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    Connect Laptop to TV (HD gaming)

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by cumbaya19, Apr 7, 2009.

  1. cumbaya19

    cumbaya19 Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok So I have the Dv5t laptop and I want to connect it to my 720p LCD. The TV has VGA, DVI, Component, and Svideo hook up. Which will give me optimal picture quality?
     
    cumbaya19, Apr 7, 2009
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  2. Blackjab24

    Blackjab24 Notebook Consultant

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    Is the 720p LCD a tv? If so it should have at least one HDMI port on it.
     
    Blackjab24, Apr 7, 2009
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  3. Ghold

    Ghold Notebook Evangelist

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    use the HDMI ports...
     
    Ghold, Apr 7, 2009
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  4. EtownsFinest

    EtownsFinest Notebook Deity

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    If there is no hdmi (video and sound) on your tv dvi (video only) would be next best choice
     
    EtownsFinest, Apr 7, 2009
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  5. Blackjab24

    Blackjab24 Notebook Consultant

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    If he had a 720p HDTV its bound to have at least 1 HDMI port on it. :p
     
    Blackjab24, Apr 7, 2009
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  6. AznImports602

    AznImports602 Notebook Deity

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    Umm he says it right there "720p LCD." Anyways just use HDMI if you can.
     
    AznImports602, Apr 7, 2009
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  7. cumbaya19

    cumbaya19 Notebook Evangelist

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    no HDMI...its 3 years old
     
    cumbaya19, Apr 7, 2009
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  8. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    vga or dvi.
     
    tianxia, Apr 7, 2009
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  9. JCMS

    JCMS Notebook Prophet

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    The first gen LCD TVs don't have HDMI even though the first gen HDTV (projections HDTV (well, not the "newer" DLP ones but those before)) have it.
     
    JCMS, Apr 7, 2009
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  10. octd

    octd Newbie

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    Use the vga port.
     
    octd, Apr 7, 2009
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  11. nklive

    nklive Notebook Evangelist

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    If you have DVI output (that's equal to HDMI minus the sound) in your laptop use that, otherwise use the VGA, that's what I do. The VGA resolution and refresh rate will depend on what resolution your LCD supports. For example mine is 720p LCD but when you use VGA you can have up to 1360x768 resolution which is higher of the 720p (1280x720). So in this case you will get higher resolution than HDMI. The 'HIGH' resolutions HDMI supports are only 1280x720 and 1920x1080. When you connect your laptop, put your LCD on VGA mode, then your laptop will recognise the new LCD and in the display settings you can use it as main monitor. Bare in mind VGA and DVI don't carry sound over so you will need to connect your laptop's sound output to your TV or to speakers.
     
    nklive, Apr 8, 2009
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  12. cumbaya19

    cumbaya19 Notebook Evangelist

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    does the quality of the cable matter too much? Staples has DVI for 70$ while amazon has it for 15$
     
    cumbaya19, Apr 8, 2009
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  13. zeve

    zeve Notebook Consultant

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    Huh? My HDTV highest resolution through HDMI is 1360X768. That's what I use with it.
     
    zeve, Apr 8, 2009
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  14. nklive

    nklive Notebook Evangelist

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    It depends if you have interference or not. If you have electromagnetic interference behind your TV then a good advice is to buy one with gold connectors and RF stopper (or something similar). But generally I don't think you will be able to see the difference and $70 is a lot of money. You might be able to find something cheaper but I would prefer something branded than a 'no name' one. As far as the length is the same, you should go for the Amazon one.

    It must depend on the TV then or maybe the laptop (drivers, graphic card, output). My TV and my friend's doesn't go more than 720p 50Hz Refresh rate or 1080i 25 Hz refresh rate (which looks awful). But to be honest I don't see any visual difference when you play a game at the same resolution between VGA and HDMI. I don't know if anyone have the same experience.
     
    nklive, Apr 9, 2009
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