Ok, I need help cuz I suck hard with computers

[BerenTebogo]

I have a 3-4(not sure) year old Sony Vaio (the small compact one) as my main computer.

My desktop is strictly for videogames, music, and homework.

Now neither of the computers have this "S-Video" thing that my local circuit city employees keep yappin to me about, but my TV is brand new so it has all the hookups I'd need to do anything, ever.

My question is, without S-Video or a projector thingy, is there any way I can play my ass-loads of Anime from my laptop onto my nice new HDTV?

Or would I have to save it all to an external HD and run it through my PS3 (can I even do that?)

I'm 100% retarded with computers and electronics so small words + diagrams are welcome.

[Minions]

There is a forum devoted to tech stuff (just for future reference)

[Scythiroth]

Randomly found this while searching google: http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?c ... &sku=27387

I have no idea if this works or if this site is good, but too tired to think a lot right now.

[BerenTebogo]

Been away from BG for a while, must have missed it

Hope an admin will move it for me, thanks.

[Totien]

If the TV has all the input choices like you say it does you should just be able to hook it directly to your PC as though it was a monitor.

Unless I'm misunderstanding.

[Not Kuno]

Technical Support Question'D

[Isiolia]

Perhaps post the make/model of your TV or a link to the technical specifications of it. Computer too, possibly.

You could use a scan converter like the one linked to. I've used one way back in the day...was alright, not great, but it worked. For that cost though, you could buy two or three low end video cards with S-Video out. For example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814127128
However, that'd only be an option if your computer has an AGP slot, not just integrated video.

It's also possible that your TV has a VGA input, a good number of LCD based HDTVs do anyway. Or your PC may have a DVI connection that you can easily get a cable or converter to go into an HDMI port on your HDTV.
Ex: http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI- ... ml#dvihdmi

For a reference, look at the pictures here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814143046

The small round plug is S-Video, the white one is DVI, the blue one is VGA.

Ideally you'd want VGA or DVI/HDMI connections since you could do higher resolutions using them.

[Faranim]

If the TV has all the input choices like you say it does you should just be able to hook it directly to your PC as though it was a monitor.

Unless I'm misunderstanding.

Depends on what kind of inputs the TV really has. I'm definately not an expert, but there's quite a few video connection possibilities:

1. Coax. This is how the oldschool NES consoles output to the TV. Nobody does this anymore.
2. Composite. This is how modern Consoles connect to the TV. It's typically 3 wires, Yellow (Video), White and Red (Left and Right Audio)
3. Component. This has 3 separate wires for the 3 video channels (Red, Green, Blue?).
4. VGA. This is how older monitors connect to a PC. It's a 15-pin connector in a trapezoid shape
5. DVI. This is how newer monitors connect to a PC. It's a rectangular shape (typically white).
6. S-Video. This is how DVD Players and some Video Cards connect to a TV. It's a Circular connector.

If you go to http://www.CablesToGo.com, you can find Cables to convert to and from virtually any of these formats.

Your video card probably has a VGA (small, trapezoid shaped) port. An Adaptor for converting VGA to DVI is fairly common (ex http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?c ... &sku=26957). If your TV has a DVI Input, then you can use a DVI Cable from there. Otherwise you'll need to find some combination of cables and adapters that let you hook the 2 together.

[BerenTebogo]

Ok just got in from class and to be honest I don't understand a lot of the info being thrown around but I do greatly appreciate it.

As suggested I'm going to link to the make / model of my laptop and my TV and maybe can get down to exactly what I need. Much appreciated again all.

Beware also, I'm not sure these are the absolute best links I could get but I honestly don't know good electronics sites (circuit city goooo)

Panasonic HDTV

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Panas...oductDetail.do

Sony Vaio Laptop (Model Type on bottom says PCG-4A1L)

http://www.impactcomputers.com/sony-...r3a-parts.html

Hope this helps, I really do get lost in all this, it's embarassing.

Edit:
and yes my Laptop has a VGA slot (trapezoid thing) and upon inspection of my TV I have - S video inputs (3x round things with V slotted dots) and HDMI (USB like slot except kinda trapezoidal)

The only AV out slot I can find is the VGA slot on my laptop.

[Saphirea]

VGA out from Laptop to DVI in on TV
They make converters and cables that will allow you to do it

If memory serves me correct all you need to do after you plug the cable in. Switch TV to the appropriate Input and on most laptops its control F5 to goto video out.

[Isiolia]

Here's where your problem is going to be.

For some reference, look here http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_1 ... -2004.html

DVI is not only one type of connection. If you notice the Cables to Go adapter is specified as a DVI-A connection, IE, it's analog.

There are three types of DVI connections...DVI-D (digital), DVI-A (analog), and DVI-I (both, but it'll only use analog if digital is not available).

DVI to HDMI converters only work with -digital- signals. So going VGA -> DVI-A -> HDMI is a no-go.

There are converters to go from VGA to HDMI, but they're not cheap http://www.lenexpo-electronics.com/prod ... ctid=16544

[BerenTebogo]

yea actually I ran into that problem when I went into the little electronics store my friend manages (ok its not that small)

And yea, you're right, not very cheap at all but he used his 35% discount for me so its all good.

So I'm writing this via a wireless Keyboard and my TV and am extremely happy (queued up Suzumiya Haruhi on this and it looks AMAZING) so thank you everyone for your help.

This is so cool, lol.