How to connect a PC or laptop to your new TV Official Thread

petetherock

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This thread will help answer questions on how to connect your new display - LCD or plasma to your existing laptop or desktop computer.

This replaces the older thread as it was getting too long to get facts from:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2124011&page=7

Some options:

connect-tv-to-pc.jpg


Connect Laptop To LCD TV
After you have physically connected your laptop to your PC, you basically now have two monitors connected: the laptop screen and the LCD TV. You now want to hit your TV remote input button until you get to the desired choice (it’s usually labelled “PC” or “HDMI” depending on your selection above). Now, on your laptop screen, you will want to right-click a vacant area of the desktop and then choose properties. Then, click the settings tab. You should now see a second choice in the monitors window. If you want to use the LCD only, you should click the monitor and then select the “Use this device as the primary monitor” checkbox. If you want to use both the laptop screen and the LCD TV at the same time, then select “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor” and you can use both monitors at the same time! This is my preferred choice.

I use a Dell laptop and you can switch on the fly between using the laptop monitor, the LCD, or both at one time by pressing the function key (Fn) and F8 at the same time.

Connect Desktop Computer To LCD TV
From a software perspective, connecting your desktop computer to your LCD TV is very simple. After you have made the physical connection in one of the three ways above, simply change the input on your TV to reflect the appropriate choice (VGA–often labelled PC, DVI, or HDMI). You may want to modify the settings on both your TV and your PC for optimum resolution.

If you would like to use both your standard monitor AND your LCD TV, you will need a graphics card that is capable of dual monitors. Many of the new ones are. If your graphics card is capable of dual monitors but only has one DVI output, you will want to purchase a Cables Unlimited DVI-D Splitter Cable (PCM-2260). For those with VGA, you can purchase a VGA Monitor Y Splitter (for situation #1) to see both screens at one time. In many cases, especially VGA, these splitters only allow you to see the same screen on both monitors (not an extended desktop) and with VGA the signal degrades a little bit. To learn more, you will need to contact the video driver manufacturer.

If you want to have a two monitor setup with your desktop, right-click a vacant area of the desktop and then choose properties. Then, click the settings tab. You should now see a second choice in the monitors window. If you want to use the LCD only, you should click that monitor and then select the “Use this device as the primary monitor” checkbox. If you want to use both the computer monitor and the LCD TV at the same time, then select “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor” and you can use both monitors at the same time! (Note: Your video card supplier may have incorporated different video software in which case the instructions will differ slightly.)


http://www.thisishowyoudoit.com/blog/connect-tv-to-pc-cables-needed-to-hook-up-pc-to-tv/
 
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1:1 mapping

Does your HDTV support 1:1 pixel mapping?

By Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 20th 2007 5:03PM






Even if you don't know what 1:1 pixel mapping is, you probably think your TV supports it. If your TV does support this viewing mode, odds are it isn't on by default. 1:1 pixel mapping means your TV is capable of displaying the image sent to it pixel for pixel, without scaling or processing the video in any way. In other words, if your TV is fed 1920x1080p, then it displays 1920x1080p. Believe it or not usually your digital LCD, DLP or even Plasma takes the 1920x1080 image, shaves off a few lines and displays it. The reason isn't a good one, but it's 'cause TVs have had overscan so long that when digital TVs came along they actually engineered overscan into the set. This is not the case at all on computer monitors, where even one missing line is noticed. So if you want to see if your TV is capable of showing you the whole picture, look it up in your manual for a "pc mode" or even "dot by dot", or just head over to the AVSForum for a comprehensive list of HDTVs that support this elusive feature.

http://hd.engadget.com/2007/08/20/does-your-hdtv-support-1-1-pixel-mapping/
 

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Connection Options

Cables & Jacks for Connecting Laptop to TV


video.jpg



The first step is to inspect both your laptop and TV and identify the connections, easily located on the back of either component. There are five basic types of jacks, or ports involved:

*Composite/phono plug (RCA)
*S-Video
*Video graphics array (VGA)
*Digital video interface (DVI)
*High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI)


*An RCA connector, sometimes called a phono connector, is used for analog audio and video components. Three round, colored sockets are standard — left audio is white, right audio is red, and composite video is yellow. These are standard jacks on older TV’s and laptops. A three-prong cable, readily available at any computer or electronics, is the easiest way to make an RCA laptop to TV connection.

img1451bs1.jpg


*S-Video, or Super-Video, a more advanced analog video connector, uses a four-prong round plug, like those used in TV cable installations. Separate audio cables are the same as for the RCA connector, left audio/white, and right audio/red. S-Video is commonly found on older TV sets and some laptops.


