Video adapters.....arrrggggghhhh

M

metspitzer

I have installed at least 2 video cards that came with an adapter for
a wide type plug. I ended up with an extra adapter somehow.

Anyway....I just bought an HDTV. The back of the set has a standard
PC monitor jack. I ordered a 25 ft male to male extension cord so I
could connect it to my laptop.

The cable is here, but the output on the laptop has one of those wide
plugs, but it won't accept the adapter.

After looking more closely, the adapter has the regular pins and a
slot with two pins above the slot and two pins under the slot, but the
output on the laptop has no ports for the extra pins.

Why are there so many different type adapters?

I am thinking about just breaking the extra 4 pins off the adapter.
Besides probably needing the adapter on down the road, is this a bad
idea?
 
P

Paul

metspitzer said:
I have installed at least 2 video cards that came with an adapter for
a wide type plug. I ended up with an extra adapter somehow.

Anyway....I just bought an HDTV. The back of the set has a standard
PC monitor jack. I ordered a 25 ft male to male extension cord so I
could connect it to my laptop.

The cable is here, but the output on the laptop has one of those wide
plugs, but it won't accept the adapter.

After looking more closely, the adapter has the regular pins and a
slot with two pins above the slot and two pins under the slot, but the
output on the laptop has no ports for the extra pins.

Why are there so many different type adapters?

I am thinking about just breaking the extra 4 pins off the adapter.
Besides probably needing the adapter on down the road, is this a bad
idea?
Click to expand...

I think what you're saying, is one piece of equipment has some
kind of DVI connector, and another is VGA. Start with this
article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

If the output of the laptop is missing the "four pins plus bar"
thing, then there is no analog output on that connector. That
would make the connector a DVI-D. The monitor you'd connect,
would have to be DVI or HDMI, and in the HDMI case, you could
use a DVI to HDMI adapter (because all the adapter does is
move the signals to the appropriate pins).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi

If the "four pins plus bar" are present, the connector on the
laptop is DVI-I, and a DVI-I to VGA adapter can be used to
extract the analog signals. VGA is the older analog technology
with 15 pin connector.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vga

Paul
 
M

metspitzer

I think what you're saying, is one piece of equipment has some
kind of DVI connector, and another is VGA. Start with this
article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

If the output of the laptop is missing the "four pins plus bar"
thing, then there is no analog output on that connector. That
would make the connector a DVI-D. The monitor you'd connect,
would have to be DVI or HDMI, and in the HDMI case, you could
use a DVI to HDMI adapter (because all the adapter does is
move the signals to the appropriate pins).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi

If the "four pins plus bar" are present, the connector on the
laptop is DVI-I, and a DVI-I to VGA adapter can be used to
extract the analog signals. VGA is the older analog technology
with 15 pin connector.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vga

Paul
Click to expand...

It has the bar but no four pins.

I am trying to use what I have. I am not sure what I am saying....so
I don't know how you could. :) But, I will try again.

I have an HDTV that has this input. Pic here
http://i36.tinypic.com/2iu955l.jpg

My laptop is a Dell Inspiron. It has a standard video output, which I
am already using for an external monitor because the panel has a
display problem. It also has a female DVI-D (looking) output. It
has a bar (slot) but no pins (slot).

The adapter I have has a bar and pins on one end and a standard video
plug on the other end. I want to use it with a 25' male to male
standard video cable I just bought. If I break the pins out of the
adapter, the stuff looks like it will plug in.

I just don't want to regret this one way option. Am I destroying the
adapter for nothing?
 
P

Paul

metspitzer said:
It has the bar but no four pins.

I am trying to use what I have. I am not sure what I am saying....so
I don't know how you could. :) But, I will try again.

I have an HDTV that has this input. Pic here
http://i36.tinypic.com/2iu955l.jpg

My laptop is a Dell Inspiron. It has a standard video output, which I
am already using for an external monitor because the panel has a
display problem. It also has a female DVI-D (looking) output. It
has a bar (slot) but no pins (slot).

The adapter I have has a bar and pins on one end and a standard video
plug on the other end. I want to use it with a 25' male to male
standard video cable I just bought. If I break the pins out of the
adapter, the stuff looks like it will plug in.

I just don't want to regret this one way option. Am I destroying the
adapter for nothing?
Click to expand...

OK, what I think you're telling me, is the Inspiron has a DVI-D and
there is no analog signal on there. Where the little bar is,
there has to be the four pin pattern, as that is where the analog
for the VGA signal would come from. The pins in the main body of
the connector are digital, while those four pins on the end are
the analog portion. (Check the Wikipedia article, for the signal
names and pinout.) A DVI-I to VGA adapter, brings a total of five
analog pins (RGBHV) into a 15 pin pattern of a standard VGA connector.
So you don't have that to work with. You're pure digital.

