Connecting Chromebook to TV to reduce near work

Hooking up Chromebook to TV offers a larger, more distant view, potentially reducing the risk of myopia progression due to near work. Use a cable for the most reliable setup.

As the school year kicked off, my son received a Chromebook from his school. It's a convenient device for learning but has a small screen about the size of an iPad. This got me concerned about the potential impact of prolonged screen time on his eyesight. Knowing that I can't replace his device—since it's configured with his school account and security settings—but still worried about his myopia, I decided to explore an alternative: projecting his Chromebook screen onto our TV.

While prolonged use of smaller digital screens has been linked to the progression of myopia in children, research and medical experts suggest that TV has not been shown to be linked to myopia onset or progression, which may possibly be due to the greater viewing distance.^1,2 

In this article, I'll dive into the various methods for connecting a Chromebook to a TV and share my personal experience in finding the better setup.

Two ways to connect Chromebook to TV

Before discussing what I have learned, I wanted to go over some options available for connecting a Chromebook to a TV. 

Cable Connection: You can use an HDMI cable to establish a wired connection between your TV and Chromebook. The advantages here are it is easier to set up and has a low latency, which means minimal lag between actions on the Chromebook and what's displayed on the TV. However, you'll need to use a wireless keyboard and mouse, or use a long cable if you want to use the built-in keyboard and mouse pad.

Wireless Casting: Alternatively, you can go wireless by using Chromecast or Android TV devices. These nifty gadgets allow you to project your Chromebook's screen onto the TV wirelessly. Further, some smart TVs, such as Samsung, even come with built-in Chromecast functionality that works with Samsung’s smart devices.

Connecting Chromebook to TV: wireless vs. cable connection

Initially, I tried to project the Acer C734 Chromebook wirelessly. I tested using an NVIDIA Shield TV (Android TV) and an old Google Chromecast dongle. However, I quickly encountered an undesirable issue: display latency. When my son typed on the keyboard or used the mouse, there was a noticeable delay, which was a frustrating experience.

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Determined to find a solution, we turned to the more reliable wired connection. Given that most modern Chromebooks come equipped with a USB Type-C port while TVs have HDMI ports built-in, I ordered a Type-C to HDMI connector cable online. This simple adapter solved our latency problem, offering a smooth and responsive connection. (If your Chromebook still has an HDMI port, you'll need a standard HDMI to HDMI cable.)

To optimize the setup, I also connected to the Chromebook a wireless keyboard and mouse. These additional peripheral devices provide flexibility and comfort when working at a distance while viewing the screen on TV. 

Steps to Connect Chromebook to a TV by cable

Now, let's walk through my specific steps to connect a Chromebook to a TV:

1. First, I plugged the USB Type-C connector end of the cable into the Chromebook. If you have an HDMI port on your Chromebook instead, simply plug in one of the HDMI ends.
2. Next, insert the other end of the cable with a HDMI connector into your TV, they are usually on the back.
3. Once you have connected both ends of the cable (one to the Chromebook and the other to your TV), select the “Input” source option on your TV and switch to the correct HDMI channel.
4. Turn on the Chromebook, and make sure that your wireless keyboard and mouse are connected and working. Then close its screen while the Chromebook is still on. The Chromebook will use the TV as its screen. 
5. To ensure the entire screen is visible and there is no cut-off area, you may need to adjust some settings on the TV. For instance, on my Samsung Smart TV, I found that selecting the "Screen Fit" option under the display aspect ratio settings resolved the cut-off area problem. (Different TV manufacturers may have varying methods to address this issue, which is referred to as an “overscan” issue.)

Key takeaways

Portable computers, like Chromebooks or laptops, have become the new standard for learning in schools. Connecting your child's Chromebook to an external display, such as a TV, can provide a simple and straightforward solution to overcome the small screen size and minimize near work.

However, it is important to note that even though TV may not be linked to myopia progression, poor TV habits can still contribute to digital eye strain and other eye problems. So, when using a TV as your child's Chromebook screen, make sure to take regular five-minute eye breaks every 30 to 60 mins. 

As a lighter note before we conclude, with my kid's Chromebook now connected to our TV, I can imagine my son's homework may become the large-screen feature presentation right before the family movie starts!

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1. Czepita, Maciej & Kuprjanowicz, Leszek & Safranow, Krzysztof & Mojsa, Artur & Majdanik, Ewa & Ustianowska, Maria & Czepita, Damian. (2016). The role of reading, writing, using a computer, or watching television in the development of myopia. Ophthalmology Journal. 1. 53-57. 
2. Pärssinen, Olavi et al. “The progression of myopia from its onset at age 8-12 to adulthood and the influence of heredity and external factors on myopic progression. A 23-year follow-up study.” Acta ophthalmologica vol. 92,8 (2014): 730-9.