Connecting computer to TV

NeilGabriel
NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
edited June 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I picked up an inexpensive laptop but still thought I could stream video to the tube....but no S video....of course, there are USB and that div something....the trapezoid with about 10 pin connectors....

1. what is best way to stream wired

2. what is best for wireless these days?...In addition to laptop, I do have wireless I'net if there is now a dependable wireless solution....

thanks
Post edited by NeilGabriel on
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  • PerfectCreature
    PerfectCreature Posts: 1,456
    edited May 2010
    DVI will do just fine, providing your tv has that connector.
    If not you have have to use VGA with a DVI adapter atached to the laptop.
    Your laptops wireless card should do fine.
    Receiver
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Speakers
    Polk Audio Monitor 50s
    Subwoofer
    Klipsch KSW-100
    Cables
    AudioQuest Rocket 33s 10ft
    AudioQuest Optilink1 2m
    AudioQuest Alpha-Snake 25ft Interconnect
    AudioQuest HDMI-1 2m

    Alienware X51 R2
    PS4
    Samsung Smart TV 40" 1080p 3D
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited May 2010
    Neil could you take a pic of your laptop ports and TV ports? That would help us instantly to find what connections possibilities you have.
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  • PerfectCreature
    PerfectCreature Posts: 1,456
    edited May 2010
    True. Then we can lead you in the right direction.
    Monoprice will have the cables you will need for like $1 or $2
    Receiver
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Speakers
    Polk Audio Monitor 50s
    Subwoofer
    Klipsch KSW-100
    Cables
    AudioQuest Rocket 33s 10ft
    AudioQuest Optilink1 2m
    AudioQuest Alpha-Snake 25ft Interconnect
    AudioQuest HDMI-1 2m

    Alienware X51 R2
    PS4
    Samsung Smart TV 40" 1080p 3D
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited May 2010
    PerfectCreature wrote: »
    True. Then we can lead you in the right direction.
    Monoprice will have the cables you will need for like $1 or $2

    Side note:
    While not always, I do love it when folks realize they can take their music and maybe movies from their computer and hook it into a decent sound system and/or LCD.

    At the end of the process, they go wow! 21st Century here I come! :D
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited June 2010
    Echosphere wrote: »
    Side note:
    While not always, I do love it when folks realize they can take their music and maybe movies from their computer and hook it into a decent sound system and/or LCD.

    At the end of the process, they go wow! 21st Century here I come! :D

    I run my office PC through my audio system and have the connections for whenever I want to plug my laptop into one of the HD sets or another audio system.

    However, I was a little surprised when I saw that this laptop has no S-video. There is the standard USB and ethernet outputs/inputs.

    The TV has composite, component, HDMI (1 that I use for my blu-ray), coaxial (uhf-vhf) and the cable box input.

    So, it appears that I need some adaptor to take the DIV output (15 pin input) on the laptop to one of the above inputs.

    I can add pics if this isn't enough. I've looked at ROKU and other wireless receivers in the past and they seemed to have a lot of criticisms/not user friendly.

    Thanks.
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited June 2010
    I don't know about wireless video...

    But I think having the one HDMI input is going to annoy you, as I believe your best choice is a DVI to HDMI adaptor cable.

    I don't know if a DVI to Components is possible as usually you need to authenticate a security digital "handshake" between the computer and TV via a digitial DVI or HDMI cable...

    Are you sure it isn't a VGA video out on the laptop?
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited June 2010
    "Are you sure it isn't a VGA video out on the laptop?"

    Well, my wife doesn't call me stupid for nothing....it is VGA. 3 rows of 5 pins with middle row offset.

    I've done some additional reading there some options...many of which are a bit confusing. The TV does not have the VGA input (older Sony HDTV). Thanks again for the help.
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited June 2010
    NeilGabriel wrote: »

    I can add pics if this isn't enough. I've looked at ROKU and other wireless receivers in the past and they seemed to have a lot of criticisms/not user friendly.

    Thanks.

    A pic is usually worth a thousands words for a reason. Post em up! :)
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited June 2010
    NeilGabriel wrote: »
    "Are you sure it isn't a VGA video out on the laptop?"

    Well, my wife doesn't call me stupid for nothing....it is VGA. 3 rows of 5 pins with middle row offset.

    I've done some additional reading there some options...many of which are a bit confusing. The TV does not have the VGA input (older Sony HDTV). Thanks again for the help.

    Dude, you're not stupid. This stuff is a bit confusing. I go DOH! then DUH! everyday!
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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited June 2010
    The new Western Digital TV units have wireless and maybe a wired ethernet port and support DLNA (and usually (2) USB ports for external hard drives). Then you could use J. River MC15 or the WD app to stream, IF you have enough bandwidth with just wifi connection. I have owned the non-wifi version and while the WD gui is clunky, it works.

    Can't you run a VGA>DVI converter too? Haven't done that in a while but I think we have those all over the place here at work.

    dc
    For Sale 2019:
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  • Echosphere
    Echosphere Posts: 395
    edited June 2010
    doctorcilantro wrote: »

    Can't you run a vga>dvi converter too? Haven't done that in a while but i think we have those all over the place here at work.

    Dc

    doh! Duh! :)
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  • On3s&Z3r0s
    On3s&Z3r0s Posts: 1,013
    edited June 2010
    I don't think there's any cable or adapter that will go directly from your laptop to that TV that you'll be happy with. It'll either be very awkward driving it directly from the laptop or the resolution will be wrong, won't do full screen like you would want, and it won't look good. I'd definitely go with one of the dedicated boxes (all go for $100 to $150-ish depending on whether they do wireless out of the gate) that is made to do exactly this.

    I've heard the Western Digital one is good. Asus makes the O Play... I use a Patriot Box Office. None are as user friendly as say a Tivo, but they're all usable. I'd say also that Echosphere is right and you might want to get an HDMI switch if you only have one HDMI port for your TV, but that would be optional if the media player you get has component outputs. Lastly, I've never seen 1080i/p stream particularly well over wireless. If you can manage a hardwired connection for streaming HD stuff you'll probably be happier with it. But if you stick to 720p then wireless works good.
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