| Author |
Message |
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (207.30.189.75)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 5:49 pm: | |
Well, this is bus related because I want to install a "home type" computer that was given to us in our bus. I would like to be able to use our TV as the monitor. What do I need to allow me to do this? On the back of this computer next to the monitor connection is a cable TV type connector and what looks like as "S cable" connector. The only input on the TV we want to use is the cable TV type connector. Thanks in advance, Jack |
Derek (Derek_L) (24.83.196.239)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 6:19 pm: | |
Jack,
Eeek, I admittedly haven't paid too close attention to the latest gadgets in the last few months, but before then I haven't heard of any such device... What it sounds like you have is a TV Tuner video card, such as the ATi All In Wonder.. The cable is, as far as I know, input only, and that's to operate the TV tuner in the computer... You'll need to use the Video Out capabilities (if applicable!) to connect to your television.
If you have a digital camera and can take a picture, I'll be able to point you in the right direction and help out a little more. |
H3Jim (68.107.62.94)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 7:03 pm: | |
I think you'll find there aren't any because the typical resolution of TV's is so dismal, its unusable.
You are better off getting a computer monitor and getting a tuner card for the PC so you can use the tv signal. If you are wanting to pare it down to one screen that is. |
Airless in Mississippi (68.243.160.107)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 7:23 pm: | |
Jack there is a device you can use your tv as a monitor. The picture is not real clear but it is available the last time I saw it at Wally world... IT was the size of a cable channel box and went between tv and computer providing tv and monitor. Cost was nearly 150.00 for it. I sold one of them to a customer and tried hard to convince them NOT do buy it. They were not satisfied with the outcome. |
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (207.30.189.75)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 8:24 pm: | |
Thanks, Airless,
We have decided to just purchase a flat screen LCD monitor and set it on the dinette table when "computing". We already have a wireless keyboard and mouse, so computer can be sorta remote mounted (using a 10' monitor cable). Jack |
Jack In KC (65.30.16.104)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 9:04 pm: | |
I have a Samsung Sync Master 150mp monitor. There is a TV built into the monitor. It has separate inputs for PC, TV, and Video 1 & Video 2. I plan to use it both as a TV (comes with remote) and a computer monitor. I might use it as a backup monitor too.
I don’t have wireless keyboard and mouse yet but I plan to get them. Also, a wireless network is a must.
Jack In KC |
Mike M (64.252.215.170)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 9:16 pm: | |
My laptop came with a cable that I hook up to the audio/video inputs on the tv (same place you would hook up play station etc). It converts the 1/8 type output from the computer to the white and yellow rca inputs of tv.
Then in control panel of computer you set video output to tv. And set the tv to video input much like connecting a camcorder to it.
The resolution is perfect, use it for web classes all the time. |
Jeff Pritchard (Jeffpritchard) (70.179.28.145)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 9:40 pm: | |
Some of the new High Def LCD TV's have computer inputs on them now so they can serve dual duty. Big bucks though.
jp |
WA David (Wacoastmci) (148.64.136.193)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 9:55 pm: | |
Jack,
If your laptop can produce S-Video out signal, then you can connect it directly to your LCD monitor. (all monitors have this connector). However, S-Video is display only, no sound, so you would need speakers attached to laptop or some other audio connection to TV. You may (also) have red, white, yellow (left and right stero audio and composite video) connectors out of your laptop which can also be connected to a VCR or TV. Best connection (video and sound quality) from digital device to HDTV monitor is red, green, blue component video and fiber optic audio connection. In order of old Sears, good, better, best: good is red/yellow/white, better is S-Video with red/white audio and best is component red/green/blue with fiber optic audio. We use Sony Vaio with docking station in bus that provides for video connections and video recording. Very nice laptop, nice design, great screen display, lots of features. |
Don/TX (66.82.9.49)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 9:24 pm: | |
Say WA David, I have a Sony Vaio (PCG-FRV) with the A/v outputs and a LCD TV. Will a set of cables allow me to use the TV as a monitor? Good results expected? |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (68.252.9.211)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 9:58 pm: | |
You'll go blind. |
Don/TX (66.82.9.19)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:36 am: | |
Too late, already did that! |
FishbowlBrian (Fishbowlbrian) (67.165.212.171)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 1:34 am: | |
Only cable to input/output a "computer quality" signal is a VGA or DVI monitor cable. Composite, S-Video, and component will not synch up at a high enough resolution to enable it to be used as a monitor, without "going blind", like Gary said. The signal's already been downconverted to go into these cables to meet NTSC requirements.
Your LCD TV probably has more than enough resolution to be used as a monitor, but many are made without computer inputs to save a few bucks. Look on your TV for a 15 pin VGA cable or an oblong multi-pin one with a long perpendiclar slot (DVI-D).
