How to connect computer to TV

[doug118]

I'm moving into a house that has a 52" mitsubishi led tv and want to know the best way to use the tv as a monitor for my desktop. My computer doesn't have anything more then a vga output. the only vga to hdmi cable I found was a generic one on amazon for $9. will that be suffice or will I need something more to get the full effect of the tv? it's a 240hz tv so I know I won't be able to use the tv to it's full potential but I just don't want it to look like I'm using sega genesis lol

[white4d96]

The TV may have a VGA input on it. I know my cheap Dynex LCD does.

[Autruche]

I use my 42 inch LCD tv as a monitor. I just use a DVI to HDMI adapter, but no sound comes out through the HDMI, so I have to use a 3.5mm to RCA adapter too. My tv supports being hooked up like that, but some tvs don't.

Using a VGA to HDMI connector will work if your tv supports having the audio plugged in separately, check the owners manual for that, you may be able to find it online if you don't have it to look at. Just found out they don't make those.

Otherwise you can look for a VGA to RGB (composite) adapter like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270322&cm_re=vga_adapter-_-12-270-322-_-Product

Or you could get lucky and the tv might have a VGA input.

Edited November 25, 2010 by lAutruche

[doug118]

It's a 240hz tv, I hope to god it has a vga input lol

I just found out there is no such thing as a vga to hdmi capable. it's impossible BUT there are up-scalers such as this http://www.amazon.com/Atlona-AT-HDVIEW-Scaler-Converter-Powered/dp/B00384D67O

would the quality be better with the up-scaler or will using the vga on the tv be the same quality? that box has the vga and 3.5mm audio input plus it comes with a 6' hdmi cable which seems great for only $60, especially since they retail for $110

[chuchunesme]

You could just buy a cheap video card with and HDMI output and hook it up that way. I'm posting from my computer right now using my 60" monitor, I actually use this for everything. I run a bluetooth wireless mouse and keyboard and wireless internet. I never thought I'd end up using it this much but now I download and watch everything on it.

[Autruche]

It's a 240hz tv, I hope to god it has a vga input lol

I just found out there is no such thing as a vga to hdmi capable. it's impossible BUT there are up-scalers such as this http://www.amazon.com/Atlona-AT-HDVIEW-Scaler-Converter-Powered/dp/B00384D67O

would the quality be better with the up-scaler or will using the vga on the tv be the same quality? that box has the vga and 3.5mm audio input plus it comes with a 6' hdmi cable which seems great for only $60, especially since they retail for $110

If the tv doesn't have a VGA input, I would just use a VGA to composite(RGB) adapter for video with a 3.5mm to RCA adapter for sound if you just have onboard video as you aren't really going to see improvements in video quality unless you upgrade your video card, which is worth it if you watch HD movies or play games on your tv, then again I could be wrong, I've only ever done this twice.

You could just buy a cheap video card with and HDMI output and hook it up that way. I'm posting from my computer right now using my 60" monitor, I actually use this for everything. I run a bluetooth wireless mouse and keyboard and wireless internet. I never thought I'd end up using it this much but now I download and watch everything on it.

That's a good idea too.

[doug118]

links for video cards?

[dugee81]

you dont need any HDMI mumbo jumbo! VGA is capable of displaying in full 1680x1080 resolution (which, what do ya know, that is the standard for HD).

[Autruche]

links for video cards?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600031507&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

[doug118]

See now this is where I'm stumped. I know NOTHING about the internals of computers besides the BASICS. If I opted to buy one of those, what should I look for? I figure if that up-scaler was around $70 I'd like to spend somewhere in the same price range and get the same capabilities.

I was also just looking at possibly replacing the tower I have now with something compact like a mac mini but in PC form since there is already a macbook pro in the house. I just found this from best buy and it seems like it's 100x better for the money then the mac mini. any suggestions in that area incase I decide to go that route?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-+Ideacentre+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174;+Core%26%23153;+i3+Processor+/+4GB+Memory+/+1TB+Hard+Drive/1287442.p?id=1218247183355&skuId=1287442

this is exactly what I have now. to me it's an amazing machine especially since I got it new in box for $99 http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=AST690-U-P925A-R

Edited November 26, 2010 by doug118