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TV -out capability of VGA port?
I work in a classroom that has a ceiling projector which has an S-video input and an RCA input. There are already RCA cables attached to the RCA input, and the cables are wired through the ceiling to a corner in the front of the classroom where they are hooked up to an RCA output on a VCR.
I would like to use my Inspiron 700m in this classroom to show video and play audio via the ceiling projector. I imagine that I could probably buy a super long S-video cable, but it would be quite awkward given the classroom setup. I am wondering if the VGA port on my laptop has TV-out capability, since then I could use a VGA-to-RCA converter cable. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mike
memox
8 Posts
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January 29th, 2009 01:00
I don't think it would be easy to find a VGA-to-RCA converter because as long as i know they don't use the same signal type and there must be a singnal processing between them which makes the converter expensive and rare to find.
But SVideo to RCA conversion is possible with a simple cable. I have that kind of cable and i have used that several times. You can check on internet on your area to find that cable.
You can see examples below:
http://www.svideo.com/svideorca.html
http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-StarTech-com-StarTech-com-SVID2COMPFM
http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-SVC2-Jack-S-Video-Converter/dp/B0002KR7G8/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_2_img?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000952Y3&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CVQXK7DJ17HVGXXANZS
http://cgi.ebay.ca/6-S-VIDEO-TO-RCA-LAPTOP-CABLE-COMPOSITE-SVIDEO-ADAPTER_W0QQitemZ390027194760QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_2?hash=item390027194760&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
mgboomey
4 Posts
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January 29th, 2009 08:00
Thank you so much for your suggestion. I followed the links that you give, and I realize that I have a more fundamental question about S-video, which I have never used. When a laptop sends out an S-video signal, is it only a video signal, or does it also include an audio signal? I figured that despite the name "S-video", it does sound out an audio signal as well, but maybe I assumed wrong.
If S-video sends only a video signal, then would the speakers on my laptop remain enabled when I send the video signal to the projector?
If S-video sends both video and audio, I am not sure how the audio signal would make it to the projector using the cables that you recommend, since the adapter would allow me to connect my laptop to the yellow RCA video cable, but I don't see how my laptop would send audio to the red and white RCA audio cables that go into the projector. Am I just totally mixed up?
Also, you mentioned that it would be hard to find a VGA-to-RCA converter. I did find some online, but my concern is that they wouldn't work (despite physically fitting) due to signal conversion issues, as you mention. Apparently, some VGA ports do allow for TV-out, but I don't know if my model of laptop does.
In any case, thanks.
memox
8 Posts
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January 29th, 2009 22:00
Yes i saw VGA to RCA cables after i send the message but i am not sure if it works with all the laptops as you mensioned.
Sending AUDIO is much easier because cable you need is very populer cable. You need a Mini Jack to RCA cable. (or 3.5mm stereo to rca) You will connect this cable to your laptops headphone connector and RCA ends to your projector.
These are examples:
http://www.shockinglysillysales.com/servlet/the-57/Dynex--dsh--3%27-Mini-dsh-to-dsh-RCA/Detail
http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Stereo-Male-RCA-Cable/dp/B0002KR1OG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233298371&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00187QK58/ref=asc_df_B00187QK58699527?smid=A1DWYG6O7VLP9W&tag=shopzilla_rev_185-20&linkCode=asn
memox
8 Posts
0
January 29th, 2009 23:00
Yes, that is correct. This is usually the case, you have to use two different cables for audio and video. I have used that cables a lot so don't worry it will work.
Except HDMI, HDMI can send audio and video together (what a revolution! :). But even you would have HDMI on your laptop, you dont have it on your projector. So you are lucky that you dont have that new technology on your laptop :)
mgboomey
4 Posts
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January 29th, 2009 23:00
Thanks for this followup message.
So if I understand correctly, I would use one cable from the headphone connector to the white and red audio cables, and another cable from the S-video jack to the yellow cable. Is that correct?
Also, if anyone reading this knows how to determine for sure if the Inspiron 700m's VGA port does have TV-out capability, please let me know.
Thanks.