VGA to RCA?

Question

I've got a laptop.

I've got a TV (not HD).

I've got a VGA to RCA cable.

What do I do/need in order to use my TV as a monitor?

Please don't answer if you don't know.

Answer 1

This depends on the TV you have.

Your laptop with the cable you have will output a signal of type 'RGB'. This is not a signal most TV accept.

First, check your TV inputs, do you have three RCA connector in colors Red, Green and Blue labeled Y, Pb, Pr or Y, Cb, Cr or R, G, B?

** Updated **

Then connect to them. Don't use the RCA colored in red, white and yellow because they're for audio and crappy composite video.

Back to the red, green and blue connector... they must have another label for the three together (Tv1, TV2, Compoenent, RGB1, etc...)... now in your TV select the same input name (use the TV/input button to select).

Now in your laptop you must enable the VGA connector. This is tricky as it depends on your laptop's graphics software and capabilities or try pressing Fn+Fx (x is a number that depends on your laptop, check the labels in the function keys). I can't help on that as each laptop is different.

If you're lucky you'll see a picture in the TV that comes from your laptop but looks distorted and with weird colours. That's because your tv expects 'component' type signals and you're sending RGB.

You need to tell your TV to use RGB (or 'computer signals').

Again, this depends on your tv and MOST tv's don't have this.

I'd check in the web your tv's specs and see if it can receive RGB. And HOW to enable it.

Unfortunately this is not a common feature in TVs so you depend a lot in your luck.

** update **

After your rescent comments. I have something similar but I use a portable projector.

- It is not expensive

- It has a VGA input so your connection is straight and don't loose any quality

- It is portable.

- You get a real 'big' picture.

Answer 2

You need this device: http://www.keydigital.com/IW_Products.m4...

Your TV and laptop are not compatible. The part I linked to above will solve this for you. Your output will fit the TV screen properly and you will be able to use your laptop with it's drive full of movies.

Edit: Checking your updates, I wish there was a cheaper solution. The Key Digital piece looked real good when it first came out because Mitsubishi's was $1000. Mits. has discontinued theirs as of 2004 or so, and now they send people to Key Digital if they need one. It's a complex little box inside and I don't doubt it's worth something. They also know they've engineered a problem solver and that usually costs a bit of a premium too.

Answer 3

Just to say I tried that and the signal quality came out c**p. I had to download some software to send the signal to the tv, cos your laptop won't recognize the TV. It's not worth it.

Instead I suggest that you rather get a DVD player that can play video and audio files. You should be able to pick one up for 50 bucks. Then burn the files you want to watch to a DVD and presto - much better quality. that will tide you over until you can get the HD TV.

ok, another option... I bought myself one of these...

http://www.mvixusa.com/

With a 500 Gb HDD... I copied all my movies and music on there and use that to watch through the TV.

With the newer version you can install a bigger HDD (SATA 2) and fit even more.

The only other option you have is to buy a DLP projector that can take a VGA cable from your laptop or to buy a High Def TV that can take VGA or DVI.