Connecting Laptop to LCD via S-Video or VGA

discombobulate

Just bought an LCD to replace an older tv. I used to connect the laptop via an s-video to scart cable I think it is.

I was just wondering if i'd get a much better signal if I got a VGA to HDMI cable now instead for the new tv or would I need a DVI or HDMI connection on the laptop to see an improvement?

Don't want to go buying a new cable if i'll get no benefit

discombobulate

Bump it up. Someone has to have a quick answer for this. Please!

polyfusion

discombobulate wrote: »

I was just wondering if i'd get a much better signal if I got a VGA to HDMI cable now instead for the new tv or would I need a DVI or HDMI connection on the laptop to see an improvement.

DVI or HDMI connection on laptop is ideal situation. I think if you want to go VGA>HDMI, you need some sort of converter box, I don't think there is a straight cable to do the job. This might give you a better idea: http://sewelldirect.com/articles/vga-to-hdmi.aspx

So, bottom line, unless you want to shell out for a converter, stick with the VGA. I think unless your TV is massive, you wouldn't see much of a difference (though I'm sure purists would have other ideas).

EDIT: There are VGA>DVI adaptors, but the DVI input on your TV would have to support accepting an analogue VGA signal through it.

polyfusion

I'm not sure there is a VGA>HDMI cable. VGA is analogue and HDMI is digital, so some sort of conversion is required, from what I've read. VGA>DVI cables are available, but the DVI input on your TV needs to be able to accept an analogue VGA signal (specification of DVI-A in the TV manual).

Stright VGA to VGA is best option without having to shell out on new hardware. You'll also need some way to transmit the sound, like a 3.5mm to RCA cable.

discombobulate

polyfusion wrote: »

I'm not sure there is a VGA>HDMI cable. VGA is analogue and HDMI is digital, so some sort of conversion is required, from what I've read. VGA>DVI cables are available, but the DVI input on your TV needs to be able to accept an analogue VGA signal (specification of DVI-A in the TV manual).

Stright VGA to VGA is best option without having to shell out on new hardware. You'll also need some way to transmit the sound, like a 3.5mm to RCA cable.

Thanks for the reply. Would the cables on this page not be what i'm looking for?

http://shop.ebay.ie/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=vga+hdmi+cable

My LCD doesn't have a vga connection

polyfusion

First off, I'm not an audio/video expert, I look up what I need to find out on the internet, but I'd be a bit wary of those. One of the descriptions (the 3rd one down at the moment) says that "Please note it needs a TV-BOX between your computer and the VGA socket of the cable, only our cable is not enough."

Some of the others look exactly the same but don't mention this. Now, I'm open to correction, but from what I've read, I think if you want to go VGA to HDMI, you need some sort of box of electronics to do some converting.

Some of the descriptions are a bit misleading too, I think, because, as far as I know, VGA doesn't carry audio.

discombobulate

Thanks. Think i'll just go into a shop when I get a chance just to make sure

polyfusion

This is probably the most honest description you're likely to see:
http://www.brilliantstore.com/hdmi_cables_dekcell_cpa_1387.html

Don't waste your time asking somewhere like PC World or Dixons or similar. A specialised audio/video shop is your best bet, or ask in the HTPC forum under Tech.

golfdiva

this should work , he gives the answer down the bottom !


http://cgi.ebay.ie/1-8M-15-Pin-Male-HDMI-to-VGA-Cable-Adapter-Converter_W0QQitemZ270411074180QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item3ef5c18a84&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1301%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

polyfusion

golfdiva wrote: »

this should work , he gives the answer down the bottom !


http://cgi.ebay.ie/1-8M-15-Pin-Male-HDMI-to-VGA-Cable-Adapter-Converter_W0QQitemZ270411074180QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item3ef5c18a84&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1301%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Any B$ to make a sale.

Question has been playing on my mind these past few days. Similar item on dealextreme http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13189 , some useful comments in the discussions at the bottom, ultimately linking to something like this http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.22317 if you want to connect your PC/laptop to a TV.

discombobulate

polyfusion wrote: »

Any B$ to make a sale.

Question has been playing on my mind these past few days. Similar item on dealextreme http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13189 , some useful comments in the discussions at the bottom, ultimately linking to something like this http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.22317 if you want to connect your PC/laptop to a TV.

Thanks for that. Still being lazy about this and done nothing yet. Going to see if I can connect through my PS3 for videos etc. Little bit steep for what i'd use it for but will see how he PS3 goes first. Started a thread about the PS3 a while ago too and was given some ideas so need to revisit that

gamer

I got a vga to hdmi cable 4 playing games on my pc on my hdtv.IT works ,no box needed.My tv has no vga just hdmi.GET a vga to vga cable if your tv has vga interface.USE 1024 x 768 or read your tv manual re supported resolutions for vga input.MOST tvs only support 3 resolutions for vga input ie if you just use a ramdom resolution you will get a fuzzy mediocre picture.USE 50,or 60 megahertz refresh rate max.MY hdtv has 60htz max refresh rate.You can use powewrstrip to set resolution to lower rates ie 720x576 is best for watching dvds or non hd films from a pc.SET res to 1024x768 be4 you plug any cable into vga or hdmi interface.YOU should get a perfect picture on vga if you use the correct resolution or follow the tv manuals recommendations re pc supported resolutions and refresh rate.

darealtulip

gamer wrote: »

I got a vga to hdmi cable 4 playing games on my pc on my hdtv.IT works ,no box needed.My tv has no vga just hdmi.GET a vga to vga cable if your tv has vga interface.USE 1024 x 768 or read your tv manual re supported resolutions for vga input.MOST tvs only support 3 resolutions for vga input ie if you just use a ramdom resolution you will get a fuzzy mediocre picture.USE 50,or 60 megahertz refresh rate max.MY hdtv has 60htz max refresh rate.You can use powewrstrip to set resolution to lower rates ie 720x576 is best for watching dvds or non hd films from a pc.SET res to 1024x768 be4 you plug any cable into vga or hdmi interface.YOU should get a perfect picture on vga if you use the correct resolution or follow the tv manuals recommendations re pc supported resolutions and refresh rate.

how does it work with the audio? when I put my vga in I have a seperate wire for sound, how do I (or you:D) do that with the hdmi cable?

gamer

you get a 3.5 mm to 2 rca cable for sound output , 2 rca plugs into sound in blue white inputs on the tv, see here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9P3iulnN4Y .ON ebay you can buy vga to hdmi cable.OR just use the speakers on the laptop while you get the pcto tv issues sorted.3.5mm male plugs into laptop audio line out 3.5mm.cable costs 4euro in a tv or hardware shop or 2euro in a 2euro shop.
or google pc to hdtv setup.OR try maplins/pcworld for cables if you are in a hurry.JUST use vga in UNLESS you have a specific need for hdmi ,ie vga should give you a perfect picture if you use vga res supported by your tv ,as i said most hdtvs only support 3 vga resolution settings .