With S-Video on both TV and laptop, connecting a laptop to a TV is a simple matter of a single S-Video cable. If your laptop has a great sound system, you won’t need audio cables, but for better quality you’ll also want audio cables.

RCA to S-Video cable, a special laptop to TV cable, is available when you have RCA jacks on one device and an S-Video port on the other.


*A VGA connector and cable are used to carry analog video signals plus display and graphics data. The VGA is a 15-pin connector commonly found on laptops and other devices. With this port you need a PC-to-TV Convertor to connect laptop to TV. You simply plug the VGA cable from the source into the convertor, and use an S-Video or RCA cable out to the TV. The converter is USB powered, so there’s no external power adapter to carry around, making this laptop to TV connection entirely portable.


*A DVI port is rectangular with 24 pins arranged in three horizontal rows of eight pins for digital video; separate RCA analog audio cables fit into white and red plugs. DVI ports are found on Macintosh laptops; sometimes they are smaller than normal DVI ports and require an adapter, which usually comes with the laptop.

DVI to HDMI :
dvi-hdmi-port-cable.jpg



*The HDMI port, one-half the size of the DVI port, is also rectangular with 19 pins. It provides digital audio in addition to digital video, despite it’s smaller size, for a complete TV to laptop connection. These ports are found on new HDTVs, and sometimes there are two or more. TVs with HDMI ports are the only ones that do not require additional audio cables.

TV’s with a single digital port labeled HDMI/DVI require only one cable when the source is another HDMI component. But when source is a DVI laptop, you need a DVI-to-HDMI cable for the video and a separate pair of RCA analog stereo cables.

Scan Converter Box


A scan converter box can be a good option for watching on TV what you’d normally watch on a PC. It will alter the signal so that your laptop can communicate with your television.

PC to TV Card


PC to TV cards can help you easily transmit data from the laptop to the TV with a bit of fussing with resolution. Some models don’t require any adjustments to aspect ratio.

Some people have differing opinions on the best options but the bottom line is that you don’t have to suffer watching movies or shows on your laptop because there are quite a few options for using your television as a monitor.

Or see the video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je8mKQ0FXLc&feature=player_embedded
 
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Getting the right resolution

Tuning


The second factor in a laptop to TV connection is proper tuning. If the screen resolution and aspect ratio of your TV screen and computer are not the same, the TV picture will be distorted. This is important whether the screen is LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or non-LCD flat-screen.


The screen aspect ratio is a monitor’s proportion of width to height. Prior to 2003, most computer monitors had a screen ratio of 4:3, the same as standard TVs. Since then, ratios of 16:10 have become common, especially in laptops. HDTV has a ratio of 16:19; and motion pictures and still photography have even different ratios. One common example of a screen-ratio problem is when wide-screen video is shown on a standard screen. The result is undesirable letter-boxing, with black bars filling the screen at top and bottom.


Similarly, screen resolution varies between monitors. Resolution is measured in number of pixels across and down. Laptop LCD screens range from 1024 x 768 to 1920 x 1200 pixels, for a 15- or 17″ screen. HDTVs and wide-screen TVs have pixel resolutions varying from 1920 x 1080 to 1366 x 768. Unless your laptop screen and TV screen are the same size, adjustments have to be made to pixel ratio to ensure the best connection from TV to laptop.


Make sure both screen aspect ratio and pixel resolution of TV and laptop are compatible. You can adjust both picture ratio and resolution with the Display Settings on the Control Panel of a PC laptop. Mac laptops automatically adjust settings for screen resolutions and ratios; if necessary, the adjustments can be tweaked in System Preferences. Your laptop user’s manual and manufacturer’s Web site provide information on settings and options for video output.




These few guidelines are the basics for making the right connections that result in clear, non-distorted video from laptop to TV. Whether downloading a motion-picture, streaming video, or playing a DVD, the convenience of a laptop and the luxury of a larger screen are easily attained.

http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/how-to-connect-laptop-to-tv
 

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What about sound?

If you have HDMI output on your PC, use this, it will provide sound and video.

Otherwise check if the headphone output on your PC is digital. Then it can be hooked up to a Home Theatre System to give surround sound.

