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    Using my 1720 to play on my TV

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by kostnkost, Jan 16, 2008.

  1. kostnkost

    kostnkost Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have tried for over an hour to figure out how to connect my 1720 to my TV. I have the S-Video cable hooked up properly, but all I get is a picture of my screen with no icons and thats it. I was wondering if I have to configure something on my laptop to make this work??


    Also besides the S-Video cable, don't I need an audio cable hooked up to make this work as well?


    Any advice is greatly appreciated!
     
    kostnkost, Jan 16, 2008
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  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    What screen resolution does your TV support?
     
    adinu, Jan 16, 2008
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  3. randomkidx

    randomkidx Notebook Enthusiast

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    for vista: right click>personalize>display settings, and then change it to whatever and see if they come back
     
    randomkidx, Jan 16, 2008
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  4. kostnkost

    kostnkost Notebook Enthusiast

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    kostnkost, Jan 16, 2008
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  5. kostnkost

    kostnkost Notebook Enthusiast

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    I tried that and still nothing. :confused:
     
    kostnkost, Jan 16, 2008
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  6. ninjaskimo

    ninjaskimo Notebook Enthusiast

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    could it be possible that maybe the TV is being used as another screen that enables you to stretch your desktop across two displays?
     
    ninjaskimo, Jan 16, 2008
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  7. achw

    achw Notebook Consultant

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    that's what i was going to say!!

    try pressing fn-f8 until the laptop display is off and only the tv is on.

    change the display settings for the tv (as external monitor) to 1920x1080 resolution.
     
    achw, Jan 16, 2008
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  8. kostnkost

    kostnkost Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok got it, but there is no audio??
     
    kostnkost, Jan 16, 2008
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  9. achw

    achw Notebook Consultant

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    you won't get audio from s-video only (unless you're using the dongle adaptor - in which case you'll still need a separate cable for audio).

    you can get basic audio by connecting from the headphone jack to red/white inputs on your tv.
     
    achw, Jan 16, 2008
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  10. kostnkost

    kostnkost Notebook Enthusiast

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    OK one final question. Would using the s-video be the best way to connect to my TV? Would this get the best picture, or is there something better?

    I currently use HDMI for my cable viewing which is the best pic I can get. I understand my 1720 doesn't have an HDMI port, but is there something better than s-vid?
     
    kostnkost, Jan 16, 2008
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  11. achw

    achw Notebook Consultant

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    dell sells an adaptor which goes into the s-video output on your laptop, and has component video/coaxial audio outputs on the other end - which you could then use to connect to your tv (using component connections, which are better than s-video). you could also connect the coaxial cable to your av receiver, so you get digital audio (5.1/6.1/7.1 sound, depending on what you're playing) from your speakers.

    the part number is pg382 for the dongle adaptor - call dell spare parts to order one.

    (i assume it works with the 1720? i have the xps m1530 and cannot get it to work on mine (i can get video, but no audio) - but what i said above is what's meant to happen!).
     
    achw, Jan 16, 2008
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  12. kostnkost

    kostnkost Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well now I know what I'm buying with my $100 Dell gave me with the purchase of my computer, lol.


    Thanks guys for all the help!!
     
    kostnkost, Jan 16, 2008
    #12