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tv as a monitor

Discussion in 'Computers & Modding' started by kingofgamemasters777, Oct 25, 2008.

  1. kingofgamemasters777

    kingofgamemasters777 Well-Known Member

    ok i know the basics of how to use your tv as a monitor for your computer but since i still have a stander tv i have to use a vga to a/v cables to hook up the video but how would i hook up the sound?
     
  2. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    you have to have external speakers. Additionally your graphics card must support TV out otherwise you need a converter box.
     
  3. Rhith

    Rhith Well-Known Member

    Cheap way to do it is headphone to the red and white plug adapter.
    Should only be a few bucks at radio shack.
     
  4. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    Using a TV as a monitor is a bad idea anyway, the aspect ratio is different and its not capable of resolutions anywhere near as high as a real monitor.
     
  5. kingofgamemasters777

    kingofgamemasters777 Well-Known Member

    i just want to watch videos and maby play some games
     
  6. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    videos should be OK, I wouldnt use it for games or for a long period of time as it could be harmful to your eyesight.
     
  7. kingofgamemasters777

    kingofgamemasters777 Well-Known Member

  8. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    low resolution and non-native aspect ratio.
     
  9. ultra

    ultra Guest

    you'll need either an external speaker and connect it to your computer just like how you would on a regular computer setup. this set up requires and external speaker.

    or buy an audio cable with a headphone jack at one end and a stereo output at another end. it should look something like this,

    http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-7-Foot-Stereo-Link-Cable/dp/B0001OQTLY/ref=pd_cp_e_1_img?pf_rd_p=413863501&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000JG3WBY&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0HMFR6M03HV7QCEPBYWR

    this setup uses your speakers from your tv.

    if you use your tv as a monitor, it used to be a 800*600 resolution, but now a days i believe it's higher then that. i believe it maybe 1440x900, but i'm not sure and each monitor will vary.
     
  10. kingofgamemasters777

    kingofgamemasters777 Well-Known Member

    would i put that cable in my audio out jack? never mind, my tv is like a 22 inch standered def tv
     
  11. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    SD TVs are 800x600 yes, high def ones are higher.
     
  12. apophos755

    apophos755 Well-Known Member

    I am fortunate in the fact that I have a 42" LCD Full 1080p HDTV. It's awesome as a monitor. You should see romulation in 42" glory.... ;D

    It's jaw dropping.
     
  13. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    I see it in 22" glory and thats good enough.
     
  14. kingofgamemasters777

    kingofgamemasters777 Well-Known Member

    all i have is a old 17 crt monitor
     
  15. equitypetey

    equitypetey Well-Known Member

    i'm the one to ask as i do this already. every thing sucks and flickers apart from video. films are great to watch. best way to do it is to have a GFX card that has a s-video out then go on ebay and get a s-video to scart cable these also have a jack on the s-video end so the sound comes through the scart.

    but it still will only work on a tv that is modern. it is best if it has a s-video in or s-video channel if it doesn't it will be flickery. also it needs to be able to support 60htz if it doesn't it will also suck.

    so to use as a monitor tv's are rubish but to watch films great but only if it supports it.
    and if your tv is a standard 4:3 size then 800x600 resolution will look best
     
  16. Born2killx

    Born2killx Well-Known Member

    I used to hook up my laptop to my television. A 60+ inch 1080i one. It could only display up to 720p for computers, though. Watching movies on it is awesome. NTSC SDTVs are 480 lines; I'm not sure about PAL. Now my old PC is hooked up to the television.
     
  17. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    PAL is 576 lines if I remember correctly.
     
  18. Hyza

    Hyza Active Member

    You need a special adapter for the end of your Video Cable, that hooks into your monitor. Try to google it first, and see if any major stores (Future Shop, Best Buy, Circuit City etc) have them. However... I would not do it, as it wrecks the picture! Just my opinion. Luck to ya!
     
  19. Almo

    Almo Well-Known Member

    SVideo is a better option than using VGA to AV or RCA, still only good for movies at full screen, everything else generally looks like shit. My 22inch monitor is bigger than my TV anyway so I just use that for everything :p
     
  20. equitypetey

    equitypetey Well-Known Member

    does no one listen to me!

    you just need an s-video to scart thats it, don't go to your local shop it will cost shit loads. go to ebay you can get like 10-20m ones so you can run it round you rooms and make sure you get one with a jack for the sound as well.

    this is what you want
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5M-S-VIDEO-SVHS-S-VHS-3-5MM-SCART-PC-TO-TV-AV-CABLE-KIT_W0QQitemZ230311091224QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item230311091224&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

    i know thats uk ebay but go to your one and you'll fine something like it.
    i have a 10m one that runs under my carpet out of sight so my pc and tv are at opposite sides of the room

    just make sure your gfx card has a s-video out if it doesn't then you need one and you can pick up good ones for pocket change if your looking in the right place.