How do I connect my PC to my television?

[deborahlane]

I am running Windows XP SP2 (3.00 GHz; 1.00 GB of RAM). I recently downloaded ATI Catalyst Control Center for my graphics card (Radeon x1300 series (0x7146)).

I just bought an S-Video and Stereo Phono pack from Nikkai. It has an S-cable attached to the sound leads, all of which are attached to a SCART.

I have plugged all of this in (and I have also read the How-to on this site), but my television still claims to be receiving no signal. I have unplugged the Sky connection and the DVD player, and tried each of them in combination with the SCART from the PC. I have gone to Advanced Options in Display in Control Panel and, using the ATI Catalyst Control Center, attempted to force my computer to recognise the "other monitor" (TV), but it won't allow me to enable it. I have also restarted my computer after plugging in the cables.

From all of this, I gather that I have not connected it properly, yet I cannot figure out what I have done wrong.

I would appreciate any help anyone can give. Thanks.

[Richard_G]

SCART uses different pins for video/audio in and video/audio out. It sounds as though you have bought a cable that is intended to connect the OUTPUTS in a SCART device to S-Video and audio INPUTS in something else. You are trying to use it the other way round.

See here http://pinouts.ru/Home/Scart_pinout.shtml If you have a meter you can check to see what pins the audio phonos are connected to.

[deborahlane]

Thank you, Richard. I have to confess that I couldn't really understand the site you directed me to. When I bought the cable, however, I did explain what I wanted it for. The shop assistant (in an electronics shop - Maplin) said that this would do it. If I am using them backwards, as you suggest, do you know what I can do to rectify this?

[Richard_G]

Unfortunately for you, Maplin don't employ people for their knowledge, they employ those that will work for the wages they offer! I suspect they sold you this one http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=35910&doy=20m1#overview . It does say that it is switchable so can be used as input or output. If it does, ensure the switch is set to input (or, if it already is, change it, I have come across one that was labelled the wrong way round!).

If this isn't the one they sold you, take it back and change it for one that will do what you want.

When everything is connected properly, your graphics card should detect that there is another display present so you should be able to enable it. Mostly, it will be detected as soon as you plug it inbut you may have to connect them up, switch the TV on and then boot the computer.

[deborahlane]

Yes, that's exactly what they sold me. Sadly, the switch isn't labelled at all, and I believe I have tried it in both positions, but I will try it all again. Perhaps it's something to do with the way my remote control works, i.e., maybe I have to press something on it that I haven't yet pressed...!

[JohnnyMalaria]

Are you sure that your TV can accept an S-video signal via SCART? Just because it has a SCART connection, doesn't mean all of the SCART pins actually do anything!

What model TV do you have?

[deborahlane]

That's a very interesting point. I suspect it does, though, as my DVD and Sky Box were connected to the two SCART connections and worked fine.

It's a Samsung LE26R73BD (I don't know what all those numbers and letters mean; I just looked at the back of the television!)

[Richard_G]

You will have to set your TV to the correct input and to S-Video. Most TVs with two SCARTs have one that will accept S-Video and one that will accept RGB. Connect to SCART 1 and ensure that your TV is set to accept a signal from SCART 1. If SCART 1 will not accept S-Video, it will still work but the picture will be black and white. If this is the case, SCART 2 will accept S-Video and display in colour.

The problem with SCART is it also has a pin dedicated to auto switching to the correct input. Your DVD and Sky box send a signal to the TV to cause it to select the correct input, your connection from the computer will not. Consequently you will have to manually select the correct input on your TV using the remote.

[deborahlane]

Hmmm...thank you. I made sure it was plugged into A/V, not RGB, as you suggested. On my remote control's source menu, A/V and S-video are input choices, both of which are greyed out. Very frustrating.

[JohnnyMalaria]

According to this:

http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/product/Samsung-LCD-television-169-26quot-66-cm-quotHD-rea.../32063419.html

your TV has a whole bunch of inputs including SCART and separate S-video. All you need is an S-video cable to go directly from your Radeon to your TV.

The SCART adapter thingy you bought is unnecessary. I'd try to get Maplin to refund you for something they suggested you buy but didn't need.

[deborahlane]

Funny you should mention that: I went in asking for an S-video cable, and a different guy told me that it was possible that the S-video cable would only show black and white, so he sent me to a bigger shop with more knowledgeable people (allegedly), who sold me this.

I think I will return it and ask for just an S-video cable.

Thank you for your help.

[JohnnyMalaria]

There is a possible you may need to check the settings for the Radeon card to ensure that the S-video output is PAL and not NTSC otherwise you might only see black and white.

[deborahlane]

Eeek. And...erm...are you able to advise me about how to do that?

[Richard_G]

Cross that bridge if you come to it, your TV can probably display NTSC in colour anyway, most modern ones can. Try to get a display first. The SCART marked A/V is correct and there should be a button on the remote for the TV marked Source or A/V. That will step through the various inputs. I think you just have to get the correct combination of setting on the TV, switch position on the cable and selection in the Catalyst control centre.

However, I notice that your TV has a pc input (15 pin D Sub). Using this instead will give better quality than S-Video anyway. Then again, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that, it'll only complicate matters......

[JohnnyMalaria]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that your model of graphics card is configured for the region that you bought it - i.e., for Europe. It should output the right signal for your TV.

Oh, and don't worry that the S-video cable has 4 pins and the graphics card's S-video connection has 7 pins. Three of them aren't used.

BTW, you can connect the graphics card to your TV in high definition. You should have the right cable with your card. See page 96 of your manual. Your TV should have three connectors called Y, Pb and Pr.

[deborahlane]

Yeah, there is a button marked source; unfortunately, both step-throughs reply "no signal". And I also noticed that pc input, though I suspect that means I will be using the TV as a monitor, which is my second choice.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate all of your suggestions and the chatting about it.

[deborahlane]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that your model of graphics card is configured for the region that you bought it - i.e., for Europe. It should output the right signal for your TV.

That's good to know!
Thank you.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Please see my previous reply - I added some additional info about hi-def.

[deborahlane]

I've had a quick look, and my TV does have those connections, but my manual on has 39 pages! The cable that came with my TV is a little more than 6 inches long with a 7-pin "male" at one end and a "female" that looks like a headphone jack.