heimerSWT

Would my HDTV accept video input from my laptop's VGA output? I am considering buying a DVI/VGA adapter, and would like to know if this is possible before I do it.

Thanks.

X

What kind of inputs does your HDTV have?

If you don't have DVI or a versatile VGA input you'll probably need to get a transcoder to convert the laptop's VGA to component.

heimerSWT

It has a DVI input (in addition to multiple component inputs).

X

And your notebook has real DVI output? You can't just use an adapter to change VGA to DVI.

heimerSWT

No. It only has a VGA output, so I guess you answered my question about the adapter.

Is there a cheap way to get it to display anything? I don't have S-Video ports on the computer either.

X

You can get a $150 transcoder or build one for less if you're skilled and brave enough. There are probably cheaper transcoders as well but they wouldn't be used in a "good" setup.

There may be VGA-> s-video converters but I don't think I'd do that.

Your biggest limitation may be the quality of your notebook's video card. Do you know what it is?

heimerSWT

Okay, the video card is an Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics Controller. At least, that is what the Device Manager, and the Display Properties windows tell me.

So, no $10 solution, huh?

X

Not that I know of.

Here are some converters but they'd probably look really crappy:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/PC-TV_GEZ-1000.html

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/PC-TV_GTM-2000.html

heimerSWT

Thanks for the help. Winamp visualizations on the big screen aren't important enough for me to spend that much though.

heimerSWT

So, this type of thing is not a possibility: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3450461891 ?

Nevermind. I just checked the port, and it doesn't have the 4 extra pins near the flat pin.

X

No. Some DVI outputs have VGA and DVI combined (DVI-I). The DVI signals (digital) are on some of the pins and the VGA signals (analog) are on other pins.

The adapter lets you get the VGA signals off the DVI-I output connector and physically converts them to a standard VGA output plug. It's purely a physical rearrangement of the wires/pins. You would need some electronics to convert the analog VGA to digital DVI and it isn't going to fit in that adapter and it's going to cost a lot more.

I use one of these adapters myself as I have a VGA-out and a DVI-out on my video card but I need two VGAs. The adapter gives me that (although I notice the VGA quality isn't as good as the standard VGA out).