? About PC to LCD connection.

[MCWHAMMER]

Hi there.

Just got a new 40" LCD HDTV (Will post pictures once my setup is nice over in that thread), and I want to connect my old laptop to the TV. I've never actually done that before, so I need a little newbie help. Here is a picture of the back of the TV:

I want to use that blue PC pin connection there, with the audio cable too (Labeled PC IN). Do I just buy a standard monitor cable, or what exactly should I be buying? The manual isn't all that helpful when it comes to that specification. Specifically, how will I know that the cable I am buying is made for a TV to PC connection, and isn't just for computer monitors? (Yep, this is the Newbie discussion section, so no bashing allowed)

Also, I'd prefer to buy from a retail store such as Target, Best Buy or Radio Shack, whichever you think would have the cable I need.

The cable will be used for watching streaming video mostly.

Alternate Link

[maximiza]

i don't see the picture but i guess you would need a dvi to hdmi cable.

[MCWHAMMER]

Originally Posted by maximiza

i don't see the picture but i guess you would need a dvi to hdmi cable.

I don't have the capability of using DVI, so I have to use the screw in PIN connection like for a computer monitor. I don't know what this cable is called... I'm guessing monitor cable.

[Mordak5]

VGA to VGA would work most laptops have vga out, if you have DVI out then DVI (with a convertor) to vga using the same cable or a dedicated DVI to VGA cable

[CptGreedle]

Unless your PC graphics card has an HDMI port, than you will want to use the PC IN and either the optical audio in or the DVI IN. The blue PC slot there was an alternate way to connect TVs to an HD source. HDMI won out for TV in the end but it is still (and has been) the standard for PC hook up. The quality should be comparable to HDMI.
HDMI gives you audio and video but on a PC you will probably need a separate audio cable.

[MCWHAMMER]

Originally Posted by Mordak5

VGA to VGA would work most laptops have vga out, if you have DVI out then DVI (with a convertor) to vga using the same cable or a dedicated DVI to VGA cable

I thought it was VGA, but wanted to confirm that. Thanks.

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Unless your PC graphics card has an HDMI port, than you will want to use the PC IN and either the optical audio in or the DVI IN. The blue PC slot there was an alternate way to connect TVs to an HD source. HDMI won out for TV in the end but it is still (and has been) the standard for PC hook up. The quality should be comparable to HDMI.
HDMI gives you audio and video but on a PC you will probably need a separate audio cable.

No, unfortunately, the laptop I will be using is a piece of junk (Thanks Toshiba), I wish I had spent more time researching before I bought it a couple years ago. Anyway, all it has is the VGA PC In connection. So it looks like I'm going to have to use that + an audio cable.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Now I just need to know what retail store has it at the cheapest rate.

[crackinhedz]

VGA

[sarnell2]

VGA for the Video: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

For the audio: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

[MCWHAMMER]

Thanks guys, for posting the applicable links. I will be buying one as soon as I can.

It's crazy that you can get them in 100ft. spools. But hey, if you're gonna get a cable, might as well be prepared.

After looking at the prices, this one seems to fit what I need. All of Radioshack's cables seem to be online-only.