Hooking laptop to TV, methods?

[Tracyman0111]

Hey all--

Pulling my hair out here!! :'( My laptop is JUSSSSST old enough to where it has no HDMI ports, but I want to hook it to my TV. One TV has HDMI, and the other does not, but has the full range of component inputs. One thing I've been trying to do is utilize the streaming functions of the PS3 on the one TV, and the Dish Hopper on the other, but it's hit or miss as to whether the video files will be recognized. I bought a $50 USB to HDMI convertor from Radio Shack for the one TV, which works fine, but once on the TV screen, the picture is only about 60% of the screen size, so that's no good. I ordered a VGA to Component cable from Amazon (the Y, Pb and Pr) but the picture doesn't come through right, it's all purple and fuzzy. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe some type of a more reliable wireless streaming device? I'm finding it really hard to believe that I need to buy a newer laptop to make this happen. Thanks for everyones input!!

 

[Charlie98]

With the USB to HDMI convertor, did you go into screen resolution to see if 1) the TV shows up as a monitor, and 2) if you can change the resolution?

What video output plugs does your laptop have, and do either of the TV's have VGA input?

 

[poofyhairguy]

I'm finding it really hard to believe that I need to buy a newer laptop to make this happen.

You don't you could buy a nuc instead for much cheaper:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856119081

Just add some ram and some old HD.

 

[qqsubs]

Hey all--

Pulling my hair out here!! :'( My laptop is JUSSSSST old enough to where it has no HDMI ports, but I want to hook it to my TV. One TV has HDMI, and the other does not, but has the full range of component inputs. One thing I've been trying to do is utilize the streaming functions of the PS3 on the one TV, and the Dish Hopper on the other, but it's hit or miss as to whether the video files will be recognized. I bought a $50 USB to HDMI convertor from Radio Shack for the one TV, which works fine, but once on the TV screen, the picture is only about 60% of the screen size, so that's no good. I ordered a VGA to Component cable from Amazon (the Y, Pb and Pr) but the picture doesn't come through right, it's all purple and fuzzy. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe some type of a more reliable wireless streaming device? I'm finding it really hard to believe that I need to buy a newer laptop to make this happen. Thanks for everyones input!!

What laptop do you have? Does it have a docking station? Typically the docking station has more options (e.g. a DVI port) to connect to. If you have a DVI port, you could buy a DVI-HDMI adapter for the video. Get an audio to 2-audio adapter for sound and connect that to the TV and you should be set.

If not just connect VGA to VGA (assuming your TV has VGA). While VGA is analog, it does provide good picture quality as long as the cable is not too long.

 

[Tracyman0111]

So I figured out how to get the pic size to match the TV screen size, apparently I wasn't doing something right when I was selecting how it would connect to a projector. Regardless, the video is very choppy and laggy. My laptop plays video just fine by itself, could this be a problem with the adaptor? It's an Auvio, USB to HDMI adapter, $50 at RadioShack.

You don't you could buy a nuc instead for much cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856119081 Just add some ram and some old HD.

I looked at this, and some others on the newegg website, but I'm not really sure what those things are? I'm not really a computer guru in any way, just know enough to get by most times.

What laptop do you have? Does it have a docking station? Typically the docking station has more options (e.g. a DVI port) to connect to. If you have a DVI port, you could buy a DVI-HDMI adapter for the video. Get an audio to 2-audio adapter for sound and connect that to the TV and you should be set. If not just connect VGA to VGA (assuming your TV has VGA). While VGA is analog, it does provide good picture quality as long as the cable is not too long.

It's a Toshiba Satellite, L505D-S5983. All it has aside from VGA port is an eSata port, which from my understanding has nothing to do with video.

Getting a little frustrated.

 

[qqsubs]

So I figured out how to get the pic size to match the TV screen size, apparently I wasn't doing something right when I was selecting how it would connect to a projector. Regardless, the video is very choppy and laggy. My laptop plays video just fine by itself, could this be a problem with the adaptor? It's an Auvio, USB to HDMI adapter, $50 at RadioShack.



I looked at this, and some others on the newegg website, but I'm not really sure what those things are? I'm not really a computer guru in any way, just know enough to get by most times.



It's a Toshiba Satellite, L505D-S5983. All it has aside from VGA port is an eSata port, which from my understanding has nothing to do with video.

