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Tech: Using TV as monitor
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Subject: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 28 Nov 10 - 05:51 PM We got a new TV this week - the old one was stating to show it's age. The new one is a Sony Bravia, with all kinds of bells and whistles that I'm struggling with. One thing I've been trying is connecting up a laptop to it with a VGA cable. Works fine - except that instead of giving me a full screen version of the laptop's desktop etc, I get a display, about the same size as the one on the laptop, stuck in the middle of a big empty TV screen. The laptop is an Amilo Li series, running Vista, and the TV is a Sony Bravia KDL32EX503 I've been googling around looking for ideas, but all those technology forums get clogged up with people I can't understand. The Mudcat does that kind of thing better, probably because we're more centred on music and musical instruments rather than the technology that can help us share it. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Jack Campin Date: 28 Nov 10 - 07:02 PM On a Mac you have a "System Preferences..." panel accessible from the Apple menu, and part of that is a "Displays" control which lets you set the pixel count and refresh rate of any monitor you have attached. I presume Windows has something that does the same thing. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Joe Offer Date: 28 Nov 10 - 07:26 PM Hi, Kevin- I'm trying to remember Windows Vista. My Windows 7 is just a bit different.
-Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 28 Nov 10 - 07:50 PM Thanks. It's not a Mac, Jack... I'd tried right-clicking on the desktop, and that gives me a menu with "Personalize", and that gives me "Display Settings" - but the slide for adjusting that only goes up to1440 by 900 pixels, which makes it a bit bigger, but still nowhere near full screen. If you can find a way to get those numbers bigger, Joe,I imagine that would do the trick. Or perhaps there's something I can do with the TV itself. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Jack Campin Date: 28 Nov 10 - 08:14 PM Is the connector to the TV capable of passing all the control info through? Some adapters don't link up the right wires, so the monitor can't tell the computer what it's capable of. If so a better VGA-TV adapter or cable might do it. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Joe Offer Date: 28 Nov 10 - 08:30 PM I remembered my stepson's laptop has Vista - let's see what I can do. My first experiment didn't help, because it immediately ran the widescreen display correctly (but then, it's a widescreen laptop). Oh.... you got the slider. I never met a slider I liked. The slider on my stepson's computer automatically went to 1280x800, which is the correct resolution for the widescreen monitor I used for testing [I think your TV will work better at 1360x768 - but maybe not, since it's a UK TV]. OK....if the slider won't allow a widescreen display, let's try this: find your way to the device manager. Here's one way:
I haven't tried my 40-inch Sony Bravia as a monitor yet (I use a 32-inch Dell TV, and I did have to do adjustments to the TV to get it to work right). If you don't have any luck, I will try my Bravia. Are UK Bravias different from the ones we get here? In general, I've found that laptop video cards are far more limited than the video cards you get in PCs. Is your laptop a widescreeen, Kevin? -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: artbrooks Date: 28 Nov 10 - 08:54 PM Mine is also a Sony Bravia, and the "simple instructions" had information on connecting it to a computer. You might check that out. I use the PC to access Netflix and the like, and have a hard-wired connection. On Win-7 and my desktop, I hit "window key" + p. That gets me a set of monitor options. They are 'computer only', 'duplicate', 'extend' and 'monitor only'. I then select 'monitor only'. The TV is now the monitor. I didn't have the TV hooked to the PC when I had Vista, so I don't remember if that was an available option, but you might try it and see. My old Vista book says "right-click the desktop>select 'Personalize'>select 'Display Settings'". That is supposed to get you a box where you identify the primary monitor. I'm also using a VGA cable, but I had to run an additional audio cable to get sound. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: GUEST,Jon Date: 28 Nov 10 - 11:49 PM Linux uaer these days si can;t really help. For watching recorded tv via myth tv, current set up to the Samsung tv is via an Asus mini itx board and hdmi. For sound including CD playing in the living room we are now using a pair of these Wharfedales studio monitors and this Samson Sub |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: GUEST,Jon Date: 29 Nov 10 - 12:03 AM Oh and to join all thing up a small Yamaha mixer MG10? