Problems getting display to monitor from laptop

[bryant]

I know the physical difference, but exactly why and what are the other pins for and what do they do that the 4pin are not doing?
Does anyone know?

[bobcox- with the Lord]

7 pin is s-video/tv it has a composit signal for tv out.
4 pin is s-video only, no composit signal.
so if your computer has 7 pin you can use a 4 pin or a 7 pin adaptor to rca for composit signal.

[bryant]

I guess my question now is:
When is there ever a 7-pin receiver on the other end?
In all cases I've experienced, a 4 pin adapter was required?

[gduns - with the Lord]

with 7 pin s-video you can attach a splitter, and you can have video in as well as video out. My hp has this. with 4 pin s-video it is only video out.

[billyo]

you can get a 7 pin to rca from www.s-video.com both of my laptops have a 7 pin i used to used an adaptor that cost a lot of money , bought the 7 pin to rca for a fraction of the cost of the adaptor and it work excellent.. ( this is by no means endorsing a co. ) just trying to help..