Will a TV work as a laptop monitor?

[Muddy]

Hulu is only available from the united states....:sqfrown:

Yeah, that sucks. I have to check it out...I didn't realize it was so comprehensive. I might get rid of my satellite dish. I have a few laptops laying around, I could just dedicate one to plug into the TV...hmm. Atom, is this possible???

[Atom]

Yeah, that sucks. I have to check it out...I didn't realize it was so comprehensive. I might get rid of my satellite dish. I have a few laptops laying around, I could just dedicate one to plug into the TV...hmm. Atom, is this possible???Is what possible?

[julien_simon]

fly, walk on water, be debt free, pick your nose with your toes, do a somersault in a fake sumo tori costume....the list is endless.

[Muddy]

Is what possible?

Plug a laptop into the TV and just play shows/news/whatever from Hulu, etc.

[Zap]

Plug a laptop into the TV and just play shows/news/whatever from Hulu, etc.

Why not? Does your TV have VGA or DMI inputs on it?

[Muddy]

I'll have to check but it has TONS of plugs back there. It's one of those big flat kind...what are they called? There's two kinds..I get them mixed up.

[Zap]

I'll have to check but it has TONS of plugs back there. It's one of those big flat kind...what are they called? There's two kinds..I get them mixed up.

HDMI (This is for many different things - DVD players, video games, etc.)
But, there should be either a VGA input or a DVI (*DVI, not DMI*) input.

VGA
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/SVGA_port.jpg/300px-SVGA_port.jpg

DMI
http://tech2.in.com/media/images/img_2220_benqfp92w_8.jpg
(On the left)

[Zap]

Does the back of the TV look like this?

http://z.about.com/d/hometheater/1/7/3/9/hdtvrearfinal.JPG

LOL!

[Muddy]

I'll go check...brb.

[Atom]

Plug a laptop into the TV and just play shows/news/whatever from Hulu, etc.Yes, if equipped with the proper inputs as Zap says. The TV basically just acts as a monitor.

[ewomack]

I've used HDMI... works like syrup on pancakes... ok, not THAT good, but it works dang good... and I mean dang... the cords can get pretty expensive if I remember...

[julien_simon]

when I'm sick, I usually take a couple of shots of really hard liquor and it works pretty often.


I do that when I'm healthy as well but for different reasons.

[Muddy]

OK, here's the back of my TV.

208

209

210

211

[ewomack]

This thread is getting pornographic... displaying your television's naughty bits like that... how would YOU like it if your tv posted a picture of YOUR inputs and outputs!???

[Zap]

Not going to work, my friend.

That's what you get for buyin' "Made In China". :sqerr:

There is a special box that will convert VGA or DVI output to HDMI output, but it will cost a hundred or two.
I think I saw 1 HDMI input on your TV.
(Tough to see to the right of the white composite cables plugged in)

[Muddy]

Bummer. So it can't just work as a big monitor?

[Muddy]

Isn't one of those plugs one that would work with an adapter cord? This is 2009 for goodness gracious sakes. lol!

[julien_simon]

your monitor isn't that big anyway.

[Zap]

Bummer. So it can't just work as a big monitor?

Not without the converter, unless you happen to have SVideo output on your notebook.
(The little round black input to the right of the speaker wires)

[Muddy]

This thread is getting pornographic... displaying your television's naughty bits like that... how would YOU like it if your tv posted a picture of YOUR inputs and outputs!???

I think it did in the middle of the night one time!

[Muddy]

your monitor isn't that big anyway.

LOL! This is true...and there's only one.

[ewomack]

I think it did in the middle of the night one time!

Well, then you're even... never mind my puritanical effusions...

[Muddy]

Not without the converter, unless you happen to have SVideo output on your notebook.
(The little round black input to the right of the speaker wires)

There's a yellow one that looks just like the black ones in pics 2 and 4.

I have a couple of newer notebooks then this one though...probably use one of those anyway...lemme see what plugs they have.

[ewomack]

I sense more electronic filth coming...

[julien_simon]

I sense more electronic filth coming...

kinky!

[Muddy]

Hide your eyes gentlemen!

Here's the back of my notebook:

212

Here's the side of the one I would likely use:

213

[ewomack]

AUGH!!! I'M TOO REPRESSED TO LOOK!!!! AUGHHH!!!!

[Muddy]

So...is there any chance?

[ewomack]

Of me screwing your tv??!? NO!!!!

[julien_simon]

since when did that become its only thread?

pfff....

I hate posting on topic as much as I hate eating olives unexpectedly.

[Muddy]

Whose olives?

Damn Italians!

[ewomack]

It must be the Greeks!!

Damn Greeks!!!

They make a good gyro, though...

[julien_simon]

A Greek and Italian were arguing over who had the superior culture. The Greek says, "We have the Parthenon."

Arching his eyebrows, the Italian replies, "We have the Coliseum."

The Greek retorts, "We Greeks gave birth to advanced mathematics"

The Italian, nodding agreement, says, "But we built the Roman Empire."

