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View Full Version : A question for you techy people :)



slleipnir
10-08-2007, 05:25 PM
I have no clue about this sort of thing, so hopefully someone here can help me....

I want to connect my laptop to my TV so I can play avi or other video files on my computer but have it display on my TV. My computer isn't that high tech. I have USB ports and VGA port. That's it really.

I was looking at this http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=578791&sku=G126-1034
it seems to work other then it doesn't have audio...also, what are composites?? I don't think my TV has S-video...oh and is there some way if i bought that thing that I could still hook audio up to my TV??

Or maybe you know of something easier/cheaper? :D

drothergoodnow
10-08-2007, 07:15 PM
Try this little gadget...

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=3010&sku=27387

Composite is RCA, which if you have a newer TV, are those yellow, white and red plugs. If you have an older TV, you can get an RF Converter from one of the dollar stores or walmart for about $14 to go with this. Hope this helps!

Jas

slleipnir
10-08-2007, 08:20 PM
That one is like $40 more then the one I posted...my bro told me I could probably get audio cables to go along with it and it would be cheaper...do you think?

Hellow
10-08-2007, 09:58 PM
I believe you need s - video out to conect an tv to an laptop. Thats the only cable you need because svideo carries both audio and video, like coaxial. Mabye try this little gaget: http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/usb_video_adapter.html

slleipnir
10-08-2007, 10:45 PM
As I said, my computer is pretty basic and doesn't have s-video...it would make life so much easier if it did though D: I only have usb and vga

G535
10-09-2007, 01:12 AM
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/PC-TV_GEZ-1000.html

From the same site Reggie posted, might do the job.

I have tv cards in some of my pcs so hooking up a tv is easy but wouldn't work unless you have a tv card in the laptop

slleipnir
10-09-2007, 11:51 AM
What about audio? how would I hook audio up? I want to watch movies that I have on my computer or episodes I download

smokey the elder
10-09-2007, 12:52 PM
I think s-video is the same thing that hooks up to my satellite dish. This might work (digital input, analog output.)

Blue_Frog
10-09-2007, 01:22 PM
try this --

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3012897&CatId=1408

VGA on one end, RCA on the other. $36 at Tiger Direct

or $29 from the manufacturer -- http://www.cablesunlimited.com/products/prod_Group.aspx?groupcode=G0400&itemNo=PCM-2330-50

Maybe email them first with what you want to do, just to make sure it will work, it before buying one?

Hellow
10-09-2007, 03:20 PM
What about audio? how would I hook audio up? I want to watch movies that I have on my computer or episodes I download

As i posted, S - Video carries both audio and video. So there is no need for additional cables.

slleipnir
10-09-2007, 04:15 PM
As i posted, S - Video carries both audio and video. So there is no need for additional cables.

again, I don't have s-video....

Blue_Frog
10-09-2007, 06:21 PM
http://www.cablesunlimited.com/images/large/PCM-2330-12.jpg


... VGA (computer) on one side, and RCA (tv) on the other.

see above :)

Hellow
10-09-2007, 06:51 PM
again, I don't have s-video....

Again, as i posted, an USB to S - Video converter.

slleipnir
10-09-2007, 06:57 PM
reggie...sorry I never saw that?

bluefrog: thanks, I missed your post

slleipnir
10-09-2007, 07:18 PM
My bro just came and looked at my computer/TV...apparently my TV is made to support computer hook up. He said all I need is a male/male VGA connector and a male/male audio thingie...not really sure about that but he said he'd help me look tomorrow...hopefully it works. Definitely cheaper...

slleipnir
10-10-2007, 02:02 PM
ok so I wanted to look for this today in stores (as there is $20 shipping for this....just keeping my options open) I forgot to ask my brother something.

Is this:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=788087&CatId=425
the same thing as an extention cable? I looked online at different places and all I see are extention cables...if not, what's the difference?

Blue_Frog
10-10-2007, 02:23 PM
What your brother is recommending would work -- however it will only send a video signal from your PC to your TV.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=324228&CatId=419
This is the same thing, cheaper for 7.99 but only a 6' cable instead.

You would also need a cable like this one http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=775581&CatId=449 (plug into your headphone jack on your PC and will split into left/right channels so you can have stereo audio instead of just mono -- plug into the TV - $16)

That setup would run you around $24, +tax +shipping, unless you source it locally like at Radio Shack or such.

slleipnir
10-10-2007, 02:57 PM
Thanks! I already got the audio thing this morning....I went out by myself and got a VGA cord...however, I'm not sure it's the right thing. The guy at the store told me it was, but he seemed a little unsure of himself (I can return it, so no problem there) I plugged both cords in, and switched my TV to PC mode and it says no signal input...do I need to do something with my computer? How would I get it to work?

slleipnir
10-10-2007, 11:57 PM
I got it working! thanks everyone for your help. I appreciate it. I simply got the VGA cable and audio cable. It cost about $25 all together roughly. All I needed to go was hit the CRT/LCD button on my computer.