? 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.

[MCWHAMMER]

Got my Monoprice cables today, and wouldn't you know, I can't get anything to show up on my TV.

Current situation:
The Manual for my Samsung TV says that the Optimum setting for my PC display should be changed to 1920X1080. Well, the problem is, my laptop only goes to 1280x768.

I don't know how much that factors into it, but when I plug in this SVGA cable to the TV, the TV searches for the single, and only shows a black screen. The connection does not seem to be made. I feel like there is some setting on my laptop that needs to be changed to make this work, but as you know, I am clueless when it comes to this.

I am using an "ATI Radeon Xpress 200M Series". There are a number of settings for the ATI card under the Display Advanced settings, but I am scared to change anything, because it is not a permanent hookup to the T.V.

Could anyone help me troubleshoot, or offer advice for settings? Like I said, this isn't a permanent set-up, so hopefully I can change a setting quickly when it is not hooked to the LCD.

Thanks in advance!

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by MCWHAMMER

Got my Monoprice cables today, and wouldn't you know, I can't get anything to show up on my TV.

Current situation:
The Manual for my Samsung TV says that the Optimum setting for my PC display should be changed to 1920X1080. Well, the problem is, my laptop only goes to 1280x768.

I don't know how much that factors into it, but when I plug in this SVGA cable to the TV, the TV searches for the single, and only shows a black screen. The connection does not seem to be made. I feel like there is some setting on my laptop that needs to be changed to make this work, but as you know, I am clueless when it comes to this.

I am using an "ATI Radeon Xpress 200M Series". There are a number of settings for the ATI card under the Display Advanced settings, but I am scared to change anything, because it is not a permanent hookup to the T.V.

Could anyone help me troubleshoot, or offer advice for settings? Like I said, this isn't a permanent set-up, so hopefully I can change a setting quickly when it is not hooked to the LCD.

Thanks in advance!

you need to go to your display settings (control panel) and then go into your ati display settings and enable tv out...you can then set the resolution of the tv out which will be whatever resolutions the tv can handle

[JoeKickass]

My Samsung LCD will ONLY receive/display 1920x1080 resolution through the PC/VGA input. Chances are yours is the same.

[MCWHAMMER]

Originally Posted by sarnell2

you need to go to your display settings (control panel) and then go into your ati display settings and enable tv out...you can then set the resolution of the tv out which will be whatever resolutions the tv can handle

Thank you for your suggestion, but I tried that just now and I could not find a way to Enable TV Out. Please VIEW this SCREENSHOT. Notice that I cannot click on the "TV" Display to enable it (When I connect the SVGA cable to the TV, the Laptop still does not let me highlight or click on that image of the TV there). Is there somewhere else I am supposed to go to enable it? Hopefully you have an ATI card, and we have similar looking settings boxes... otherwise this may look foreign. It's foreign to me, but I'm trying to get it working

I sure hope that screenshot shows up correctly for you... Imageshack .

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by MCWHAMMER

Thank you for your suggestion, but I tried that just now and I could not find a way to Enable TV Out. Please VIEW this SCREENSHOT. Notice that I cannot click on the "TV" Display to enable it. Is there somewhere else I am supposed to go to enable it? Hopefully you have an ATI card, and we have similar looking settings boxes... otherwise this may look foreign. It's foreign to me, but I'm trying to get it working

I sure hope that screenshot shows up... Imageshack .

Remember that when you click to enable it you don't click "TV", you click the little circle in the top left of the TV Button. And you should be able to get a 1920x1080 picture because you're using a VGA cable, right? I don't think you will need anything new.

[MCWHAMMER]

Originally Posted by sarnell2

Remember that when you click to enable it you don't click "TV", you click the little circle in the top left of the TV Button.

I just edited my post seconds before you replied. Problem is, I can't highlight or click on the TV button or the circle at all. It's just greyed out. Same for the monitor to the left... Why won't it let me highlight them (Won't let me even when I connect the SVGA cable either.)?