And so on and so on until the Greek comes up with what he thinks will end the discussion. With a flourish of finality he says, "We invented sex!"

The Italian replies, "That is true, but it was the Italians who introduced it to women."

[Zap]

Hide your eyes gentlemen!

Here's the back of my notebook:

212

Here's the side of the one I would likely use:

213

Bottom picture, to the far left, looks like SVIDEO.
There was an SVIDEO input on your TV, I believe. Just need the SVIDEO cable.
(You may already have one. They sometimes include one with camcorders and also sometimes with TVs)

SVIDEO is video signal only, though. Any sound would have to be produced by your laptop.

[ewomack]

A Greek and Italian were arguing over who had the superior culture. The Greek says, "We have the Parthenon."

Arching his eyebrows, the Italian replies, "We have the Coliseum."

The Greek retorts, "We Greeks gave birth to advanced mathematics"

The Italian, nodding agreement, says, "But we built the Roman Empire."

And so on and so on until the Greek comes up with what he thinks will end the discussion. With a flourish of finality he says, "We invented sex!"

The Italian replies, "That is true, but it was the Italians who introduced it to women."

I read that in a history book once... so it's TRUE!!!!

[Muddy]

You know how to separate the men from the boys in Greece?








With a crowbar.

[Muddy]

Bottom picture, to the far left, looks like SVIDEO.
There was an SVIDEO input on your TV, I believe. Just need the SVIDEO cable.
(You may already have one. They sometimes include one with camcorders and also sometimes with TVs)

SVIDEO is video signal only, though. Any sound would have to be produced by your laptop.

Isn't that what the yellow plug on the top one is too?

Bummer about the sound...of course, I have a set of good computer speakers (probably sound better than the TV ones)...what a rigmarole though...but still, free TV...hmmm

[Zap]

Isn't that what the yellow plug on the top one is too?
I believe so, but the real test doesn't come until you plug it in and try it.
(Keeping in mind that you'll have to boot up with everything connected)
((Sometimes, it works, but only if all cables are connected before powering up the computer.))
(((TV has to already be on, too, in those cases.)))


Bummer about the sound...of course, I have a set of good computer speakers (probably sound better than the TV ones)...what a rigmarole though...but still, free TV...hmmm
Yeah.
There is a box you can buy that will convert everything properly into HDMI, which carries video and sound, but it's just over $200 here (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4424459&csid=_25).

[Muddy]

Hmm, even at that $200 would pay for itself pretty quick if I could get rid of satellite.

[Zap]

Hmm, even at that $200 would pay for itself pretty quick if I could get rid of satellite.

Just double check that your TV has an HDMI connection.
I couldn't really tell from the posted pics.
And, your laptop needs a USB port (can't imagine that it wouldn't) and an audio out port that uses the standard headphone jack.

[Muddy]

That laptop I want to use has three.

[julien_simon]

Hmm, even at that $200 would pay for itself pretty quick if I could get rid of satellite.

Plus you get to watch movies on a nice big screen

[Zap]

How are you going to get rid of satellite TV?
Do you have a subscription online somewhere for the stuff you would normally get from satellite?

[julien_simon]

How are you going to get rid of satellite TV?
Do you have a subscription online somewhere for the stuff you would normally get from satellite?

just throw the dish in the ditch :sqrofl:

[Muddy]

Plus you get to watch movies on a nice big screen

Can do that now via DVDs and satellite, but between Hulu and Netflix and others, one could do away with DVD's and satellite.

[Muddy]

How are you going to get rid of satellite TV?
Do you have a subscription online somewhere for the stuff you would normally get from satellite?

No, but we watch very little of what is offered. What we do watch is available on Hulu. Also many of the Netflix movies have a "watch now" feature. High def, no lag, works great.

[Muddy]

We get our news and weather reports online. The only thing we even use the TV for is the occasional movie, kids shows, and now and then we'll watch Jon Stewart or something. Of course now that Conan hosts the tonight show, I'm interested in watching that again for the first time since Carson.

[Zap]

We get our news and weather reports online. The only thing we even use the TV for is the occasional movie, kids shows, and now and then we'll watch Jon Stewart or something. Of course now that Conan hosts the tonight show, I'm interested in watching that again for the first time since Carson.

Not a Leno fan, either, huh?

[Muddy]

I never understood why Johnny would get him to sit in, and then when he took over the show...*shakes head*.

[Zap]

I never understood why Johnny would get him to sit in, and then when he took over the show...*shakes head*.

From what I've heard, JC didn't like Leno.

If it makes you feel any better, I have a feeling Leno's new timeslot is going to sink him.

[Muddy]

Without the huge and long established fan base of the Tonight Show, he would have sunk long ago. He needs to stay home and write jokes for Reader's Digest.

[ewomack]

Strange that Letterman was turned down for Leno's spot... but I'm not sure why I care... the last time I watched the Tonight Show I was playing with Legos... and this wasn't 2 weeks ago...