Computer Hope

Software => Computer games => Topic started by: floccinaucini on April 15, 2012, 02:55:12 PM

Title: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: floccinaucini on April 15, 2012, 02:55:12 PM
Hello,

I need to connect my laptop to TV, to watch downloaded movies. Only VGA to VGA cable can be used with separate Audio Cable. There is no HDMI terminal in laptop. What should be the acceptable maximum cable length, for reasonably good picture and sound quality without much attenuation of signals?

Thank you :-\
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: Geek-9pm on April 15, 2012, 03:26:31 PM
As short as possible.  Three foot is normal.
Special low-loss VGA cable is about 15 feet long and sells for $25.
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: floccinaucini on April 15, 2012, 04:20:48 PM
Pleasant surprise to meet you here also!

Good thing I posted this question. I almost ordered a 10 foot cable from the internet.

On sellers web sites how do they identify the 15 footer. 'Low loss cable'? If I had HDMI terminals could I have used a longer one?

I have never done this before. This is for watching those marvellous old movies.

Best regards.
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: Geek-9pm on April 15, 2012, 05:19:50 PM
I have a similar problem. The big TV set is too far away and I would haven to enlarge the hole inn the wall for a VGA cable.

The viable alternative is to get an MP4 player expressly made for watching on TV, It works real  good on AVI and a few other formats. I can stick a USB stick in it and watch on my TV. It even has the R-G-B things that my TV likes.  Audion is on a perpetrate cable.

(http://geek9pm.com/test/mp4-tv-player.jpg)

Here is a picture of the thing I am holding reside the TV set. Some of the cables are for my DVD, but the MP4 has its own cables and power  supply. The quality of the MP4 player is close to the DVD. Sometimes equal, ,depending anywhere I got the AVI movies.

The cost of this thing is about like buying two good cables. But it has is own short cables. And I don't have to tie up my laptop to watch a movie. Just put the movies on a USB stick. If AVI or MP4, no conversion needed.





Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: truenorth on April 15, 2012, 05:57:29 PM
I am using this exact same configuration from a Toshiba laptop with a 10 foot cable and i do not see any deterioration of video quality. truenorth
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: floccinaucini on April 15, 2012, 07:13:23 PM
Perhaps I can try this out. If you could tell me the brand of your 10 foot cable I could get the exact one. After all, it has proved itself. Is it a low loss cable?

Regards.
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: truenorth on April 16, 2012, 07:14:25 AM
Just examined my cable and unfortunately there are no markings on it. However for whatever reason there are 2 enlarged cylindrical  components of the cable about one foot in from each end of the VGA connectors. Don't know what they do.truenorth
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: floccinaucini on April 16, 2012, 08:23:36 AM
Hello,

I believe the cylindrical things are RF chokes but I am not certain of this. Almost all of the cables I have seen on Ebay have these. The tough part for me is to decide what to order (from the thousands they have).

Best regards.
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: truenorth on April 16, 2012, 03:35:52 PM
Given your continued concern why not go to a local retailer that assures you that if you have a problem with the cable you purchase you can return it. Then buy the length you feel you need and try it. Remember to keep the receipt.truenorth
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: floccinaucini on April 16, 2012, 05:19:59 PM
Thank you. I guess that is the best thing to do.

Regards.
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: floccinaucini on April 16, 2012, 05:30:50 PM
I have a similar problem. The big TV set is too far away and I would haven to enlarge the hole inn the wall for a VGA cable.

The viable alternative is to get an MP4 player expressly made for watching on TV, It works real  good on AVI and a few other formats. I can stick a USB stick in it and watch on my TV. It even has the R-G-B things that my TV likes.  Audion is on a perpetrate cable.

(http://geek9pm.com/test/mp4-tv-player.jpg)

Here is a picture of the thing I am holding reside the TV set. Some of the cables are for my DVD, but the MP4 has its own cables and power  supply. The quality of the MP4 player is close to the DVD. Sometimes equal, ,depending anywhere I got the AVI movies.

The cost of this thing is about like buying two good cables. But it has is own short cables. And I don't have to tie up my laptop to watch a movie. Just put the movies on a USB stick. If AVI or MP4, no conversion needed.

Now I am unable to post to you in the normal way. I hope this method works.

What connections does the MP4 has? Is it Component video?

Regards.
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: Geek-9pm on April 16, 2012, 08:06:21 PM
The little MP4 to TV player has six lines out in two sets. . All RCA plugs.
Set1:
 Red       
 Blue
 Green
Set2:
 Red
 White
 Yellow

Set 1 goes into nth component group of my TV
Set 2 Red and White go to  stereo audio input of the TV

No information about HDMI.

I like it because I don't have to leave my laptop on to watch a movie. Just load the movie on a USB flash  in less than 3 min and take it to the TV room.
It also has a card reader.
It supports common video formats, but not all. Mostly AVI, MOV snf MP4
It has a remote control with the usual  stuff.
I think I found it on eBay from one of the beater sellers for about $35.






Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: floccinaucini on April 16, 2012, 08:16:53 PM
I think someone I know has a similar MP 4. I can check it out with that.

Best regards
Title: Re: Watching downloaded movies on TV screen
Post by: floccinaucini on April 21, 2012, 11:42:45 AM
Yes, it is working well with an MP 4. Thank you very much.

Best regards.