Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Cord to connect Laptop to tv

Feb 16, 2008 4:46AM PST

I need to get a cord to connect my Windows laptop to my HDTV so a bunch of friends and I can watch a tv show together (that is broadcast on hulu). What kind of cord do I need to buy to do this?

Thanks,
Fordo

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
D-sub
Feb 16, 2008 5:09AM PST

15 pin? I think it depends on the output of your video card. Mine has s-cable output on my desk top and HDMI on my lap top.

- Collapse -
depends what video outputs/inputs you have...
Feb 16, 2008 7:20AM PST

Sometimes you may have to mix/match outputs from the PC to the TV. Macs seems to have DVI.

Here's the way I'd approach the cable selection:
1) Figure out what the highest quality HD connection on the TV is (probably HDMI, but maybe DVI)
2) Do #1 for your computer (probably DVI or HDMI)
3) get a cable that has the correct connection to your laptop on one end and your HDTV on the other. Be aware - keep in mind the male/female selection of cables; if you need DVI, make sure you are getting the right type of DVI connector 'cause I think there's a few different types.

buy online (good quality and prices):
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/
http://www.monoprice.com/ (good customer support for questions)

If you're still confused, just post what you got to work with here and we can point you in the right direction. Also consider posting in the home theater forum:
http://forums.cnet.com/5204-7596_102-0.html?forumID=60&tag=forum.fd

I strongly recommend not buying overpriced "Monster" brand cables.

Best,
Shalin

- Collapse -
Thx Shalin!
Feb 17, 2008 1:38AM PST

AWESOME info. Really appreciate it.

- Collapse -
sure thing :) also...
Feb 17, 2008 5:10AM PST

be aware that some connectors don't easily convert via a cable. You may have to get a small "middle man" box to convert the feed from one type of connection to another and capture video and audio.
So, in case you're not able to find the cable you're looking for, that may be why. It's not an impossible thing to overcome, it just might take a little more than just a cable.

Best,
Shalin

- Collapse -
MBP to SONY HDTV.
Feb 17, 2008 10:11PM PST

My macbook pro has dvi out. I bought a cable dvi to component, trying to maximize the likelyhood that it would work (I thought HDMI would possibly break the signal). But my mac couldn't recognize the TV.
So, I bought a dvi-hdmi cable. Worked perfectly, and both cables shipped from amazon were less than 20 dollars.

Now I surf on 55" of hd goodness! Happy

- Collapse -
HDMI
Feb 9, 2011 9:05AM PST

How do I know if my laptop supports HDMI or DVI?

- Collapse -
Either
Feb 9, 2011 9:07AM PST

Either plug in some HDMI or DVI cable or check the specs on the laptop.

I can't check specs when I can't find them in the discussion.
Bob

- Collapse -
Don't forget sound
Feb 18, 2008 8:52AM PST

Some cables include sound (such as HDMI) and some don't, so don't be like me and have a VGA cable going to your TV and the sound coming from your crappy laptop speakers. Happy

- Collapse -
(NT) good point! I totally blanked on that...
Feb 18, 2008 1:21PM PST
- Collapse -
Sound does not work with HDMI cable
Aug 6, 2009 7:32PM PDT

I connected my laptop to my HDTV with a HDMI cable. However, I did not get any sound from the TV. I thought HDMI cables carry both video and sound signals. Do I need to do sound setting for my laptop at all which I could not figure out yet? My laptop is a brand new HP 2009 model. I tried hooking up sound from the headphone jack from the laptop to the sound input from the TV but so far it's not working.
Please help, anyone????

- Collapse -
Try this...
Aug 7, 2009 2:58AM PDT
- Collapse -
One more note...
Aug 7, 2009 2:59AM PDT

The extra cable you've hooked up (between the headphone jack and the TV) is not necessary. Remove it. HDMI only.

- Collapse -
Works like a charm
Aug 7, 2009 4:11AM PDT

Thank you for the tip. I followed the link and adjusted the sound setting from my laptop to HDMI for sound. It works very well now, getting hooked on instant-watching netflix movies on my big screen TV.