Connecting a PC to TV

[Bizzen]

I remember a mate of mine linking a laptop to a w/s tv and playing movies on the pc through the tv.

Obviously this is possible, although I'm no longer his friend to ask him. I was just wondering how this is done. I have a desktop pc btw (full system spec in my profile)

Obviously this was a simple question, but I did some searching and looking around and no section seems right for this topic. Apologies if I mssed something glaringly obvious.

[yoda313]

If you have a video output on your graphics card you can do it. Though your UK and that means SCART which I have zero experience with. Many others on this site can help with SCART.

If you don't you can upgrade your video card to one with a video output and it can come really cheap. Cheap that is if you're not in the market for high end game performance just a video out. Try sites like ebay and other auction sites for cheap video cards.

Then you just hook up your video output and the sound output from your soundcard to your tv and your done. Just follow your video control panel to make sure the output is active.

[Bizzen]

Thanks for the advice.

After checking no, my card doesn't appear to have a video out (that's S-Video right?)

Can you recommend me a decent card that I could get? No, I'm not after a high performance gaming card, just one to get the job done.

[yoda313]

Yes you need SVIDEO - the little plugs in the inside - seven or so I think.

Check out nvidia or ati. It shows your at 32mb. You should be able to jump up to 64mb with a svideo output for little extra. I don't really know the dollar equivalent for you but it shouldn't be more than $40-$50 USD used for low end graphic cards.

[Bizzen]

Okay gotcha!

Can I just ask, would there be a big difference in quality between using the TV's SVIDEO socket (i.e. SVID-SVID) or using the TV's scart (i.e. SVID-scart)? I ask because the TV's SVIDEO socket is at the front and from an aesthetic point of view I'd prefer not to be running leads from the front. However if there will be a noticeable quality difference I may consider it.