Connecting my laptop PC and TV

wrightman90 · 08-01-2012, 19:15

Hi there,

I am trying to find out how I can connect my PC and TV together. This site says I need a VGA to HDMI converter, but can I not use a wireless USB to HDMI streamer instead?

(I've got a Toshiba Satellite L300 PC (VGA) and a (presumably) HDMI 'HD' LG Television).

Many thanks

thenry · 08-01-2012, 20:28

buy a vga to hdmi cable, cheap ones available on ebay - that said i've never tested so wouldn't have a clue. not sure about wireless, it may interfere. i came across a thread yesterday that was about someone having issues using bluetooth and wifi at the sametime.

Scrubbs · 08-01-2012, 20:39

are you wanting to use the tv as a monitor? or your laptop as tv/recorder?

or both

Jameseh · 08-01-2012, 21:03

VGA is analog whereas HDMI is digital so it wouldn't work, the cables are usually made for projectors which presumably do the conversion themselves.

Your TV has VGA (Argos list it as 'PC input') So you'll need a VGA cable and a 3.5mm headphone jack cable as well.

Tim Deegan · 08-01-2012, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jameseh

VGA is analog whereas HDMI is digital so it wouldn't work, the cables are usually made for projectors which presumably do the conversion themselves.

Your TV has VGA (Argos list it as 'PC input') So you'll need a VGA cable and a 3.5mm headphone jack cable as well.

That's exactly how I connected my LG TV to my laptop. However I can't remember the exact specifications, but I needed a certain spec VGA cable because my TV is over a certain size. Of course this was the more expensive cable...typical.

**Kymmy** · 08-01-2012, 21:43

There is no "special" type of VGA cable apart from the connectors (most are high density 15 way D) The signal will be the same no matter what size the TV is as long as it has a VGA/PC input

As for VGA being analogue and HDMI digital that is correct and some cables have the associated circuitry for conversion between the two, otherwise you can get converter boxes that will do the same. Just make sure that they will do the resolution required..

But as already stated your TV should take a standard VGA signal

Tim Deegan · 08-01-2012, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

There is no "special" type of VGA cable apart from the connectors (most are high density 15 way D) The signal will be the same no matter what size the TV is as long as it has a VGA/PC input

As for VGA being analogue and HDMI digital that is correct and some cables have the associated circuitry for conversion between the two, otherwise you can get converter boxes that will do the same. Just make sure that they will do the resolution required..

But as already stated your TV should take a standard VGA signal

Looks like I was a victim of sales hype then

I suppose that's typical of PC World, which is why I usually avoid them.

So Let me get this straight Kymmy, there is no higher standard cable needed for a 42" TV over lets say a 22" TV?

Jameseh · 08-01-2012, 22:15

They'll have said that you require a higher quality cable for a better picture quality due to the picture being viewed on a large screen (as you would notice glitches more easily) which as you suggest is pretty much bogus.

They do this with HDMI cables that cost over £50 when the 99p ones on Amazon would produce exactly the same picture (providing they're the same length) though they are digital so slightly different than a VGA one.

Tim Deegan · 08-01-2012, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jameseh

They'll have said that you require a higher quality cable for a better picture quality due to the picture being viewed on a large screen (as you would notice glitches more easily) which as you suggest is pretty much bogus.

They do this with HDMI cables that cost over £50 when the 99p ones on Amazon would produce exactly the same picture (providing they're the same length) though they are digital so slightly different than a VGA one.

I thought as much, although I couldn't really question it at the time, as I didn't know any better.

The really annoying thing is that I spend a great deal of time advising people on how to avoid similar cons in the bed industry.

**Kymmy** · 09-01-2012, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jameseh

They'll have said that you require a higher quality cable for a better picture quality due to the picture being viewed on a large screen (as you would notice glitches more easily) which as you suggest is pretty much bogus.

They do this with HDMI cables that cost over £50 when the 99p ones on Amazon would produce exactly the same picture (providing they're the same length) though they are digital so slightly different than a VGA one.

As you say even that is pretty much bogus.. If the signal did degrade over the short length then it would show as an extremely slight color cast for the briefest of time.. The only time you need better quality cables is when your on a much longer run with extremely high resolutions.. the 1080p on a TV shouldn't be an issue for a standard cable.

Tim Deegan · 09-01-2012, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

As you say even that is pretty much bogus.. If the signal did degrade over the short length then it would show as an extremely slight color cast for the briefest of time.. The only time you need better quality cables is when your on a much longer run with extremely high resolutions.. the 1080p on a TV shouldn't be an issue for a standard cable.

Thanks for that Kymmy

**Kymmy** · 09-01-2012, 16:54

Look at it this way..

The signal is still being sent by the same equipment and probably being received by the same chipset no matter if the TV has a 22" 1080p than a 52" 1080p screen. The same for signal receivers inside of the TV, the same receiver unit was probably used in most models even for the old analogue sets.

---------- Post added at 16:54 ---------- Previous post was at 16:51 ----------

Shopping in Letchworth tomorrow so might pop into a TV shop either there or Hitchin and ask a few salesmen what cables I need to connect a 52" to a laptop

I need a laugh or two

Tim Deegan · 09-01-2012, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Look at it this way..

The signal is still being sent by the same equipment and probably being received by the same chipset no matter if the TV has a 22" 1080p than a 52" 1080p screen. The same for signal receivers inside of the TV, the same receiver unit was probably used in most models even for the old analogue sets.

---------- Post added at 16:54 ---------- Previous post was at 16:51 ----------

Shopping in Letchworth tomorrow so might pop into a TV shop either there or Hitchin and ask a few salesmen what cables I need to connect a 52" to a laptop

I need a laugh or two

Try PC World in Stevenage. But take Trading Standards with you for when they also try to rip you off.