Getting video out of laptop

[bfischer]

I've been using an S-video cord from my laptop to an RF converter to get the lyrics from hoster out to TVs for performers. Picked up another laptop that does not have an S-video connection. Any ideas or equipment add ons you folks know of to make this work? Computer does have a connection for an additional monitor, 3 USB ports, mic in, audio out and card slot as well as the CD/DVD drive.

[hwheeler43]

There is a USB to VGA Display Adapter that you could buy and try. I have never tried one though and would be leery of doing so. I would look for a different laptop with an s-video connection.

[muzicman144]

Look on Ebay. There's an adapter that goes to your additionsl monitor connections that will convert it to S Video, RCA jack. About $4.00.
muzicman

[billyo]

[

quote=bfischer;80649]I've been using an S-video cord from my laptop to an RF converter to get the lyrics from hoster out to TVs for performers. Picked up another laptop that does not have an S-video connection. Any ideas or equipment add ons you folks know of to make this work? Computer does have a connection for an additional monitor, 3 USB ports, mic in, audio out and card slot as well as the CD/DVD drive.

[/quote]

theres an adaptor called maxview, it's a pc to tv converter..it has vga out and rca and s video in and you can get it at www.eitech.com, thats what i had to used , what you do was you have to connect the vga of your laptop to the vga out of the converter and use either the rca or the s-video in into the viewers screen ( tv ).good luck..

[marklwood]

I would caution you first about the external VGA output. Some chipsets, especially in laptops, won't do extended desktop mode. They will only mirror what is on your desktop. Right click on the desktop and look at your display properties/settings to see if it will even do dual monitor. I believe it is the VIA S3integrated chipset that won't work.

[billyo]

[

quote=marklwood;80656]I would caution you first about the external VGA output. Some chipsets, especially in laptops, won't do extended desktop mode. They will only mirror what is on your desktop. Right click on the desktop and look at your display properties/settings to see if it will even do dual monitor. I believe it is the VIA S3integrated chipset that won't work.

[/quote]

i didnt have any problem using the external vga out, as long as your pc/laptop is capable of dual display you shouldn't have any problems, even though i bought new laptops, the adaptor is still hooked up to my old laptop and still working..i think most of the pc's/ laptops now are capable of dual display..

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by billyo

i didnt have any problem using the external vga out, as long as your pc/laptop is capable of dual display you shouldn't have any problems, even though i bought new laptops, the adaptor is still hooked up to my old laptop and still working..i think most of the pc's/ laptops now are capable of dual display..[/quote]

That's what I was saying. Don't buy a piece of hardware until you check the compatibility first. I checked, and the VIA S3 integrated chipset was the one I was thinking about. It was used in a significant number of mid-low end laptops and will NOT support extended desktop, only mirror desktop which does a host no good at all.

[bfischer]

Thanks for the help and info. I've ordered the VGA to S-video and RCA jack adapter. I checked and my chip set does support dual display. I had found the adapter earlier but after reading some of the review, I wasn't sure it would work. Realized those folks were trying to hook straight up to a TV, I'll still route it thru my RF converter.

[stublack]

There are a lot of newer laptops that come with no S-video connection.
Now you have to make sure the S-video connection is there, that's a mistake I will not make again.

I purchased a GIGAWARE TV/PC Adapter at Radio Shack that does a wonderful job.