Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?

Subject: Tech: DVDs on TV (Mac and PC)?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 04:29 PM

Yet again struggling with a tech problem; in fact, this is one I'm returning to after some unsuccessful attempts.

I'm in Ireland, which uses the same TV standard as is used in Britain.

I have a G4 Powerbook, and my neighbour has a PC laptop, and we both want to play DVDs from the computer's DVD drive on the TV. He spent 80 euro, count 'em, 80, on an S-video cable and a SCART plug, but this doesn't work on either laptop.

Now, my laptop's S-video out socket seems to have seven holes in it, and the S-video cable he bought has only four prongs; I think his S-video out also has seven holes.

Is there some easy method of getting the DVD to play on the TV screen and speakers? I see a kit for 15 pounds sterling for sale offering "all the cables necessary", but I'm wondering, since the S-video and SCART didn't do the job.

Anyone know?

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 05:22 AM

Take your laptop in a high street retailer (Curry's, Comet - Do you have them or the equivalent in Ireland?). The staff are usualy very helpful.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 12:29 PM

I asked in a retailer (we have them, but not high streets) but he just said to use an S-video cable...

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 03:12 PM

D;you know, I get the impression that this is just something people don't do, despite computer manuals' and magazines' breezy insistence that it's simple and the norm!

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 04:57 PM

I didn't mean just ask JTT - Try taking the thing in and getting them to get it working! If I know electrical store salesmen they will love a challenge:-) And I do know that there are retailers in Ireland - I was asking if you had Comet or Currys. On reflection Dixons is probably better though... Hmmm.

It is not something unusual provided that what you are trying to do is use the laptops TV out S-video. Should work a treat if you just plug it strait into an s-vid input on the TV. I guess that is not an option for you from what you are saying though so what you need is an s-vid to scart lead or adapter. Should be no problem provided you get the right s-vid connectors.

Now as to the audio leads...

Are you going to use the PC speakers or plug the sound out into the TV as well? If the latter what you may be better with is a scart to s-video and 2xaudio leads with an adapter to plug the 2xaudio leads ito the speaker or output mini stereo jack of your sound board.

Make double sure that the lead you get has the correct connections ie 'in' rather than 'out' or it has both in and out connections for auio and video. Not simple is it? As I said take the laptop into a store where they sell TVs and leads and get them to prove it works before you buy it! At least they will be able to see what type of TV out you have.

Hope this helps:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: Nerd
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 05:16 PM

I have done it. All I needed was the S-Video cable.

I am in the US. My laptop is an IBM Thinkpad, and the TV itself had an s-video port.

I agree with DtG. Take the laptop into the shop.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From:
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 05:54 PM

Basically, it all depends on whether the TV will accept an S-Video input. I don't think the SCART is the same thing as S-Video. As far as I understand it, SCART plugs MAY carry S-Video, or Composite Video, or Separate RGB signals on its 21 pins. So, the thing is to make sure the TV does have that capability. However, I see your Maplins has the product you might need assuming the TV has no S-Video input on the SCART.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From:
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 05:56 PM

Looks someone there asked a similar question

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From:
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 06:08 PM

Here's some MORE INFORMATION on cables from S-Video to SCART.

Seems like not all are the same. You might want to read this one carefully, JTT.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From:
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 06:11 PM

BTW, I don't think $24.95 is anywhere NEAR 80 Euros.

Man that sounds WAY WAY high. I'd take it back.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From:
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 06:22 PM

This discussion board is chock full of information on the topic.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 03:45 PM

Holy God tonight! Lots of information! Thank you very much.

But much as I hate new stuff coming into the house, and love old stuff going out (as long as it's not anything precious), I think I'll just peel off 50 euro and buy a DVD player; it's all too damn technological for me.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:11 AM

Sounds a good plan JTT:-) Presuming you are into music as well (Why else woould you be here;-) ) think about getting one for a bit more complete with surround sound. The difference playing CDs and MP3s on my surround compared to over the TV is stunning!

Good luck

DtG

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 06:29 AM

I'm into music, but I'm even more into uncluttered living. I'd really love to get an iPod and a SoundBug and put all my music on the iPod, attach the SoundBug to a window. For radio, one of those tiny short/long/medium/FM radios with a good sound that don't take up space.

Too much stuff! Too much stuff!

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From: ScottAndrews
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 06:34 AM

I use my lappy to watch downloaded video on my TV all the time. My computer is a Hewlett Packard and the output is a single pronged yellow socket. That plugs straight into a yellow socket on the front of my telly, which is a Sony. As for the audio, I take it from the headphone socket and that goes straight into the white and red audio inputs on the tv too. You can get scart connectors, which take the two audio jacks and the single tv jack and allows you to plug them into a scart socket, but I've found it's fiddly and takes too much time. S-Video, I found, was a total nightmare and I never actually got it to work...

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer DVDs on TV?
From:
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 01:48 PM

JTT, well, 50 Euro sounds a LOT better than EIGHTY Euro as in your original posting.

So, now I know that a Euro is about equal to a Canadian Dollar. There are a number of stores in Canada (and Halifax NS is NOT the biggest city) selling DVD players for 50 Canadian Dollars.