VGA to HDMI options?

harpstilidie

Hi there,

Looking for some help if at all possible. I've been looking at getting a new TV but finding a new model with a VGA slot is very difficult. I want to be able to plug my laptop into the TV mainly for SkyGo but my laptop only has a VGA output and not a HDMI output. What are my options or have I got any options at all? Would really appreciate some help, thanks.

Dan.

Torqay

Don't bother with converters.

Buy a Android Mini PC for 50 or 60 yoyos and be done with it. (something like this)

riclad

See http://www.amazon.co.uk/Value-2m-DVI-M-VGA-Cable/dp/B000K5O1M8


most tvs have at least 1 dvi input,
its easy to buy a tv that has vga in ,
IT may be listed on the label as pc in, pc input,
even though its vga in.

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


http://www.cables.ie/hdmi-vga-av-converter/vga-to-hdmi-converter-1.html

I got a vga to dvi cable years ago it worked fine ,
my tv had no vga in.
When i set the pc resolution to 1024 x768,
refresh rate in pc graphics card to 60mhz .

Cuddlesworth

Thats pretty bad advise. It's not unusual to be able to go digital(source) to analog(dest) on most graphics cards since the output is technically capable of both formats, although recent ones now designate a DVI port for this.

But you will not be able to go analog(source) to digital(dest).

harpstilidie

riclad wrote: »

See http://www.amazon.co.uk/Value-2m-DVI-M-VGA-Cable/dp/B000K5O1M8


most tvs have at least 1 dvi input,
its easy to buy a tv that has vga in ,
IT may be listed on the label as pc in, pc input,
even though its vga in.

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


http://www.cables.ie/hdmi-vga-av-converter/vga-to-hdmi-converter-1.html

I got a vga to dvi cable years ago it worked fine ,
my tv had no vga in.
When i set the pc resolution to 1024 x768,
refresh rate in pc graphics card to 60mhz .

Thanks. That DVI to VGA cable might do the trick. I'll do some more research and find out. Was looking for a Sony TV but all the new models don't have a VGA input and the one I was looking at doesn't even have a DVI input so may have to look for one with a DVI input. Any one any experience with these VGA to DVI cables?

riclad

My advice is Just buy a tv with vga in,

but i,m point out the cables avaidable as general advice.

MUCH easier cheaper just to use vga cable to vga input on the tv.

Some pc manuals,display cards in shops, dont, mention vga,
look at the rear of the tv and see can you see a vga in interface.

yoyo

If the TVs port is DVI-D (Digital only) the VGA->DVI cable won't work. Check the TVs specs. DVI-A or DVI-I should be suited for that cable, DVI-D not

Nick

harpstilidie

riclad wrote: »

My advice is Just buy a tv with vga in,

but i,m point out the cables avaidable as general advice.

MUCH easier cheaper just to use vga cable to vga input on the tv.

Some pc manuals,display cards in shops, dont, mention vga,
look at the rear of the tv and see can you see a vga in interface.

Might just have to do that, although that VGA to DVI cable on Amazon has pretty decent reviews. Yeah I know what you mean. I rang the shop where I was going to buy the Sony TV and he checked if it had a VGA input and it didn't so I'll have to look elsewhere.

harpstilidie

Just had a quick look there and it's difficult to find a TV with a DVI input never mind a VGA input. Just going to have to find a TV with a VGA input or buy a new laptop!

Cuddlesworth

riclad wrote: »

My advice is Just buy a tv with vga in,

but i,m point out the cables avaidable as general advice.

MUCH easier cheaper just to use vga cable to vga input on the tv.

Some pc manuals,display cards in shops, dont, mention vga,
look at the rear of the tv and see can you see a vga in interface.

And its not great advise. It's not unusual for a TV now days to not have a analog input because it requires converters to digital. Any TV with such a input is either very old, or very expensive(since they went to the effort of adding VGA, odds are there are a bunch of other connections as well that you're paying for like DVI-I).

Most laptop manufacturers are phasing out VGA this year on even the cheapest models. Its dead tech.

Best advice is Torqay's, buy a small Android device and a TV that normally priced.

harpstilidie

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice.

Torqay

A friend of mine destroyed two laptops hooked up to her TV because someone stumbled over the cables.

After learning a quite expensive lesson she came around and is now using a RikoMagic mini PC with a BT keyboard/touchpad combo (70 quid altogether). It's good enough for playing full HD video and surfing the interwebs. Oh, and Sky Go is abailable for Android too.

harpstilidie

Would one of these work?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/vga-to-hdmi-convertor-with-audio-support-388962

riclad

I bought a 20 inch tv 2 years ago it has vga in, sony.


http://www.did.ie/samsung32-led-tv-ue32eh5000kxx-prd

i picked 1 out at random, has vga in,

it says pc in ,i presume thats vga .

eg they are still making tvs with vga ports on them.

