How To Connect a Laptop to a TV

To many people connecting their laptop to a TV can be a bit daunting but there is no need for it to be so. Probably the hardest part is figuring out what connections they have available on their TV and laptop then getting a suitable laptop to TV cable.

Here we will offer some advice in working out what connection options you have, while we can’t come into your home and tell you we can describe what connections there are and offer some pointers for each one.

Older equipment / non high definition will often use one of the following cables:

RCA cables or sometimes known as Phono leads were very common a few years ago using three round coloured connectors and used to transmit analogue data. The three connectors are yellow for video, white for the left channel audio and red for right channel audio.

S-Video cables or Super Video is still popular and consists of a round connector with between 4 and 7 pins for the video signal and two audio cables for the left and right audio channels the same as RCA.

Scart Cables are rectangular in shape and have 21 pins in two horizontal rows. Commonly used on European TV’s and are capable of transferring both audio and video signals in standard definition. Now of course they are outdated and if your equipment is modern it is unlikely to use them.

VGA cables commonly used on older laptops and desktop computers and are a 15 pin connector and have a rounded rectangle shape. The VGA cable is only capable of transferring video information for audio you will normally have to use RCA type cables.

More modern equipment such as digital and high definition will most likely use one of the following:

DVI cables are rectangular in shape and have three horizontal rows of 8 pins giving a total of 24 pins. These were the standard connector for digital video until recently with the advent of newer and faster technologies.

HDMI Cable is now the standard for digital connections and used for watching HD TV etc… They are rectangular in shape and about half the size of a DVI connector having only 19 pins in the connection. One of the advantages of these is that they can transfer both digital audio and video.

DisplayPort Cables have been specifically developed for connecting computers to their displays and to home entertainment systems and allowing the transfer of High definition data both audio and video.

Once you have figured out what connections you have available to connect a laptop to a TV you can take a look at what options are available. Don’t worry if your laptop and TV don’t have the same connections types as there are a number of ways of converting one to another available. A good cable & lead supplier will normally be able to offer you advice if you are still unsure what you need to get the job done.

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How to connect your Laptop/PC/Computer to your HDTV (via HDMI or VGA)

10-foot SVGA M/ M Monitor Extension Cable with Audio $6.99 This is a 10-foot black 15-pin M/ M VGA monitor extended cable with 3.5-mm audio. Connect your PC or laptop to a projector or other video display system effortlessly with this cable.

10-foot SVGA M/ M Monitor Extension Cable with Audio (Pack of 2) $10.49 This is a set of two (2) black 10-foot 15-pin M/ M VGA monitor extended cables with 3.5-mm audio. Connect your PC or laptop to a projector or other video display system effortlessly with this cable.

Eforcity VGA to S-Video / 3 RCA Adapter $0.99 This vga to s-video + 3 rca adapter connections your pc / laptop to display devicesConnectivity: d-sub to s-video mini and rca jackNote: Please make sure the video card of your system supports tv (rca / s-video) output through vga port

3-foot Black VGA to RGB 15-pin M/ M Component Cable $1.99 This is a 3-foot black VGA to RGB 15-pin M/ M Component Cable. Connect your PC/ Laptop to your TV or projector easily with this cable.

15-foot M/ M HDMI to DVI Cable $6.99 This HDMI to DVI Cable features a is a perfect companion to your laptop or home entertainment system. This cable is 15 feet long with male to male connection.

VGA to S-video/ 3 RCA Adapter (Pack of 2) $4.49 This pack of 2 VGA to S-video and 3 RCA adapter connects your PC or laptop to a LCD projector, HDTV or any other display devices. The adapter features color coded connectors.

Eforcity Premium VGA to RCA M/M 12-foot Black Component Cable $3.99 Premium 12 ft VGA to RCA Component cable for your monitor / projectorConnects PC / laptop to LCD projector, HDTV, DVD Players with VGA to RGB support, and other Y / Pr / Pb component RGB display systemLength: 12 ft / 3.66 m

6-foot 3.5mm to Dual RCA Cable $4.49 This Stereo Cable (3.5mm) to RCA (Red, White) provides easy conversion for interchanging your devices. Allows connection from PC’s, laptops, MP3 players, and any other 3.5mm compatible devices to standard TV inputs.

Premium 3-feet Black Male/ Male VGA Monitor Cable $1.99 This VGA monitor cable connects your PC or laptop to the projector, LCD monitor, and other video display systems through VGA connections.

Insignia Pilot Series VF-INS-PLT-USBSB USB Cable $3.99 Speed up music and data transfer with this USB 2.0 data sync cable MP3 accessory has a lightweight, easy-to-use design Plugs directly into your MP3 player and your computer or laptop

AccStation VGA to S-Video / 3 RCA Adapter $1.99 This is an AccStation VGA to S-Video / 3 RCA adapter. Connect your PC/ Laptop to an LCD projector, HDTV, or other display devices.

3-foot 3.5mm to Dual RCA Cable $3.99 This Stereo Cable (3.5mm) to RCA (Red, White) provides easy conversion for interchanging your devices. This cable allows connection from PC’s, laptops, MP3 players, and any other 3.5mm compatible devices to standard TV inputs.

SKQUE Kindle Black Aux Audio 3.5 mm Retractable Cable $2.49 Increase the features of your Kindle with this retractable cable. This cable features a design that allows an extension of up to 2 feet.

Nexxtech Ultimate UMS80 Black Portable Speakers for iPod (Refurbished) $15.99 This 2.0 portable speaker can be attached to any MP3 player with the provided 3.5mm stereo input cable and also works with portable CD players portable gaming devices and laptops. It is powered through its USB cable, or batteries.

AccStation VGA to S-Video / 3 RCA Adapter $2.49 This is an AccStation VGA to S-Video / 3 RCA adapter. Connect your PC/ Laptop to an LCD projector, HDTV, or other display devices.