Then connect to this on your amp:

hCoaxialDigitalJack.jpg



Alternative, using a RCA to headphone adaptor will work, then plug this into your Hi Fi or directly to the TV:

03179.jpg


img1453fy3.jpg


From a forum member's post : http://deluxeforums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showpost.php?p=35689781&postcount=203
 
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Just Scan, Over Scan etc

Just scan means the picture has no overscan or underscan, so what you're seeing is "edge to edge" picture without processing upscaling or downscaling.

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

Overscan is extra image area around the four edges of a video image that is not normally seen by the viewer. It exists because television sets in the 1930s through 1970s were highly variable in how the video image was framed within the cathode ray tube (CRT).

On LCDs driven from a digital signal, no adjustment is necessary because all pixels are in fixed positions. Thus all modern computers can safely assume that every last pixel is visible to the viewer. Analog video signals such as VGA, however, are subject to timing variations and even when using an LCD panel do not have this exactness. When video or animation content is designed to be viewed on computers (for example, Flash movies), it is not necessary to keep critical content away from the edge. This can cause composition problems if such content is later shown on television.
 

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Some instructional videos

http://www.thisishowyoudoit.com/connect-computer-to-tv/

How To Connect Computer To TV Videos

Below, you will find all of the best Internet videos on how to hook up computer to TV. Simply click the links to launch the video in its own window. Enjoy the shows!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWRzYMsNEZM


This video that we find on youtube is very professionally done. We are graphically walked through the process of how to hook up computer to tv. You will find this video very helpful. The video also addresses the question which cables do i need to connect my PC to a TV. You may need no more videos aside from this one!
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-connect-your-laptop-to-your-television

Videojug is an absolutely awesome website. In this video, they make hooking up your computer to your TV fun and informative. This is a minute 5 minute movie that is a hoot to watch. Learn how to how to hook up computer to tv in a fun and informative way from VideoJug.com. (NOTE: This video does not address the DIV/HDMI connection that we read about in the article hook up PC to TV.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpfnmnS5_WQ


Here we have another great video from YouTube. You will find this video informative, but unfortunately it has no sound. It’s like an old silent movie but very effective. Additionally, this video addresses getting the sound from the laptop to the computer as well.


http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/4/Connect-PC-with-TV-696623.html

This is a really fun, informative video. HOWEVER, it only applies for older TVs as it illustrates the use of S-Video which you DO NOT want to use for an LCD TV. This is like a fun, music videos…kudos to trevoltik on break.com for submitting this.
A Dummies Guide Video (for older TV sets using s-video)

This is another quality video from YouTube but again it is only for older TV sets, not LCD TVs. For LCDs TVs refer to the first two videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_oum5EPrVg

Here is a genuine effort from “Therellik” on YouTube. He walks you through setting up S-Video with your Dell system. Again, this is only for older TV sets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vz-_wsrsAY
 
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Native Resolution

The native resolution of a LCD, LCoS or other flat panel display refers to its single fixed resolution. As an LCD display consists of a fixed raster, it cannot change resolution to match the signal being displayed as a CRT monitor can, meaning that optimal display quality can be reached only when the signal input matches the native resolution. An image where the number of pixels is same as in the image source and where the pixels are perfectly aligned to the pixels in the source is said to be pixel perfect.

Introduction
Some HDTVs are PC ready and some are not. Most HDTVs are just that, TVs and are not intended to be connected to a computer, but most all HDTVs can be connected to a computer with varying success. CRT based HDTVs are probably the least desirable HDTVs to hook to a computer because of the overscan associated with these type TVs. The fixed pixel type TVs generally will be the best type HDTVs for connection to a PC and many of them are equipped with a VGA port for connection of a PC. These units generally will only require the use of a VGA cable and the setting of the PC video card to match the recommended resolution of the HDTV.

Overscan
Overscan has been a part of TV since the beginning. Basically TVs are set to display a smaller area of the picture than what is received in order to insure there will not be any black borders around the picture. The overscan is due to the TV settings not the devices sending the signal to the TV.

The reason the TV manufacturers do this is twofold. First it was determined that people want to have the entire area of the picture filled. We have seen many posts about getting rid of the black or grey bars on the 16:9 sets when 4:3 images are displayed on this forum. Fact is most people would rather watch a stretched or zoomed picture as opposed to the black or grey bars. Second is the precision of the TVs themselves. Early models in particular could not produce a straight line at the edges of the picture. Over the years the technology has improved in CRTs to where this is the case with computer monitors are set with a small black border around the picture. This is required in order to be able to see the entire computer frame. For some reason people will accept this setting for a computer monitor, but will not for watching TV.

