Connecting computer to TV...

[ME]

Not sure if this is necessarily an XP question but what the hell eh? My
computer is running XP-Pro so that's worth something right? So, I'd like to
plug my laptop into my television for the purposes of watching Hulu et al.
So I've connected it to the television via the "RGB-in (PC)" port. I've
messed with my display settings the best I know how and have managed to throw
my background desktop image on the screen, but that's it. I can't see any
open browsers or programs I happen to run, just the stagnant desktop image.
Let's face it, that excitement only lasts for a second or two. So, how do I
get the TV to serve as the second monitor or whatever needs to happen?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

How about the other way around: Can you connect your cable-TV line to your
laptop and watch TV?

 

[Mark Adams]

Not sure if this is necessarily an XP question but what the hell eh? My
computer is running XP-Pro so that's worth something right? So, I'd like to
plug my laptop into my television for the purposes of watching Hulu et al.
So I've connected it to the television via the "RGB-in (PC)" port. I've
messed with my display settings the best I know how and have managed to throw
my background desktop image on the screen, but that's it. I can't see any
open browsers or programs I happen to run, just the stagnant desktop image.
Let's face it, that excitement only lasts for a second or two. So, how do I
get the TV to serve as the second monitor or whatever needs to happen?

I am using televisions as monitors for three of my computers; Two are LCD
TV's, the other is a DLP and they work pretty well. My brother-in-law uses
his plasma TV for picture shows from his laptop.

You said you have a RGB-in port. Do you mean a VGA-in for PC on the TV? What
outputs do you have on the laptop?

 

[almostbob]

there are two ways the tv can be a monitor
as a mirror of the laptop screen when it would have the same image as the
laptop screen (it isnt doing that)
and as a secondary monitor
as a secondary monitor you should be able,
in the display properties tab,
to set/see the relatve positions of screen 1 &2,
then just drag open windows displaying whatever, off the laptop screen, to
the tv, works that way with this netbook

 

[ME]

The LG TV has USB in and, yes, it's a RGB-in (PC) port, as well as the usual
component, composite, and HDMI. But my computer has only USB and, well, I
suppose VGA - at least the plug on the computer and TV look the same. Maybe
the computer is VGA and the TV the RGB. Whatever way, the desktop image was
thrown to the TV.

 

[Mark Adams]

The LG TV has USB in and, yes, it's a RGB-in (PC) port, as well as the usual
component, composite, and HDMI. But my computer has only USB and, well, I
suppose VGA - at least the plug on the computer and TV look the same. Maybe
the computer is VGA and the TV the RGB. Whatever way, the desktop image was
thrown to the TV.

I am not sure what a RGB PC-in port is. My LCD TV's are simply marked "PC"
but they are VGA ports. These are blue in color and are female 15 pin, and
are flanked by screw holes to secure the cable. I use a VGA to VGA cable to
connect the PC to the TV. A separate audio cable is required for the sound.

My DLP TV uses a HDMI-in for the PC input, but the PC video card output is
DVI. I use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect the two. Again a separate audio
cable is required. If I had a HDMI-out video card, I would only need one HDMI
to HDMI cable because HDMI carries audio also.

You may have to enable some sort of "remote monitor" setting on the laptop
to use an external monitor. Sorry, I don't know how my brother-in-law sets up
his laptop, but it does work.

Out of curiosity, what is the model number of your LG TV? I'll look up the
owner's manual on their website and take a look at the diagram of the PC
input.

 

[ME]

Okay, wait, stop, I'm a dumbass. Yes it works. I, uh, well, just didn't
drag anything over to the TV aka second monitor. Yeah me! I just realized
though that I don't get audio running down the VGA out from my computer into
the TV. And I don't see a way to get the audio from the computer to the TV.
I suppose I could use the computer's headphone jack and somehow get that to
the TV but I don't see a connection to get it there.