Laptop to TV connection

Whits

I have a number of video clips stored on my laptop that I woul like to show on my TV when the family visit at christmas.

Is it possible to buy a single lead to make the connection and then simply play the files on the laptop and watch them on the TV

I used to think I was quite smart but I don't want to (can't afford to) buy a lead if it's just going to be wasted.

Many thanks.

cledor

Some laptops have video output sockets as standard, these are usually yellow phono sockets, check if yours has one and simply connect it by a phono (RCA) lead to the video input of the TV. You'll also need to switch the screen output using one of the function keys (e.g Fn + F5 on a Toshiba)

If your lappy doesn't have a video output then you'll need to find a suitable VGA to video adapter + lead.

Whits

My laptop is a Compaq which has a VGA output and a S-Video output.

My TV has a S-video input and composite input.

Just had a look about on control panel and I've found out about using a second monitor so I can cope with that side, but finding a cable that's reasonably cheap is quite difficult.

PC world haven't got what I need from what I can see so it looks like I need to take a wander into town :mad:

emmahip

Depends on how old the tv is - mine is a Plasma and has a "VGA in" so a simple VGA lead will do the trick, this is similar to the one I use :

http://www.cableuniverse.co.uk/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1523

This does only carry video not audio, depends on how good the speakers are on your laptop I make do with mine.

If you don't have a vga input in your machine this won't help!:rotfl:

*ED - sorry put the post on before you posted what your tv/laptop has, curses..... mayeb someone else will find it helpful

bookduck

Why don't you convert them and put them on a dvd and make it another present?

cledor

Try
http://www.cabling4less.co.uk/S-Video_Cables.php?referrer=google&gclid=CKGB1N2GlpACFQJIMAodQzaenw

or
http://www.leadsdirect.co.uk/productinfo/svideoleads.html

for the SVideo / SVHS leads. They are more likely to be found in TV accessory shops instead of computer stores.

aerostar

Whits wrote: »

My laptop is a Compaq which has a VGA output and a S-Video output.

My TV has a S-video input and composite input.

Just had a look about on control panel and I've found out about using a second monitor so I can cope with that side, but finding a cable that's reasonably cheap is quite difficult.

PC world haven't got what I need from what I can see so it looks like I need to take a wander into town :mad:

Maplin
L40AJSVHS - SVHS 3m313 in Stock £12.99 L39AJSVHS - SVHS 1.5m911 in Stock £11.98

Whits

Ok, thanks for the replies so far, but I'm still confused :mad:

S-Video will only take the video through to the TV so how the flip do I get the sound through as well

I'm lucky because there are a few TV accessory shops round here but as I work for a large electrical retailer, I know that sometimes the staff just try and BS the customer to buy something beyond what they need :eek:

Any more help is greatly appreciated

DKLS

If Santa is very kind to you, You can pick up a Phillips Dvd player for £35 that has a USB socket, so I can connect an external hard drive or my laptop, and the Dvd player plays the lot , doddle to set up, and doddle to use.

Whits

I did it :j

I popped into Maplin and bought a lead that has s-video and audio leads and managed to get the picture from my laptop onto my tv and the picture wasn't too bad either

My GF was a bit shocked that a lead costing £6 is capable of so much.

Thanks to everyone for the advice :beer: