AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Plasma Flat Panel Displays › Connecting laptop to Plasma HDTV
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Connecting laptop to Plasma HDTV

post #1 of 27
9/13/07 at 6:44am
Thread Starter 
So, I just recently got the Panasonic TH-42PX75U, and I'm pretty happy with it. Have most the settings at zero (except Picture which is usually 11-15).

I wanted to hook my laptop up to the TV to watch some movies or anime or whatever.

I've realized (from a friend's LCD) that an S-video hook up usually provides crappy quality. I imagine it doesn't look any better on a plasma.

I know he got a different hookup that looked great, not sure what it was (not HDMI).

Anyway, what's the best connection I can use? And while I'm at it, I have this weird cable. It's a S-video on one side, and on the other side it's an s-video (but for an s-video to go INTO it) and three wires, red, blue, and green. What is that?

Here are pics of the video connections (or what I think are) on my laptop:

Edit: I tried to link a website by the name of t-i-n-y u-r-l, but it doesn't let me, why not?

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/2343/dsc00127cd8.jpg

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/3607/dsc00128nm2.jpg

And a 4-pin s-video cable, which I assume people here know what it looks like lol.

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 27
9/13/07 at 7:54am
Thread Starter 
Help :'(
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 27
9/13/07 at 8:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eliasoz View Post

So, I just recently got the Panasonic TH-42PX75U, and I'm pretty happy with it. Have most the settings at zero (except Picture which is usually 11-15).

I wanted to hook my laptop up to the TV to watch some movies or anime or whatever.

I've realized (from a friend's LCD) that an S-video hook up usually provides crappy quality. I imagine it doesn't look any better on a plasma.

I know he got a different hookup that looked great, not sure what it was (not HDMI).

Anyway, what's the best connection I can use? And while I'm at it, I have this weird cable. It's a S-video on one side, and on the other side it's an s-video (but for an s-video to go INTO it) and three wires, red, blue, and green. What is that?

Here are pics of the video connections (or what I think are) on my laptop:

Edit: I tried to link a website by the name of t-i-n-y u-r-l, but it doesn't let me, why not?

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/2343/dsc00127cd8.jpg

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/3607/dsc00128nm2.jpg

And a 4-pin s-video cable, which I assume people here know what it looks like lol.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

It's a component connection, which should look pretty good if it works. Far better than s-video. It came with your laptop, right? Unless your laptop has a DVI connector, that's probably the best you'll do.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 27
9/13/07 at 8:15am
Thread Starter 
But how, will it convert the s-video signal to component quality?

P.S. It did come with the laptop, another weird thing also came. Not sure if it's a DVI connector, no idea what it looks like.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 27
9/13/07 at 8:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eliasoz View Post

But how, will it convert the s-video signal to component quality?

That svideo port has extra pins that carry the component signal.

It did come with your laptop, right?
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 27
9/13/07 at 8:28am
Thread Starter 
Yes, it did. It seems your post came before my edit, hehe. But I'm not sure how this will work, the end isn't very component-ish, because of the extra s-video plug-in wire. Let me show you:

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1999/dsc00130yh7.jpg

So, how do I plug it in?? The side that will go into my laptop is the s-video one, then I plug a component cable into the other side, ignoring the s-video like plug?? If this works, it'll be nice finding a long component cable to reach from my laptop to the TV without moving it...

P.S. Is pins the official word for those colored wires?
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 27
9/13/07 at 8:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eliasoz View Post

Yes, it did. It seems your post came before my edit, hehe. But I'm not sure how this will work, the end isn't very component-ish, because of the extra s-video plug-in wire. Let me show you:

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1999/dsc00130yh7.jpg

So, how do I plug it in?? The side that will go into my laptop is the s-video one, then I plug a component cable into the other side, ignoring the s-video like plug?? If this works, it'll be nice finding a long component cable to reach from my laptop to the TV without moving it...

P.S. Is pins the official word for those colored wires?

I'm at work, which blocks imageshack.

Without actually seeing what this looks like, I'm guessing that you plug the side with the single svideo-like connector into the laptop. Then you plug the red, white, and green connectors into the TV. Ignore whatever other connectors are on this side of the wire (ie svideo, composite, etc). If it's not long enough, get three RCA couplers and a longer component cable.

If you do have a DVI output, I'd recommend that over component. You should be able to connect that to the TV's HDMI input using a DVI to HDMI cable.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 27
9/13/07 at 8:44am
Does your computer have anything that looks like this: http://pix.crutchfield.com/kb/hd_con..._connector.jpg
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 27
9/13/07 at 8:47am
DVI for the win!

I think that S-vid cable you show would lose some quality.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 27
9/13/07 at 9:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by flood222 View Post

DVI for the win!

I think that S-vid cable you show would lose some quality.


It really isn't an s-video signal being "converted" to component, it's a true component signal being transmitted over a connector that superficially resembles s-video.

That said, DVI will look better, because it will transmit a much wider range of resolutions, and will likely not be affected by overscan. It's also digital, which may help.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 27
9/13/07 at 5:06pm
Eliasoz, did you get your question answered?

Best approach is to purchase a DVI to HDMI cable. Connect DVI end to laptop and HDMI to TV.

I connect my laptop via VGA connectors, but I don't think your Panny has that input.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 27
9/13/07 at 8:23pm
Thread Starter 
Hey, thanks for the replies crhissherbet, and ColdCase. Much appreciated.

I do have that DVI output on the back of my laptop. So I guess, I'll be going with the DVD-2-HDMI connection. Should I get that from best buy?? Or is there a better cheaper place?
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 27
9/13/07 at 9:24pm
If your laptop has only a VGA output, what is the best way to connect to a plasma tv?
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 27
9/14/07 at 4:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neilmn View Post

If your laptop has only a VGA output, what is the best way to connect to a plasma tv?

Some plasma TVs have a pc input. If not and If your laptop video card supports component out function through it's VGA port then you can use a VGA-Components cable which is available at monoprice and others for like $5.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 27
9/14/07 at 4:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eliasoz View Post

I do have that DVI output on the back of my laptop. So I guess, I'll be going with the DVD-2-HDMI connection. Should I get that from best buy?? Or is there a better cheaper place?


Forum sponsor monoprice and others have excellent quality and good value cables and adapters. They ship promptly but if you need one now and don't mind spending the money, most BB, CC, RadioShack should have them.

for example:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 27
9/14/07 at 7:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ColdCase View Post

Some plasma TVs have a pc input. If not and If your laptop video card supports component out function through it's VGA port then you can use a VGA-Components cable which is available at monoprice and others for like $5.

Just wanted to emphasize that your laptop MUST support component out over the VGA port for this to work. The cable doesn't do any conversion of the signal.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 27
9/15/07 at 3:39am
Thread Starter 
Awesome, thanks a lot for the help. I think I can wait for a delivery
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 27
9/20/07 at 11:00pm
Thread Starter 
So, I got the cable. Two questions:

Does the cable transfer sound? Because I can't seem to get any to come from the TV, if it doesn't, what should I use for sound?

The other thing, what I do is basically extend my desktop to use for the TV. What's the best resolution I can use?? Also, the TV is showing 1080i from the PC, can I make that 720p and how?
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 27
9/21/07 at 9:14am
Thread Starter 
Anyone?
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 27
9/21/07 at 11:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eliasoz View Post

So, I got the cable. Two questions:

Does the cable transfer sound? Because I can't seem to get any to come from the TV, if it doesn't, what should I use for sound?

The other thing, what I do is basically extend my desktop to use for the TV. What's the best resolution I can use?? Also, the TV is showing 1080i from the PC, can I make that 720p and how?

No, it only does video. For sound you need a minijack to RCA adapter. This will work, though it's only 6ft: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 27
9/21/07 at 1:57pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks!!! I need a longer one though, like 10-12 feet. Which one should I get?? I'm not sure if some of the others are the same :\\
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 27
9/21/07 at 2:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eliasoz View Post

Thanks!!! I need a longer one though, like 10-12 feet. Which one should I get?? I'm not sure if some of the others are the same :\\

I didn't see any others on there that were longer. Search google for "3.5mm to rca" and see what you find.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 27
9/21/07 at 6:20pm
Ok, I have been looking at this for a few days and I have a question I hope you all can help me with.

How can I tell if my Laptop can do this?

"If your laptop video card supports component out function through it's VGA port then you can use a VGA-Components cable."

I have been looking all thru the setting of my laptop and I dont see it.

I bought the laptop the week they were all switching to Vista.

It does have a S video out, but it sounds like that might stink.

The laptop it a Gateway MX6453, the sticker on the laptop says it has a ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 card but when you look on the computer it says its a ATI Radeon Xpress 200m series, so I have no clue what to think.

Thanks for the help all

Jay
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 27
9/21/07 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jay427 View Post

Ok, I have been looking at this for a few days and I have a question I hope you all can help me with.

How can I tell if my Laptop can do this?

"If your laptop video card supports component out function through it's VGA port then you can use a VGA-Components cable."

I have been looking all thru the setting of my laptop and I dont see it.

I bought the laptop the week they were all switching to Vista.

It does have a S video out, but it sounds like that might stink.

The laptop it a Gateway MX6453, the sticker on the laptop says it has a ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 card but when you look on the computer it says its a ATI Radeon Xpress 200m series, so I have no clue what to think.

Thanks for the help all

Jay

If forced to guess, I'd say that the video card doesn't support the component out functionality. If it doesn't then you still can buy a converter box but that may involve more money than you're willing to spend. Here's a good web page that may help explain all of ti:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/88
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 27
3/4/08 at 3:02pm
OK!
Need help here!!!
So I have the 42HDS69 and I know it doesn't have a computer connector.
So here is my question...... How in the world can i use my laptop (Sony Vaio NR) which has a VGA out put to display on my screen!?
HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!
I hear of wires (which i bought at monoprice) vga to dvi adaptor to a DVI to HDMI cable...lol didn't work. SO there are converters... I don't want to spend money again and it wont work again.
Anyone here has successfully conected a VGA laptop (Sony NR) to a Plasma TV (42HDS69)?????

Help!!! THX!!!!
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 27
3/4/08 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DonDee View Post

OK!
Need help here!!!
So I have the 42HDS69 and I know it doesn't have a computer connector.
So here is my question...... How in the world can i use my laptop (Sony Vaio NR) which has a VGA out put to display on my screen!?
HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!
I hear of wires (which i bought at monoprice) vga to dvi adaptor to a DVI to HDMI cable...lol didn't work. SO there are converters... I don't want to spend money again and it wont work again.
Anyone here has successfully conected a VGA laptop (Sony NR) to a Plasma TV (42HDS69)?????

Help!!! THX!!!!

There's no good or easy way to do it.
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 27
3/4/08 at 10:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisherbert View Post

There's no good or easy way to do it.

ok.....
So how?????
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Plasma Flat Panel Displays

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Plasma Flat Panel Displays › Connecting laptop to Plasma HDTV