That means, it is pointless to ruin the cable you got.

I see another alternative. You can go from DVI-D on the laptop
to HDMI. Then run an HDMI cable to the TV. Will this be
easy. Nope :-(

Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999004

Cable
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123144

The thing is, you really need another working monitor, so you can
set up the resolution and refresh for the TV set. The manual for
some TV sets, even advises against using the PC DVI-HDMI adapter
route. It is unclear whether all TVs have a working DDC/CI
on that port, as otherwise I don't understand why they advise
against connecting a PC. (DDC/CI allows the display device to
send resolution information to the computer. That way, the
computer knows what the max resolution is. Without max resolution
data, the video display driver caps or limits the resolution. And
if the computer picks a stupid resolution, the display may not
light up.)

Your TV manual will list all the resolutions supported on each
port. The HDMI is "pretty ugly" as format go. I cannot
imagine your average laptop video driver, handing over
the required settings without a struggle.

There is also the Powerstrip tool from entechtaiwan.com , which
is a way of getting non-standard resolutions from a video card.
But it works best with ATI and Nvidia desktop video cards. It
isn't really intended to support laptops, due to the large
amount of customization required by the developers.

So in a Plug and Play world, there'll be lots of Plugging
and not a lot of Playing.

There are other, ridiculous solutions. You could purchase a
DVI to VGA digital to analog conversion device. Then use
your VGA cable with that. There are probably cheaper ones
than this, and I only went here because I knew I'd find
one.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=1209

But at this point, the project has spiraled out of
control. Only Bill Gates can afford to have one of
each little gadget. (Another toy for faking
resolution options.)

http://www.gefen.com/pdf/EXT-DVI-EDIDP.pdf

So right now, the DVI-HDMI adapter looks like the
nearest thing to a practical solution. Have a look
in your TV manual, for the supported resolutions.

Paul
 
M

metspitzer

OK, what I think you're telling me, is the Inspiron has a DVI-D and
there is no analog signal on there. Where the little bar is,
there has to be the four pin pattern, as that is where the analog
for the VGA signal would come from. The pins in the main body of
the connector are digital, while those four pins on the end are
the analog portion. (Check the Wikipedia article, for the signal
names and pinout.) A DVI-I to VGA adapter, brings a total of five
analog pins (RGBHV) into a 15 pin pattern of a standard VGA connector.
So you don't have that to work with. You're pure digital.

That means, it is pointless to ruin the cable you got.

I see another alternative. You can go from DVI-D on the laptop
to HDMI. Then run an HDMI cable to the TV. Will this be
easy. Nope :-(

Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999004

Cable
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123144

The thing is, you really need another working monitor, so you can
set up the resolution and refresh for the TV set. The manual for
some TV sets, even advises against using the PC DVI-HDMI adapter
route. It is unclear whether all TVs have a working DDC/CI
on that port, as otherwise I don't understand why they advise
against connecting a PC. (DDC/CI allows the display device to
send resolution information to the computer. That way, the
computer knows what the max resolution is. Without max resolution
data, the video display driver caps or limits the resolution. And
if the computer picks a stupid resolution, the display may not
light up.)

Your TV manual will list all the resolutions supported on each
port. The HDMI is "pretty ugly" as format go. I cannot
imagine your average laptop video driver, handing over
the required settings without a struggle.

There is also the Powerstrip tool from entechtaiwan.com , which
is a way of getting non-standard resolutions from a video card.
But it works best with ATI and Nvidia desktop video cards. It
isn't really intended to support laptops, due to the large
amount of customization required by the developers.

So in a Plug and Play world, there'll be lots of Plugging
and not a lot of Playing.

There are other, ridiculous solutions. You could purchase a
DVI to VGA digital to analog conversion device. Then use
your VGA cable with that. There are probably cheaper ones
than this, and I only went here because I knew I'd find
one.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=1209

But at this point, the project has spiraled out of
control. Only Bill Gates can afford to have one of
each little gadget. (Another toy for faking
resolution options.)

http://www.gefen.com/pdf/EXT-DVI-EDIDP.pdf

So right now, the DVI-HDMI adapter looks like the
nearest thing to a practical solution. Have a look
in your TV manual, for the supported resolutions.

Paul
Click to expand...