Originally Posted by JoeKickass

My Samsung LCD will ONLY receive/display 1920x1080 resolution through the PC/VGA input. Chances are yours is the same.

Geez, that would stink. I need a new laptop, but not bad enough to go out and buy one just to get to 1920x1080 display. What model is your Samsung? I have the Model: LN-T4066F. Just got it.

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by MCWHAMMER

Thank you for your suggestion, but I tried that just now and I could not find a way to Enable TV Out. Please VIEW this SCREENSHOT. Notice that I cannot click on the "TV" Display to enable it (When I connect the SVGA cable to the TV, the Laptop still does not let me highlight or click on that image of the TV there). Is there somewhere else I am supposed to go to enable it? Hopefully you have an ATI card, and we have similar looking settings boxes... otherwise this may look foreign. It's foreign to me, but I'm trying to get it working

I sure hope that screenshot shows up correctly for you... Imageshack .

Oh crap, btw. You are not using TV Out, you are using Monitor out.

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by MCWHAMMER

I just edited my post seconds before you replied. Problem is, I can't highlight or click on the TV button or the circle at all. It's just greyed out. Same for the monitor to the left... Why won't it let me highlight them (Won't let me even when I connect the SVGA cable either.)?



Geez, that would stink. I need a new laptop, but not bad enough to go out and buy one just to get to 1920x1080 display. What model is your Samsung? I have the Model: LN-T4066F. Just got it.

Make sure the cable is properly connected to both devices. Maybe turn the TV on as well. It's def the Monitor Out that needs to be enabled, not the TV out. Also, it seems the following are your specs for Monitor out:

External Display Support

* Supports external displays (e.g. flat panel, CRT, or TV) via a DVO port
* Supports DVI, DFP, and VESA P&D digital interfaces
* Support for fixed resolution displays from VGA (640x480) to wide UXGA (1600x1200)

I think your max resolution will be 1600x1200.

[MCWHAMMER]

Originally Posted by sarnell2

Oh crap, btw. You are not using TV Out, you are using Monitor out.

There we go I switched to Monitor out (After changing the scheme to switchable displays, and it shows up now. Awesome.

It's beautiful Typing this on it as we speak.

Thanks so much for your timely help. I love this forum. If I could add reputation, I would.

*EDIT: Silly me... I forgot to order an audio cable with my SVGA cable ha ha. Oh well, I'll pick that up at Radio Shack.

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by MCWHAMMER

There we go I switched to Monitor out (After changing the scheme to switchable displays, and it shows up now. Awesome.

It's beautiful Typing this on it as we speak.

Thanks so much for your timely help. I love this forum. If I could add reputation, I would.

*EDIT: Silly me... I forgot to order an audio cable with my SVGA cable ha ha. Oh well, I'll pick that up at Radio Shack.

Ok Great! I'm glad it's working. That was me a bunch of posts up that recommended getting the audio cable from Radio Shack

[JoeKickass]

Originally Posted by MCWHAMMER

Geez, that would stink. I need a new laptop, but not bad enough to go out and buy one just to get to 1920x1080 display. What model is your Samsung? I have the Model: LN-T4066F. Just got it.

I have a Samsung LN-T5265F.

I have only tried connecting my notebook via the PC D-sub connection, and found that it only works if I output the resolution at 1080p as a secondary display. Lesser resolutions cause the TV to report 'no signal'.

And ATI is a funny company... my notebook (LG Electronics) uses an ATI video card, but the card cannot display 1080p on the 'primary' monitor, ONLY the secondary monitor. Go figure... but it's by design to prevent the user from setting the native resolution higher than the notebook screen can display. I find it odd though that when you specify ONLY an external output and it still won't offer a higher resolution than 1280x768.

So I would suggest you try this:

* Nevermind.. apparently the problem was solved as I typed this.