Use Laptop as Monitor for Xbox One? (HDMI, Stream or USB)


The display is an important part of gaming since it is responsible for showing you the images as you play your games. Gamers have the option of choosing between a television or monitor depending on their gaming machine. As an Xbox One owner, you might be wondering if you can play games using your laptop as a monitor.

So, can you use a laptop as a monitor for Xbox One? A laptop can be used as a monitor for the Xbox One if the laptop has an HDMI input port. The majority of laptops only have HDMI ports allowing for output connections to other monitors and not allowing devices like the Xbox One to connect and use as a monitor.

Most laptops come with HDMI ports but these ports are only of the output variety which only allow information from the laptop to be sent to an external monitor and doesn’t allow information to be sent the other way round to the laptop and it’s screen. To be able to use the laptop screen as an external monitor then the HDMI input connection is required.

Laptop standard HDMI output port

Fortunately, HDMI input can be found using capture cards like the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+ card, using a lead, plugged into the Xbox USB port and the other end of the lead, plugs into the Elgato Game Capture cards HDMI Input port.

Another lead is then plugged into the Elgato Game Capture cards USB C port with the other end of this lead being plugged into the USB port of the laptop. This now provides a connection between the Xbox One and the laptop, allowing the screen of the laptop to display the Xbox output. The frame rate on the Elgato Capture Card of 60fps at 1080p provides quality output with very little latency and lag.

Most laptops have USB ports ranging from version 2.0 to version 3.0, with newer version even having USB-C. Older laptops will have the earlier USB ports and these will not be suitable for capture cards with HDMI input. Ideally laptops with USB 3.0 or greater present the best option for being able to the laptop screen without being affected by latency issues like lag.

The most important item when connecting your Xbox One to your laptop is the video capture card. The video capture card allows two devices connected to share HD content. Most laptops have an HDMI port but this doesn’t allow video to be received and only allows video from the laptop to be output, to an external device like a monitor.

The Elgato HD60 S+ external capture card allows streaming and recording in 1080p at 60fps as well as 4K60 HDR10. The level of latency is negligible and the majority of gamers won’t notice any lag at all. The cost is around $180 but used and refurbished versions cost a lot less.

If you are tech-savvy, connecting your Xbox One to a laptop is an easy procedure that starts with getting the USB to HDMI Input cable from the Elgato capture card and plugging in the USB end to the Xbox with the HDMI end going into the HDMI input port on the Elgato capture card.

The other cable supplied with the Elgato capture card is USB-C to USB cable, the USB-C end plugs into the USB-C port on the Elgato capture card and the other USB end plugs into the USB port of the laptop. Preferably a USB 3.0 or later port on the laptop is recommended as anything lower could introduce latency.

If you have problems connecting your Xbox One with a laptop, you should first check the cable connection. Next, ensure that the HDMI cable fits tightly in Elgato capture card and the USB ends fit tightly into both the Xbox One and the laptop. If the cables do not fit properly, you can use locks to make it fit. You can also remove any other devices connected to your Xbox One or laptop to reduce the excess workload on the processor.

HDMI Input USB Video Capture card

You may not need a HDMI Input capable video capture card if you use a laptop with the latest version of Windows. The Windows 10 operating system comes with the DirectX 12 feature, which helps in enhancing graphics in window-based PC games. DirectX 12 has made the Xbox One fully compatible with any PC that has Windows 10. Of course, you have to download the Xbox App and install it on your laptop, but some laptops come with the Xbox App preinstalled.

The Xbox App allows you to connect your Xbox One directly with your laptop without the need for cables. You can stream any games on your Xbox One console directly to your laptop. However, to use this option, you need a very strong internet connection. If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, you should also ensure that your laptop and Xbox One are connected to the same network.

You are also advised to use an ethernet cable because a Wi-Fi connection is unreliable and might lead to a poor gaming experience. You also have to sign in to the Xbox App using your Xbox account and enable game streaming in your console settings.

In addition, if you want to avoid performance problems, you should ensure your laptop has a 1.5 GHz processor and at least 4 GB of RAM. You should also ensure that the laptop has a good battery life to play games for a long time. Gamers invest a lot of money in their gaming system, with many gamers opting to play games on big screens. However, if your primary monitor is damaged or in use, you may have to find another option.

It is also important to ensure that your laptop is up to the task. Gaming is a difficult task, so most companies make different machines for gaming and productivity. If your laptop is not meant for gaming, playing games on it for too long can cause long-term damage. Therefore, ensure that your laptop has at least 4 GB of RAM and a multi-core processor of at least 1.5 GHz. You should also ensure your laptop has the necessary equipment to sustain gaming, such as a cooling system.

You should also ensure that your laptop has enough charge to allow you to game for hours. Gaming uses a lot of power and can drain your laptop’s battery within a short time. Therefore, before you start gaming, make sure your laptop has a full charge. You should also plug in your laptop to a power source as soon as it gives the low battery warning. Do not play games on your laptop if it has any battery issues, since gaming might make the situation worse.

