Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

VideoHelp.com Forum Search

WHAT IS
Blu-ray
DVD
VCD
Glossary

HOW TO
All guides Index New Posts Today's Posts
User Name Log in Help Register
Articles
Author Remember Me? Lost password/username?

Capture
Forum Video Newbie / General discussions Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA)
Convert
DVD Backup Results 1 to 21 of 21
Edit
Thread: Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA)
Play
Thread Tools Display
LISTS
Capture Cards
DVD Media
DVD Players
DVD Hacks indiannawaf Hi Forum,
DVD Recorders Member I have a Compaq Presario V5233EA laptop which has a VGA port and also an S-Video port
DVD Writers Join Date: Jan 2007 (7 pins). But my Sony Trinitron TV is about 4 years old and does not have an S-Video in
Location: India (only the RCA jacks i think). What is the best possible way to connect them so that i get
Tools
the laptop screen on the TV?
OTHER
Forum Out of the VGA and the S-Video ports which one will result in better quality on the TV?
F.A.Q Please if possible can you guys upload a picture of the cable that i should buy?
Search
About Quote
Advertise
Contact us

Affiliates electricsguy If the tv is that old you will need to spend quite a lot of money... the pixels in older tvs are
DVD-R Blank Member a different shape to the computers so you need a converter (£300 the one i was
Media
Join Date: Jun 2007 considering...but got new tv instead :P) its not a matter of just a lead.
DVD Duplicators
Location: United Kingdom
DVDFab
If your that desperate I'd suggest you treat yourself to new TV and then all youo need is a
AnyDVD HD
cheap lead.
Blank dvd
Media
Free Codecs (If you do still want to use that TV write back and ill give you a few links)
r4i card
Multi Region
Blu-ray Player
DVD Duplication HERE TO HELP

Ollie.
Site layout:
Quote

Printer
Friendly
edDV Easy to do from S-Video out but don't expect great quality. S-Video carries luminance and
©1999-2010 Member chrominance on separate coax (4 pins). Composite (RCA) results from a sum of luminance
videohelp.com Y and chrominance C.
dvdrhelp.com
vcdhelp.com
svcdhelp.com Composite = Y+C
Contact Us
Join Date: Mar 2004
Privacy Policy
Location: Northern
California, USA

1 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM

Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

redwudz If you have a 7 pin S-video out, you may already have a composite video out. S-video is
Mod Neophyte normally 4 pins. With 7 pin out, two of the extras are likely composite video and composite
Super Moderator
video ground. But composite will look terrible on most TVs. You will be unlikely to be
able to read any but the largest text and video may be a bit unclear.

I would take a look in your laptop manual and see if it discusses composite video out or
suggest an adapter. Even with a S-video 4 pin output you can get composite by hooking
Join Date: Sep 2002 two of the leads together. But I wouldn't advise trying it unless you really know what you
Location: AZ, USA
are doing.

As mentioned, you can get a scan converter and use the VGA video out, but they can be
expensive.

EDIT: edDV was ahead of me, with diagrams and illustrations, no less.

I think I have a couple of those adapters left over from ATI video cards.

Quote

edDV Pins 1-4 are usually Y/C

Member
The other 3 pins vary for different display cards. Many NVidia cards use 5, 6, 7 for analog
component video. Some cards or laptops even put sound on those pins. You need to see
the manual.

Join Date: Mar 2004

Location: Northern
California, USA

Quote

indiannawaf Thanks for your replies and illustrations guys. Greatly appreciated.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007 Unfortunately I cant buy a new TV at the moment nor that converter which electricsguy
Location: India mentioned. Isn't there an easier way like a cable with 7 pin S-Video plug at one end and
the yellow RCA plug to connect to the back of the TV at the other end? I already have a
cable for the audio which has a 3.5 mm plug at one end and a red and white RCA plug at
the other.

Quote

2 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM

Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

Bjs Connector widely used on ATI and other graphics cards. Carrys s-video and composite
Member signals
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Australia

Some sources report that pin 6 is Composite video, pin 7 - composite ground

Generally the first four pins on those 7-pin connectors on the same places as the standard
four pin S-video connector have practically always the same fuctionality as those pins in
S-video connector

Yes , the 4 pin will fit , but only black and white output under rca .

While quality on screen may not be the same as on the pc screen , it also depends if you
set your pc screen to its lowest resolution , which helps .

Trying to send 1600x1200 wont ... and make any fonts impossible to be read which
increase eye strain .

Quote

indiannawaf
Originally Posted by Bjs
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Yes , the 4 pin will fit , but only black and white output under rca .
Location: India

So you mean i will not get colour under the current conditions?

