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Tv As Computer Monitor

joytron

By joytron
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joytron Newbie

joytron

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Does anyone have any experience hooking up there TV as a computer monitor. I have a Sylvania TV [url="http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-6842PE-42-Inch-Panel-Plasma/dp/B0002472PU"]http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-6842PE-42-Inch-Panel-Plasma/dp/B0002472PU[/url] and a Dell Inspirion computer(cant find the model). The TV has 5 outputs, an SVideo, two RYW components (hooked up to xboxand cable) and one HD and one SD. Anyways I got a VGA to RGB cable and although the computer seems to recognize the cord (there is a beeping noise the same as when I plug in my ipod) the TV says no signal found.


I dont know anything about electronics so I have already lost hope? Do you know any other ways I can watch movies from my computer to my tv without buying a new graphics card. Could the cord be a problem or is the tv/computer not compatible.



thanks guys!
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Cp44 Newbie

Cp44

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on you laptop there should be a monitor button on your F keys, hit Fn (function located on the bottom left on the keyboard) and the monitor keys to switch it to the TV. You might need to press both keys a few times until you get the picture.
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Travis Newbie

Travis

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I use the hdmi on my laptop and do this all the time, plug in your cable and connect it to the tv first, then do this,
Control panel, adjust screen resolution, and the first drop down list should have your output available, select that. You may have to play around with the resolution to find the right settings for your tv's display.
If that doesn't work let me know.
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Chreees Newbie

Chreees

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[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1290056312' post='488623']
its windows 7 and it is a PC not a laptop.
[/quote]

Yeah, I knew it was a PC. I was just telling you how I have to do it. Not sure how to do it on a PC. But Travis sounds right.

[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1290057780' post='488626']
and it has no function keys but many F keys.
[/quote]

F keys are the Function keys... Should see F1-F12 along the top row on your keyboard.
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dizzbizz Newbie

dizzbizz

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Posted
[quote name='Travis' timestamp='1290060512' post='488628']
I use the hdmi on my laptop and do this all the time, plug in your cable and connect it to the tv first, then do this,
Control panel, adjust screen resolution, and the first drop down list should have your output available, select that. You may have to play around with the resolution to find the right settings for your tv's display.
If that doesn't work let me know.
[/quote]

This sounds right. I pretty much do the same for mine.
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Josh Hamilton Newbie

Josh Hamilton

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Posted (edited)
a vga cable to that flat panel isnt feasible according to the specs of the tv...

now if you have a vid card that has a HDMI out (HDMI cable needed)...or if you have a DVI to HDMI converter plug...then it could work

but Im guessing here that your vid card can only do VGA connection and nothing else...if you dont have the converter and the cables then its a no go for now...but it is possible




so ur cheapest option is to have a VGA > DVI > HDMI converter plug...could be a VGA/DVI cable then a DVI > HDMI converter plug
but if your VGA cable has the RGB (red.yellow/blue) split it should put out a vid signal...maybe your forgot to change the INPUT on the TV remote


Edited by Josh Hamilton
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ezxen Newbie

ezxen

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What you can do is get a cheap graphics card that has Svideo out and then go through s video or get a semi good graphics card and go DVI to HMDI .If its Nvidia it will reconize it right away then go into nvida settings or controll panel adjust resolution and click your tv and set tio to native 1080P ir 720P
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joytron Newbie

joytron

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This is all so confusing.

So still doesnt work, the problem is though that there is only a VGA output and not an HDMI output. Where can I find a converter?

Not sure if I want to get a new graphics card, I want to do this the cheapest way possible. I cant go to the screen resolution because I cant have my monitor and TV hooked up at the same time.

Josh how do you know from the specs that it wont work?


thanks guys!
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Josh Hamilton Newbie

Josh Hamilton

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Posted
[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1290114184' post='488700']
This is all so confusing.

So still doesnt work, the problem is though that there is only a VGA output and not an HDMI output. Where can I find a converter?

Not sure if I want to get a new graphics card, I want to do this the cheapest way possible. I cant go to the screen resolution because I cant have my monitor and TV hooked up at the same time.

[b]Josh how do you know from the specs that it wont work?
[/b]
thanks guys!
[/quote]

[quote]

1 HD, 1 SD component-video input, side and rear composite- and S-video inputs, 5 watts per channel x 2 stereo sound

[/quote]

I looked up the link you provided in AMAZON....was wondering if there EVER WAS a VGA input to tv...it doesnt on yours...I know mine does but I dont use it on mine...




you will need this to attach to ur cable


[img]http://www.screencapturenews.com/wp-content/uploads/dvi-to-hdmi-adapter.jpg[/img]

although I warn that ur Video card might not be able to handle the resolution to a bigger screen...there is a VGA to HDMI converter like this

[img]http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00JMwEiCqcGIbd/VGA-to-HDMI-Converters-HCV0101-.jpg[/img]




but its $40 at monoprice...ur better off buy a cheap video card that has an HDMI out...