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: GUEST,Jon Date: 29 Nov 10 - 12:18 AM (that mixer became a spare when I got thia one to act as sound card as well as connect cd player, record player, midi keyboard, mic etc. together for my PC) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 29 Nov 10 - 03:51 AM I checked in Device Manager and the computer confirmed it's got the most up to date driver - I checked by requesting an update,just to make sure. Still no more options on that slider. The connection works fine, both for the picture and the sound (with an audio cable from the headphone socket on the laptop to a headphone input on the TV). It's just that I can't use the full screen. I suspect that there's a way to get TV to do it - but I've no idea what. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 29 Nov 10 - 04:58 AM Some TV remotes have a control "Aspect ratio" which may help. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Claymore Date: 29 Nov 10 - 06:15 PM I realize that I may be getting into extreme danger but when my girl friend needed to change her appect ratio to down load videos from her computer to her big screen, I noted that several indicated a European 50 cycle (Hz) while the one I selected was the most at 60 cycle (Hz) American. McGrath, you may want to look at the selected Hz of your monitor/TV. Good Luck! |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Jack Campin Date: 29 Nov 10 - 07:26 PM The refresh rate of the monitor/TV has nothing to do with mains frequency. It ranges from 50Hz to 85Hz either side of the pond. Again, it may be something signalled on a wire that isn't connected on the cable you've got. Check that every live connection on the VGA socket of the computer is actually connected to something at the telly end. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: GUEST,Jon Date: 30 Nov 10 - 01:13 AM Just on thought. Is the "monitor" size set correctly? It's one thing having say 1064x768 right but it's not going to be a lot of ood if the system thinks its say using an 12" laptop when really it is a 32" tv. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Joe Offer Date: 30 Nov 10 - 01:17 AM Kevin, I have to say it takes some fiddling around, both with the computer settings and on the TV. But once you have it set, it's terrific. Don't give up. If you can't get it, recruit a local geek to get it going for you. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Dave the Gnome Date: 30 Nov 10 - 06:11 AM Display settings and the button that shows something remotely like a monitor - Usualy one of the laptop special funcions. It will be to do with dual screens or some such - at least it always has been when I have tried similar things. With the lapton open and the TV plugged in just cycle through the settings that button gives you then go to display settings. I would be very surprised if at least one combination didn't work - just be patient in trying all permutations:-) Good luck Dave |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Simon G Date: 30 Nov 10 - 09:25 AM I would select running the second display - the TV - as an extended desktop then you can set the resolution on that display to the maximum on the TV and leave your laptop display at its maximum resolution. Once you've done this the TV will be alongside your laptop display to the left or right (you can configure this) so moving the cursor off the laptop screen in the correct direction will put it on the TV screen. You can pick windows up and move them to the TV display. Sorry I can't remember how to do this on Vista but its fairly obvious in the Personalise -> Display Settings. Simon |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 01 Dec 10 - 08:03 PM Thanks for that! I tried doing what Jack suggested, and it worked. I still haven't worked out how to keep the display on the laptop, as well as the big picture on the TV, but I'll work on that. I put up the youtube clip of Commando Trad's seventh mission, and it was brilliant seeing it on a big screen with better sound than I have on the laptop. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Ross Campbell Date: 01 Dec 10 - 11:33 PM The same image on both screens is described as "mirror" mode on Apple Macs - some of the older iMacs and eMacs will only work this way, and can't be used in extended desk-top mode. Sorry don't know how that reflects in Windows (I'll get my coat...) I'm about to try to do things the other way about, ie use an lcd monitor as a TV screen. I know you can get USB sticks with built-in Freeview and recorder facilities which would feed to the screen via the computer. What I want to do is use my Tvonics DVB/T Freeview recorder as a feed to a spare monitor without involving a computer at all. There doesn't seem to have been much demand for this set-up. I could only find a couple of things which looked as if they might do the job:- a) Gadmei Game Box TV5821G - designed for Wii, Playstation etc, it has a built-in TV tuner (analogue as far as I can see - no use to me as the NW region