Quote

Bjs Depends on how the pins were assigned by who ever made it ... not all have there crap
Member squared away .
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Australia Well from dell , using the 4pin din , no , but thats also dependant on the chipset and its
drivers ... mines the old Radeon Mobility M6 LY here on the laptop ... what the ? ... no pal
bhg .

I have even asked dell australia , and even they are confused about the 7 pin adapter ...
why install this component and not supply the adapter is plain stupidity .

3 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM

Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

indiannawaf Thanks a lot Bjs. I will look into those links.

Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: India

Quote

edDV
Originally Posted by Bjs
Member
Connector widely used on ATI and other graphics cards. Carrys s-video and
composite signals

Join Date: Mar 2004

Location: Northern
California, USA

Your computer manual should give a pin connection list like above. An S-Video to
composite adapter as shown in my drawing should sum to color composite if pins 1-4
carry S-Video. Most do. I see no reason why it would give monochrome.

Monochrome would result for PAL if the S-Video out was set to NTSC. Make sure it is set for
PAL. Desktop resolution of 800x600 usually gives adequate results. 800x600 is only
setting the scale of the desktop. Actual resolution on the S-Video or composite output is
set by the PAL system to 576 scan lines. Horizontal resolution would be no more than 600.

BYW: The Compaq Presario V5233EA laptop is listed as using the

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 chipset.

Quote

TBoneit I find it hard to believe your 4 Year old Trinitron has only composite inputs? Was it a really
Member cheap Non Sony? I have lowend 27" SDTV Sony that has multiple inputs that have
Join Date: Feb 2003 Composite and S-Video for each input. I have a Older 32" Sharp SDTV that has composite
Location: USA on the front and another input on the back that has both Composite and S-video inputs.

Quote

indiannawaf @TBoneit: What do you mean by 'Non Sony'? Do you mean a 'fake' Sony? If yes then i can

4 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM

Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

Bjs edDV
Member
Join Date: Feb 2004 Whats the question : 7 pin din to rca = color output problem
Location: Australia

Manuals dont always clearly indicate the functions of each pin or never ... service manuals
do , but do not come with pc's , laptop's , and other associated equipment , unless one
specifically requests it , and pays for it .

One of the links actually shows how to make a conversion cable , which should work for
those that find only monochrome output , even if set to pal , is displayed , which is what
the op is wondering about and what is exactly happening .

While the 7 pin din may have became a standard in design , not all manufacturers used
the same pins ... This is why some work , and others do not ... there's also a wide
difference between cable designs , which is why the same problem appears again .

And this is why there are a lot of conversion kits made available ... finding the exact one
that works with your equipment can represent its own unique problems .

As for the resolution of the tv ... most pcs can only be set to a minimum resolution of
800x600 anyway , so why bother with such details ... as you said .

usually gives adequate results

I agree with this , but only so far as that it makes dealing with fonts a little easier to
understand on a tv display , and is the only time it should be done ... for the purpose of
display to a crowd , which is what I do most of the time .

What is more important is the frequency being sent to the display , which , if the
manufacturer did not stick with the standards , is what that link I gave earlier shows ...
how to build a conversion cable .

The compaq presario v5233ea manual makes only a mention of "plug it in > here ,
diagram" or "go to dick smiths" to get a suitable svideo cable .

Theres suitable , and not suitable , which was indicated in the original points I made earlier
.

----

So in this case , for the OP , they should take the lappy down to their local electronics store
, where several svideo cables from several vendors can be tried ... one must work ... it dose
exist , but if its not in stock , you have to keep looking .

Most of these sales people wouldnt know the difference ... all svideo's cables to them are
the same thing , unless they are informed that this is not the case .

Now that brings up the point about ... why the cable is not supplied with the lappy in the
first place ... dosent it ?

I personally wouldnt receive one unless it is complete , including this cable , that actually
works with the unit ... or it would be deemed as an unsalable item on the spot , and
returned .

Quote

indiannawaf @ Bjs: Yes i was disappointed too that the cable was not supplied with the laptop. Actually

5 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM

Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

edDV
Originally Posted by Bjs
Member
edDV

Whats the question : 7 pin din to rca = color output problem

Join Date: Mar 2004 Manuals dont always clearly indicate the functions of each pin or never ... service
Location: Northern manuals do , but do not come with pc's , laptop's , and other associated equipment
California, USA , unless one specifically requests it , and pays for it .

One of the links actually shows how to make a conversion cable , which should
work for those that find only monochrome output , even if set to pal , is displayed ,
which is what the op is wondering about and what is exactly happening .

That wasn't the op question. Op asked how to get from VGA or 7pin din to composite in
India (supposedly PAL).

Somebody else mentioned monochrome. My original post showed the normal 4pin to
composite adapter wiring that should work since pins 1-4 are usually the same. Pins 5-7
differ. Pins 5-7 have been used to carry a composite, YPbPr analog component or
composite+audio. Each needs a custom cable.

