate to System > Display > Advanced Settings.
- Your projector should show as a second screen, if it doesn’t, click Detect.
- Select Duplicate These Displays to make the projector mirror your computer monitor.
- Click Apply.
For macOS users:
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left, and select System Preferences.
- Select Displays > Arrangement.
- Check the Mirror Displays box.
Your desktop will mirror on the projector screen. If you run into issues, try restarting the projector. HDMI cables can fail if damaged, so make sure you get a good quality one and store it safely.
Connect To a Projector To a Computer Using DVI
Before HDMI dominated, Digital Visual Interface (DVI) cables were the best choice for high-quality video transfer. Still widely supported today, almost all projectors feature DVI ports, and a wide variety of computer hardware is also compatible.
The steps for using DVI are identical to those found in the HDMI section, though you might find you’ll need converters to get it all working. Luckily there is a wide range of DVI converters for USB Type-C, HDMI, and VGA.
If you are in the position of having DVI as your only computer output, you’ll find that these converters work in reverse. The compatibility between DVI and HDMI video makes it easy to work with.
Connect To a Projector To a Computer Using VGA
For a long time, Video Graphics Array (VGA) displays were the king of computer video. Initially developed in 1987, it is still a feature of many modern projectors, and even some current laptop and desktop computers still use VGA as a reliable video transmission method.
If both your projector and computer have VGA, you can connect them using a standard VGA cable. If not, you’ll need to get a DVI or HDMI to VGA converter to act as a bridge.
Once attached, select VGA as the input source, and follow the same steps as in the HDMI section above.
VGA quality degrades at higher resolutions, so you may find that changing your system resolution to 1024 x 768 gives a crisper image.
Connect To a Projector To a Computer Via USB
Since projectors are mostly used in tandem with computers, many feature a native USB port for connectivity. If your projector features interactive pens for drawing and presenting on the screen, you’ll need to use USB to enable it.
On Windows computers, connect a standard USB-A cable to your computer, and plug the other end into the projector’s USB port. On macOS, you will likely need to buy a converter to allow using USB-A cables. Most standard Macbook converters should work.
Once plugged in, you may get a one-off prompt to install drivers for your projector. Once installed, you can follow the steps in the HDMI section to set up your projector display.
If you are having problems, ensure that the projector you are using is capable of USB communication. Many projectors have USB ports solely for attaching storage devices like external hard drives or thumbsticks and do not support USB communication with a computer.
How To Connect a Wi-Fi Projector
Running cables between your computer and a projector can be irritating, especially if your projector fits to a ceiling bracket. Many modern projectors feature the ability to be used like wireless second monitors, cutting out the need for cables completely. Some use the Wi-Fi network to communicate with your computer, and some use connection protocols like Miracast, which don’t require a local wireless router.
Before starting, make sure the projector is powered up and configured for Wireless communication as directed in the device’s user manual. Connect your computer to it using the following steps:
For Windows users:
- Hold down the Windows key and press K to open the Connect Pane.
- Select your device from the list, note that it can take up a few seconds to appear.
- You’ll connect automatically to the projector. To stop projecting, select Disconnect from the Connect Pane.
Unfortunately, for macOS users, things aren’t so simple. You’ll need to use a projector that supports Apple’s Airplay protocol to connect wirelessly. Once the projector is set up for Airplay, follow these steps on your Mac:
Select your projector from a list.
- If the projector shows an Airplay passcode, enter it on your Mac.
- Click the projector icon (
) and select Mirror Built-in Display.
Use A Chromecast With Your Projector
Perhaps the simplest way to connect a projector to a computer is using a Google Chromecast dongle. They are cheap, easy to set up and work with almost any computer or smart device. You’ll need a projector that supports HDMI input to use this method.
There are a few quirks with setting up a Chromecast. You need to use an Android or iOS device for the initial setup.
To use a Chromecast with your projector, take the following steps:
- Connect the Chromecast to the HDMI input of the projector.
- Download the Google Home app for Android or iOS.
- Stand near the Chromecast dongle, and select Set up 1 device when prompted.
- Follow the on-screen steps to complete setup.
During setup, you’ll need to verify that the code showing on the projector screen is the same as in the app. If you don’t see anything on the screen, try changing the projector’s input source to something else, then back to HDMI input.
Once set up, open the Chrome browser on your computer, click the three dots in the top right corner, and select Cast. If you want to cast your entire desktop, select Cast desktop from the Cast to dropdown menu.
Turn Your Walls Into Screens
Projectors have a reputation for being tough to work with, but they are nothing to be scared of – especially if connecting via HDMI cable or Chromecast.
As well as being useful for meetings and sharing information with groups of people, a projector is a perfect way to enjoy movies, Netflix, and games with friends.
