Connect Laptop to TV: Converter

Showing posts with label Converter. Show all posts

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Connect DVI Laptop to S-Video/RCA TV

Your Laptop (DVI Out)

Your TV (S-Video/RCA In)

While an extremely unorthodox setup, sometimes you have to work with what you have. In the instance of connecting your laptop's DVI OUTPUT to your TV's S-Video/RCA INPUT you'll need a few things. Before reading further though, I'd recommend using just about any other cable and conversion method available to you before doing this, as it requires more than 1 or 2 cables and a converter and to me just seems like more of a hassle than it's worth.

DVI to HDMI Cable

This cable allows you to send your digital signal from your laptop's DVI OUTPUT to your converter's HDMI INPUT in a single cable.

HDMI to S-Video/RCA Converter

Once your DVI to HDMI cable is connected to your laptop's DVI OUTPUT, connect it to this converter's HDMI INPUT. Since DVI is unable to carry audio, this will only convert your laptop's video to an analog signal, meaning the only two cables that need to come out of this converter's OUTPUT are an S-Video cable (optional for better quality) and a single RCA video cable. There should be NO cables connected to the LEFT (white) and RIGHT (red) audio outputs, as there is no audio signal coming from them in this scenario.

RCA Video Cable

Connect one end of this RCA Video cable to your HDMI to S-Video/RCA converter's video OUTPUT and the other end to your TV's video INPUT.

S-Video Cable

For better video quality, connect one end of this S-Video cable to your HDMI to S-Video/RCA converter's video OUTPUT and the other end to your TV's S-Video INPUT.

Recommended Audio Connection

3.5mm to RCA Y-Splitter

There are many ways you can connect your audio to your TV, except in this convoluted solution the absolute easiest method is to get a simple 3.5mm to RCA stereo Y-Splitter. Connect the 3.5mm end to your laptop's headphone jack for audio OUTPUT, and the other end to your TV's left (white) and right (red) audio INPUTS. For more information regarding this cable, please read my article on connecting your laptop to TV via 3.5mm to RCA Y-Splitter.

Connect DVI Laptop to VGA TV and Vice Versa

Your Laptop (VGA Out)

Your TV (DVI-I In)

Your Laptop (DVI Out)

Your TV (VGA In)

If you don't have a digital input available to you on your TV like HDMI or DVI, using a VGA input is the next best thing. While it doesn't carry a perfect signal like its digital cousins, VGA is capable of at least providing a higher resolution than any other non-digital cables. Known commonly as a "blue monitor cable," chances are if you're reading this on a desktop computer you probably have one within a few feet of you. VGA outputs are common on most laptops, but if you have a small netbook, DVI output may be your only option. If that's the case, you'll need this DVI to VGA converter cable. Just connect the DVI end into your laptop's DVI OUTPUT and connect the VGA end to your TV's VGA INPUT and you're all set.

Converting VGA to DVI

Unlike many of the other conversion processes on this site, converting a VGA signal to a DVI signal isn't always as straight-forward as you would think. This is due in part to the fact that there are several types of DVI ports and only a few of them will work with the cable listed above. The simple rule is this: If your TV's DVI INPUT has a small group of 4 pins off to the side this cable will work. If there is not a group of 4 pins, then it won't and you'll have to find a VGA analog to DVI digital converter like the one pictured to the left.

If your TV INPUT looks like a DVI-I connector, the cable will work.
If it looks like the DVI-D connector, you'll need a converter.

VGA to DVI and DVI to VGA Audio Options

Like every video cable, with the exception of HDMI, using the methods above will only get you half way in connecting your laptop to your TV. If you want your laptop's audio to play on your TV's speakers, you'll need to select one of the following options. While I recommend using an optical to optical cable or coaxial to coaxial cable if at all possible, if those options aren't available you can try one of the following.

Connect HDMI Laptop to S-Video RCA TV

Your Laptop (HDMI Out)

Your TV (S-Video/RCA Out)

When dealing with newer laptops and older TVs, sometimes the only option is to take that excellent digital audio and video quality provided by your laptop and bastardize it down to an analog technology originally designed in the early 1940's. That's when you have to convert your laptop's HDMI output to your TV's S-Video or RCA input. Fortunately, it can be done for less than $50... Which is a lot cheaper than buying a new TV! Here's what you need to make it happen.

HDMI Cable

A simple HDMI cable will carry a digital signal from your laptop's HDMI OUPUT to your HDMI to RCA converter's HDMI INPUT port.

HDMI to S-Video/RCA Converter

This device converts the digital HDMI signal from your laptop into an analog source that is output via S-Video and RCA cables. There are many models out there, but this one so far carries the best reviews and the most reasonable price.

To use it, plug the HDMI cable originating from your laptop into the adapter's HDMI INPUT end, and plug one end of your S-Video and RCA cables into the adapter's OUTPUT end.

