Connecting computer to TV?

nomad · January 2009

I wonder if anyone can help. What is the best method to connect your computer to a TV?

I bought a new TV last week – Panasonic 26” LCD HDTV, as my old big box will be non-functional once the switch to digital is made in Feb (I don’t have cable, and don’t want it – I’m happy with the over the air networks.) Another reason I bought a new TV was so I can connect it to my iBook G4 and possibly watch TV shows from iTunes etc. All the articles I read before purchasing said that a new TV will hook up to a computer.

However, after a trip to RadioShack yesterday I discover that nooooo! My TV will only hook up to my computer by S-video or composite video connection – so not high-def at all!

I’m inclined to return the TV for one with a better iBook>TV connection method. I know my iBook is old so perhaps I won’t get the benefit of a new TV, but I’d rather start off with a TV that can be connected in the best/highest quality possible (taking into account the TVs cost of course), rather than starting off behind the curve. I would like to update my computer in the future and would like a TV to be able to handle that.

So if I am getting a TV what is the best connection/what inputs should I make sure the TV has – VGA or DVI or something else?

I’m not an electronics whiz, so please reply in basic English – I’ll be completely confused if you assume I have expertise in this area!

konakazi · January 2009

Hey nomad,

If you want a true HD signal to your TV, it has to go through an HDMI cord.

I have hooked up older Mac laptops to TV using the method you described , via an S-video cable and separate audio cables, splitting from the headphone jack.

You might want to take a look at getting Apple TV which is a peripheral made by Apple to facilitate the process you're describing here.

mantic · January 2009

Most newer digital TVs have a PC (VGA) input. All new digitals have HDMI.
You'll need the video out converter for the iBook and a VGA cable.

doctorj · January 2009

Is it a "Panasonic TC-26LX60 26-Inch LCD HDTV with HDMI Connection"?

You'd get somewhere with a cheap VGA to S-video or composite converter, if not especially good quality. I'd lend you mine to try, but I just checked and I think it only does the opposite, i.e. video-to-VGA (I have the opposite problem -- video devices but no TV). You might get better quality with a somewhat more expensive VGA to HDMI converter.

http://forums.macnn.com/62/digital-video-and-audio-archives/305288/using-30-hdtv-display-my-ibook/

http://cgi.ebay.com/1080P-PC-HDTV-VGA-Audio-Video-to-HDMI-Converter-Adapter_W0QQitemZ220339724257QQ

http://cgi.ebay.com/Laptop-PC-VGA-to-AV-S-Video-TV-Converter-Switch-Box_W0QQitemZ360117503650QQ

fancy · January 2009

Call: TAMSIR 212-202-0241 or [email protected].
Good luck

nomad · January 2009

Thanks for your thoughts. I haven't had a chance to investigate yet, but appreciate the tips!

whyfi · January 2009

Ultimately, you want something with DVI/HDMI input. I don't know what kind of output your iBook has, but DVI/HDMI has become the standard.

You can convert either one (DVI/HDMI) to the other, with the exception that HDMI can also carry an audio signal (pin-for-pin, on the video side, they're the same, just a different connector - you can buy cables with DVI on one end and HDMI on the other - easy). The other thing that you should be aware of is HDCP (copy protection) - if one of your devices has it but the other doesn't, they may not want to talk to each other. This is mostly a non-issue as most devices have HDCP, but people run in to occasionally.

Analog signal carriers (VGA, component, RGBHV) are fine for high definition, but most computers on the shelves these days can put out signals that exceed the high definition standards, namely, 1080P content, for which you will want DVI/HDMI.

Connecting computer to TV?

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