laptop to tv

Conchurl

hi i have 3 usb ports and a vga on my laptop and want to connect to my tv which has scart and hdmi what is the best way to do this and do i need and extra software or anything?

coylemj

You need a VGA to HDMI converter. Note the word 'converter', this is critical because the signal needs to be converted from analog (VGA) to digital (HDMI) and the converter may also be able to merge the audio from your laptop.

Do not buy a €5 'adapter' off eBay, they do not work because VGA is analog and video only whereas HDMI is digital and can contain both audio and video, an adapter can't cut it.

I'm not recommending this particular box but this is the style of device you will need, note the DC input, the device needs juice because it is an active converter, the AC adapter will be supplied.

http://www.cables.ie/vga-to-hdmi-converter.html

You could also look at VGA to SCART conversion but this Maplins cable is almost as expensive as the HDMI converter above...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/scart-to-vga-syncblaster-cable-37141

Conchurl

http://dx.com/p/vga-to-hdmi-video-converter-black-92112?item=2

http://dx.com/p/vga-to-hdmi-converter-with-audio-117044?item=1

http://dx.com/p/hdmi-to-vga-video-converter-71816?item=3

would one of these do the job?

coylemj

The third box does the opposite of what you need, it converts HDMI to VGA so avoid. Note the pictures which mention 'HDMI Input and 'VGA Out'. That device would be needed to run a video signal from a modern laptop with HDMI only (i.e. no VGA port) to a projector with VGA input only.

The first device has an American plug (flat pins) so I'd be wary in case it's 110V only which would lead me to favour the middle device which has two round pins (Euro plug) and is more likely to handle 220V.

To feed the audio, you will need a 3.5mm jack plug to phono (RCA) left and right male lead, you'll buy them in any electrical or audio shop off the accessories rack. This is what you need.....

Conchurl

Conchurl wrote: »

hi i have 3 usb ports and a vga on my laptop and want to connect to my tv which has scart and hdmi what is the best way to do this and do i need and extra software or anything?

Are you sure your tv doesnt have a vga input, most lcd/plasma do have them?

Conchurl

Miguel Unimportant Goon wrote: »

Conchurl wrote: »

hi i have 3 usb ports and a vga on my laptop and want to connect to my tv which has scart and hdmi what is the best way to do this and do i need and extra software or anything?

Are you sure your tv doesnt have a vga input, most lcd/plasma do have them?

Just checked and it has a vga input so what do I need so just a vga to vga lead? Will the audio work on the tv?

Conchurl

Conchurl wrote: »

Just checked and it has a vga input so what do I need so just a vga to vga lead? Will the audio work on the tv?

Beside the vga port will be a headphone jack, you need a headphone to headphone jack like this for the sound, vga carries video only.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-5mm-Stereo-Plug-Mtrs-Gold/dp/B0007OC94E

try to match the lengths of both cables as close as you can to avoid any sound sync issues.

Conchurl

Would the leads from the 2 euro shop be ok to use or would it need to be other ones?

coylemj

Miguel Unimportant Goon wrote: »

try to match the lengths of both cables as close as you can to avoid any sound sync issues.

Can't see that being an issue, the human eye probably can't detect an out of sync situation involving a tenth of a second or so and it would take several metres of a disparity in cable lengths to introduce such a lag.

Conchurl

Conchurl wrote: »

Would the leads from the 2 euro shop be ok to use or would it need to be other ones?

Id say they would be fine, the audio cable definitely.

I had my laptop playing hd content this way through my lcd and just used the dell vga cable that came with a pc I had lying around. I now have a dedicated home theater pc connected via hdmi and visually there is no difference.

coylemj wrote: »

Can't see that being an issue, the human eye probably can't detect an out of sync situation involving a tenth of a second or so and it would take several metres of a disparity in cable lengths to introduce such a lag.

You are correct, I just meant if he is buying both new he should aim for the same size. If he has some lying around I would just use them.

riclad

audio cables from 2 euro shop is fine, you,ll need vga male to male .MOST LAPTOPS, use fn and function key, eg fn plus function key with tv,monitor icon activates vga out signal.
press both keys at the same time.