Looking to hook my laptop up to my 42 plasma

[marionr26]

Only thing is Im trying to see how this can be done. ON laptop I have a VGA connection and USB thats it
On plasma I have HDMI and component,composite and S-video but no VGA. Any idea how I can do this

[edDV]

Only thing is Im trying to see how this can be done. ON laptop I have a VGA connection and USB thats it
On plasma I have HDMI and component,composite and S-video but no VGA. Any idea how I can do this

Check again your "S-Video out" S-Video has 4 pins. Current N-Vidia chipset laptops ship with 9 pin "TV Port" connectors and analog component cables like this (left). Check your laptop manual.

[edDV]

...ON laptop I have a VGA connection and USB thats it

If no TV port or HDMI on the laptop, you are close to out of luck. There are USB display cards now that will output DVI-D to HDMI TV input but make sure 1080i or 720p are supported.

Some TV sets accept computer resolutions. Check your TV manual for input specs. I suspect this is a cheap model that only accepts 1080i or 720p.

Tell us the TV and laptop brand/model numbers.

[marionr26]

Panasonic TH-42PD50U

Compaq CQ60

[zeppage2]

Undoubtedly, you will disappointed with the picture. The image will be very soft

[marionr26]

ok thanks for the help and looking into it...Is this from the laptop or because the tv.

[marionr26]

got a newer model vizio 26 lcd also

[zeppage2]

the video out of the laptop is not designed to be 'blown up' to the resolution of the 42'' plasma.

...but edDV is more knowledgeable than I...

[edDV]

OK the Panasonic TH-42PD50U accepts 480p, 720p and 1080i over component or HDMI. Screen resolution is 852x480. That is wide SD. Ideal resolution from the computer would be square pixel 852x480p but the TV may only accept 720x480p.

The Compaq CQ60 has a 1366 x 768 (WXGA) screen resolution and VGA out.

One possible solution is a USB display card.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/29/owc-rolls-out-usb-2-0-display-adapter-for-macs-and-pcs/
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-100-U2-UV16-A1-Supporting-1600x1200-Resolution/dp/B00191GZ8.../ref=pd_cp_e_1
http://www.amazon.com/ARKVIEW-USB-DH88-Multi-Display-External-Displays/dp/B001B7H39W/r...p_ob_e_title_2

You would connect USB to the device, then a DVI-D to HDMI cable to the TV.
Then try 852x480p, 720x480p, 1280x720p or 1920x1080i.

These adapters won't be fast enough for heavy gaming.

[marionr26]

ok no no gaming here strictly video,movie download playing,youtube rapidshare ect.

so there not a cable that i can run VGA out from laptop to component or hdmi to TV

[marionr26]

So you recommend the last link you posted Arkview Multi Display so you think this will work good to just play videos off my pc on to the tv. Like netflix you can watch movies off there site. So I have to adjust resolution on the TV or here on my laptop

[Seeker47]

ok no no gaming here strictly video,movie download playing,youtube rapidshare ect.

so there not a cable that i can run VGA out from laptop to component or hdmi to TV

I may be missing something here, but wouldn't something like that version-2 WD Media gizmo provide more options here ? The type of content mentioned can also be converted with a program like CONVERTX2DVD and played from a regular DVD. Some .AVI or .MPG material can be played directly from a thumb drive with certain DVD players like the Oppo models. You don't necessarily have to wrestle with the direct-from-laptop display issues. Just some more ideas . . . .

[edDV]

ok no no gaming here strictly video,movie download playing,youtube rapidshare ect.

so there not a cable that i can run VGA out from laptop to component or hdmi to TV

Think about it. How would a cable convert analog RGB to digital HDMI? Or RGB to YCbCr component?

So you recommend the last link you posted Arkview Multi Display so you think this will work good to just play videos off my pc on to the tv. Like netflix you can watch movies off there site. So I have to adjust resolution on the TV or here on my laptop

I'm not recommending any since I haven't used them. Check the user reviews.

I agree a WDTV Media box is a better approach. They play from USB flash or hard drive (FAT32 only).
Best Buy has them for $75 Black Friday.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/16565/1