HP laptop to HDTV connection

Trying to get an HP Pavilion zv5000 Notebook PC hooked up to a new Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV here... need help with cabling for maximum HDTV resolution.

Is the 15 pin VGA port on back best way to go instead of s-video out? Is that a component or RGB signal?

 

You can go VGA to component, but you need a converter box to do so. S-Video is SD only.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=vga+to+component&um=1&ie=UTF-8

 

Thanks, think I'll just send this Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV back to the store... I can get a Westinghouse that delivers 1366 x 768 resolution and supports 1080i, 720p formats and it's got a 15 pin HD VGA input and that TV costs half the price.

 

Westinghouse TVs are lower in quality and have worse reliability. A budget brand. Also, a 720p TV cannot display true 1080i.

 

Well, a 32" screen doesn't really suffer much at 720p... and I tend to respect budget brands much more than the big brands ever since I bought my Panasonic Home theater system... major flaw in design that Panasonic refused to fix or admit that there was a problem.... even though everyone who bought the system had the same problem (major popping noise when the system got hot).

BTW... got an email back from "HP Total Care" today and they say this....

"Thank you for contacting HP Total Care. From your e-mail, I understand that your notebook is hooked up to a new Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV, so you are trying to get it back to your HP Pavilion zv5000 Notebook. I would like to inform you that, this HP Pavilion zv5000 notebook will not supports the SVGA port. This will connects only to normal television."

Huh... hmmmm.... think they wanna sell me on a new HP laptop, ya think?

 

They're just telling you the truth. Your computer does not support an HDTV without a VGA port without a converter box of some type.

 

The HP tech didn't mention that it could be connected with a converter box... just said this HP laptop could ONLY be connected to a "normal television".

 

It's because they don't sell a converter box, and they sure as hell aren't going to go shopping for you. Please realize that the person who answered your question doesn't really care what you do. They won't get any commission if you go online or call up to buy a new laptop. Not everyone is against you and trying you bilk you out of cash. Really, it's OK, you can take that tin hat off now.

 

You're absolutely right... the tech didn't care... so why do they call the service "HP Total Care"???

It's just a matter of how they do business. If something can be done just fine without having to buy a new computer, they should tell people what the options are, that's all. They don't have to shop for me, really...!!

 

I don't know. You're asking for a bit much out of a company. I own a Sony HDTV that I use sometimes for dual screen with my older lappy which has 15 pin VGA port. Hooks right up to it because it has a VGA port in the back. all current Sonys and I believe Samsungs have it. Along with component video in and HDMI. Plus you can picture-in-picture your broadcast over the computer display mode. You get what you pay for.

But see, I did my research. You just gotta love the net. In the good old days, a trip to the library was in order. Also helped if you had a subscription to certain geek magazines. But today? Aw man. All at my finger tips.

Budget brands are disposable. My 32" Sony XBR tube TV is going on strong for 7 years now. In fact, all my Sony's in the house are as good as the day I bought them. Budget brands? All dead or dying. You get what you pay for. Pay now or pay later is the usual game.

Panasonic is mid to low tier.

I'm just saying... net is full of info. Ya gotta love it.

 

maybe I missed something, but VGA is the best option for your laptop to HDTV connection. Now if you have DVI on your laptop, a DVI to HDMI cable will be better than VGA. Are you saying that your Aquos LCD doesnt have VGA or a "PC Input?" I thought most, if not all, Aquos LCDs Ive seen or read about had VGA input. Or is your problem not getting the proper resolutions through VGA, which Ive heard of (AVSforums might be able to help with that)?

 

Yeah, Sony is very well known for good tubes. Trinitron was a Sony trademark for years.... unbeatable quality!! I worked for an A/V rental company for years and they only bought Sony monitors. However, Sharp was always best for LCD displays and Panasonic / JVC was best for VCR technology.

I bought the Sharp because I really trusted the good name... same with the HP laptop. HP was always a very trusted name back in the ole days when there were good values in the company. I will certainly not buy these brands again.

Last time I bought a TV, went for the biggest bang for the buck... a cheap Zenith.... lasted me 15+ years, still works fine except it doesn't get all the digital stations. I'm a firm believer in some of the better budget brands.

 

Nope, there's no VGA input on this Sharp Aquos model LC-32D62U. It's really crazy since even the cheapest HDTV's have got this feature for much less money. Guess I've learned my lesson.... the more you pay, the less you get.

It does have a great picture, however!!