Laptop->TV setup. Video out and IR questions.

[akrako1]

OK, two totally different questions here.. both are regarding my Laptop -> TV setup. Laptop is an HP TC4200 Tablet, with S-Video and VGA out. HDTV has component, s-video, and composite video in.

TV: Philips 4:3 HDTV (27PT8302/37)
http://www.usasupport.philips.com/productDocuments.html?ProductCode=27PT8302/37&subCat...SU_US_CONSUMER

PC: HP TC4200 Tablet PC. Running XP Tablet Edition.
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12138_na/12138_na.HTML

1. I'd like to be able to pause Power-DVD wirelessly. I sit about 10-12 feet from the Laptop, and would like to be able to pause playing if some jerk calls on the phone. There is a built in Infrared wireless port that faces me. I tried searching and only found a single IR keyboard for over $80. Are there any other options for using the IR port? IR mouse? IR remote? Any thoughts on what would be the cheapest way to go? My fallback option would be to use a USB wireless mouse, but would like to avoid having the receiver (or any more peripherals) plugged into my laptop.

2. VGA out vs S-Video out. I currently run video out of the S-Video port to my tv. Honestly, even on my HDTV, it looks great, and vivid. Unfortunately, S-Video only does interlace. Would I get better results using my VGA-out port? Keep in mind that the TV does NOT have a VGA/DVI in. I would have to get a VGA->Component adaptor to use this output. Is it even worth it? The cabling/adaptors don't seem to cheap.

Thanks!!

[akrako1]

anything? anyone?

[edDV]

OK, two totally different questions here.. both are regarding my Laptop -> TV setup. Laptop is an HP TC4200 Tablet, with S-Video and VGA out. HDTV has component, s-video, and composite video in.

TV: Philips 4:3 HDTV (27PT8302/37)
http://www.usasupport.philips.com/productDocuments.html?ProductCode=27PT8302/37&subCat...SU_US_CONSUMER

PC: HP TC4200 Tablet PC. Running XP Tablet Edition.
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12138_na/12138_na.HTML

1. I'd like to be able to pause Power-DVD wirelessly. I sit about 10-12 feet from the Laptop, and would like to be able to pause playing if some jerk calls on the phone. There is a built in Infrared wireless port that faces me. I tried searching and only found a single IR keyboard for over $80. Are there any other options for using the IR port? IR mouse? IR remote? Any thoughts on what would be the cheapest way to go? My fallback option would be to use a USB wireless mouse, but would like to avoid having the receiver (or any more peripherals) plugged into my laptop.

2. VGA out vs S-Video out. I currently run video out of the S-Video port to my tv. Honestly, even on my HDTV, it looks great, and vivid. Unfortunately, S-Video only does interlace. Would I get better results using my VGA-out port? Keep in mind that the TV does NOT have a VGA/DVI in. I would have to get a VGA->Component adaptor to use this output. Is it even worth it? The cabling/adaptors don't seem to cheap.

Thanks!!

#1 shop the deals

#2 S-Video from the computer or a DVD player?

I have a similar model that does have a VGA port. Your real alternative is YPbPr analog component from a DVD player (480i or 480p) or from a cable HD box (1080i/480p). VGA on that set is limited to 640x480p for the civilian or 1920x540p (filtered down to ~ 800x540p/29.97) for those familiar with Powerstrip software.

Bottom line:

HD Cable box use 1080i/480p analog component.

DVD player over analog component use 480p (720x480 pixel for pixel) or 480i (1050i upscale).

For computer it will work at
640x480i YPbPr
640x480p YPbPr
1080i YPbPr with ~ 800x600 resolution from the front of the tube.

or from S-Video expect about the equivalent of ~550x480i which ain't bad for SD.

Milage may vary because I have a different model.

[akrako1]

I'm wondering about the various options for video out on my laptop.

S-Video out vs. VGA out with adaptor to YPbPr.

Would the VGA out (with a Component adaptor) give me progressive results?

[edDV]

I'm wondering about the various options for video out on my laptop.

S-Video out vs. VGA out with adaptor to YPbPr.

Would the VGA out (with a Component adaptor) give me progressive results?

Are you sure your laptop supports component out? Few do. What model?

[akrako1]

I was thinking I could try and use a VGA to component adaptor... a quick google search came up with this:
http://bluejeanscable.com/store/component/vgatocomponent.htm

Does the laptop need to support something to allow this type of cable? It's a HP TC4200

[redwudz]

Nothing against bluejeanscable, but those are obviously somewhat 'home made' cables. I would look into the company a bit more before I would commit any $$.

This is one warning from a site that has VGA to Component adapters:

Note: The Device to which the "VGA" connector is connected, needs to support Component video(which is actually "sync on Y", Y-Pr-Pb)or "sync-on-green" for this type of cable to work. Check your Plasma, Projector or HDTV manual, otherwise your picture won't sync! In this case you need a "transcoder".

I've used DVI to component adapters with ATI cards. They are specific to a small number of ATI card chipsets. ATI also has a 'VGA to Component adapter'. I'll assume it has the same limitations.

Sorry, this all isn't a lot of help. But I would do a fair amount of research before I purchase a 'adapter'.

[ZippyP.]

Personally I would hook up the s-video and audio outputs and use a wireless mouse for remote control. Come to think of it...that is what I use.

[edDV]

Component is there only if the laptop graphics chipset supports YPbPr. I've only seen this on recent NVidia chipsets. Your laptop manual or the support website should spec the connector.

If you have it, use it.

BTW, the analog component is more likely to be on the TV out (7 pin) or over DVI-I (switched RGB to YPbPr) as done by ATI than on the VGA connector. The laptop manual should spell it out.

[akrako1]

The manual doesn't spec the VGA adaptor. Except to say:

External Video: Up to 32-bit per pixel color depth
VGA port supports resolutions up to 2048 x 1536 at 75 Hz, and
lower resolutions at up to 100 Hz

DVI port in optional HP Docking Station (sold separately) supports
resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 at both full and reduced blanking,
and 1920 x 1200 at reduced blanking

Unfortunately, I don't have the docking station, and my HDTV doesn't even have a DVI port, so I'd then need a DVI->Component adaptor. ugg. I think I'll just stick with S-Video.

[edDV]

The manual doesn't spec the VGA adaptor. Except to say:

External Video: Up to 32-bit per pixel color depth
VGA port supports resolutions up to 2048 x 1536 at 75 Hz, and
lower resolutions at up to 100 Hz

DVI port in optional HP Docking Station (sold separately) supports
resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 at both full and reduced blanking,
and 1920 x 1200 at reduced blanking

Unfortunately, I don't have the docking station, and my HDTV doesn't even have a DVI port, so I'd then need a DVI->Component adaptor. ugg. I think I'll just stick with S-Video.

The DVI-I to component analog adapter is not part of the DVI-I spec. It only applies to certain ATI graphics chipsets that support that proprietary feature.

Likewise their is no analog component adaptation to the VGA connector unless it is a proprietary non-standard feature of the chipset. Standard VGA is RGB not YPbPr. Your TV will not accept RGB.

Likewise and YPbPr on your TV out connector would be a proprietary extension and not standard. Those who offer YPbPr on the TV out connector (recent NVidia typ) output YPbPr on pins 5-7 on the TV out connector. Some laptops place composite video and audio on those pins. Each laptop differs so you need to consult the manual or support website.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVidia

This graphics chipset is popular on budget PC and Mac notebooks
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/