has already gone totally digital, there is a "currently unavailable" Freeview version listed on Amazon UK), but it appears to allow a pass-through route for connecting DVD, VHS or DVB/T on the input side (composite leads required) with a VGA connection to the monitor on the output side. Available on eBay for £25. b)Gamars V-box MV-888 - found a few references to this online, but apparently not currently available, at least doesn't appear on Gamars UK website. Anybody used either of these? Or anything else? Are they effective? Maybe worth starting up another thread? Ross |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: GUEST,goodlife Date: 02 Dec 10 - 04:26 AM hi i had the same problem but mine is a hitachi this worked for me .When in pc mode with the picture from the computor can you press the analogue menu or the one that gives you the brightness and contrast controls for your tele if you can scroll down the list and seeif it lists WXGA on mine it is upto 800X640 when off and a variety of wide screen options when on check your manuel for W.X.G.A. HOPE THIS HELPS by the way it does not make any difference to the telly side what you do on the computor as long as you have a wide screen aspect on it |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Nigel Parsons Date: 02 Dec 10 - 07:31 AM Just bought a new TV (23 inch Flat screen) from Tesco. The instruction booklet for set-up included a page on using it as a computer monitor, together with details of what settings to use on the computer to get the best results. Is this a case of RTFM*? *Read The Friendly Manual |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Mr Red Date: 02 Dec 10 - 08:24 AM Without reference to actuality: If the Laptop display "card" can't handle more pixels (even with updated drivers) then the solution has to lie in the TV. I would suggest asking on: Video Forum Digital Spy Tech Guy Computing.net But IMHO I would suggest it will only double-up on TV pixels - with an outside chance of interpolating the aliasing. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Amergin Date: 02 Dec 10 - 03:54 PM You should have a control centre for your video card on your notebook. For instance I have two realtek cards on my pc, and the control centre is called Catalyst Control Centre. You may have to go in there and play with it, to show up right....also if you go into the control panel and then click on appearance and personalisation, then select connect to an external display...that may fix it...you can also change other items in there... |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 02 Dec 10 - 08:13 PM I'm about to try to do things the other way about, ie use an lcd monitor as a TV screen. If you want to watch TV on your computer, in the UK anyway, the simplest way is to use TV Catchup (which isn't actually catch-up at all, it gives access to a range of chennels for live TV) - or of course bbc iplayer, and its equivalent for the main non-bbc channels. All for free. .................... RTFM - I'm afraid this doesn't apply in this case. The Sony TV I've got is a great set, but there is no printed manual, and the electronic manual that can be accessed via the TV remote, or on the Internet is pretty inadequate. I've been right through it, and it doesn't seem to get into this kind of thing at all. Maybe the idea is to encourage buyers to pay for someone to come along and set up everything for them. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: GUEST,christine dsouza Date: 26 Feb 11 - 12:36 PM I know this is quite a long time since the last post on this thread so not sure if this was ever resolved. Anyway, I have exactly the same TV & was trying to connect my notebook to watch iplayer on the TV. I used a VGA cable and was able to get the picture but like you, even in full screen mode showed just a small picture in the middle of the TV screen. I found that if you press the OPTIONS key and then scroll down to screen you can select screen format which allows for a full screen (not great quality but watchable. I am however, having problems with getting the sound working. I tried a couple of different sound cables that i found in my collection of cables but either the cable is wrong or I am putting it in the wrong place. Any help on this would be appreciated i.e. what type of cable do I need and where do i plug it in to the TV. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Using TV as monitor From: Kenny B (inactive) Date: 26 Feb 11 - 05:01 PM Hi McG If you are on Windows XP Have u tried left clicking Start ... Control panel ... Display ... settings .... and choose the screen you want to be your primary and seconday display On your tele menu have u got in the settings an on /off for the vaga connexion and an on/off choice for the PC It Took me a while to work out how to get my Toshiba Bravia PC via Monitors box to give me the displays i wanted Hope this gets u on the right track |
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