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    Best way to connect laptop to home theatre system

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by ed stl, Dec 21, 2007.

  1. ed stl

    ed stl Newbie

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    I need some advice from all you experts out there.

    I have a Dell Inspiron 9300 that I would like to connect to my hdtv (samsung HL-S5687) and home stereo system (ht-ddw990).

    On the back of the laptop I have a vga, DVI-D, and s video port. On my tv i have a vga, s-video, hdmi and the usual component ports. What would be the best way to connect the video? I was thinking about using the vga ports on the laptop and tv since I read that it would provide a better picture than the s-video. I was wondering though if there was a way to connect the DVI-D port to the component ports on the TV to get better resolution? I thought about trying to connect the DVI-D port to the HDMI port on the tv put the samsung manual said that the HDMI would not work for a computer?

    As far as sound, I only have the 3.5 mm audio port on my laptop so I guess I'm limited to that. The receiver doesn't have a 3.5 mm audio port but the TV does so I guess I can connect to it and then use the optical audio port to run the sound to the receiver.

    Thanks for any help you can provide!
     
    ed stl, Dec 21, 2007
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  2. Liquid Steel

    Liquid Steel Notebook Consultant

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    Use a DVI--HDMI cable for the video... I don't see why it wouldn't work :|
    If that doesn't work, I'd use VGA

    Use a 3.5mm--RCA to attach the sound to your reciever, then send it wherever you wish.
     
    Liquid Steel, Dec 21, 2007
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  3. ed stl

    ed stl Newbie

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    I don't see why using the DVI--HDMI cable for the video wouldn't work either. The manual states though in bold letters "You cannot connect your computer to the TV's HDMI/DVI port". I sent an email to samsung asking about this. I might just give it shot anyways.

    Thanks for your help!
     
    ed stl, Dec 21, 2007
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  4. Die

    Die Notebook Consultant

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    They also say that in the instruction manuals for Sony's TVs as well. It's my understanding from what I've read on avsforum is that it's due to resolution issues and potential damage you can (supposedly) inflict on your TV if you try to output at higher resolutions than what your TV supports via DVI/HDMI. So long as you're careful it shouldn't be a problem. I've connected a 1920 x 1080 native resolution TV via DVI->HDMI and standard 15 pin VGA cables to computers and they both work fine.
     
    Die, Dec 22, 2007
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