Fixed pixel monitors have eliminated this issue, but because the television programming producers still produce images targeted for the "sweet spot" many plasmas and flat panels only display the overscaned picture instead of the entire picture. If they displayed the entire picture received, you would get black surrounds or video noise in the surround areas on many programs.

Due to the overscan issue, it caused a problem when you try to use the HDTV as a computer monitor in that some of the desktop is not displayed on the TV screen. The amout of the desktop that is cut off will vary between 5% and 15% according to what I have read.

Here are two screen captures of my desktop:

Fig. 1 - Screen that shows on my computer monitor

40Computer_Screen.jpg

Fig. 2 - Overscanned screen that shows on my HDTV.

40HDTV_Screen.jpg

As can be seen in Fig. 2, there is a whole row of icons across the top and an entire column on the left that is not shown on the overscaned TV screen. Additionally the Start button and the bottom row of windows is off the screen.

The resolution for the images shown is set at 1380×720p and the clarity of the HDTV picture is very good and quite useable except for the overscan. The connection to my 50" HDTV is through the component cables using a Key Digital KD-VTCA3 VGA to component converter. This converter allows me to have both my VGA monitor and my HDTV connected at the same time.

The video card I am using is an ATI 7500 pci Radeon that has both a DVI and a VGA output connector, so I’m able to connect my 40" HDTV in my living room via the DVI connection and the overscan is about the same. The overscan is somewhat better at 1920×1080i, but the overall picture is worse when displaying computer screens.
 
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Trouble-shooting

Some laptops or PCs may need driver updates.

The quality of the cable matters and make sure the connection is tight.

Have you chosen the right resolution?

Some laptops need you to press F5 or Function F7 (Lenovo), so read your manual.


http://www.highdefinitionblog.com/?page_id=127

Recommended Steps To Get Started
First of all you will need to have a computer monitor connected as well as your HDTV. Since the majority of resolutions that can be displayed on your monitor will not be displayable on your HDTV, you would be operating blind and that just will not work. Some video cards have both a VGA output and a DVI output and if yours is this type, then you can hook up your monitor to the VGA output. If your computer monitor is a DVI unit then you will need a DVI distribution box, like the DTronics
DD-12P, for example.

Start by setting your computer to 640×480 and get a stable picture. This should be no problem. Most likely the 16:9 resolutions of 720×480 and 1920×1080 will not be listed with the standard video drivers. In order to be able to set custom resolutions it will be necessary to download a program called powerstrip, http://www.entechtaiwan.com/files/pstrip.exe.
 
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Powerstrip

What is it?

http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm


PowerStrip provides advanced, multi-monitor, programmable hardware support to a wide range of graphics cards - from the venerable Matrox Millennium I to the latest ATI Radeon HD series. It is the only program of its type to support multiple graphics cards from multiple chipset vendors, simultaneously, under every Windows operating system from Windows 95 to the x64-bit edition of Vista. A simple menu that pops up from the system tray provides access to some 500 controls over your display hardware, including sophisticated color correction tools, period level adjustments over screen geometry, and driver independent clock controls. A powerful application profiler can detect when programs are launched and respond by activating specific display settings, gamma adjustments, performance switches and even clock speeds - returning everything to normal when the program closes. In-game gamma hotkeys let you light up the darkest hallways during game play, and hardware control over refresh rates - with floating point precision - ensure you're never stuck at just 60Hz no matter what OS you're using. A quick setup wizard gets you up and running with minimal fuss, extensive context-sensitive help is available for all controls, and live updates are supported to ensure you're always running the latest release. Finally, an assortment of system and productivity tools - among them, extensive diagnostics, PCIe and AGP device configuration, EDID decoding, desktop icon management, a system idle thread, Windows resource monitoring, an anti-burn-in orbiting option, physical memory optimization, an on-screen display, and the most advanced monitor support in the industry - round out the compact 1MB package.
 

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Which Gives The Best Picture Quality?

HDMI and DVI should give similar results.

Component and VGA are analogue options.

S-Video is next and the yellow RCA composite jack is the worst.
 