S-Video Cable

While not entirely necessary for the HDMI to RCA conversion to work properly, the use of an S-Video cable will improve your video quality. It won't be mind-blowing by any stretch of the imagination, but it will make your image crisper and text easier to read.

One end of the S-Video cable will plug into your adapter's S-Video OUTPUT and the other end will plug into your TV's S-Video INPUT port.

Component (RCA) Cable

The old tried-and-true, 3-color RCA cable is still probably the most common A/V connector cable available. Each of the three cables are physically identical, but are color coded for ease of use. Traditionally, the yellow cable carries video, red carries right-channel audio, and white carries left-channel or mono audio.

As with the S-Video cable, one end of each of the three cables will plug into the adapter's Video, Left, and Right OUTPUT while their corresponding ends will plug into your TV's Video, Left, and right INPUT port.

HDMI to S-Video/RCA Audio Options

If you are able to transmit audio through your HDMI cable, there's nothing else you need to do. The converter takes care of the audio and you're in business. However, if your video card is unable to transmit audio over your HDMI cable, there are a few other common options for you to connect your laptop's audio to your TV's speakers.

Connect HDMI Laptop to VGA TV

Your Laptop (HDMI Out)

Your TV (VGA In)

If connecting your laptop to your TV directly with an HDMI cable or with an HDMI to DVI converter cable isn't an option, the next best option is to use an HDMI to VGA converter. While VGA is not a digital signal like HDMI or DVI, and therefore will never be quite as crystal clear, it does allow for higher resolutions than its component, S-Video, and RCA counterparts.

Using an HDMI to VGA converter to connect your laptop to your TV will allow for 1920x1080 resolutions (the same pixel resolution as 1080p), but when viewing the same picture at the same resolution through an HDMI cable, the trained eye will notice a slight difference in quality. In order to successfully connect your laptop's HDMI output to your TV's VGA input, you'll need the following items.

HDMI cable

First, you'll need a standard HDMI cable. Nothing fancy is necessary; a simple, $3-$5 cable with good reviews is all you need. Don't get tricked by a salesman at Best Buy into buying a $200 "guaranteed for life" Monster cable that carries the exact same 1's and 0's as a $5 BlueRigger cable.

One end of this HDMI cable will attach to your laptop's HDMI OUTPUT and the other end will attach to your HDMI to VGA converter's HDMI INPUT.

HDMI to VGA Converter

Since HDMI carries a digital signal and VGA carries an analog signal, a converter is necessary to connect your HDMI laptop to your VGA TV. In addition to converting video, this adapter also will take audio from your HDMI cable if you so desire and output it to an analog 3.5mm audio format.

To use this adapter, simply plug the HDMI cable originating from your laptop into the adapter's HDMI INPUT port and plug one end of your VGA cable into the adapter's VGA OUTPUT slot.

VGA cable

Lastly, you'll need a VGA cable to carry the analog signal from the adapter to your TV. A VGA cable is your basic monitor cable and usually has a blue colored plug on each end. If you have a spare montior cable lying around (make sure it's VGA and not DVI) that will work as well.

One end of your VGA cable should already be plugged into your adapter's VGA OUTPUT port, so simply plug the other end into your TV's VGA INPUT port, change your TV's input to VGA, and you should be up and running!

HDMI to VGA Audio Options

While HDMI cables have the ability to carry audio, VGA cables, being analog in nature, do not. There are several options you can pursue when connecting your laptop's audio to your TV's speakers. However, considering the build of the HDMI to VGA converter listed above, your best bet in my opinion is to simply buy a 3.5mm analog audio cable and connect it from your converter directly to your TV. Check to make sure your TV accepts 3.5mm audio input first, but chances are if it accepts VGA video input it does. Then, set your computer to send audio over HDMI and you're in business!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Connect RCA Laptop to Optical or Coaxial TV Audio

Your Laptop (Composite (RCA) Out - Very Unlikely)

Your TV (Optical In)

Your TV (Coaxial In)

Considering this is so rare, I'm not sure why I'm even posting it, but I figured since it's a possibility I might as well list it if someone is really desperate. I recommend this method as an absolute last resort. Using this converter will not up-scale your analog stereo output (via RCA) to a clearer digital version through optical or coaxial, so this method really just seems silly. That being said, if your laptop has a composite (RCA) output you can connect it to your TV through an optical or coaxial input using the following items.

Composite (RCA) Cable

The RCA cable will carry an analog signal from your laptop to the analog-to-digital converter before getting to your TV. To use this cable, plug one end into the red and white RCA OUTPUT ports on your laptop and the other end into the red and white RCA INPUT ports on the analog-to-digital converter.

