How to Connect ROG Ally to TV or Monitor [The Easy Method]

The ROG Ally represents a significant advancement in handheld gaming technology, offering desktop-class performance in a portable form factor. While its 7-inch 1080p 120Hz display is impressive for a handheld device, many users want to leverage its full power on larger screens. Whether you‘re looking to enjoy AAA gaming experiences on your living room TV, use the device as a portable workstation, or share your gameplay with friends, connecting your ROG Ally to external displays unlocks its true potential.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything from basic connections to advanced display configurations, with a primary focus on TV connectivity. You‘ll discover not just how to connect your device, but how to optimize the experience for different use cases, troubleshoot common issues, and get the most out of your hardware.

Understanding the ROG Ally‘s Display Output Capabilities

The ROG Ally‘s display connectivity is built around its versatile USB-C port, which implements several key technologies that make external display connections possible.

Technical Display Output Specifications

The ROG Ally features a USB Type-C port that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 and DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode. This combination allows the device to output video signals through the same port used for charging and data transfer. Here‘s a detailed breakdown of its display output capabilities:

Hardware That Powers External Display Support

The display output capabilities are directly tied to the ROG Ally‘s internal hardware:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 (standard model) or Z1 Extreme (higher-end model)
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RDNA 3 graphics (4 compute units in Z1, 12 compute units in Z1 Extreme)
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 RAM (6400MT/s)
• Display Controller: Integrated AMD display controller with DisplayPort 1.4 support

The Z1 Extreme variant, with its additional GPU compute units, provides better performance when driving higher-resolution external displays, especially for gaming applications.

Essential Equipment for Connecting ROG Ally to TV

To successfully connect your ROG Ally to a TV, you‘ll need specific hardware. The quality of these components can significantly impact your experience, so it‘s worth understanding what each piece does and how to select the right options.

Required Hardware Components

1. ROG Ally (with updated firmware)
2. USB-C to HDMI adapter or dock – The critical link between your device and TV
3. HDMI cable – Carries the audio/video signal to your TV
4. Power adapter – Preferably the original 65W ROG Ally adapter
5. Optional: External controller – For comfortable gaming from a distance

Detailed Adapter/Dock Comparison

HDMI Cable Selection Guide

The HDMI cable you choose matters more than many people realize. Here‘s what to look for:

• HDMI 2.0 or higher: Required for 4K 60Hz output
• High-speed certification: Ensures reliable data transmission
• Appropriate length: Longer cables (>15ft/5m) may need signal amplification
• Build quality: Braided cables with gold-plated connectors resist wear and interference
• HDMI-CEC support: Allows your TV remote to control basic ROG Ally functions (on supported TVs)

For most users, an HDMI 2.0 high-speed certified cable in the 6-10 foot range provides the best balance of functionality and convenience.

Method 1: Connecting ROG Ally to TV Using the Official Charging Dock

The official ROG Ally Charging Dock provides the most reliable and straightforward connection method. Here‘s a detailed walkthrough of the setup process:

Step 1: Setting Up the Charging Dock

1. Unbox the charging dock and place it on a stable, flat surface near your TV
2. Connect the 65W power adapter to the DC-in port on the dock
3. Plug the power adapter into a surge-protected wall outlet
4. Connect one end of your HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the dock
5. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to an available HDMI input on your TV
6. Optional: Connect any additional peripherals (USB drives, controllers, etc.) to the USB ports on the dock

Step 2: Preparing Your ROG Ally

1. Ensure your ROG Ally is running the latest system updates:
   • Go to Settings > Windows Update
   • Check for updates and install any available
   • Restart if required
2. Power on your ROG Ally
3. Close any resource-intensive applications before connecting

Step 3: Establishing the Connection

1. Align your ROG Ally with the USB-C connector on the dock
2. Gently but firmly connect your ROG Ally to the dock
3. The ROG Ally should automatically detect the external display
4. If not, press Windows key + P to open display projection options

Step 4: Configuring Your TV

1. Turn on your TV
2. Use your TV remote to navigate to input/source selection
3. Select the HDMI input that corresponds to where you connected the cable
4. If using a 4K TV, access your TV‘s picture settings and:
   • Enable "Game Mode" if available (reduces input lag)
   • Disable any motion smoothing features (reduces input lag)
   • Consider enabling HDR if your TV supports it

Step 5: Optimizing Display Settings on ROG Ally

1. Right-click on the desktop and select "Display settings"
2. Identify your TV in the display layout
3. Set your preferred display mode:
   • Duplicate these displays: Shows the same content on both screens (good for gaming)
   • Extend these displays: Uses the TV as additional screen space (good for productivity)
   • Show only on 2: Turns off the ROG Ally screen and only uses the TV (best performance)
4. Scroll down to "Scale and layout" and adjust text size if needed
5. Click "Advanced display settings" and configure:
   • Resolution: Match your TV‘s native resolution if performance allows
   • Refresh rate: Select the highest available option (typically 60Hz for TVs)
   • Color format: Use RGB for most TVs, or YCbCr444 if available