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What is HDCP?

http://www.digitalconnection.com/FAQ/HDTV_12.asp

[FONT=verdana, helvetica, arial]HDCP stands for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection, a copy protection scheme to eliminate the possibility of intercepting digital data midstream between the source to the display. The format designed by Intel and licensed by Digital Content Protection, LLC using an authentication and key exchange procedure before video and audio is presented. Products compatible with the HDCP scheme such as DVD players, satellite and cable HDTV set-top-boxes, as well as few entertainment PCs requires a secure connection to a compliant display, the process often described as the handshake. Due to the increase in manufacturers employing HDCP in their equipment, it is highly recommended that any HDTV you purchase is compatible. Although most video devices support high-definition video over component output, analog connections are scheduled to phase out in the future or possibly forced to limited resolutions output. [/FONT]

[FONT=verdana, helvetica, arial]Why is it important to me?[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, helvetica, arial]Although manufacturers are still making most products with at least component HD output, new generation of products like HD-DVD and Blu-Ray devices will limit the analog output resolution (Analog defined as Component or RGBHV). The highest resolutions these devices can output (720p/1080i/1080p) will be available on via the digital (DVI or HDMI) connections that employ HDCP encryption. Any new HDTV purchase should have a digital HDCP compatible input. [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, helvetica, arial]It is important to note that HDCP is currently not a standard used in PC monitors, and almost none of these displays have Component inputs. Although PC monitors are HDTV capable, HDCP encryption limits this type of use. If you use an HTPC and want to ensure dual use of your new flat panel display, look for HDCP compatibility. [/FONT]​
 

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HD ready vs Full HD

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

HD ready concerns the abilities of television receivers to display high-definition pictures. The term has had official use in Europe since January 2005 when, EICTA (European Information, Communications and Consumer Electronics Technology Industry Associations) announced the requirements for the label.

HD ready: 1366x768
Full HD: 1920x1080

Computer monitors

Some modern widescreen liquid crystal display (LCD) and most QXGA and widescreen cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors can natively display 1080p content. Widescreen WUXGA monitors for example support 1920×1200 resolution, which can display a pixel for pixel reproduction of the 1080p (1920×1080) format. The resolution is rare but increasing in popularity amongst laptops in 2009; some laptops have a 15", 17" or even a 18.4" display that run a resolution of 1920×1200 or 1920x1080. Additionally, many 23, 24 and 27-inch (690 mm) widescreen LCD monitors use 1920×1200 as their native resolution, 30 inch displays can display beyond 1080p at up to 2560x1600 or 1600p. Apple's 27" iMac has a native resolution of 2560×1440 and hence 1440p. Other 1080p-compatible LCDs have lower than 1920×1080 native resolution and cannot display 1080p pixel for pixel, relying on the display's internal scaler to produce an image resized to suit the display's actual resolution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_HD
 
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HDTV connections

http://www.cnet.com.au/how-to-conne...o+TV+connection+best+resolution&start=90&sa=N


How to connect your HDTV

By Brian Fenton on 29 April 2008

Types of video connections


This section gives you a quick tour of all of the possible video connections. The quality level of each video connection follows a pecking order. The options at the top of the list are the best.

Sony_Bravia_back_panel_4.jpg
The rear panel of a Sony Bravia shows a typical array of video input options.


HDMI

con_hdmi_5.gif

Stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. As the most common digital video interface, it's the best way to connect anything to an HDTV. Unfortunately, multiple versions and other snafus make HDMI problematic. Go here for more details about HDMI.



DVI

con_dvi_6.gif

Stands for Digital Video Interface. This an older and almost obsolete form of HD-capable digital connection. As a forerunner of HDMI, it should work with most HDMI gear via adapter — but then again, it may not!




IEEE 1394


Also known as FireWire (Apple) and iLink (Sony), this digital interface also carries both video and audio, and is recordable, but is relatively rare in home theatre systems.





Component video

con_composite-vid_8.jpg

This HD-capable analog interface is the next best thing when HDMI and DVI are not available (or functional). It uses a trio of red, green, and blue colour-coded connections.




S-Video

con_Svideo_9.gif

This round multi-pin plug carries analog video signals — not DTV. However, it does a fine job of it by separating the brightness and colour parts of the signal. It's fine for legacy components.




Composite video

con_compositevideo_10.gif

This yellow colour-coded plug also carries analog video signals. Because it mixes the brightness and colour signals together, it produces a smeary picture. But it's the next best thing for analog legacy components like VCRs when S-Video is not available.




