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Help a n00b display what's on his PC on his TV

post #1 of 41
1/8/10 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 
OK -- dragging myself kicking and screaming into the 21st century here by getting a proper home theatre set-up, and something I want to be able to do is connect my laptop to my hdtv panel through my avr so I can watch stuff like ESPN360 on the tv rather than my laptop.

Anybody have a solution that they like?
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post #2 of 41
1/8/10 at 1:15pm
If you want 3D tv, i'd say wait. CES is on right now and tons of companies are going to put out 3D TVs this year. I don't think they will be any more expensive than current TVs. I'd actually recommend the same with your receiver. Onkyo has already announced that it's releasing receivers that will support hdmi 1.4 (required for 3d) in the spring. If you're the type that doesn't upgrade often, it might be worth holding off for just a little while longer so that you have that option.
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post #3 of 41
1/8/10 at 4:51pm
I think you're looking for something simpler than Geek is suggesting and just want to use your tv as a monitor for your laptop. Nice and simple depending on the video output your laptop has. If your lucky you can do hdmi->hdmi, next step down is dvi->hdmi, last step would be to use the normal vga->vga
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post #4 of 41
1/8/10 at 6:40pm
Something like this might be up your street. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Video_Kit.html I wouldn't use it, but cheapskate friends do own it and I can definitely attest that it does work. Failing that, I'd suggest thinking about an HTPC + home media net infrastructure.
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post #5 of 41
1/9/10 at 12:11am
ESPN360 is going to look like shit on your TV. Really.

But, if this is what you must do, bring yourself on over to wired.com for their CES 2010 coverage. Of the top of my head, there are two products that'll do what you need. One is Boxee, and the other is a Sling product. Lookey here for wiki.
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post #6 of 41
1/9/10 at 2:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eg1 View Post
OK -- dragging myself kicking and screaming into the 21st century here by getting a proper home theatre set-up, and something I want to be able to do is connect my laptop to my hdtv panel through my avr so I can watch stuff like ESPN360 on the tv rather than my laptop.

Anybody have a solution that they like?

What kind of TV and laptop do you have? Are you willing to purchase new gear? What's your price limit? How big of a new TV do you want?
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post #7 of 41
1/9/10 at 8:42am
Dont do Sling, Its shit, the software is just plain bad. The Boxee or any other media streamer might work just fine, but Im not sure of they offer ESPN's streaming service on any of those atm. Many new TVs are getting web streaming apps too so you may keep your eyes open for that. My Sony Bravia I got a year a go has said apps so I can stream videos from Tsutaya (kinda like netflix/blockbuster Japan)
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post #8 of 41
1/9/10 at 3:01pm
To watch Netflix on my TV, I simply connect the laptop and TV w/ an S-Video cable, then at radio shack, I got a wire that plugs into my earphone jack and splits to the normal red and white audio plugs, that I plug into my TV. From there, simply go to Control Panel>Display>Settings, click the
"2" box and then click "Extend my monitor"...good to go. Cheap and easy.

jag
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post #9 of 41
1/9/10 at 5:29pm
Oh, 360 is some kind of streaming service? I thought it was espn's 3d channel, which they have said they are going to have up and running by the end of the year.
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post #10 of 41
1/10/10 at 12:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
Oh, 360 is some kind of streaming service? I thought it was espn's 3d channel, which they have said they are going to have up and running by the end of the year.

No, they stream certain games from the ESPN network of channels. The quality is crap, but it's better than nothing.
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post #11 of 41
1/10/10 at 11:51pm
Thread Starter 
Many thanks to all who have replied -- I think the answer lies in just setting up my laptop to "slave" another screen and making the necessary cable connections.

Quote:
Originally Posted by imageWIS View Post
What kind of TV and laptop do you have? Are you willing to purchase new gear? What's your price limit? How big of a new TV do you want?

My laptop is a HP Pavilion dv9858ca Entertainment Notebook PC. My new tv is an LG55LH40. Yes, I am willing to purchase new gear, though 3D as referenced by GQgeek does not interest me. I am not overly price sensitive, though I am not interested in the weird world of audiophilia -- just want something that works.
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post #12 of 41
1/11/10 at 1:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eg1 View Post
Many thanks to all who have replied -- I think the answer lies in just setting up my laptop to "slave" another screen and making the necessary cable connections.



My laptop is a HP Pavilion dv9858ca Entertainment Notebook PC. My new tv is an LG55LH40. Yes, I am willing to purchase new gear, though 3D as referenced by GQgeek does not interest me. I am not overly price sensitive, though I am not interested in the weird world of audiophilia -- just want something that works.

HDMI, One cable, best resolution (can be bumped to full HD on your tv) and carries audio so you only have one cable you need to hook up. Just get the cheapest HDMI cable you can find ($10 or so), dont let some clown at Futureshop/Bestbuy ream you with something expensive.
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post #13 of 41
1/11/10 at 2:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ratboycom View Post
HDMI, One cable, best resolution (can be bumped to full HD on your tv) and carries audio so you only have one cable you need to hook up. Just get the cheapest HDMI cable you can find ($10 or so), dont let some clown at Futureshop/Bestbuy ream you with something expensive.

Beat me to it. HDMI is the best bet. It will transmit sound and audio in full 1080p. +1 regarding an inexpensive HDMI cable. Monster (and Belkin, etc...) is a fucking ripoff. I've heard good things about: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/
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post #14 of 41
1/11/10 at 2:40am
BJC are probably the best hdmi cable on the market, but unless he is running long lengths (>40ft), it's not necessary. Just get something off of monoprice for cheap. I bought 2 40ft runs and they work well. Might as well get some banana plugs while you're at it. They sell pretty nice compression-style plugs for a couple bucks/pair.
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post #15 of 41
1/12/10 at 6:08pm
This used to be quite a challenge to do before HDMI. Now, as others have said there are five steps 1) Buy laptop (or PC) with HDMI output 2) Buy TV 3) Buy HDMI cable 4) Plug one end of cable into laptop (or PC) 5) Plug one end of cable into TV If it is anything like my laptop (which is at least two years old now), it should just do it automatically. Tinker with it and the TV can become a separate monitor although from what I understand you just want to mirror.
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