Downloading films off the internet

geek84

Hi Folks

Can anybody advice me how I can connect my laptop (Acer Aspire 7720G) to my wide screen Sony Bravia TV?

The reason being that with the Xmas holidays coming up, I want to download films for my kids on my lap top, so that they can watch it on the TV.

Thanks in advance for your response

davetrousers

Download films legally, or pirated?

VGA cable - no sound though so you'll need extra speakers for your laptop
HDMI cable if your TV and laptop have HDMI ports.

MoneySavingUser

There are a number of options for getting access to content stored on your laptop for viewing on a TV:

If you would like to use a cable then both the TV and the Laptop must have the correct sockets in them (You would think nearly all of them would have them considering how many people want to connect to a TV but quite often they don't)

Have a look at: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-connect-your-laptop-to-your-television

If your laptop has an S-Video out port you can use an S-Video cable (you will be shown what it looks like in the video) or a VGA cable if no S-Video

If both the Laptop and the TV have a HDMI port - then a normal HDMI cable will suffice (this isn't mentioned in the video as HDMI only became popular on laptops after that video was made)

Another example of a wireless option would be something like a USB to HDMI adaptor which can be seen at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002RL9F38/ref=asc_df_B002RL9F38735474?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&!!!!!googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B002RL9F38

Also have a look at http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/how-to-connect-laptop-to-tv

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If you just want to play standard media files:

For DivX/XviD files you could buy a DVD player which is compatible with DivX/XviD and burn the content to disc (i.e. something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-DVP3520-05-Creation-Progressive/dp/B003HC7U42/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280766664&sr=1-5)

For other formats such as MKV a media player such as the WDTV can be used: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=30

Either you can copy the files you want to play to a USB Memory Stick/External Hard Drive, plug it into the WDTV and connect the WDTV to your TV

Or rather than using a USB Memory Stick/External Hard Drive you can connect the WDTV to your Wired/Wireless network (You may have issues over wireless for very high bitrate media)

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If you have an Xbox - you could use XBMC to stream/play content to your TV as well

hanwellmike

The advice from MoneySavingUser is very good. I have a media player (the WD HD TV) and as I have a large library of films in .avi format, it's definitely the best option for me. But they cost about £80 so probably not worth it for a short term fix. But if you have access to a lot of movies..................

There are quite a few DVD players (around £40) that also have USB ports and which play most .avi files. So this might be an option especially if you need a new DVD player anyhow.

It will cost you far less to hook up your laptop to the Tv if you can make it work. Less convenient than a media player or DVD player (no remote control).

MORPH3US

HDMI is the best option if your laptop has it, because HDMI carries the picture and sound.

If not then VGA is good but as said above, you'd need to listen to the sound from your laptop which is likely to be too quiet or get some external speakers to connect to the laptop.

Also check if your TV can play videos from the USB port if the TV has one.

One other option is to get a cheapie DVD player (possibly with USB) that will play divx and then just stick on a CD or usb and run through that.

HTH

viv0147

Buy an Apple Tv

BackOnTrack

viv0147 wrote: »

Buy an Apple Tv

I would advise not touching the Crapple Tv the number of formats it supports is dreadful.

I personally stream my video via my Xbox 360 using TVersity on my PC.

pedrothefish

have a look at a Eaget X5 or a Sumvision Cyclone Micro 2 Multi Media MKV Player Adaptor these are between £30-£40.00 pounds and seem to play everything.