Connect Laptop to TV

[Squid_uk]

Hey guys!

I would like be able to connect my laptop to my TV to watch movies and videos,

My TV isnt the newest, the connection is has is the usual scart, RGB and 4-pinS-video

My laptop has HDMI, VGA and 7-pin S-video

What are my best options to connect?

[redwudz]

Probably S-Video with your existing setup. Not the best resolution, though. HDMI, Component, S-video in order of quality. What size is your TV? S-video will look fine unless you have a larger TV. The bonus is, all you need is a 4 pin S-video cable.

It should fit your 7 pin laptop socket. You also need to run audio to the TV or the amplifier. Audio may be included with the 7 pin socket, depends on the laptop. Or just get a 1/8" (3.5mm, I think) mini stereo plug to stereo RCA adapter and use the laptops audio output jack.

[Squid_uk]

Think my TV is 32inch.

Is there such thing as a 7 to 4 pin cable?

[jagabo]

Is there such thing as a 7 to 4 pin cable?

Use a regular 4 pin s-video cable. The four pins of the s-video cable should fit in the correct holes of the 7 pin connector.

[Squid_uk]

Only thing is will the 4pin cable tranfer audio?

Also I have seen cable that are s-video one end and say scart the other should I look at anything like this? Or is it better to stick to the same plug at either end?

EDIT: I also think I may have seen a VGA to Scart Cable

[jagabo]

Only thing is will the 4pin cable tranfer audio?

No, s-video cables carry video only. You have to use a separate audio cable for audio. Probably a stereo mini pin plug on the laptop, red/white RCA at the TV.

EDIT: I also think I may have seen a VGA to Scart Cable

That probably won't work. Your laptop's graphics card probably can't output the proper signal for an SD TV. If you have an HDTV with a VGA input a regular VGA cable should work.

[Squid_uk]

Ok jagabo thanks for that information!

You would be able to recommend any sites (UK) that I would be able to get these from?

[redwudz]

You could try this one for mail order. Their prices seem reasonable. http://www.mediaatlantic.com/section.php/1142/0 They appear to be in Derby, but mail order only. Maplin is popular there, but expensive for a simple S-video cable. You also may be able to find them at a stereo or electronics store. They are fairly common. If you don't need the SCART adapter, just the 4 pin S-video, male to male and the 3.5mm plug to stereo RCA adapter would be all that's required.

Other members in the UK may have better suggestions for purchase locations.

S-video is fine for video, but you may find computer text a bit hard to read. But you should be able to have your laptop screen still available for that when outputting S-video to the TV.

[Squid_uk]

Would this be suitable?!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-PC-DVD-Cable-S-Video-Adapter/dp/B0002IA1X6/ref=sr_1_2?i...0872168&sr=1-2

EDIT: Or this http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/PCTOTV1.html?id=5Vd5W9fS

[jagabo]

Either should work. 1 meter may be too short depending on your setup. 10 meters is a bit long to be running analog video. 2 to 3 meters may be a more manageable length.

And redwudz is correct: Whatever size your desktop, it is going to be scaled down to roughly 640x576 for transmission down the s-video cable. The picture will be very fuzzy compared to the laptop screen. Small text on the desktop will be unreadable. You will not be browsing the internet or writing a novel in Word like this. But for watching video it can fine.

There are other issues too. Many graphics cards have restrictions on the desktop size if you want to use the s-video port. Usually you must run a desktop of 1024x768 or smaller if you want to see the desktop on the TV. That probably means neither device will look good.

Some graphics cards have a "theater mode" where whatever is playing in a media player on the desktop appears full screen on the TV output. This may be your best bet if you can use both at the same time. Use the laptop for locating what you want to watch. Then when it starts playing the video appear full screen on the TV.