Computer To TV

**DjRandom** · 02-20-2007, 11:25 PM

Okay so, I've been told that I need a TV card to be able to see my computer on the TV. Is there any other method involving maybe just a cable or something that I can hook up my laptop or desktop to my TV or something?

*TTRlovesMittens* · 02-20-2007, 11:39 PM

Oh, computer usually outputs in DVI or D-Sub, which some TVs have support for (My LCD TV does). However, outside of that I dunno

t('' ) · 02-20-2007, 11:40 PM

Uh, on my laptop there is an s-video output port that I can use to connect my computer with a television.

you could also use a vga conveter

VGA to TV Converter GTM-2000

**DjRandom** · 02-21-2007, 12:43 AM

Ouch thats a little pricey I'll look around on ebay and the like to see if I can find it cheaper but if anyone else has any less expensive methods please feel free to post.

I AM THE PROPHECY. · 02-21-2007, 12:57 AM

Most video cards made in the last five years have s-video out. If all you want to do is output to the television and not do anything particularly graphics intensive drop a couple bucks on some piece of shit card and go to town.

**DjRandom** · 02-21-2007, 03:54 AM

I'm not the most adept computer guy in the world I can install cards in desktop machines but not in a laptop....

Edit: I've found I only have a video IN port not an out so I guess I'm outta luck unless I buy one of those converters...

I AM THE PROPHECY. · 02-21-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DjRandom

I'm not the most adept computer guy in the world I can install cards in desktop machines but not in a laptop....

Edit: I've found I only have a video IN port not an out so I guess I'm outta luck unless I buy one of those converters...

You said in the OP you have a desktop so what's the issue here

sнυи · 02-21-2007, 12:15 PM

What exactly are you planning to do using your TV as a monitor? Don't TV's have hella slow refresh rates? :/

Enaress · 02-21-2007, 04:17 PM

Here is what I used:
S-Video to RCA convertor (RCA is that yellow-red-white thing, composite cables. Just use the yellow one). I use a male-to-male yellow composite cable, one end into the TV, the other end into the convertor into my PC.

All you need is a video card with S-Video Out and the adaptor.

WiLLiSTER · 02-21-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N3W5P4P3R M0N5T3R

What exactly are you planning to do using your TV as a monitor? Don't TV's have hella slow refresh rates? :/

I've never really experienced bad refresh rates with my TV (using either the composite cable or the s-video) but the colors are really blown out. Super saturated, though the colors are fine for other things like games and movies.

I AM THE PROPHECY. · 02-21-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N3W5P4P3R M0N5T3R

What exactly are you planning to do using your TV as a monitor? Don't TV's have hella slow refresh rates? :/

emulators, stepmania, watching movies, etc.

kimcicle · 02-21-2007, 06:09 PM

Well, before we all start jumping to conclusions, what video card do you currently have?

seiya256 · 02-21-2007, 06:48 PM

If your computer does not have a composite or s-video output, you will need to get a scan converter. If your graphics card has a round port that kind of looks like mouse port, than you probably can output to your TV with an adapter.

A basic scan converter that supports up to 1024x768/60Hz runs around $50, but you get what you pay for. They usually having limited sizing capabilities and a small range of input resolutions that they can accept. No matter how much you spend on one though, the video will be blurry. It will be next to impossible to read standard menu text in Windows. You will need to change your default font size to a larger font as well as make it bold if you plan to use your TV as a monitor replacement. They begin to look a bit better when you spend $300+ but you are still limited to the resolution and dot pitch of your TV as well as the limitations of composite video.

edit: I just reread your earlier response. You mention your laptop has a video in port. That's really unusual. You might want to double check and make sure that it isn't a video out port. You will probably need an adapter cable to to go from the 4 or 6 pin mini-din connector to get to the single RCA connector for your TV.

*phuzion* · 02-21-2007, 09:25 PM

Also, check out the functions of the Fn key on your laptop. Usually, you can toggle between the built in LCD, the video-out port, and both as your outputs.

**DjRandom** · 02-22-2007, 02:01 AM

Let me clarify a few things, one I'm mainly looking for the way to hook my laptop up to my CRT monitor to watch movies i have on my laptop with my family. Second my laptop only has an s-video IN port not an out (unfortunately). According to this image

I have a video In not the 4 prong video out on my laptop.

@Kimicicle I have an ATI Radeon X1300 series Graphics card.
@Newspaper I plan on mostly to watch some movies on the tv possibly play stepmania but most likely not.