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General discussion

How to hook up LN52A550 to a PC

Mar 10, 2009 3:40AM PDT

Hey everyone, sorry for the lamens question but I have had my LN52A550 for a few months now and LOVE it. However, I want to hook up a PC to it and leave it on (throw a wireless keyboard and mouse on my coffee table) so I can switch over to the PC at any time in the living room. However, each time I try hooking it up I get a "Mode not supported" message.

I tried changing my PC resolution to it's highest and lowest) and changed the hertz to 60. I hooked it up using a standard monitor cable (male to male connectors). Then, I tried 2 newer computers assuming my video card was too old. They didn't work either.

What am I doing wrong? Do I need a crazy good video card to power a large TV with a high resolution? Or, do I need to hook it up using a different cable? Any help is appreciated!

Discussion is locked

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Does your cmputer have a DVI output?
Mar 10, 2009 11:09AM PDT

If you can use a DVI to HDMI cable, make sure to connect the cable to HDMI 2. Then go into the menu on your TV and name HDMI2 to PC. This will tell the monitor that HDMI 2 is actually a computer and use DVI mode.

Also, look at page 42 of your TV manual. It will list the resolutions the A550 support. The ideal mode will be 1920x1080. If you have an older graphics card, you might not be able to put the resolution that high. If not, just pick the highest resolution your graphics card can do.

Also, make sure to connect the monitor before turning on your computer. The computer should detect the capabilities of your TV and adjust the setting automatically. Just make sure you connect the monitor first, then power on the computer.

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Use a quality cable
Mar 19, 2009 9:15AM PDT

You don't mention what kind of cable you're using.

Check this out: PCTVCables.com

If you're still having technical problems, read my blog post here:

http://pctvcables.com/blog/?p=13

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No DVI or HDMI output
Mar 20, 2009 1:30AM PDT

I don't have DVI or HDMI outputs. All I have is the standard VGA (SVGA?) or an s-video on another PC. Is it possible for me to do this without an output that is more powerful?

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Should work.
Mar 20, 2009 12:11PM PDT

You should be able to get it to work using a VGA cable. Try connecting the TV up to the computer before turning on the computer or TV and see if that helps.

Also, try using the resolution 1600x1200 at 60HZ which is the maximum "VESA" standard. The A550 does support 1920x1080 through the DSUB (VGA) connection, but, it is called "CVT" mode which I believe is a new standard that your video card might not support.

But, the modes that should work are "1600x1200, 1360x768, 1280x1024"
and several others.

The DVI/HDMI will give you better results, but, the VGA will work. I believe another draw back is you will not be able to play blu-ray on your PC (if it is compatable) as blu-ray requires HDCP copy protection.

If you still cannot get it to work using the above resolutions, make sure to post back with the type of video card you are trying to use which will be helpful to other forum members who might share the same card and be able to offer better assistance.

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it worked!
Mar 27, 2009 5:19AM PDT

Thank you very much, I really appreciate the help. It turns out it was likely that I was using a desktop ratio that wasn't supported and/or that I didn't have it off when I turned it on.

Thanks again!

Ray