Laptop to TV viewing.......

Does the TV have a DVI port or maybe a S-video port?

 

Does the TV have a VGA port? Some do.

What ports are on your TV and laptop?


edit: ok, reread it. RCA only on TV and VGA only on laptop?

You'll also need an adapter for the sound.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the RCA on the TV is an analog signal and the output on the laptop is digital and that would probably be your biggest problem. Might be a good excuse to get a new LCD tv, the prices have really plummeted lately. Another option is if you have an XBOX or a PS3 you can stream Netflix to that.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong (! ), but I believe VGA is also analog. My Mac's have a DVI output, and Apple sells a little doohickey ($19) that does indeed convert that digital output into analog RCA (yellow cable) or S-video output (still analog) - One example (there are many styles of DVI plug) here:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9267G/A

Do you only have a VGA port on the laptop? - It may be cheaper to upgrade the laptop!

And, as Tillman noted, you've still got to get the audio into the TV - What audio out is on the laptop? [Stereo jack -> "red & white" RCA's is pretty easy though.]

Incidentally, the above works OK feeding a 32" CRT TV, but I think anything bigger than that will pose problems in terms of quality - How big is your TV?

In any event, it will not feed anything close to HD (720 or 1080) - Just good ol' NTSC - Would that be acceptable?

cheers,
Ian

 

http://askville.amazon.com/Connecting-VGA-port-Computer-Composite-Audio-Video-Inputs-TV/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=8037293

Seems expensive, right around $100 for a converter.

 

I think it was mentioned before, but mine is setup with S-Video (round plug) from Laptop to TV and sound is by stereo adapter (computer plug in to RCA).

My laptop is 3 years old, and the TV I plug into is 10 years old!

 

The blue port to the right of your hdmi port is VGA. use it.
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Hopefully it is VGA and not one of those RS232 "service ports"......

 

Yes, double check that, however, it probably is VGA, as the RS232 ports will generally be Black, whereas the VGA ports will generally be Blue, like in the picture.

 

Nope, audio is laptop speaker out -> TV audio input.

 

But if you go to Wal-Mart you can get a stereo to rca and run it through an open port in your receiver (surround sound system) if you have one.

The ends will look like this
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No! - The VGA is correct - Assuming both sockets are female (?) [IIRC, they are]

But the RCA is wrong - You want the one thirteendog posted above - you don't want the yellow (video) cable in it.

 

Try this one.
http://www.dcables.net/2_5-mm-Mono-Plug-to-Dual-RCA-Cable-5-Feet.aspx

 

So, how's it looking? Happy with the quality?

 

If you want to get really slick, pick up one of these: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0298186

 

Using froogle, prices seem to be 67 cents for the stereo to rca cable and $2.97 for the vga. don't know how much shipping would have added.

 

Depends on the computer, if you are using a laptop you might have to press Fn and F4 or one of those buttons, although I'm unsure how it would work on a Mac, if that is what you are using.