Originally Posted by Bjs

While the 7 pin din may have became a standard in design , not all manufacturers
used the same pins ... This is why some work , and others do not ... there's also a
wide difference between cable designs , which is why the same problem appears
again .

And this is why there are a lot of conversion kits made available ... finding the
exact one that works with your equipment can represent its own unique problems .

Yes but the 4 pin adapter should work for each. If not, research the exact match.

Originally Posted by Bjs

As for the resolution of the tv ... most pcs can only be set to a minimum resolution
of 800x600 anyway , so why bother with such details ... as you said .

Not true. S-Video out selections are usually 640x640, 800x600, 1024x768 and others for
"Desktop Area" This defines the desktiop size that will be downsized to S-Video.

Example ATI

6 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM

Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

edDV
Originally Posted by indiannawaf
Member
@ Bjs: Yes i was disappointed too that the cable was not supplied with the laptop.
Actually my brother bought it for me. I checked on there website and they claim
that the cable is NOT supplied with it.
I may go down to an electronics store to try some cables but isn't that a bit risky?
Join Date: Mar 2004 You once said i might damage the system if i try to do anything i am not too sure
Location: Northern about.
California, USA

They will probably have the 1-4 pin adapter. They probably won't have all the versions of
the 7pin cables. Those are best obtained from the laptop manufacturer or online.

A laptop specialty store may carry the more popular 7pin cables.

Quote

TBoneit
Originally Posted by indiannawaf
Member
@TBoneit: What do you mean by 'Non Sony'? Do you mean a 'fake' Sony? If yes
Join Date: Feb 2003
then i can assure you its a genuine Sony Trinitron 21" because i bought it from an
Location: USA
authorized showroom. Anyways i checked again for S-Video input with new hopes
but nope...no S-Video. Only composite.

No, What I meant was that Sony isn't the only one that used Trinitron tubes. By Saying
Trinitron it sort of implied a different brand of TV. Whereas if you Said Sony I would of
course assume it was a Trinitron as I do not believe Sony used anything else since soon
after they developed it.

Quote

EddyH Wow... a 4-year-old TV that only has composite input?!

Member
Join Date: Jan 2003 S**t sucks, man. I'm kind of amazed by that. Only Sony, in America, would try to pull that
Location: Soul sucking
kind of thing
suburbia!

*puts it next to 6 or 7-ish year old off-brand 14" set that's sat in my cupboard... about as
cheap as they come, but with composite, svideo and rgb inputs*
... in fact my laptop ONLY came with a straight 7 pin -> SVideo cable (which I then lost,
and replaced with a completely standard 4-pin one), and with a scart adaptor, haven't
bothered using anything else on any non-HD TV I've used it with... mostly very cheap ones

Hope this all works for you... don't be afraid of a little soldering if it comes down to it!
Oh and don't forget to just leave it at 800x600, or 640x480 if you can...

/nothing better to add

-= She sez there's ants in the carpet, dirty little monsters! =-

Back after a long time away, mainly because I now need to start making up vidcapped DVDRs for
work and I haven't a clue where to start any more!

Quote

Bjs Well , I finally got them , all 3 and a free one thrown in , and guess what .

7 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM

Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

cham I had the same prob and I bought a 7 pin S video to 3RCA cable (something similar to the
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: France

one on the figure) . It half serves the

purpose. I can see the images but not audio. Is it something wrong with the cable or the
TV or is there any settings that I should setup to get the audio to TV?

some advise is greatly appreciated.

Quote

Quick Navigation Newbie / General discussions Top

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 14:18.

Powered by vBulletin™ Version 4.0.1

Copyright © 2011 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

8 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM

Connect laptop (VGA/S-video) to TV (RCA) http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/271521-Connec...

Statistics Newest guides Latest tool updates New media comments Recent DVD Hacks
How to author a photo CnW Data Recovery 3.28 TDK 16 x DVD-R Magnavox DV200MW8
814 visitors over the DVD slideshow in Linux
past 5 minutes Free AVCHD Editor Blaze 2 x BD-RE Philips HTS5590
How to convert a Bluray 0.4.1.1
to DVD VSO Bluray- Sony BNE50BS2 2 x LG DP450G
to-DVD iTunes 10.1.2 BD-RE
VideoHelp server uptime Samsung HT-BD1255
statistics How to download online Bencos 2011-01-27 beta Maxell 2 x BD-RE
BGH BD701
TV/Flash RTMPE using BestMedia Platinum 2 x
StreamTransp... BD-RE JVC HR-XVC11

VSO Software ConvertXtoDVD lets you convert any video like AVI,MKV to DVD easily. More info or download trial!

About Advertise Forum RSS Feeds Statistics Tools

9 of 9 Saturday, 29 January, 2011 03:23 AM