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joytron Newbie

joytron

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thanks for the help Josh, kinda bummed I waster $5 on a cord that does not even work.

This is the computer I have
[url="http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=INSPIRON-545-2R&cat=SYS"]http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=INSPIRON-545-2R&cat=SYS[/url]

I assume its the same graphics card: GMA 3100


What would you say are my cheapest options.


thanks!
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Josh Hamilton Newbie

Josh Hamilton

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Posted (edited)
[img]http://www.everything2connect.com/images/Component_VGA_RCA.jpg[/img]
this is probably it...

the cheapest would be @ monoprice

[url="http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10235&cs_id=1023503"]here[/url]

or you could do [url="http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10430&cs_id=1043012&p_id=2509&seq=1&format=2"]S-VIDEO[/url] (you will have to buy a s-video cable)

[img]http://www.omc.co.il/cache/prdPics/GT-HVPC2TV_500x200_maxPrd.jpg[/img]


I never tried this connection before...but its cheap though
you will have to rely on your pc for audio.... Edited by Josh Hamilton
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joytron Newbie

joytron

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A am pretty sure I have the first cord, that is the VGA/RGB cord, which I am unable to get working.

[url="http://www.amazon.com/VGA-RCA-Component-RGB-Cable/dp/B0012SPNII/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1290128733&sr=8-4"]http://www.amazon.com/VGA-RCA-Component-RGB-Cable/dp/B0012SPNII/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1290128733&sr=8-4[/url]
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ryno Newbie

ryno

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Have you tried opening up the controls to change the screen resoultion? I know with mine, I can only run something like 640by480 on my tv, but it works just fine to watch movies on. Any higher resolution and the picture is either totally messed up or not therer. Also, is the controls set up to run dual monitors?
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Josh Hamilton Newbie

Josh Hamilton

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Posted
[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1290190387' post='488817']
I have no idea what you mean by rebooting for permutations, my issue is that I can not see anything since there is only one VGA output. Ryno it is only set up for one monitor.
[/quote]
you have 3 wires out right? does one wire say video or is it just color coded?


saw ur last post...I figured Ive tried this on a dated pc and couldnt get it working...buy a vid card with a DVI out and they usually come with a DVI to HDMI converter plug...Ive tried and tested that and it works fine

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joytron Newbie

joytron

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I was planning on just getting this: [url="http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011407&p_id=4724&seq=1&format=2#description"]http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011407&p_id=4724&seq=1&format=2#description[/url]


But do you think I could find a new graphics card for not much more?
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ryno Newbie

ryno

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Posted
[url="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125251"]http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125251[/url]

I'm not sure on that brands video cards, but I have one of their motherboards and haven't had any problems with it. They also have a few other models that might be worth looking at for about the same price
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porksandwich9113 Newbie

porksandwich9113

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These guys are kinda giving you false information.

1. VGA is an analog signal.

2. HDMI/DVI are digital signals.

It is IMPOSSIBLE without a converter box to take an analog signal and dump it into a digital input.
The reverse is possible.
You CAN take a digital signal and dump it into a analog input.

You will need something like this to truely convert a VGA signal to an HD HDMI input.
[url="http://www.amazon.com/Aluratek-AVH100F-HDMI-Converter-Adapter/dp/B002FJLEP4/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1290199955&sr=1-16"]http://www.amazon.com/Aluratek-AVH100F-HDMI-Converter-Adapter/dp/B002FJLEP4/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1290199955&sr=1-16[/url]


Secondly,

Taking a VGA into composite, component is going to result in terribly bad quality - if you get it to work.
I've done it before. Unless your running a high end video card, the text will be too blurry to read, and videos/games will look like shit.

If you really want to watch stuff on your tv, your going to want something with an HDMI or DVI output that you can simply plug into your TV.

That being said, after you get everything plugged in and set on the right inputs, ect..

1) Right click your desktop
2) Click "Screen Resolution"
3) In the panel that appears, click "detect in the right upper corner."

If your TV is compatible with your video card, it should show up now.
4) PIck a resolution. Only compatible ones should show up. According to amazon, your tv takes 720p so a good bet would be to try 1280X720.
5) You should select or check the box that says "Make this my main display."
6) Hit apply.
7) If it doesn't work, wait 15 seconds, win7 will reverse the settings.
8) Try again with a different resolution.
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