How To Choose a Monitor for Your Xbox One?

Many people love gaming, and they always look forward to when their favorite company is launching its new gaming console. After buying a new Xbox One, you may also want to get a new gaming monitor to improve your gaming experience. When choosing a new gaming monitor, there are several features that you should consider.

When buying a monitor for your Xbox One, choose a monitor with a good refresh rate and low latency. The monitor should also have a high resolution for clearer images. You should also ensure that the monitor has an HDMI 2.0 port. You can also buy a monitor with HDR, which also helps in improving the images on the screen. Other things you need to check before buying might include the screen size, eye protection settings, and price.

When it comes to gaming, it is important to have a high refresh rate monitor. For example, the Xbox One console can play games at 60fps and 120fps. Therefore, you need to buy a monitor that has a maximum of 120fps. You also need to get a monitor with the same refresh rate as your Xbox One.

Testing refresh rate of monitor

If the refresh rates of your console and monitor do not match, you will have a poor gaming experience. Playing games on a monitor with a high fps guarantees smoother images, reduces ghosting and tearing, improving your chances of winning a multiplayer first-person shooter game.

A monitor with high latency is a nightmare for gamers, especially those who participate in esports. Latency in gaming refers to the time it takes for the action to appear on the display after pressing a certain key or button on your controls. A monitor with low latency will take the shortest time possible for you to see the action on the monitor after pressing a key on your controller. The perfect gaming monitor for your Xbox One is the one with a 1ms response time.

You should also choose a television with a high resolution. The Xbox One can play games on both 720p and 1080p; therefore, you need a monitor that can match your console’s graphics power. Playing games on 1080p is also less demanding on your console’s GPU, ensuring your console does not overheat.

Monitor capable of 1080p

A high resolution goes hand in hand with HDR. HDR stands for High Dynamic Ranges, which improves the quality of the images, making them photorealistic or life-like. The Xbox One is compatible with any monitor that has HDR-10.

The HDMI ports are very important because they are the only way to connect your Xbox One to your monitor. You should also ensure that the monitor has two or more HDMI ports to avoid switching cables when using the monitor for different activities. You should also buy a monitor with an HDMI 2.0 which can play games in 4K.

The new generation Xbox console can play games in 4K, but it requires the monitor to have an HDMI 2.0 port. If you buy the Xbox Series X in the future, you should get a monitor with both HDMI and HDMI 2.0.

The screen size is very important when playing games, and you need a monitor with the best screen size to make it easy for you to see your gameplay in detail. It is recommended that you should get a gaming monitor that is not less than 22 inches. The screen size also depends on your budget; if you have enough money, you can buy a bigger monitor.

Your sitting position will also dictate the screen size of your gaming monitor. If you are sitting on a desk, your monitor should not exceed 24 inches. However, if you set up your gaming system in a larger room, you can buy a monitor with a screen size of 27 inches and above.

Gamers spend many hours playing video games, and that can cause strain to your eyes. If your eyes start to turn red and watery between an intense gaming session, you might lose the game. Therefore, you should buy a gaming monitor that has an eye protection feature. Some gaming monitors have flicker-free and blue light filter features.

These features allow you to play games for long hours without hurting your eyes. If your gaming monitor has eye protection features and you still have eye issues while gaming, maybe you are gaming for too many hours. Therefore, you need to cut down your gaming time to give your eyes some rest.

The price of the gaming monitor is also important when choosing a monitor for your gaming system. Features such as 4K support, HDMI 2.0, and HDR will make the monitor cost a little more. If you are on a tight budget, you can buy a gaming monitor with other lesser features such as 1080p and HDMI.

However, no matter how tight your budget is, you should not buy a gaming monitor with a low refresh rate. For example, if you buy a gaming monitor with 30fps, your gaming experience will be very lousy because of high latency, tearing, and ghosting.

Wrap Up

The procedure of connecting your Xbox One to a laptop is very easy, and you can do it within a few minutes. You only have to ensure that you have the necessary items and programs to complete the connection.

If you understand the process, you do not need to wait for another user to finish using the TV before playing your games. However, since you are used to playing games on a bigger display, you will need to adjust to playing on a smaller monitor after connecting your Xbox One to a laptop.

There are many gaming monitors in the market, and you need to be careful when choosing. The most important thing you need to do is find a monitor that is compatible with your gaming console. There is no need to get a 4K television when your Xbox One can only play games in 720p and 1080p.

Your gaming system is like an investment; therefore, being meticulous in purchasing all the necessary hardware will ensure you will not regret anything while gaming. Use the suggestions in this article to select your next gaming monitor.

Bal Kang

Bal Kang is a technology expert based in the UK, with experience across a number of technology areas from phones, tablets, computers to gaming.

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