Computer newbies: Connect laptop to HDTV
Connect laptop to HDTV
by Gregtheman10 - 7/4/08 4:49 PMI am looking to connect my Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop to my HDTV to watch movies, surf the web, etc., and I was wondering what types of cables to use. My laptop has an S-Video port and a VGA port, and my HDTV has S-Video Ports, HDMI ports, and component cable ports. The two methods I was thinking of were 1) using a VGA to component cable to connect my laptop to the HDTV, and 2) getting a VGA to DVI converter which goes out of the laptop, and then from there connect the DVI cable to the HDMI slot in my HDTV. Which method would produce the best quality overall, and if there are any other methods, what are they? Thanks for your help.
Be sure to read the usuals.
by R. Proffitt
- 7/4/08 4:56 PM
In reply to: Connect laptop to HDTV by Gregtheman10
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Connect+laptop+to+HDTV+&btnG=Google+Search
i searched that
by Gregtheman10 - 7/4/08 5:44 PM In reply to: Be sure to read the usuals. by R. Proffitt
Yea I searched that but none of the sites discussed which of the two would be better in terms of clarity and such
Remember that no HD content will play!
by R. Proffitt - 7/4/08 5:49 PM
In reply to: i searched that by Gregtheman10
Let's say your PC had some BluRay player. Your laptop does not have a HDCP compliant output so any of the connections will fail to show up on that TV.
You might do fine with 1) using a VGA to component cable to connect my laptop to the HDTV but any further conversions are going to hurt.
Some want to play DVD this way but copy protections again stop you cold. Be sure to reveal what you are expecting.
Bob
vga to component
by Gregtheman10 - 7/4/08 5:57 PM In reply to: Remember that no HD content will play! by R. Proffitt
So neither VGA or component produce HD quality? And the only way for me to get HD quality on my TV from my laptop would be by using a DVI cable, but the multiple conversions will basically distort the picture and sound quality, correct?
Sound is not converted so no loss there.
by R. Proffitt - 7/4/08 5:59 PM
In reply to: vga to component by Gregtheman10
Whatever conversion you do, do it in one step or device. As to HD content you didn't tell what HD DVD or BluRay drive you had. It is an issue. As it stands now the best you could expect is to see what you see on your screen except protected video playback.
Bob
dvd drive
by Gregtheman10 - 7/4/08 6:08 PM In reply to: Sound is not converted so no loss there. by R. Proffitt
Samsung HM320JI is my DVD drive model number, is that compatible with any of these connections?
Just so you know.
by R. Proffitt - 7/4/08 6:15 PM
In reply to: dvd drive by Gregtheman10
While it's nice to see you have a DVD drive, that's not HD "content" and the issues of protection will stop you cold.
Let's ask one question. Why do this?
protection?
by Gregtheman10 - 7/4/08 6:20 PM In reply to: Just so you know. by R. Proffitt
Im just looking for a change, to surf the web on my tv screen or watch some movie clips and view photos (like from a digital camera) on my tv. I suppose its not necessary for me to have HD content, I just dont want it to be really choppy and have cheap quality. And what do you mean by "I will be stopped cold by protection?"
Since no DVD commercial products...
by R. Proffitt - 7/4/08 6:25 PM
In reply to: protection? by Gregtheman10
Go for the one-step conversion from VGA to component and get it done. There are plenty of articles on HDCP, the DMCA, DVD copy protection and so on. Since it's not why you are doing this, move right along to a solution.
Bob
i'll look up on that
by Gregtheman10 - 7/4/08 6:29 PM In reply to: Since no DVD commercial products... by R. Proffitt
Alright, thanks for all your help on this matter. I just have one more question about the DVD drive. How can I find out what HD-DVD drives or BluRay drives are compatible with my laptop if I want to install one? (I have been thinking about that for some time)
That is ...
by R. Proffitt - 7/4/08 6:40 PM
In reply to: i'll look up on that by Gregtheman10
One of those "you'll be surprised" issues. The internal drives are thankfully standard but let's not talk about the now dead HD DVD drives. This leaves us to look into Bluray.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118009&Tpk=slim%2bbluray
Ok, that's 350 for the drive. Can't you get a PS3 for that much? And it will NEVER play on your HDTV from your laptop. It's all about copy protection...
Bob
thanks
by Gregtheman10 - 7/4/08 6:45 PM In reply to: That is ... by R. Proffitt
yea, I see what you're saying. I'll look into this a little more myself and see if this is really necessary for me. Thanks for your help.
check out this link from techlore
by ITpsycho - 7/9/08 10:29 PM In reply to: Connect laptop to HDTV by Gregtheman10
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