Here is the cable I bought. (By using the connection instructions)
http://sewelldirect.com/search.aspx?searchTerm=sw-2403-25&x=28&y=8

(I really would like to use this, but if it doesn't get HD I will
change) I am told that you have to have use the RGB input to be able
to also carry sound from the laptop to the TV. I also have a 25 Ft
male to male mini-phone stereo cable.

I used the instructions to order the cable. Pic here
http://i36.tinypic.com/2iu955l.jpg
I have everything in the picture but the conversion part.

Are you saying that they don't make an adapter to go from that to
this? I am not sure what purpose of the cables are so using analog
and digital to describe my situation isn't sinking in with me. :)

This is the output on the Dell Inspron 9300 (Which is, as you say,
DVI) http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2369
(the web page shows an ad sometimes sorry)

Thanks for all your help.

BTW I am already playing AVIs from my laptop to the TV by using an
S-Video cable, but I wanted a cable that would play HD. I have been
getting some mkv files that are supposed to be HD.
 
M

metspitzer

I think I am finally picking up what you are laying down. :)

This is the adapter I need Right?
http://www.google.com/products/cata..._catalog_result&resnum=1&ct=result#ps-sellers

The adapter I have looks exactly like that except for the 4 extra
pins. And you are saying that just breaking out the 4 pins will not
work. Right?

Guess I have to spring for another adapter. 12 bucks and an extra
week to watch HD videos is not that much in the overall scheme, but
breaking out the pins seemed like a quick and dirty fix.

Thanks again.
 
M

metspitzer

I think I am finally picking up what you are laying down. :)

This is the adapter I need Right?
http://www.google.com/products/cata..._catalog_result&resnum=1&ct=result#ps-sellers

The adapter I have looks exactly like that except for the 4 extra
pins. And you are saying that just breaking out the 4 pins will not
work. Right?

Guess I have to spring for another adapter. 12 bucks and an extra
week to watch HD videos is not that much in the overall scheme, but
breaking out the pins seemed like a quick and dirty fix.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Actually this is the adapter I need.
http://www.google.com/products/cata...15)+female&cid=7504742066661884170#ps-sellers
 
M

metspitzer

There is no adapter that will allow the DVI-D output on your laptop to
drive a VGA input. The DVI-D interface simply does not have the VGA
signals. What you need is a DVI-D to HDMI adapter
<http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10419&cs_id=1041902&p_id=2029&seq=1&format=2>.
Click to expand...

Now that is an answer I can understand. :)

Guess I will have to play "lets make a deal" to send the cable I have
back. The cable is almost worthless to me, but shipping will cost
almost as the cable to send it back.

Thanks everyone.
 
P

Paul

metspitzer said:
Now that is an answer I can understand. :)

Guess I will have to play "lets make a deal" to send the cable I have
back. The cable is almost worthless to me, but shipping will cost
almost as the cable to send it back.

Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...

If you need another solution, you can use a product like this.
It plugs into a PCCard slot and gives something to drive a
VGA monitor. One web site wants $280 for it.

http://www.villagetronic.com/vtbook/index.html

Paul
 
M

metspitzer

Why do you need an adaptor? Why not just use the VGA output from the
laptop and connect it to the VGA input on the HDTV with an extension
cable?

Then, use a miniplug for the audio, just as is shown in the hook-up
diagram for the HDTV?
Click to expand...
Because the LCD panel in my laptop has display problems (I have around
50 vertical lines across the screen) so I am using an external LCD for
my display.

I did try to unplug my LCD and plug in the TV there temporally, but I
couldn't see the display. I really did try too hard. I do have the
TV connected with an S-video, so the only thing I am missing out on is
the HD.

I will give it a go Monday. I am going to call the people I ordered
the cable from and see what ideas they have.

I may swap it for the HD cable if it will work at 20'. If not, I may
just move a spare tower next to the TV, and run another network cable.
 
R

RobV

metspitzer said:
Because the LCD panel in my laptop has display problems (I have around
50 vertical lines across the screen) so I am using an external LCD for
my display.

I did try to unplug my LCD and plug in the TV there temporally, but I
couldn't see the display. I really did try too hard. I do have the
TV connected with an S-video, so the only thing I am missing out on is
the HD.

I will give it a go Monday. I am going to call the people I ordered
the cable from and see what ideas they have.

I may swap it for the HD cable if it will work at 20'. If not, I may
just move a spare tower next to the TV, and run another network cable.
Click to expand...

Ok, now I understand. That's a PITA, for sure. Hope you're able to get
it hooked up properly with the proper cable. Some of the HD .mkv
content looks great on a HD display; it'll be well worth the trouble.
 

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