RF

con_rf_11.gif

Resembling a threaded bolt with a pinhole, this jack connects television sources such as antenna or cable, and will be labelled specifically for one of those purposes.





The special problems of HDMI

HDMI is the best way to get a digital video signal from any source to your HDTV. It can also carry sound, with video and audio united in a single convenient cable. But if you have an older receiver you're most likely to use it just for video. The bad news about HDMI is that there are multiple versions and much confusion surrounding them.

HDMI is the video port which provides the highest possible resolution.


Background
HDMI originated as a Hollywood-approved video interface and an alternative to the less secure IEEE 1394. Unlike 1394, HDMI cannot be used for recording. Studios and TV makers were both heavily involved in the creation of HDMI and the HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) scheme to protect their content.
Versions
All versions of HDMI, starting with 1.0, carry video to feed a display and stereo audio to feed TV speakers. Version 1.1 adds support for the nearly defunct DVD-Audio format. Version 1.2 supports the Super Audio CD. Version 1.2a brings the convenience of CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) which simplifies an A/V system's operation by allowing components to talk to one another. Version 1.3 — a very big deal — supports superior colour palettes and lossless surround formats delivered via Blu-ray or HD DVD. Let's discuss the latter in more depth.
Surround via HDMI
The following is an extreme but necessary oversimplification. Only HDMI 1.3 carries all known surround formats between a disc player and receiver at full resolution. That includes new lossless formats supported by Blu-ray and HD DVD, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. So if you're buying a surround receiver, make sure it's got HDMI 1.3. But there is a workaround. Most Blu-ray and HD DVD players have built-in surround decoders. Connect their multi-channel analog outputs to your receiver's multi-channel analog inputs and you're in business.
Copy protection
HDMI and some DVI devices both support HDCP copy protection. The set and sources perform a handshake, and if a device is not HDCP-compliant, the TV will not display a picture. This is a problem with some DVI equipment.
Composite video
This round multi-pin plug carries analog video signals — not DTV. However, it does a fine job of it by separating the brightness and colour parts of the signal. It's fine for legacy components.
Upconversion
Some receivers route incoming signals from all jacks to the HDMI output, allowing a convenient one-wire connection to the video display.
Types of audio connections

Beyond the obvious need for speaker cables, audio signal sources have a pecking order of their own.

speaker_connection_diagram.jpg
A typical wiring diagram for a 7.1 surround sound system.


HDMI
As discussed previously, HDMI can carry audio as well as video signals — but you'll need to get the latest version, 1.3, to be fully up to date.
IEEE 1394
This audio/video interface is occasionally used for the high-res audio formats, Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio.
Digital, optical and coaxial
These digital interfaces support lower-resolution audio signals. Their main use is to carry Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 plus CD audio from regular DVD and CD players.
Analog 5.1 and 7.1 channel
An older receiver without HDMI can accept surround signals in any format through these analog multi-channel inputs, as long as the source component feeding it has a full set of analog outputs.
Analog stereo
Colour-coded white and red, old-style audio jacks are useful mainly for connecting analog components such as stereo VCRs and phono preamps. To make a tape deck fully functional, you'll need stereo ins and outs, sometimes labelled "tape loop". A CD player can work through either digital or analog outputs.
Phono
If you plan to play vinyl records through your system, your receiver needs a special input to accept the low-voltage signal from a turntable. A receiver's phono input may be solely for moving-magnet cartridges, or may be switchable for both moving-coil and moving-magnet types. A ground terminal may be provided to defeat turntable hum. If you don't have a phono input, you'll need a separate phono preamp.
iPod dock
Docking devices offer better sound quality because they bypass the iPod's volume-control circuit. They also charge the player, and some offer an on-screen interface via the receiver. But you can connect an iPod directly to your receiver with a simple adaptor cable having a 3mm mini-plug at one end and two RCA plugs at the other.
USB
Some non-iPod music players output to a receiver through the USB interface.
AM/FM
Analog radio requires different antennas for AM and FM. That's why the receiver has separate inputs for each of them.
Loudspeakers
Use 12- to 16-gauge speaker cable. Better speakers and receivers have binding posts which screw down securely on the cable tip. Cheaper ones have wire clips, which are fragile and don't provide as secure a connection. To prevent cables from corroding, you may have them terminated in gold-plated banana plugs, spade lugs, or pins. However, new slim speakers are often designed to work only with bare wire snaking down their slender columns. See tutorial on connecting speakers.
Miscellaneous considerations

