Best choice for hooking up my laptop to my tv?

[Chems1919]

I'm sure this has been posted a billion times, but I couldn't find my specific criteria in a search. Anyways...

I recently bought a Toshiba REGZA 32HL67U 32" 720p LCD HDTV from amazon and I DESPERATELY want to hook up my Dell Inspiron 2200 laptop to it. I'm a complete newb when it comes to television connections and such, so I kind of need specifics on what I need to do. I really want to hook up my laptop because I have tons of movies and such on my computer and would rather watch them on the tv rather than resorting to using dvds.

I understand that using an S-video cable is usually the way to go, but I don't think my laptop has the adaptor for it (I read that the S-Video cable needs a 4 or 7 pinned adaptor, but the only adaptors on my laptop are the USB and the external monitor port). So, maybe I have to buy a third party device to hook it up?

I also heard that some people can do it wirelessly, would that be possible for my situation? I browsed around and found this: http://grandtec.com/ultimatewireless.htm Although it's a bit pricey (more than I expected to invest in hooking this up), if it actually works I'd buy it.

Also, is the quality going to be good? I know you can make changes by fiddling around with the settings on your tv, but honestly, I wouldn't know where to start. The main intention for this setup is so I can watch movies off of my laptop, so I want the quality to be as good as possible.

Lastly, I have some logitech speakers that I want to hook up to my tv as well. Can I just hook them up to my computer and have them play, or do I have to set it up to the tv?

PLEASE help as, like I said before, I am a complete newb in television connections/hookups and I really want this to work out. Any advice and help is GREATLY appreciated!

Here's a link to some info on my TV:
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-REGZA-32HL67U-720p-HDTV/dp/B000MXYCU4/ref=sr_1_1/102-966...2132749&sr=8-1

Here's a link to some info on my laptop:
http://compreviews.about.com/od/budgetnote/gr/DellInsp2200.htm

[jagabo]

Your HDTV has an VGA input. Use the VGA output from your laptop. That will be far better than s-video or composite.

[lordsmurf]

Your budget laptop may not support those kinds of displays.

[Chems1919]

Damn, that's what I was afraid of.

Is there any way to find out? Well, actually, I guess I should just go ahead and buy a VGA cable (since I'm sure they're not that expensive) and hook it up and see what it's like. What settings should I mess with on the tv (and computer) to hopefully make it display properly?

[jagabo]

The only issue will be resolution and scan rates supported by the HDTV. Probably restricted to 1024x768 at 60 Hz or some such. The cable should only cost you less than US$10.

[Chems1919]

Can you please show me a picture of what the VGA cable looks like (or possibly even a link to amazon or circuit city, etc. as to where I can purchase one)? I've been searching around, but there's multiple ones with different attachments.

[FulciLives]

This is the page from your televisions manual:



In case you are wondering I got the PDF from the Toshiba website.

My guess is that your laptop just has a standard VGA out so no adapter should be needed.

Learn to read man :P

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[FulciLives]

You will also need page 51 and 52 so since I am in such a good mood right now:







Now all you need to know is what kind of VIDEO OUT is on your PC but my guess is that it is a standard D-sub 15-pin connector. However even if it is DVI you can still do it as the INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF YOUR TV clearly ... did I say clearly ... states.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
Here also is page 61 ... note the stuff at the bottom of the page about the HDMI resolutions ... this is in case you have a DVI out on the laptop:

[theewizard]

use the VGA cable, set the laptop to is max res display

on the TV select the VGA input then select the aspect ratio/dispaly setting

something like 1:1 or ASPECT or zoom

until you have the picture you like

turn on the TV before you turn on the PC, the PC has to detect the LCD montior plugged into the VA port or it won't send a video signal to it

[FulciLives]

The MAX resolution that the TV can handle via the VGA input is 1024x768 @ 60Hz ... this very well may be the MAX resolution that the laptop can put out but surely going higher than that, even if the laptop can, would not work very well. In fact it wouldn't work plus it could damage the TV.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Chems1919]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback FulciLives! You are truly, the man.

Yeah, I guess it would've helped if I read the manual to my tv. :P I haven't opened up the tv yet (I just got it in the mail and I'm moving to a new apartment tomorrow), but going on the Toshiba website was a smart idea.

I do have a 15-pin connecter on my laptop. So now all I need is a VGA cable. I'll get one tomorrow, hopefully from Walmart or Circuit City or somewhere like that. My only hope is that it displays well.

Thanks again for all the feedback, you rock!

[theewizard]

The MAX resolution that the TV can handle via the VGA input is 1024x768 @ 60Hz ... this very well may be the MAX resolution that the laptop can put out but surely going higher than that, even if the laptop can, would not work very well. In fact it wouldn't work plus it could damage the TV.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

his PC profile says 1.4 celeron

I seriously doubt that his display chips have a res higher than the 1024*768 limit of the TV

[jagabo]

Can you please show me a picture of what the VGA cable looks like (or possibly even a link to amazon or circuit city, etc. as to where I can purchase one)?

One example:

http://www.amazon.com/10FT-Monitor-Cable-HD15M-Twisted/dp/B0002J28NQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/0...2193801&sr=8-2