MAYBE get a vga to dvi cable ,if you just want that tv sony that does have vga in.

I,ve found samsung just as good as sony tvs .

I bought a samsung 32 inch tv, 4 years ago.
Alot of apple parts ,in the ipad are made by samsung

i think that device would work,
set pc resolution at 1024 x 768 ,refresh rate 6omhz
eg say 1200x1000 resolution would not look good on the tv.

my samsung tv supports 3 pc resolutions , i checked in the manual.

ZENER

A lot of TVs have a HDMI input dedicated to a computer connection which enables the AUX Audio in when selected for laptops that do not output audio over their HDMI output - maybe this is what is meant by "PC IN" ?

As mentioned above VGA is all but dead with the digital interface (HDMI) becoming the new norm. A DVI-D connector would also be rare given that DVI-D is electrically similar to HDMI minus the audio channels, so a HDMI - DVI-D connector can be bought where DVI-D is required.

Some scammers on eBay have sold VGA <> HDMI cables which simply cannot work, a decent VGA to HDMI convertor will set you back probably as much as a new laptop with a HDMI out on it.

Oh and no TV was ever made or conceived with a refresh rate of 60MHz.

Ken

riclad

MY tv manual says for pc connection, set pc graphics card refresh rate to 60mhz.

i,m not saying the tv refresh rate is 60mhz.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/plasma-tvs/1584007-plasma-refresh-rates-pc.html

quote

he 96/100Hz is an internal tv rate, for inputs the plasma will only support up to 1080p50/1080p60.


end quote .
eg tv rate is 96-100mhz on this model.
60 refers to pc card output refresh rate.

FROM my experience 1024x 768 resolution at 60mhz will work fine on any tv thru hdmi ,dvi, or vga cable.
my manual suggests 3 resolutions ,settings , for pc input display ,
ALL at 60mhz refresh rate .

if you just connect pc to tv at a random high resolution ,
you,ll get a bad picture ,
and maybe even damage the tv .

riclad

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/how-to-connect-computer-to-tv3.htm

quote ;Avoid increasing the refresh rate on your graphics card, unless you have a 120-hertz HDTV. If you send a signal with a refresh rate over 60 hertz to a normal HDTV, you could damage the TV [source: Komando].

end quote .

so whatever cable you use set pc display to 60 mhz,
before you even plug in the vga, or dvi cable.

Read the tv manual re pc connection ,even if the tv has no vga interface.

riclad

Quote ;Avoid increasing the refresh rate on your graphics card, unless you h have a 120-hertz HDTV. If you send a signal with a refresh rate over 60 hertz to a normal HDTV, you could damage the TV [source: Komando].

end quote.

QUOTE Computer has VGA - TV has DVI-I or DVI-A

Purchase a VGA Cable + purchase a DVI-A Male to VGA Female Adapter . If you require audio as well you would usually need to purchase VGA Cable Kit 1 or VGA Cable Kit 2 as well as the adapter.

or use a 3.5,mm male audio to 2 rca male stereo cable for audio
connections. cost 3 euro.

ZENER

riclad wrote: »

MY tv manual says for pc connection, set pc graphics card refresh rate to 60mhz.

i,m not saying the tv refresh rate is 60mhz.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/plasma-tvs/1584007-plasma-refresh-rates-pc.html

quote

he 96/100Hz is an internal tv rate, for inputs the plasma will only support up to 1080p50/1080p60.


end quote .
eg tv rate is 96-100mhz on this model.
60 refers to pc card output refresh rate.

FROM my experience 1024x 768 resolution at 60mhz will work fine on any tv thru hdmi ,dvi, or vga cable.
my manual suggests 3 resolutions ,settings , for pc input display ,
ALL at 60mhz refresh rate .

if you just connect pc to tv at a random high resolution ,
you,ll get a bad picture ,
and maybe even damage the tv .

No TV was ever made or conceived of that refreshed at 60MHz. Show me one and I'll buy it for you.

Apologies for going OT here.

Ken

Cuddlesworth

harpstilidie wrote: »

Would one of these work?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/vga-to-hdmi-convertor-with-audio-support-388962

From personal experience do not buy a VGA to HDMI converter. As part of my job I have couple of the most expensive in the world(400+) and they are troublesome at the best of times. Resolution changes, HDMI handshakes not working and power supplies blowing are common occurrences.

riclad

MY previous posts refer to the pc graphics cards ,ie

Set graphics card to 60mhz,
ie my tv accepts pc input ,at 60mhz,

I,m not saying the tv refresh rate is 60mhz,
it maybe be 96mhz or 120mhz, or higher.

MY manual says DO not set rate ABOVE 60 on the pc graphics card .
it,ll also accept pc input at 50mhz,
eg pc graphics card refresh rate 50
ALL the pc monitors i had, used a refresh rate of 60mhz.

yoyo

Lets keep on topic folks. This isn't a thread about TV inputs and refresh rates.