using my pc to watch tv (Full Version)

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Grace71 -> using my pc to watch tv (3/9/2010 12:31:53 PM)

I don't watch much tv, so I am thinking about hooking up my laptop to my tv. I usually watch my shows off Hulu, so I figured I'd save money on cable. I know what kind of cable I need, however I need to find out if my video card supports tv out. But I cannot find the info for my card in my computers settings, etc. Can anyone tell me where I can find it? I've looked under settings, properties, etc. No luck.



Miss Giggles -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/9/2010 12:35:32 PM)

1) Hulu is working on becoming a paid service. They have not finalized anything but they stated they will still offer limited free content.

2) If you have a tv with an hdmi input and an hdmi input on your laptop.. you just need the cable.



figmentPez -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/11/2010 4:37:46 PM)

If you know what type of cable you need, look around your laptop to see if it has the right port to plug that cable into. Most likely, if you have the correct port on the outside of your laptop, then it will support that type of video output. If you don't have the port, then you'd need to buy extra hardware.

If you've already found the correct port, and are having trouble getting it activated, check your computer's manual. Chances are there is a function key combination to press to enable the out put (probably the Fn key along with one of the F# keys).



jhuperetes -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/12/2010 9:38:05 AM)

If you tell us the model of the TV, and your computer we we can help you find the hook up solution.



thepcmom -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/17/2010 7:54:24 PM)

Lifehacker.com had a very informative article about this a few months ago. I have a "s" video port on my laptop and am able to hook it up to my tv and watch hulu.



Grace71 -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/17/2010 10:19:13 PM)

I have a Phillips magnavox for at tv, has the standard av jacks and cable hookup and s-video port. My puter is an acer aspire 3000. I've looked and some sites say I just need one cable from the puter to the tv, other say I need the cable that comes with av cables attached or I won't get sound. It just makes me confuzzled...



figmentPez -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/17/2010 11:01:43 PM)

The reviews I'm reading say that the Acer Aspire 3000 does not have an S-video output. Since your TV doesn't have a VGA port, it will not be easy (or cheap) for you to connect your computer to your TV.



netstroller -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/17/2010 11:03:38 PM)

This laptop only has a VGA port. You need a VGA to SVideo or composite converter like these, but I have no experience personally with these:

http://www.svideo.com/vga2video.html

http://www.meritline.com/vga-to-tv-converter---p-40917.aspx?source=nextaghdac

meritline is an established vendor I've bought from since 2001 but I have no experience with this item, vga2video has been around a long time too IIRC but I've never bought from them.



Grace71 -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/18/2010 10:06:26 AM)

Thank you for your help.



figmentPez -> RE: using my pc to watch tv (3/18/2010 1:37:03 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: netstroller

This laptop only has a VGA port. You need a VGA to SVideo or composite converter like these, but I have no experience personally with these:

http://www.svideo.com/vga2video.html

http://www.meritline.com/vga-to-tv-converter---p-40917.aspx?source=nextaghdac

meritline is an established vendor I've bought from since 2001 but I have no experience with this item, vga2video has been around a long time too IIRC but I've never bought from them.


Wow, VGA to S-video converters have come down a lot in price. The last time I checked them out (3 years ago?) They were all over $100, and seemed to be going up in price as fewer and fewer people wanted them.


That said, if someone does decide to go this route, and buy the converter, they'll need a separate cable for the audio. VGA only carries video, so they'll need to get a cable to take the audio from the headphone port on the laptop to the RCA audio jacks on their TV. Cables of that type are pretty easy to find, as they're often used to connect iPods and other MP3 players to a stereo system.



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