Cable to connect laptop to TV to watch dvds etc.?

pog it

I know I could ask in a computer shop but I'd be a bit embarrassed to be hon! Anyway does anyone know the name of this cable, you hook your laptop up to the tv with it so that you can watch dvds, etc. (and prob loads more!)

Invincible

pog it wrote: »

I know I could ask in a computer shop but I'd be a bit embarrassed to be hon! Anyway does anyone know the name of this cable, you hook your laptop up to the tv with it so that you can watch dvds, etc. (and prob loads more!)

15 pin Dvi to HDMI
Will look for a link to it.

yoyo

pog it wrote: »

I know I could ask in a computer shop but I'd be a bit embarrassed to be hon! Anyway does anyone know the name of this cable, you hook your laptop up to the tv with it so that you can watch dvds, etc. (and prob loads more!)

A HDMI cable (provided your laptop and TV have a HDMI port, some don't), you can use others, such as DVI->HDMI if the laptop has DVI out but bear in mind DVI cannot carry sound, same goes with VGA (which would need a VGA port to be on the telly aswell, analog->analog)

Nick

coylemj

Invincible wrote: »

15 pin Dvi to HDMI
Will look for a link to it.

How do you know his laptop has a DVI port? Or that his TV has HDMI?

His laptop could have VGA or DVI or HDMI. His TV could have DVI or HDMI.

OP, can you tell us the make and model of the laptop and confirm that your TV has a free HDMI port.

Invincible

pog it wrote: »

I know I could ask in a computer shop but I'd be a bit embarrassed to be hon! Anyway does anyone know the name of this cable, you hook your laptop up to the tv with it so that you can watch dvds, etc. (and prob loads more!)

http://www.cables.ie/dvi-cable-to-hdmi-cable-with-3-5mm-stereo-audio-cable.html

riclad

Is tv hdtv ? ,set pc graphics card, ,advanced settings, refresh rate 60
mhz.
set resolution 1024x768 0r 720x576.
see
http://hd.engadget.com/2006/02/08/how-to-connect-your-pc-to-your-hdtv/
quote
It is important to keep in mind that it is possible to break your TV by sending it the wrong resolution, so make sure you understand what you are doing before you start to experiment too much. end quote

the above resolutions are accepted by just about any hdtv.
do not use standard 75mhz grahics card refresh rate, it could damage your tv.
any hdtv has hdmi ,
see if tv has dvi in port,
dvi just carrys video, no sound.
and vga in.

pog it

How do I know if it's a HDMI port? Is it the one with three rows of 5 dots?
Or is it like a small gaping hole that you almost click a cable into?
My laptop is Lenova not sure what the model is, how do I check that again? Used to know that!

Invincible

pog it wrote: »

How do I know if it's a HDMI port? Is it the one with three rows of 5 dots?
Or is it like a small gaping hole that you almost click a cable into?
My laptop is Lenova not sure what the model is, how do I check that again? Used to know that!

http://www.photo-dictionary.com/photofiles/list/9276/12630HDMI_port.jpg

http://vgatodvicable.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/vga-connector.jpg

yoyo

Invincible wrote: »

http://www.photo-dictionary.com/photofiles/list/9276/12630HDMI_port.jpg

http://vgatodvicable.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/vga-connector.jpg

The bottom image you link to is a VGA port. This will not work unless you have a VGA port on the telly, Digital to Digital is ok, Analog to Digital without a ADC is not going to work,

Nick

riclad

see here https://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=hdmi+port+
its either 13.9 mm or 10.5mm approx wide, look on top,or underside laptop,
it,ll have label,
lenova model, eg model 540rt.the laptops i see usually have vga,hdmi,
or rca video out ports.
http://hdmitorcaconverter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/hdmi-composite-rca-converter.jpg
red white yellow, round,
post the model no here.
how old is the laptop.

pog it

Cheers for that. looks like i've got the Vga port but not the hdmi! If the VGA can't carry sound what can I do in that case?
I won't be able to check tv til tomorrow night but what do i need the tv to have?

pog it

yoyo wrote: »

The bottom image you link to is a VGA port. This will not work unless you have a VGA port on the telly, Digital to Digital is ok, Analog to Digital without a ADC is not going to work,

Nick

What's an ADC?

The tv I have is pretty good so i'm hopeful it will have vga. if it doesn't would another port work?

yoyo

pog it wrote: »

Cheers for that. looks like i've got the Vga port but not the hdmi! If the VGA can't carry sound what can I do in that case?
I won't be able to check tv til tomorrow night but what do i need the tv to have?

