Hi-def TV and PC

[Wapping]

I have just bought a hi-def TV and own a new laptop capable of playing hi-def DVD's.

Is it possible for me to wire my laptop to my TV and use it as a monitor for my laptop?

If so, how and what do I need to get to do it?

Cheers for any help.

Richard

 

[Loiq]

if your HD TV has VGA, DVI or HDMI input then it's simple enough you just need a cable.

PS did the DVD turn up?

C.

 

[Fanum]

Yes.

Look on the back of the laptop and see what outputs it has.

Look on the back of the TV and see what inputs it has.

Go to Maplins and buy a lead with one at one end and t'other at t'other.

Go home, plug it in.






Sorry, but it actually could be as simple as that- though you may well have to go into the graphics card application/settings on the laptop and set it to the right output and refresh rate.

You'll not get good enough quality to run windows applications on the TV properly though- unless you're running really really top end kit I don't think the resolution is there, but things like Windows media edtion will be fine.

You watch, somebody's going to come along and completely contradict all of that now, but it should be fairly straightforwards.







edit...DAMMIT, HE CHEATED AND TYPED LESS !!

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

most LCD TV's won't allow more than 75 hertz from the PC so don't set it too high or you'll see nothing plus it takes about 2 seconds for most TV's to grab the PC and a picture appear.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

if you have an nvidia card in the PC, then when you connect the HDMI connector you can set it all up through the nvidia interface.

PS - you'll need to enable digital sound in the volume control/advanced settings.

however - as Fanum points out, PC lscreen is much better resolution than the TV screen.

Typically the PC is 1440 x 900, your TV will be the same or less - but much larger - effectively making it seem grainier. - so you'll have to sit far away and use a wireles laptop and mouse.

However - if you have a proper media playing laptop - it should have window media player installed and be supplied with a remote to operate from your chair.

My HP laptop does and it all works very well

 

[judge]

The screen on your laptop is big enough to be your TV

 

[Dickieboy]

Yes.

Look on the back of the laptop and see what outputs it has.

Look on the back of the TV and see what inputs it has.

Go to Maplins and buy a lead with one at one end and t'other at t'other.

Go home, plug it in.

Bill re the plug for Maplins, check their cable prices 'like for like' with these people

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CDL-Micro

They're great to deal with and they answer the phone as well. I got a 5 metre vga -vga cable for about 5 or 6 quid.

 

[andyclift]

Although the TV screen is not as sharp as the PC screen we have a "spare" laptop permanently connected to our plasma with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

It's great for sitting back on the sofa for web browsing, playing BBCi recordings and Wi-fi linking to my main office computer.

One thing to remember though is when booting up with TV connected the TV cannot show the VGA boot screens so nothing appears until Windows loads. No problem once you realise.

 

[Wapping]

Many thanks for all the help.

All trundling along well.