HTH,
FBB |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.79.46)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 11:05 am: | |
Yeah, you'll be going from SVGA True-Color and resolution to NTSC/Commodore 64 quality.
Gary |
Don/TX (66.82.9.30)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:09 pm: | |
All the tv has is an "S-video" plug, along with several RCA type plugs with right, left, and video markings.
What good is the S Video plug, what is it for? |
FishbowlBrian (Fishbowlbrian) (67.165.212.171)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:14 pm: | |
Hi Don:
S-video is a slightly higher-fidelity way to carry an NTSC signal than the composite cable (single yellow RCA). Luminance and chromiance parts of the video signal are separated in an s-video cable. Component video goes one step further and has a three-wire cable.
HTH,
FBB |
Don/TX (66.82.9.26)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 2:00 pm: | |
But I don't have an s-video port on the Sony laptop. Can I get the signal from a usb or other port? |
gillig-dan (63.111.68.130)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 10:54 am: | |
I made a mounting bracket for my 17" flat panel monitor (they start about $270 these days) from my home computer to mount the front wall of the bus. A couple wing nuts pop it right in. I found a TV to VGA box that transforms the NTSC output from a portable DVD player to VGA. The unit also has a tv tuner. the box was about $50. I could have just connected the panel to my laptop, but then I would have only one dvd player to keep everyone from age 6 - 19 happy. So, laptop with DVD-ROM in the bedroom, portable DVD & flat-panel up front; I, as the driver, get nothing.... no whining... no arguing... this is the only way to travel!
Gillig-Dan
'70 Gillig 636 |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.79.46)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 10:59 am: | |
Who's got a 17" for <$300???
You are going in the right direction, pushing your NTSC to the higher res monitor.
The question in this thread though is the opposite, they want to use their TV as a monitor, which is technically possible, it sucks rocks.
Please let me know where you got your panel!!
Gary |
Gillig-Dan (63.111.68.130)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 3:41 pm: | |
I was assuming they might just want to have just one video monitor to serve both the computer and tv. Jack mentioned that was what he going to buy a LCD monitor.
I got my 17" flat panel from Newegg.com. I chose one for just under $400 from Benq. They have generics in the under $300 price ($269 was the lowest 17" I found today). I don't work for them but, I will vouch for their price and service. Disclaimer... All prices in US Dollars, people in the far north should shift the decimal one place to the right, your prices may vary.
Next, I figure I will take my video projector from the living room and we can have an outdoor theatre using a tripod, portable screen and the JBL PA speakers gathering dust in the garage. Nothing like roughing it eh! (threw that in for the Canadians).
Gillig-Dan |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.79.46)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 4:00 pm: | |
Costco has VGA/SVHS projectors for a great price, it has all the cool television features, like 16:9, etc....
they also make great computer monitors, but most busses don't have room for the "Screen" LOL.
Gary |
WA David (Wacoastmci) (148.64.136.193)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 4:58 pm: | |
More on laptop to TV connection-
From Sony VGN-A190 User’s Manual:
Selecting a display
“Your computer comes with a Plug and Display feature which enables you to connect an external display to the computer and instantly view an image on the connected display. An external display can be a projector, computer monitor or TV.”
“To switch the display between the computer screen (LCD), the external display, or both, use the Fn +f7 shortcut keys or the S1 button. Fn+F7 toggles display between the computer screen, a connected external display, and both the LCD and an external display. You can also select the Setup option to adjust the Plug and Display settings. Select one display (LCD or an external display) when playing a DVD.”
“Plug and Display customizes the screen resolution to fit within the external display. However if the external display’s screen resolution is larger than the computer’s screen resolution, Plug and Display adjusts both images to the largest resolution shared by both devices.”
Don, I don’t know about your Vaio model, but the Sony Vaio VGN A-190 can be directly connected to any TV, as mentioned earlier, without using anything other than the appropriate cabling. If you want a good quality picture, connect it to a good quality 16:9 LCD HDTV monitor with good screen resolution. Our new TV (Sony KLV23HR1) has 23" TFT active matrix LCD panel screen with resolution of 1280 x 768. Higher resolution is available in other models.
Concering the size of the 16:9 TV/monitor that is an issue for a bus. We had wanted to use a 27", but could not fit it in the cabinet in the bus. The 23" Sony model fits OK and replaced a 20" Sony CRT TV in roughly the same space without too much use of the Sawzall. TV's exterior dimensions are 23 3/4"w x 17"h.
Gary, are you still watching TV on that old CRT with the rabbit ears?
WA David
MCI 102D |
Don/TX (66.82.9.22)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 11:45 pm: | |
Thanks for all that. For what it is worth, here at home I have a wireless accessory thing, you plug one into the Vaio and the other to the TV. I am therefore able to use the big house TV for "slide shows" with large audiences, and can also play a DVD in the notebook and we all watch it on the big screen. All with no wires connecting the TV to the notebook. |