Getting a little frustrated.

Based on the specs, it has a dual core M300 processor with an ATI Radeon 4100 graphics engine. Should be good enough for TV watching.

Return the cables you just bought. Find or buy a VGA-VGA connector. These are the cables used to connect a PC/Laptop to a regular monitor and you should have one at home or at the office. Most TVs have a VGA port on the back. This should take care of video.

Buy an audio connector for the audio or just let the laptop play the audio. See the link below for more specifics.

http://www.cablesforless.com/How-Do-I-Connect-My-Computer-To-My-TV.aspx

Hope this helps..

 

[nForce2]

do either of the TV's have VGA input?

If not just connect VGA to VGA (assuming your TV has VGA).

Return the cables you just bought. Find or buy a VGA-VGA connector. These are the cables used to connect a PC/Laptop to a regular monitor and you should have one at home or at the office. Most TVs have a VGA port on the back. This should take care of video.

This. :thumbsup:

 

[crashtestdummy]

So I figured out how to get the pic size to match the TV screen size, apparently I wasn't doing something right when I was selecting how it would connect to a projector. Regardless, the video is very choppy and laggy. My laptop plays video just fine by itself, could this be a problem with the adaptor? It's an Auvio, USB to HDMI adapter, $50 at RadioShack.



I looked at this, and some others on the newegg website, but I'm not really sure what those things are? I'm not really a computer guru in any way, just know enough to get by most times.



It's a Toshiba Satellite, L505D-S5983. All it has aside from VGA port is an eSata port, which from my understanding has nothing to do with video.

Getting a little frustrated.

I don't think you can get a full frame rate at USB 2.0. 24bit/px*1920*1080px*30fps=1.5Gb/s. USB 2.0 tops out at about 280Mb/s. That means that you either have to reduce frame rate, reduce pixel data, reduce resolution, compress your image, or some combination of the above. Each will have obvious compromises. USB 3.0 has the bandwidth necessary to output 30fps 1080p video, but not USB 2.0.

Edit: Even if you get a USB 3.0 device (don't know if this is one), your laptop won't support it.

 

[Tracyman0111]

Based on the specs, it has a dual core M300 processor with an ATI Radeon 4100 graphics engine. Should be good enough for TV watching. Return the cables you just bought. Find or buy a VGA-VGA connector. These are the cables used to connect a PC/Laptop to a regular monitor and you should have one at home or at the office. Most TVs have a VGA port on the back. This should take care of video. Buy an audio connector for the audio or just let the laptop play the audio. See the link below for more specifics.

There are two main TVs in the house I want to use the laptop with. One has HDMI but no VGA, and the other is vice versa. However, both have component (Y, Pb, Pr) inputs, which is why I was initially looking at the VGA to component cable, but it doesn't seem to work with either TV.

 

[piasabird]

VGA might work. If the screen is small change the TV to 720p and see how it works. The resolution on the laptop screen may only support 720 based on the maximum screen resolution. See what the setting is on the laptop. When you hook up the VGA TO VGA cable a second monitor may appear. You may have to set up the second monitor's resolution to match the TV. The laptop may or may not support dual monitor. If not it will go blank. Dont give up if the screen is small just change the settings.

 

[qqsubs]

There are two main TVs in the house I want to use the laptop with. One has HDMI but no VGA, and the other is vice versa. However, both have component (Y, Pb, Pr) inputs, which is why I was initially looking at the VGA to component cable, but it doesn't seem to work with either TV.

Here are a couple of other options for you, between $ 30-$70.

Buy a chromecast - Saw a deal for $25 (for students) today. You can stream web based content from the chrome browser and certain apps from the pc to your TV. I don't have this. Please read about this device on Amazon and other places before you try it out.

Plex on Roku - A Roku XS or Roku 3 should cost you between $ 50-$70. Roku connects to the TV through HDMI or the traditional way. Install Plex Media Server on your Laptop and Plex app on your Roku. Not too difficult to do. You can stream all your content from your laptop to the Plex app on the Roku as well as watch a whole bunch of stuff. I have this app on a Roku XS but my Plex Server is on an i5 laptop. Works reasonably well.

You will need to move either of these devices to the computer you need support for.

I've heard that Plex works on the Chromecast as well but at this point it needs a paid Plex account ($5/month).

Good Luck!