RCA to Coaxial/Optical Audio Converter

This device converts an analog RCA signal originating from your laptop and converts it to a digital coaxial or optical signal for use on your TV. Make sure the RCA cables coming from your laptop are plugged into the converter's INPUT and the coaxial or optical cables are plugged into the converter's OUTPUT.

Coaxial Cable

The coaxial cable carries a digital signal from the analog-to-digital converter to your TV. Make sure one end of your coaxial cable is plugged into the OUTPUT of your analog-to-digital converter and the other end is plugged into your TV's coaxial INPUT.

Optical (Toslink) Cable

If you don't wish to use a coaxial cable with this device to connect your laptop to your TV you may elect to use an optical cable instead. The optical cable carries a digital signal from the analog-to-digital converter to your TV. Make sure one end of your optical cable is plugged into the OUTPUT of your analog-to-digital converter and the other end is plugged into your TV's optical INPUT.

Connect Optical or Coaxial Laptop to 3.5mm or RCA TV Audio

Your Laptop (Optical Out)

Your Laptop (Coaxial Out)

Your TV (3.5mm In AKA "Aux In")

Your TV (Composite (RCA) In)

While not the most ideal solution, sometimes you don't get to choose what ports you have to work with. In the event you have an optical or coaxial output on your laptop and a 3.5mm input or a composite (RCA) input on your TV, you'll need three of the following five items to successfully connect your laptop audio to your TV's speakers.

Optical (Toslink) Cable

The optical cable carries a digital signal from your computer to the adapter, where it gets converted to an analog signal. One end of the optical cable will go into your computer's OUTPUT and the other end will go into the digital-to-analog adapter's INPUT.

Coaxial Cable

The coaxial cable carries a digital signal from your computer to the adapter, where it gets converted to an analog signal. One end of the coaxial cable will go into your computer's OUTPUT and the other end will go into the digital-to-analog adapter's INPUT.

Digital (Optical/Coaxial) to Analog (3.5mm/RCA) Converter

A digital to analog converter is required to convert the optical or coaxial cable's digital signal to that of an analog signal that may be utilized by a 3.5mm cable or two Composite (RCA) cables. This particular adapter only works one way. This means the optical or coaxial cable must leave your laptop's OUTPUT port to plug into the adapter's INPUT side, and the 3.5mm or RCA cable must leave the adapter's OUTPUT and plug into your TV's INPUT port.

3.5mm (Mini-jack) Cable

One of the most universal stereo audio cables available, the 3.5mm cable can be applied to just about everything. iPods, smart phones, laptops, and TVs are just a few devices that have the ability to utilize a 3.5mm cable in some fashion. This cable will plug into the adapter's OUTPUT port, with the other end plugging into the TV's INPUT port.

Composite (RCA) Cable

Alternatively, if your TV doesn't have a 3.5mm input, chances are it has a composite input. This cable requires two ends for stereo or one for mono. For mono sound, plug one end of the white-tipped cable into the digital/analog converter's OUTPUT port and the other end into your TV's INPUT port. For stereo, do the same with the red-tipped cable. Once all the cables are properly connected to your laptop and TV through the adapter, your sound should come through perfectly!

Connect Optical Laptop to Coaxial TV Audio and Vice Versa

Your Laptop (Optical Out)

Your TV (Coaxial In)

(OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND!)

When connecting your laptop to your TV you want to try your hardest to maintain a digital signal. This allows for crystal clear audio and is the only type of signal that allows for full surround sound. However, sometimes you'll run into issues where your Laptop outputs don't necessarily match up with your TV inputs. If your laptop has an optical output and your TV has a coaxial input, you'll need these three things in order to maintain that clear digital signal.

Digital Coaxial Cable

A digital coaxial cable is required to connect your digital/analog adapter to your TV's coaxial input. While this particular cable is designed specifically for this purpose, if you have any spare RCA cables (regardless of their color) lying around, those will work too.

Optical (Toslink) Cable

An optical (Toslink) cable is required to connect your laptop or desktop's optical output to a digital/analog adapter box.

Dual Output Digital Audio Adapter

While the signal passing through each cable is ultimately sent and received in a digital format, the medium through which it is passed is significantly different. An optical cable passes the digital signal by rapidly flashing a red light from the laptop to the TV. A coaxial cable, on the other hand, uses electric pulses to transmit the digital signal. Since it would be impossible to convert light into electricity by using a simple cable, a digital audio adapter is required.

This adapter is one of the few that will allow you to convert an optical signal to a digital coaxial one and convert the other way around. This adapter, combined with the two cables listed here will successfully connect your laptop's audio to your TV. Simply plug one end of the proper cord into your laptop's audio OUTPUT and plug the other end into the adapter's INPUT side. Then, plug one end of the second cable into the adapter's OUTPUT side and the other end into your TV's INPUT. Then you're all set!