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Question

Can I connect my 4-yr. old Dell computer to a new Vizio HDTV

Jun 24, 2011 5:05AM PDT

I have a 4 yr. old Dell destop computer that I wish to connect to an "as yet to be purchased" Vizio HDTV. I have checked their "internet apps" HDTV's and they are larger than the space I have for the tv. My next alternative is to connect the Dell desktop to one of their 37" LCD tvs.

I'm not sure what "spec" information you need to determine if this is possible, but here are some specs for my computer:

* Dim E520, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6320 (1.86GHz, 1066FSB) with 4MB cache.

* 2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667 MGz

* NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Graphics GPU

* 250 GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)

That's a start. I'd appreciate any advice you can provide. The connection between the two devices will be about 15-18'

Thanks,
Charlie

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Most of the time yes.
Jun 24, 2011 5:11AM PDT

But at that distance it's going to be troublesome. In fact, I'm going with don't bother. If you want to try, be sure it's not VGA or any VGA to any convertor but some HDMI or DVI digital connection. It's a shame it's past 12 feet in my opinion.
Bob

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Dell computer connected to Vizio HDTV
Jun 26, 2011 10:52PM PDT

Thanks for your reply. I'm computer literate enough to be dangerous but you're several grades ahead of me!! I have the Dell spec sheet in front of me and I don't see "VGA" anywhere on it. I do see the following:

"Integrated 10/100 Ethernet"

"16X DVD+/-RW Drive"

"Integrated Audio"

Don't know if this info. helps; I haven't purchased the HDTV yet, and now am looking at a 42" Class edge lit Razor LED? LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Apps?. I had originally thought that my tv space wouldn't handle a 42" but after re-configuring it, I'm good to go. That means I could get this Vizio product which is "wireless". So, what do you think about that as a possibility? Thanks again.

Charlie

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Here's the problem.
Jun 27, 2011 2:16AM PDT

1. It's just a little far for me to suspect trouble free signals. But I see we haven't found out how to connect this yet.

2. There are video connections on most PCs but as the years passed we have 3 major styles or types of connections which are VGA, DVI and HDMI. I don't explain what each is because you can type each at google and catch up.

Once you figure out what the PC has then you head to the HDTV manual and see if it has that for an input. After the match up you order up the cable and hook it up. Then the real fun begins. For example VGA and DVI don't transport audio and many are lost trying to get audio over HDMI.
Bob

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Thanks.....
Jun 28, 2011 1:51AM PDT
Thanks for the input. I'm very appreciative of your efforts to get me to understand what I'm dealing with; however, the sense I get is that this is a very "tenuous" way to go about getting what I'm looking for, i.e., large screen access to the web. Again, if I have to "wire" the PC and HDTV, it sounds like I'd have to run both video and audio cables for 12-14' around my family room and I'm not sure how I'd hide that much cable. And, based on what you're saying and what I'm reading - it may still not work!

Ok. I'm not easily dissuaded! What if I purchased a new laptop and moved it to a coffee table in front of the HDTV (3' distance). I'm assuming that the new laptops would have the "connectivity" I'm looking for, and the distance would then not be an issue. What do you think of that?

Charlie
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(NT) That seems a much better idea.
Jun 28, 2011 4:05AM PDT
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At under 10 feet, usually never an issue.
Jun 29, 2011 10:50AM PDT

Good move.

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Was this reply helpful?
Jun 30, 2011 7:40PM PDT

These replay are very helpful. Hello everyone I new to this forum. Cool

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Answer
Re: PC to TV
Jun 24, 2011 5:12AM PDT

Tell more about the video and sound outputs of your PC.
Tell more about the video and sound inputs of your new HDTV.

Is there a match for the video?
Is there a match for the audio?
If not, you might need a new card inside the PC or an adapter cable.

Kees

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Dell computer connection to a Vizio "Apps" tv.
Jun 26, 2011 11:01PM PDT

Kees....here's a reply I sent to someone else. ......"Thanks for your reply. I'm computer literate enough to be dangerous but you're several grades ahead of me!! I have the Dell spec sheet in front of me and I don't see "VGA" anywhere on it. I do see the following:

"Integrated 10/100 Ethernet"

"16X DVD+/-RW Drive"

"Integrated Audio"

Don't know if this info. helps; I haven't purchased the HDTV yet, and now am looking at a 42" Class edge lit Razor LED LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Apps. I had originally thought that my tv space wouldn't handle a 42" but after re-configuring it, I'm good to go. That means I could get this Vizio product which is "wireless". So, what do you think about that as a possibility?

Thanks again. Charlie.

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Re: TV
Jun 26, 2011 11:10PM PDT

What exactly is "wireless" for this TV. I'm afraid it means it can get wireless Internet (say, Youtube, maybe Netflix) via your router. That doensn't help at all to connect it to your PC.

If all your PC has (and that's quite normal for an older PC) is the VGA to connect it to it's current monitor, you'll need to buy a videocard that has some other way to connect to the TV. Either the classical TV-out (coax, like it came from your over-the-air antenna, which you connect to the coax antenna connector on the TV) or HDMI (which you connect to the HDMI input on your TV). As Bob said, the distance might be a problem.

Kees

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Dell computer connection.....
Jun 27, 2011 1:13AM PDT

Kees....,..good point; let me try to be more specific as to my usage for computer/tv. My wife and I seldom watch television, read that as rarely do we turn it ond during the week and only occassionally on the weekend. We do NOT have cable or satellite dish, just a regular "rabbit-ear" type antenna. However, our two main uses for viewing the computer/tv are to watch MLB.TV and follow the Phillies games on a daily basis thru the streaming on the internet,and for watching Netflix.

Our computer screen is ok but we'd like a larger screen. So, what I really want is probably what you're suggesting I'd get with an "internet" capable HDTV??? I'm not necessarily interested in connecting to my PC, but rather want the capability to access the internet. Since I already have a "router" for the two computers in my home, I'm guessing that the HDTV would also connect thru the router??

Thanks again for your suggestions and help!
Charlie

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That wireless TV ...
Jun 27, 2011 1:58AM PDT

would also connect through the router to the Internet, indeed.

But be very sure that this Internet-access does what you want. They already sell a TV as 'Internet capable' if all it can do is update its firmware via the Internet. If I were you I'd detail your requirements and ask the sales person to show the TV can do what you want. Showing is more than saying "Of course".

Kees

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Connecting
Jun 29, 2011 10:26PM PDT

Thanks for your help. I'm going to "talk" with some sales people today.

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Answer
How to connect laptop to TV
Jul 6, 2011 1:18PM PDT

Your computer only has VGA out, and most newer TVs don't have VGA. If you get another video card with HDMI out you could connect it that way, and use a wireless keyboard trackball combo to operate the PC.

I use a similar configuration. I have a laptop running HDMI out to my Plasma TV, with a KB/Trackball combo to control the laptop. I can use the internet and stream video to the TV. And with digital audio out from the TV to surround system, I get digital audio when I play dvd's in the PC.

The only new TV that I know of that will let you actually connect a pc to the TV is a Philips. Most other "internet" TV's only let you run netflix/some other like it, and Facebook, Youtube, and various other apps. It does not act like a computer in a TV.

Hope this helps,
Jim