This section covers miscellaneous components and issues related to your home theatre's connections.
Are premium cables worth it?
Find the happy medium between flimsy generic wire and the mind-bogglingly expensive stuff. You want your cables to be sturdy, well-insulated, but no more than 10 percent of the price of the components they're connecting.
Power-line conditioners
A generic surge protector won't do. Your system needs high-current outlets for the power-sucking display and receiver. It also needs isolation transformers to defeat ground-loop-induced hum. So consider buying a high-quality power-line conditioner. Don't even think of using a cheap power strip — it will only hobble your system, and leave your system vulnerable to potentially damaging power surges.

A power-line conditioner filters out noise and hum that can detract from your system's sound quality.


A/V furniture
Does that equipment rack have room for all your components? Do those speaker stands position tweeters at ear level? Does that flat-panel TV mount allow tilting to the ideal viewing angle? And is that TV stand rated for more than the weight of your set?
Cable management
A busy rack needs a way to keep cables under control. One simple idea is a hole in the back of each shelf, funnelling cables up or down as needed.
Hiding wires
If style concerns make you leery of rear-surround speaker cables, or you want your elegant flat-panel TV to float free on the wall, a capable custom installer (or even an electrician) can make that ugly wiring disappear. Unless you're handy with things like stud finders and fish tapes, let a pro do it.
 

pharme

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Greetings sir,

I am trying to spot a converter for my PC to TV and have 2 choices:
VGA to RCA and VGA to RGB + RCA (audio).
According to salesman, the latter is a better one coz 3 cables are dedicated to video so result is more desirable. Is that true? My TV set is good for either connection.

And if you have any brands / price in mind to suggest?
I use it mainly to view P2P internet TV streaming...now that i have terminated SCV cable TV.

thanks

pharme
 

petetherock

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Greetings sir,

I am trying to spot a converter for my PC to TV and have 2 choices:
VGA to RCA and VGA to RGB + RCA (audio).
According to salesman, the latter is a better one coz 3 cables are dedicated to video so result is more desirable. Is that true? My TV set is good for either connection.

And if you have any brands / price in mind to suggest?
I use it mainly to view P2P internet TV streaming...now that i have terminated SCV cable TV.

thanks

pharme
You give little info on the TV.
PSP games? VGA to VGA on the TV should be fine - it will give HD ready resolution. As for RCA - I assume you mean component.

Please read through this thread first, get a feel of the terms before you post again. There is plenty of useful info here.

Cheers
 

pharme

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You give little info on the TV.
PSP games? VGA to VGA on the TV should be fine - it will give HD ready resolution. As for RCA - I assume you mean component.

Please read through this thread first, get a feel of the terms before you post again. There is plenty of useful info here.

Cheers


I have read through your posts, very detail and enlightening. Do point me back there if this post is still unclear.
Laptop with VGA ports (15pin) to a CONVERTER that bridges to my TV that comes with RCA points (3 cable, red, white and yellow) and Components cable points (red, green and blue).
My query essentially is whether should i get a converter box that uses RCA cables (red, white and yellow) or Component cable (red, green and blue) plus a RCA (red and white) for the audio.

Converter using the latter is recommended for video quality coz 3 cables are dedicated to video, is that true? Or are they the same.

I watch lots of video on computer so video quality is important when purchasing a converter to link to my TV.

sawn
 

Nua_kia

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hi

i have hooked up my tv using hdmi cable to my pc dvi slot via a converter.

now all sound from my PC is from my tv instead of my speakers.

How do i make both my tv and speaker play sound from my pc??

Please help, i plough thru the sticky but cant really find sumthin similar.

THanks~
 

petetherock

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Your PC has a headphone out jack, you can use that with a RCA to headphone jack and connect it to your amp.
 

Nua_kia

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MOD EDIT - in order to make this post clearer so others can understand, I have rephrased your post sans spelling and other issues.

Poster wishes to ask:

Can I use my self-powered speakers to my TV? Why is there no sound if the HDMI cable is used to connect my laptop to the TV?


sorry i think i was not clear in my description.

I am not using amps with RCA cables. i am juz using the normal computer speakers (creative 2 pc speakers.)
i have tries putin the speaker cables to the headphone out but i still can get sound out of my spaeker once i connect the tv via hdmi
 
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