Method 2: Connecting ROG Ally to TV Using a USB-C Hub

If you don‘t have the official dock, a quality USB-C hub with HDMI output provides a flexible alternative:

Step 1: Selecting a Compatible USB-C Hub

Look for these specifications in a USB-C hub:

• USB-C Power Delivery (PD) of at least 65W
• HDMI 2.0 output or higher
• USB 3.0+ ports for peripherals
• Compact design that won‘t strain the USB-C port

Recommended hub specifications:

Step 2: Connection Process

1. Connect your USB-C hub to the ROG Ally‘s USB-C port
2. Connect your ROG Ally‘s power adapter to the USB-C input on the hub
3. Connect an HDMI cable between the hub and your TV
4. Connect any additional peripherals to the hub‘s USB ports
5. Turn on your TV and select the appropriate HDMI input

Step 3: Troubleshooting Hub Connections

If your connection isn‘t working properly:

1. Try connecting the hub without the power adapter first to test basic functionality
2. If display works but cuts out when connecting power, your hub may have power delivery issues
3. Check if your hub requires specific port orientation (some USB-C hubs are directional)
4. Try a different HDMI port on your TV
5. Ensure your hub firmware is updated (check manufacturer website)

Method 3: Direct Connection with USB-C to HDMI Adapter

For a minimalist setup or on-the-go use, a simple USB-C to HDMI adapter works well:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Adapter

Select an adapter that specifically mentions DisplayPort Alt Mode compatibility and HDMI 2.0 support. Avoid the cheapest options, as they often lack proper shielding and chip quality.

Step 2: Connection Process

1. Connect the USB-C adapter to your ROG Ally
2. Connect an HDMI cable between the adapter and your TV
3. Turn on your TV and select the appropriate HDMI input
4. On your ROG Ally, press Windows key + P to open display projection options
5. Select your preferred display mode

Step 3: Managing Power Constraints

Since this method doesn‘t provide charging:

1. Fully charge your ROG Ally before connecting
2. Enable battery saver mode in Windows settings
3. Lower screen brightness on the ROG Ally if using duplicate display mode
4. Consider reducing the output resolution to conserve battery
5. Be aware that battery life will typically be 1-2 hours when gaming on an external display

Method 4: Wireless Display Connection

For a cable-free experience, you can use Miracast if your TV supports it:

Step 1: Checking Compatibility

1. Ensure your TV supports Miracast (most smart TVs from 2016 onward do)
2. Make sure your ROG Ally and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
3. For best performance, use a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection

Step 2: Connection Process

1. On your ROG Ally, press Windows key + K
2. Wait for your TV to appear in the device list
3. Select your TV from the available devices
4. If prompted on your TV, confirm the connection
5. Wait for the connection to establish (usually 5-15 seconds)

Step 3: Understanding Wireless Limitations

Wireless display connections have inherent limitations:

• Higher latency (40-100ms) compared to wired connections (5-15ms)
• Potential for signal interference in crowded Wi-Fi environments
• Limited to 1080p resolution in most implementations
• May experience occasional stuttering or quality drops
• Not recommended for fast-paced competitive games

Optimizing Display Settings for Different Use Cases

Different activities require different display configurations. Here‘s how to optimize your setup based on your primary use case:

Gaming Optimization

For the best gaming experience on your TV:

Resolution and Performance Balance

Advanced Gaming Settings

1. In Armoury Crate (press the Armoury Crate button):

   • Set Performance Mode to "Turbo" for maximum performance
   • Enable "GPU Power Boost" for demanding games
   • Consider creating game-specific profiles for titles you play on TV

2. In Windows Graphics Settings:

   • Set Graphics preference to "High performance" for your games
   • Enable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling

3. In your games‘ video settings:

   • Prioritize framerate over visual quality for action games
   • Disable V-Sync and use your TV‘s Game Mode instead
   • Use AMD FSR when available for better performance

Productivity Optimization

For using your ROG Ally as a workstation with your TV:

1. Use "Extend" display mode rather than duplicate
2. Configure your TV as the primary display:
   • In Display Settings, select your TV
   • Check "Make this my main display"
3. Adjust scaling for comfortable text viewing:
   • 125-150% scaling typically works well on TVs
4. Consider these display arrangements:
   • ROG Ally screen for tools/palettes, TV for main workspace
   • ROG Ally for communication apps, TV for documents/browser

Media Consumption Optimization

For watching videos and media:

1. Enable HDR if your TV supports it:
   • In Windows Settings > System > Display > HDR
   • Toggle "Play HDR games and apps"
2. Configure audio output:
   • Right-click speaker icon > Sound settings
   • Select your TV or sound system as output device
3. Adjust refresh rate to match content:
   • Most movies are 24fps, so setting 24Hz can reduce judder
   • TV shows are typically 30fps, use 60Hz for smooth playback
4. Consider color calibration:
   • In Windows, search for "Calibrate display color"
   • Follow the wizard to optimize color reproduction

Controller Setup for TV Gaming

When playing on a TV, you‘ll want a comfortable control solution:

Controller Options Comparison