Connecting my laptop to my TV

[andrewducker]

My amp has composite inputs handily on the front.

My laptop has USB output.

I can't seem to find anything to connect these two things.

Can this really be the case?

Comments

[poisonduk.livejournal.com]

SVGA - compoite lead? Surely you have an SVGA output to connect latop to external monitor? and connect sound separately

[andrewducker]

That'd be two cables though - and I'd rather do it with one if possible.

[call-waiting.livejournal.com]

If it's composite inputs, that's at least 3 cables anyway. At least at the endpoints.

A device that would let you do this would be fairly complex - shifting video over USB, you'd require a screen-scraping driver, and the device would need a frame buffer, RAMDAC etc. That's pretty complex, particularly for a device with almost zero market (since everyone will have SVGA out, which is much, much cheaper to connect to a TV.

If the number of cables disturbs you, may I suggest a big ol' roll of heat-shrink cable trunking?

[andrewducker]

There are USB->VGS outs...

And sadly my outputs on the new laptop are limited to VGA and USB.

[call-waiting.livejournal.com]

I had no idea these things existed! I am now attempting to come up with some sort of rationalisation for buying one or two. *cough*

[poisonduk.livejournal.com]

You don't have sound outputs on your laptops for headphones? I think you're trying to create problems for yourself by not using two cables. Why would you want to transport sound through USB anyway - you'd probably have to buy a costly piece of kit. Realistically trying to use USB for either sound or video is stupid and will never give you the quality you're hoping for on your HD TV and is sure to have some form of lag time. Stop being an ass and use two cables - you say composite connection is going in the front of your amp anyway so hardly a discreet installation.

Anyway what are you trying to do? Play games I guess since anything else you can stream using XBMC so lag via USB would annoy you..

[andrewducker]

But also, the only output I have from my laptop is VGA, which won't go through the amp (it take HDMI, Composite and Component). Which means I'm plugging the laptop into the amp (for sound) and the TV. Do-able, just a pain.

And I'm trying to watch some iPlayer stuff that isn't on cable or downloadable. Very annoying :->

[princealbert.livejournal.com]

OK, you need a VGA to DVI adapter then a DVI (& headphones) to HDMI adapter. Both are the size of match boxes.

I would highly recommend you find the smallest VGA extender cable say 3" to 6" then the two adapters and finally a HDMI cable.

BUT be warned iTunes now blocks non-secure HDMI on at least macs, and probably PC now or in the very near future. The DRM is not negiotable, if its not HDMI to HDMI and both computer and screen arent DRM compliant you've just thrown your money away.

Don't support DRM

[andrewducker]

It's the BBC iPlayer, not iTunes.

And I don't pay for DRM'd material. Although I will pay for encryption-free MP3s.

And thanks - VGA->DVI->HDMI should do it!

[princealbert.livejournal.com]

this link may help:
http://www.vivomounts.com/products.asp?cat=18&PARTNER=google&gclid=CI_h8qyF0JcCFUwb3godBgVUCg

[poisonduk.livejournal.com]

I know it's a little bit of a pain but that's exactly how I have my PC connected to my TV - It's probably going to end up being the cheapest option overall, and if you leave the cable plugged into the back of the TV and just drop it down to beside your amp you just need to sit the laptop beside the amp and stick the two cables into it when needed? Starting to think I'm sounding argumentative but trying to save you spending an absolute fortune for an aesthetic annoyance.