Do you have one of these ports? if so the cable Invincible linked above should work, as it looks as though it takes the audio from 3.5mm output to HDMI
. Not much else you can do without this port I'm afraid (I'm sure you could get a VGA to HDMI converter that does the analog to digital conversion for you, but you may be better off investing in a Media Player device that can take a USB HD plugged into it and comes with a remote etc)

ADC

Sorry Analog to Digital Converter. Many high spec TVs don't have VGA ports, if it does you are sorted, just get a 3.5mm aux cable to go from laptop into telly (to handle the sound)

Nick

pog it

yoyo wrote: »

Do you have one of these ports? if so the cable Invincible linked above should work, as it looks as though it takes the audio from 3.5mm output to HDMI
. Not much else you can do without this port I'm afraid (I'm sure you could get a VGA to HDMI converter that does the analog to digital conversion for you, but you may be better off investing in a Media Player device that can take a USB HD plugged into it and comes with a remote etc)

Sorry Analog to Digital Converter. Many high spec TVs don't have VGA ports, if it does you are sorted, just get a 3.5mm aux cable to go from laptop into telly (to handle the sound)

Nick

thanks everyone, really appreciate the help. I just checked and I don't seem to have the dvi port either! if the tv has the vga port then will just the one 3.5mm aux cable be enough yeah?

Invincible

yoyo wrote: »

The bottom image you link to is a VGA port. This will not work unless you have a VGA port on the telly, Digital to Digital is ok, Analog to Digital without a ADC is not going to work,

Nick

Ah,but if he had a HDMI port on tv, won't this lead do http://www.cables.ie/dvi-cable-to-hdmi-cable-with-3-5mm-stereo-audio-cable.html

riclad

You,ll need a vga to vga cable, male both ends, about 9 euro pc shop,maplins,pcworld.
for sound ,use the speakers on the laptop,
you,ll need a male 3.5mm audio cable, other end male 3.5mm male,
if the tv has audio in 3.5mm.
if tv has rca in ,3 sockets as in last post,use red,rca, ,
white rca, audio in,
so in that case get a 3.55mm audio ,male, to 2 rca audio,stereo,male,
cost 3 or 4 euro maplins,power city.
http://www.lindy.ie/cables/video-monitor/vga/
you may want a 2m,6ft vga cable,ask for cable length before buying.
the audio in, is usually at rear of tv, looks like earphone,headphone
3,5mm socket,round.
ITS VERY likely tv has vga in, you just need 1 3.5mm audio cable,
other end 2rca male stereo, or just 3.5mm to 3.5mm male audio,
depends on what audio interface your tv has.
most hdtvs i see ,have 3 rca female ports, anyway,
white,red rca= stereo sound.

pog it

Invincible wrote: »

Ah,but if he had a HDMI port on tv, won't this lead do http://www.cables.ie/dvi-cable-to-hdmi-cable-with-3-5mm-stereo-audio-cable.html

I don't think i have the dvi port either. seems my only options are the usb and the vga from what you have said. If the tv has hdmi is there an adc for vga to hdmi? sorry bit confused still.

riclad

just get male standard vga cable..you,ll get a perfect picture,on 1024x768,
refresh rate 60mhz.get at least 2m,6ft length cable.
usb is not designed for tv,video signals.

coylemj

riclad wrote: »

just get male standard vga cable..you,ll get a perfect picture,on 1024x768,
refresh rate 60mhz.get at least 2m,6ft length cable.
usb is not designed for tv,video signals.

Where did he say his TV has a VGA port?

riclad

I,M assuming tv is a hdtv, i,ve never seen a tv hd,that had not got vga in .
Can you confirm, that your tv is a hdtv.pog-it.

Jesus Shaves

if you have a surround sound system you can hook your laptop up to that for sound via a phono to line cable

Invincible

coylemj wrote: »

Where did he say his TV has a VGA port?

Post #11

coylemj

Invincible wrote: »

Post #11

Nope, he was referring to the laptop...

pog it wrote: »

Cheers for that. looks like i've got the Vga port but not the hdmi! If the VGA can't carry sound what can I do in that case?
I won't be able to check tv til tomorrow night but what do i need the tv to have?

yoyo

pog it wrote: »

I don't think i have the dvi port either. seems my only options are the usb and the vga from what you have said. If the tv has hdmi is there an adc for vga to hdmi? sorry bit confused still.

An external ADC is like what riclad shows, I'd reccomend the media player plus a cheap external hd myself. I can't see a ADC being cheap, it also adds more complexity to it and I don't think its worth your while.

I,M assuming tv is a hdtv, i,ve never seen a tv hd,that had not got vga in .
Can you confirm, that your tv is a hdtv.pog-it.

I've seen plenty of HD tellys without VGA, my own included!

Nick

Invincible

coylemj wrote: »

Nope, he was referring to the laptop...

You're right,should be interesting to see what the tv has.

riclad

RE sound,look, for 3 rca ports,as in my previous post.
or audio in, 3.5mm,small round socket.

for video vga in,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector
vga connector image .
similar to vga port on your laptop.
actually ,my first hdtv, bought around 5 years ago,samsung, had no vga in.
if its an sdtv, no way it,ll have vga in,anyway.

Sup08

I think the laptop may have a S-Video connection and if the TV has one you could us an adapter for a scartr conection, again the sound would have to run through an output from the laptop to the same adapter.

pog it

Thanks for all the help, will see what ports the tv has tonight and get back to ye. I have a dvd player but out of curiosity I wanted to see what I can do without one. Riclad really appreciate your help but for someone like me your posts read like a technical manual! you know your stuff.

yoyo

S Video won't do HD, just keep that in mind, but yes S Video to RCA/Scart will work fine

Nick

pog it

Quick update guys, tv had the vga port thanks for all your help!