How to Connect my Laptop (VGA Out) to LCDTV

[inCubuS]

I want to connect my Acer Aspire 5000 laptop with built in SIS M760GX with VGA out to an LCDTV. Seems from researching around on the net it's not as easy as I'd hoped!

Can I simply get a standard male vga to female S-video RCA jack? I belive my graphics card needs to support TV out for this. I found this on the official FAQ - 'SiS TV-out function supports both NTSC and PAL system. You have to select the one which matches your TV system. In general, it is controlled by a jumper on the motherboard or the graphics card. We suggest you to check your user manual out for the setting.' From another forum apparently there actually is no jumper on the motherboard though!

If this is the case, do I need to get a new graphics card? If so, what is a good cheap option, and what cables would I need to accompany it?

This is all so I can watched movies via the LCDTV rather than on my laptop. Any help greatly appreciated.

[Ozzyjim]

Gday mate,

I am not familiar with your particular laptop, but usually you can set the NTSC/PAL "Switch" via software if the card is in a laptop as you cant physically access the board. the graphics on most if not all laptops are also integrated with the motherboard. If you have the S-video output on your laptop you should be able to use the S-Video to RCA converter or a S-Video to S-Video cable, you will probably still be greeted with a black screen on your tv as the prot needs to be turned on - either by your card drivers or by pressing the Fn key and another button. An easier way would be if your TV has a 15-pin sub-D input to connect to the external monitor port on your laptop, although thiss will also need to be tuned on. I think SECAM is used in the uk however the PAL setting should work well.

James

[edDV]

Most LCD TV sets have a VGA input for connection to a computer or game system.

If not, check your laptop manual for an S-video out feature. No current production display chipsets or laptops have S-Video on unused VGA pins. Normally you will find VGA on a din TV port. You may need to buy a port extender to get the TV port.

Failing that there are now USB2 display modules that have DVI-D or HDMI out. For example
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3921559&CatId=467