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General discussion

Computer to Television

Mar 21, 2004 5:38AM PST

I am trying to hook up a computer to a television so that we can view powerpoint on a much bigger screen. I recently purchased a Video Card to S-Video and TV Adapter Cable (High Density DB15 VGA to Mini Din 4 pin S-Vid). When I hook up the connector correctly (both the S-Video and RCA), the picture is distorted and in black and white. Generally I get 3 different images of the Windows desktop, all of which are highly scrambled and lacking color. When I received the cable in the mail, the package was open, so I am wondering if the item is damaged or could I be doing something wrong? I included some of the specs for the PC below. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Andrew

Windows 98
PII 350 MHz
192 MB RAM
AGP ATI Xpert RAGE PRO 8MB (with no TV out)
current Directx (verision 9.1)

Discussion is locked

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Re:Computer to Television
Mar 21, 2004 5:56AM PST

As far as I know, the way that TV displays images is totallly different from computer monitor. If it works then people have done it long time ago. Why go and purchase bigger monitor then??

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Re:Computer to Television = Try 640x480 60Hz
Mar 21, 2004 6:17AM PST

Some video cards know to change the output to work with most TVs. Some have the user try various settings.

Bob

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Re:Computer to Television
Mar 21, 2004 8:51PM PST

Have you set the video output to NTSC?

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Re:Re:Computer to Television
Mar 25, 2004 5:40PM PST

I am not sure how to do this, is this done with the video card drivers or is it something in Windows 98?

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Re:Re:Re:Computer to Television
Mar 25, 2004 6:28PM PST

I understand the videocard does not have a TV-out, so you bought a special cable to connect to the normal monitor connection on the one side, and to the television on the other side, and that doesn't work.

Obviously, the driver of a standard videocard with no TV-out won't know terms like NTSC or PAL (the European standard for TV-signals). These, btw, are standards for the analog modulated UHF-signals as they go through the ether, not for digital transfer, and not for S-VHS. So I think you won't be able to find them, indeed.

This must be an intelligent cable, being able to convert a monitor-like VGA-signal to a videolike S-VHS. It must have specifications as to what resolution and refresh rates it supports. Like a monitor, it won't handle every combination. Just set the video card driver to 1200x1600 @120Hz on your current monitor and you'll see what I mean. Don't acknowledge the new setting, or you will have to go to Safe Mode to restore them!

Your ATI-card driver thinks this is just a monitor (doesn't know about the other end of the cable), so all you can do - as Bob already said - is varying the settings of the card. It could go from lowest (say 480x640, 48 hz interlined) to highest (say 1200x1600, 120 hz). These cards easily support a high-grade 21-inch monitor, of course, but your cable won't be able to map that to something suitable for the TV.

Read the documentation that came with the cable (what does it expect?) and set your card accordingly. Or look at the makers website, or contact the shop where you bought it.

Good luck,


Kees

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Re:Re:Re:Re:Computer to Television
Mar 26, 2004 4:00AM PST

Hiya

No, he is correct in the info he gave. I am using the same setup. The info Brian ( I think ) gave was correct, he must change his video playback in the card properties settings to NTSC , if that is what isa being used in the country from which he comes. Here in South Africa it's PAL. You must also change your second display type to generic TV out. Just bear in mind , you have to start you PC with the connection in, or in wont detect the S-Video output. Also the converter cab. you are using ,could be the wrong one. It should have have a filter capacitor build into the cab. plus. Try the video settings first, if you don't come right, give me a shout and I will sent you the wiring diagram of the cable.

Cheers mate. have fun

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(N) Thanks for this addition. Obviously I was wrong. Hope it works out and is acknowledged as such.
Mar 26, 2004 4:32AM PST

.

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Re:Re:Re:Computer to Television
Mar 26, 2004 5:27PM PST

I have a rage fury card and this is how it is done on it. Go to an empty area on the desktop and right mouse click on it then click on PROPERTIES-->SITTING-->ADVANCE-->DISPLAYS-->TV. good luck.