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    Will I be able to display HD on my TV if my laptops resolution is 1280 x 800?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by IssGonRain, Sep 4, 2007.

  1. IssGonRain

    IssGonRain Notebook Enthusiast

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    I want to hook up my laptop to my TV for games and just using it as a monitor, my TV is pretty large(65"). Will 1280 x 800 be good enough? This is the Vostro 1500, so I can upgrade the screen if I HAVE to
     
    IssGonRain, Sep 4, 2007
    #1
  2. thevjm

    thevjm Notebook Evangelist

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    you can go higher if your tv can...
     
    thevjm, Sep 4, 2007
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  3. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    It depends, many notebooks have a low resolution on the screen but can support much higher resolutions on external displays. For example, the MacBook only has 1280x800 but can support up to 1920x1200 on an external display.

    Check the specifications.
     
    Sam, Sep 4, 2007
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  4. IssGonRain

    IssGonRain Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok, one other thing, I assume the Vostro 1500 has a place for something to plug into a TV to display HD resolutions, right?
     
    IssGonRain, Sep 4, 2007
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  5. thevjm

    thevjm Notebook Evangelist

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    it has a vga output. no hdmi though
     
    thevjm, Sep 4, 2007
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  6. IssGonRain

    IssGonRain Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, my TV has hdmi inputs, don't know about VGA.

    Converters?

    Also, any way to get surround sound from it(I don't think it will)
     
    IssGonRain, Sep 4, 2007
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  7. thevjm

    thevjm Notebook Evangelist

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    most hdtv's now have vga inputs. what brand do u have???
     
    thevjm, Sep 4, 2007
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  8. IssGonRain

    IssGonRain Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sony, it's a few years old now.

    Also, my TV has 'DVI' , not HDMI. Does this make a difference?
     
    IssGonRain, Sep 4, 2007
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  9. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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    If your TV has a DVI-I connector (supporting both Digital and Analog signals) then a simple VGA to DVI converter will work. Since yours is a 65” and few years old, I’m guessing it’s a projection TV. In which case it should have a DVI-I (instead of the pure digital DVI-D. Besides, I don’t think TVs are shipped only with a DVI-D connector).
     
    PhoenixFx, Sep 4, 2007
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  10. IssGonRain

    IssGonRain Notebook Enthusiast

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    So, with this connector I could achieve 1080i on my TV?

    Also, I looked it up and you're right it is DVI-I(good news for me)
     
    IssGonRain, Sep 4, 2007
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  11. TuxDude

    TuxDude Notebook Deity

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    Hmm yes you can... The secondary display's resolution is independent of the primary display's and will work fine ;)
     
    TuxDude, Sep 4, 2007
    #11