Another Laptop to Tv question- with specs!

creased-leach

Righty, spect first:

Dell Inspiron 1520:

USB 2.0 (4)
Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45) and 56K Modem8 (RJ11)
IEEE1394a
8-in-1 Memory Card Reader
VGA video output & S-Video
Stereo in, headphone/speaker out & Dual digital mics
1 ExpressCard 54mm Slot

Toshiba Regza:

Analogue Audio Input Yes
Component Video Yes
Composite Video Yes
DVB Common Interface Yes
HDMI 4
Headphone Yes
PC input Yes
RGB (via Scart) 1
S-video Yes
SCART 2
USB Yes


Ok, now I've been reading up and am thinking that in the absence of a HDMI connection on the lappy, that S-Video is the next best option.

Firstly, am I right?

Secondly, am I also right in thinking that this only carries video, and I would need some sort of separate whatsit to do the sound? Unfortunately the sound on my laptop is pants.

Don't want to spend much at the moment, as there's a chance we may be able to buy a friends laptop (if his plans go through) on the cheap, which has HDMI. Given this, and the fact that I'd have to get hubby to pick any cables we need up on the way home tonight (and he's erm...lets just say even less techie than me) would it be better to just connect via the VGA cable I could knick from the PC?

Would that give satisfactory results? It's for streaming the lovely free blinkbox movies mainly.

Any help or advice greatly received- I've ended up confusing myself.

Basil1234

may i suggest http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223833#Download for video does pal and ntsc for £30 and http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=31700 for sound £6 for 1.5m or £7 for 3m

creased-leach

Thank you Basil- will have a look at those in a mo.

Taffybiker

I agree with Basil's second link for the sound, but for video you need only a S-video cable, or VGA out to PC cable.

I realise the links here are Maplin - this is for indication. Much cheaper cable can be purchased elsewhere.

creased-leach

Thanks guys- more food for thought (aka confusion, lol)

Paul, we're not gamers, so an xbox or ps3 isn't really an option. The kids have a ps2 for the occasional stint on sing star/guitar hero, but that's as far as it goes.

As I said earlier, we now have several films courtesy of the blinkbox codes- entirely legit- and if it was an easy enough job, would like to watch them on the TV.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

almillar

Hold on, are you being recommended to use S-Video to connect?! You've got VGA out of the laptop, and 'PC Input' into the TV. I'm going to guess that the PC input is, in fact VGA, if so that would be VASTLY better than S-Video. Cable to go from headphone socket on PC to PC sound input at back of TV. This will either be stereo phono (red and white) or the same headphone size as the PC.