Connecting laptop to tv

[blondie]

Does anyone know the best way to do this?

I have seen on another thread HDMI is the best, but what end what you attach to the laptop?Or would the laptop also need a hdmi connection? Does this way provide picture and sound?

If not what other way is there of doing it?
Cheers

[Julie]

I use a TV DVB on my laptop to watch TV when out and about, I bought it ogg ebay 6 pounds, works ok for local tele. Don't know how you would get sky though

[blondie]

Sorry, what´s a TV DVB??

[markwilding]

The best way should be HDMI to HDMI . However, if you don't have a HDMI output on your laptop then there are other options
DVI from your laptop to HDMI on your TV
DVI TO DVI
SGVA TO DVI and vica verca
Svideo to s video (lowest quality)
These are the cable ways
another option is with WIFI.If you have a PS3 or XBOX you just need to configure them to receive media files from you computers
If you don't use HDMI or WIFI, you'll also need to conect an audio cable


DVB is digital TV. freeview, freesat, Sky DIGITAL etc.
many people on the forum don't bother with connecting a digital receiver to their computer
They use a program called filmon TV which sreams UK TV channel directly to your computer
you can get it from here
http://www.filmon.com/tv/

[blondie]

Hi Mark,

so is DVI more standard on laptops? I´ll have to look to see what connectors I have.

cheers!

[markwilding]

DVI is quite normal. but these days many have HDMI too

[blondie]

DVI to HDMI seems very cheap in the web, but mostly USA and UK websites. Are all DVI cables the same size....I´d be worried about ordering otherwise.

[flan_taster]

I have a flat screen digital TV which does have a VGA input socket - it shows a monitor screen and PC logo above it - so I plug in a VGA lead into the TV when I want to show pictures etc from my Netbook.
Picture of the VGA connector here - it's a bog standard PC lead normally connected to your Monitor screen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VGA_Stecker.jpg
If I wanted to add audio then would connect from the Netbooks jack plug a new lead into the Audio jacks on the telly.

[markwilding]

DVI cables are always the same , as are VGA and HDMI ones. before ordering you need to make sure which ones you have on you TV and laptop

[blondie]

Hmmm, the DVI and VGA seem to be very similar, how do you know which one to use? Or are they one and the same?

[Conehead]

Hi

Sorry but DVI, in its various forms, and VGA are not at all similar. Have a look at these links for the different layouts.

DVI with variations
http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_Conn ... I_Bus.html

VGA
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/pc/vga_bd15.html

HDMI
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/hdmi2.htm

If you have a Mac Book Pro you probably have DVI in one form or another. Older laptops may have VGA and/or S-Video.
You must check what is on the lap-top and what inputs are available on the TV, if later "flat screen usually a good selection. Then search for convertor cables or connectors to suit. The worst one is S-video to composite, a conversion cable may only give black and white, requires a small modifucation to get the colour working.
As stated before HDMI to HDMI is thebest as sound is also transfered. The other connections require extra connections for sound.
Good Luck.

[blondie]

Hi Conehead

right now I see what you mean now, I meant the shape of the connector was the same, but didn't realise that it's whats inside that counts. I think mine is VGA then. Lucky you send that link or I would have ended up thinking anyone would have done!

[Conehead]

Hi,

No problem glad to of helped and possibly saved you the expense of cables you could could not use.

As it appears you have VGA but not knowing any information about the TV I cannot help much more. Post the TV manufacturer and model as should be able to sort out what you require from that. Note that connecting VGA to a TV not designed for PC input can cause some difficulties in viewing good quality pictures.

Best regards

[blondie]

Ah, thanks again for the info. The tv does have a hdmi input so I am hoping that will work automatically......?

[blondie]

I believe it's an LCD Phillips, 32" but is now nearly 3 years old but I don't know the model number. It has one adapter for HDMI. Just been reading that for sound I would need separate cables anyway which is a shame - I as hoping it would be an easy 1 cable plug in.

[blondie]

can anyone confirm if you can buy VGA to HDMI - I have been to all the big retailers and nobody seems to sell them and I am now wondering whether you would have to buy some kind of adapter to be able to do this?

I do have the video components cable but connecting to scart - would it be possible to get a scart to vga adapter and use that instead of having to buy the whole thing?

cheers

[pigs-might-fly]

I've just ordered an HDMI to HDMI lead, 3 metres long from Amazon UK for £13.98 including delivery to Spain.
(Most HDMI leads in the shops here are 40 euros or so!)
VGA to HDMI are also listed there on Amazon, I think: you could also try www.ebuyer.com, another excellent source.
I have and HDMI outlet on our new laptop, so am hoping connecting to the HDMI socket on the TVF will be simple.
Should then be able to view BBCiPlayer & ITV player on the TV.
http://www.play.com stock HDMI leads, but wont deliver electronics outside the UK
I've bought books from play.com and had excellent service.

[blondie]

Hi Pigs might fly,

am I being thick...I cannot see VGA to HDMI cables on Amazon, they all seem to be DVI only.

[pigs-might-fly]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url ... es&x=0&y=0

http://www.play.com/Search.aspx?searcht ... x=0&go.y=0

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?q=hdmi+to+ ... es&x=0&y=0

Not sure if this is the solution you need, though.

[blondie]

Unless I am being particularly stupid I don´t think any of those are what I need. The closest one seems to be http://www.amazon.co.uk/1-8M-HDMI-Cable ... 578&sr=8-5 but not even sure if that is right.....and it´s 30 quid!