Lap-top to TV?

[bmcecosse]

Can anyone guide me how to connect my laptop to the TV - to play YouTube and iPlayer on the large screen ? The laptop has what I believe is a VGA connector (15 pins in 3 rows of 5) and the TV has various simple yellow/red/white sockets. Is there a cable to make the connection easily - and will it show picture and play sound ? I don't see anything suitable in my local Maplins...

[Jefftav]

Hi BM this is the cable I use and was supplied by my local computer place, the black plug goes into the laptop and the yellow end into the TV. Sorry I don't know the technical name of the cable.

[nigelr2000]

not many laptops can support tv type outputs and only have a standard VGA monitor socket. Have a good look round for any sockets with a tv logo on.
If none you will need one of these.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VGA-TV-RCA-S-VIDE ... 56416dadc3

Also you will need a 3.5 stereo jack to 2 RCA phono plugs for the sound.

[bmcecosse]

Oooooh Thanks both. Jeff - did your cable give pictures and sound on the TV ? Nigel - that link cable looks great - but what do I plug into it to connect to the TV ??

[nigelr2000]

Roy

Geofs lead is has an S-VHS plug on one end (4 pin mini din) which then plugs to the composite video input on the telly yellow phono socket. The lead I showed you has both connectors S-VHS & composite, you can use either depending on whats available on the telly.

The sound is carried from the headphone socket on the laptop (3.5 mm Jack) to 2 RCA phono plugs normaly red and white or black depending on the make of telly/lead.

heres an example http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5M-GOLD-3-5mm-3-5 ... 2a094e60c6

Here is a reasonable explanation of the connections
http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/how-to-co ... ptop-to-tv

Hope that helps and doesn't confuse you further.

[bmcecosse]

That's great Nigel - much as I thought from your earlier post. Many thanks for your help. Roy

[Jefftav]

HI BM, No the sound still comes from the laptop speakers.

[bmcecosse]

Ah but i want the sound from the TV too!

[bmcecosse]

That website seems to suggest a USB powered 'connector' is required ? Is that so - or have you lads done it directly ? I've ordered what is suggested through ebay......but not a 'connector'.

[nigelr2000]

The USB powered unit is designed so that it fits between the monitor and pc so you se everything on both, the laptop already has the facility to run dual displays so you dont need it.

[bmcecosse]

The link cable arrived today. Plugged the VGA end into the laptop and the yellow end into the yellow video socket on the TV........ Selected S video input on the TV and ........ nothing. Hmmm - do I need to tell the laptop to do anything ??

[MikeHA4]

Hello, Mr. Car and Steam expert!

I think, if it is like connecting a video projector to the laptop, a Function and one of the F keys combination is needed to toggle-switch on the output from the computer.

Electrickery, eh! We should have stopped developing things after the Duke of Gloucester..

[MarkyB]

Take a look at the F keys F5 Or F9 look likely candidates on an old Toshiba I have here.
You need to hold down the Fn key (bottom left) to invoke these functions.

A little picture like screen/screen should be the one.

It will probably cycle between the laptop screen, both screens and just the attached screen.

[MikeHA4]

Thats it - there's usually a square diagram on it to indicate 'screen' It toggles round something like laptop screen only, video out connection only, both, laptop screen only - or somesuch shenanagins! I haven't a laptop any more so can't look to check.

[bmcecosse]

Well - tried all that - and still nothing! So any further thoughts out there folks ? I thought this would be an easy/common thing to do !

[alex_holden]

Does your TV have any other video input channels? (S-Video is different to composite)

[nigelr2000]

Its easy..........once u get the bl**dy thing to work. Please post the make./ model no. so I can look it up and advise you. Thats the number off the label on the bottom as you often find that the number/names on the top refer to a whole range of laptops ie dell latitude refers to loads of differenig spec laptops.

Also make and model of the tv

[bmcecosse]

Yes - TV has every possible input - it is a digital flatscreen BTW. Would a VGA to VGA cable do the job ? I think there is also an S video input on the TV - and I now have that cable that splits the VGA out to 4 pin S video socket and the yellow 'composite' socket. The laptop is an HP G56 Notebook. Only seems to have a VGA output socket - and USB of course. Any help much appreciated! Roy

[MarkyB]

A VGA to VGA cable would be easiest to get the picture on the TV but wont do the sound.

[bmcecosse]

Ok - that's fine - I have the splitter that takes the headphone socket out to two phono sockets. So - ebay here i come !