Connecting TV to new Laptop

[HubCapDude]

I just bought a new Sony Vaio with Windows 7 Professional. My two video outputs are HDMI and VGA. What type of converter will I need to purchase so I can go from either one of those outputs to an RCA connection on my TV? I configured the specs of the laptop with Hoster in mind, except I forgot to consider the TV hookup. From what I have been reading, there are cables available that have the right connectors, but do not convert the video signal and are worthless. I see that MTU offers a VGA to TV converter and I would like to know if anyone has had success with this product or is there something better out there? By the way, the HDMI works great on my large screen TV, but for now I need something that will work with my TV's I take on the road. I appreciate all responses.

[RIKKI TIKKI]

HubCapDude,

Have used a vga/rca converter for a couple of years, and have had good success with it... it's just a couple of extra connections, and you can use your current tv's for shows... I like to leave it vga to s-video or rca output because of the cost and weight of hdmi cables of any length... I have not been able to use vga & hdmi output from the computer at the same time, so it's one or the other depending on my venue's required setup, and distance from the host's computer to the tv or monitors being connected.

The one I use is found below... I might buy a spare in case one of the supplied cables develops a problem. ( I did replace a VGA to VGA cable this year that malfunctioned!)

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[doransdome]

Yeah, gotta have that converter. Here is the one I use: SW22050 - $30

http://sewelldirect.com/pc-to-tv.asp

Had a slight problem using USB so got an adaptor to plug it into electric. Works well. But, if you go this route be careful not to press the little buttons on the side. It will mess things up. I have mine covered so they can not pressed. The item works very well with one or 2 TV's. More than that is sometimes questionable. But the price is right. I do keep a back up in case of failure. This company is great to work with and fully honors their 1 year warranty with postage paid replacement. Oh, I use RCA connections, not the S-Video because that is what my club has to hook into. Happy Days!

[billykeys]

I'm working through the same issue with a new 'no-svideo' laptop-- The HDMI works for me, except when I plug in the HDMI, the audio goes with the HDMI, and I don't have a way to get the audio to my mixer. Interestingly, in Windows Media Player options, there is a "Devices" tab, where I can change select the audio output to go to either the "Intel Display Audio" or "Speakers", if I select Speakers it keeps the audio on the speakers/headphones. In the Hoster "Audio Controls" there is a dropdown which looks like it is trying to do the same thing, but the "Intel Display Audio" is the only option. Is there something driver or setup-wise I need to do to get Hoster to have the option to keep the audio at the headphone jack with the HDMI plugged in?

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by billykeys

I'm working through the same issue with a new 'no-svideo' laptop-- The HDMI works for me, except when I plug in the HDMI, the audio goes with the HDMI, and I don't have a way to get the audio to my mixer. Interestingly, in Windows Media Player options, there is a "Devices" tab, where I can change select the audio output to go to either the "Intel Display Audio" or "Speakers", if I select Speakers it keeps the audio on the speakers/headphones. In the Hoster "Audio Controls" there is a dropdown which looks like it is trying to do the same thing, but the "Intel Display Audio" is the only option. Is there something driver or setup-wise I need to do to get Hoster to have the option to keep the audio at the headphone jack with the HDMI plugged in?

Hoster doesn't have that control. This is why most use the VGA out to a vga converter.
What you are referring to in Hoster is for setting which Audio card to use for which function if you have a system with multiple sound cards.

[billykeys]

Thanks, that makes sense (except, why can Media Player do it! can actually switch the audio output on the fly, anyway...)
But I did actually find a solution -- In Windows control panel, I found a "Realtek HD Audio Manager", and if I turned on "Select Default Device", then went to Hoster, the audio stayed 'on the laptop' instead of going over the HDMI. This is all on a Toshiba Satellite A665 btw... So i think I'm all fixed - Thanks

[Roy Dennis]

To stop the Sound going through the HDMI lead right click on the speaker icon on the task bar & select Playback Devices. This should open with the Playback tab selected. To make sure it is displaying all devices right click in the blank area of the list and tick the boxes to show Disabled & Disconnected items. The speakers should be showing as default if not right click on item and select Default, now right click on the HDMI item, select properties, in the drop down box at the bottom select "Don't use this device and press OK. This should stop the sound switching to the HDMI cable but still allow you to use the HDMI video.
Probably best to set this with the HDMI lead connected.

[Roy Dennis]

Originally Posted by billykeys

Thanks, that makes sense (except, why can Media Player do it! can actually switch the audio output on the fly, anyway...)

It used to be available from the Audio Settings in Hoster but was causing problems for some users by enabling the wrong selections, if people didn't check these settings first they were wondering why their sound had stopped working so they were made not to show in these settings.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

To stop the Sound going through the HDMI lead right click on the speaker icon on the task bar & select Playback Devices. This should open with the Playback tab selected. To make sure it is displaying all devices right click in the blank area of the list and tick the boxes to show Disabled & Disconnected items. The speakers should be showing as default if not right click on item and select Default, now right click on the HDMI item, select properties, in the drop down box at the bottom select "Don't use this device and press OK. This should stop the sound switching to the HDMI cable but still allow you to use the HDMI video.
Probably best to set this with the HDMI lead connected.

Thanks Roy, I hadn't tried that yet with new laptop. Now I will have to try it.

[billykeys]

Yes, double thanks, Roy -- sounds like an easier way of getting to the same "switch" that I found in the Control Panel. I'll give it a try later.