Using vga cable to connect tv to computer

cherry76

Pl can somebody help me. I want to watch stuffs I have downloaded on the big screen. I have connected the ty to the computer using vga cable and nothing has happened. Computer is XP, I think I need to do something with the settings but do not know how? Thanks

A.Penny.Saved

It might be a better idea to use either HDMI or DVI output to the TV. The quality would be better.

The resolution and refresh rate would need to be set to acceptable values for the TV to deal with.

What resolutions and refresh rates can your TV VGA connector use? Check the TV's manual for this.

You would need to setup a dual display on your PC and set a resolution and refresh rate that the TV can deal with.

I'm about to do a similar thing but not using a VGA TV input. I intend using a VGA output on my PC to RGB Scart on TV (it's an old CRT TV) with a small circuit to convert the sync signals.

The biggest problem is switching off the PC monitor when it's not required as I prefer putting my monitor into standby rather than using the power switch. Doing that turns off all connected monitors/TV's because of windows poor power saving methods. I intend using a VGA switch for this.

fwor

Depends how you connected it. If you have just disconnected the VGA cable from the existing monitor and connected that to the TV, then the most likely culprit is that the refresh rate is too high for the TV to display.

If you have connected it to a second connector on a graphics card then you will need to set it up as a second monitor (right-click desktop, Properties, Settings).

If it's a laptop with an external VGA connector, you will need to enable that output (Fn + F4 on mine, but it varies from make to make).

cherry76

This is driving m crazy. I cannot change the settings to make the second monitor active whatever I do it goes back to the first monitor. I have clicked on properties and clicked on secondary monitor icon and then check extend my window desktop into this monitor and click apply. It does not take effect and always revert back to first monitor. I am just wondering whether it has not been recognised. Pl help before I tear my hair out. Thanks

sickofusernames

Ok, so you have your VGA cable, you've connected it to your TV from your PC/Laptop? Right click on the desktop, select Graphic Options>Output to>Intel Dual Display Clone.

Does that work?

debitcardmayhem

Have you changed the TV source using your tv remote ? most of them say source but bearing you haven't said what tv it is we will all be guessing.

buglawton

I use a vga cable (forget all that nonsense about HDMI cables for now). Have to add a 3.5mm male to male cable for the sound though, this is normal. Once the computer is running, try unplugging the monitor form the standard vga socket then connect the TV instead, then ensure that on the TV's remote you switch the source to PC. Do you see anything? Once you get this most basic part working, can troubleshoot the "2nd screen" VGA connection.

swifthorn

cherry76 wrote: »

This is driving m crazy. I cannot change the settings to make the second monitor active whatever I do it goes back to the first monitor. I have clicked on properties and clicked on secondary monitor icon and then check extend my window desktop into this monitor and click apply. It does not take effect and always revert back to first monitor. I am just wondering whether it has not been recognised. Pl help before I tear my hair out. Thanks

I know how to do it but I can't demonstrate as I recently upgraded to 7.

MS website has this:

Arrange Multiple Monitors

One monitor serves as the primary monitor, and this monitor displays the Logon dialog box when you start your computer. In addition, most programs will display windows on the primary monitor when you initially open them. You can select different screen resolutions and different color quality settings for each monitor. Multiple monitors can be connected to individual video adapters or to a single video adapter that supports multiple outputs. To configure the arrangement of multiple monitors:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Appearance and Themes, and then click Display.
3. On the Settings tab, click Identify to display a large number on each of your monitors. This shows which monitor corresponds with each icon.
4. Click the monitor icons and drag them to positions that represent how you want to move items from one monitor to another, and then click OK or Apply to view changes.

NOTE: The icon positions determine how you move items from one monitor to another. For example, if you are using two monitors and you want to move items from one monitor to the other by dragging left and right, place the icons side by side. To move items between monitors by dragging up and down, place the icons one above the other. The icon positions do not have to correspond to the physical positions of the monitors. You can place the icons one above the other even though your monitors are side by side.
View Same Desktop in Multiple Monitors

1. On the Settings tab of the Display Properties dialog box, click the monitor icon that represents the monitor you want to use in addition to your primary monitor.
2. Click to select the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor check box. After you enable this feature, you can drag items across your screen onto alternate monitors. Or, you can resize a window to stretch it across more than one monitor.

Hopefully this would work.

paddyrg

Also don't forget you may need to reboot with the external monitor attached for the graphics card to recognise the second monitor properly.

cherry76

Thanks, I have done all that but it reverts to the first monitor and does not recognize the second monitor.

Hammyman

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

It might be a better idea to use either HDMI or DVI output to the TV. The quality would be better.

Makes no difference you or anyone else would be able to notice.

To the OP you need to go to Control Panel, Display and see what options are in there. It should show two displays and allow you to select whether to have one as the primary display, extend the desktop over both monitors or have the same displaying on both.

In my experience you want the display you're watching the film on as the primary otherwise you end up with a picture of media player window with a black screen. Also you'll be wanting the sound on your telly? You should find a 3.5mm headphone socket labelled PC input. You need a lead to go from the speaker/headphone socket of your PC to that one - a 3.5mm stereo to 3.5mm stereo cable.