aquarist48

Good morning. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend ahead of them!

I would like to know exactly what I need in order to connect my 42" Vizio flat screen TV to my Dell Hybrid computer. I don't know all of the in and outs of the computer so please be as specific as you can be Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

I'm a figure skating buff and the season is here. Network stations, ABC, NBC and CBS are not an option here in the booines. I have a dish with Direct TV. So many of the competitions are on and available through another website and not being telecasted any longer. I want to be able to watch the competitions on my flat screen. Too, it's a good distance from my computer to the TV itself. Let's say 24 feet max.

Too, if you can tell me where to purchase the items I need would be an even bigger help. Websites etc...

Sadly Michelle Kwan is not coming back for the 2010 Olympics

Thanks! I'll have to check back later for responses. Chef is taking me grocery shopping!
Thanks folks!
Ken

Tony G.

Morning ken! I dont know how to plug in the PC but i do know how to plug in projectors and camcorders LOL

If you notice behind the PC, there is an output cable which is where your monitor is plugged it. Most of the time its a blue looking square with two little screw-able ( is that a word? LOL) blue button things LOL. So you need the input for the computer to look exactly like it. Then, on your tv, there is the connectors where you plug in the DVD correct? Usually its a red one, a white one and a yellow one. The cable you need, has to have these as well. So you need the TV's input cable (3 thin cords that connect with the big one) and the computer's input as well.
SO you need this for the TV http://www.vosonic.com/upload/produc...6_66_large.jpg
and this side to connect to the computer:
http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto...51272_Full.jpg

Im pretty sure you can buy it at Best Buy or Circuit city, if not try FRY's electronics (Not Fry's the grocery store )

I hope i helped and didnt confuse you more LOL

aquarist48

Hello Tony. I appreciate our response. However, there should be one type of cord that goes from the computer (with a flat port) to the TV with another flat port I think. I let Chef look at your response, he's the computer buff of the family and he says that what you've suggest for the projectors and the camcorders won't work. He said it might work on older computers and TV's but not these.
Thanks! Have a good weekend Tony!
Ken

namehater

trying to get the details straight here... so your wanting to hook your pc up to your tv, but your tv is 24ft away from your computer. is this correct?

also, does this website that your referring allow you to download the videos or is the video streaming?

if you need to buy any computer parts, i would HIGHLY recommend buying from www.newegg.com. i have built many a computers and they are the best for pricing, shipping, and support.

webtrawler84

hi there buddy.
as its a flat screen there is most likely going to be a hdmi connector on the back it will look something like this



on the back of the computer you may have one of a number of connectors
there may be a dvi connector which looks like this



If you have one of these connectors then all you need is a converter and hdmi cable, these can be got from any decent electronics store and should not cost you too much.

if you do not have one of these connectors on the back of you computer then you may have one of these instead



you may have one of these on the back of the tv aswell, check and if so all you will need is a cable to go between them.

there are a number of combinations that can be done here so if you are able to post a photo up of the connectors on the tv and on the back of the pc I will be able to help more but this should keep you going for now.

hope this helps

mark

ray_sj

From what you described, I think you can either use an HDMI cable (best choice) or a DVI-to-HMDI cable (close second). You can get these at most electronics or computer stores, but don't believe their marketing hype. You shouldn't be paying more than around $40-$50 for either cable. 25 feet is rather long for these cables, so buy a well-made one.

HDMI cable
HDMI cables
DVI-to-HDMI cables

namehater

i buy all my cables from monoprice, their prices are amazing compared to the big box stores like bestbuy or walmart. even buying the cheapest HDMI cable they have available has given me awesome results and ive never experienced one bit of problem.

Tavel

Your computer has an HDMI output, and the TV has an HDMI input...very easy! Get a HDMI to HDMI (male to male) cable like the few ray_sj linked too and you'll be set!

it will transmit the sound, but it looks like some people are having issues with surround sound. You should check out the dell support forums if you have trouble.

PS: You guys should look up the specs of the components he listed to make your advice more specific.

webtrawler84

Tavel: My bad, sorry buddy was attempting to do 20 things at once and did not get a chance to check out the full specs of his machine

aquarist48: as above really, As both your tv and computer both have hdmi connectors then its a simple case of getting a cable. A lot of the marketing behind these cables is as stated above just hype and any decent cable will see you right. I live in the UK so cannot personally recommend anywere but others will be able to help more with that.

aquarist48

Thanks for the help Folks and the links. A great help indeed! Yes there are HDMI inputs on both the TV and the Computer. I'll have Chef check it all out. I figured they would have to make a long cable. I'm sure not everyone's computer is right beside their TV. I think he had the concern of will the distance between the two cause trouble with transmission, but if they make these long cables I don't see that it would make a difference?



Ken

sirdarksol

It can make a difference. Not sure with HDMI about how much difference there is between 20' and 3', though.
I do know that there's a huge difference in price. The cables start out expensive, and get even more so as you add length.

aquarist48

Thanks for the heads up SDS!
Ken

mathas

While it depends in part on the receiver chip in the TV and on what resolution you're transmitting, 25' should be fine. If you stick to a category 2 certified (or "high speed") cable, which Monoprice has for less than $30, you're even more likely to have good results.

http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/faq.aspx#44
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=810969

aquarist48

Thank you Mathas! I appreciate it! Thanks for the links!
Ken

Edit: What I want to watch will be broadcast live so it would be streaming. Too I can also watch it on the computer if I miss it live via downloading, I guess? LOL I need a computer book for dummies.

Thanks again!

Edit: I ordered the cables from monoprice.com. I'm going to close the thread for now and I'll let you know how everything works out once I receive the cables.
I appreciate everyone's reponses! Very helpful.
Ken

aquarist48

Good morning. My HDMI cables arrived and I've been trying to get them connected for the past 2 hours. I have followed the instructions here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5574936_conn...hiba-hdmi.html (even though I have a Vizio and not toshiba) My computer has 1 HDMI port and my Vizio has HDMI1 and HDMI2. (nothing states "IN" or "OUT". )
however, when I get to instruction #6 to click on #2 screen and check the box "Extended" it won't allow it. The setting will not stay even when I click "apply" and then "OK" It's not allowing for the 2nd monitor to work at the same time as #1. I can't get both the computer monitor and the TV to work at the same time. Either one or the other has to be disconnected. I can get the control panel to display on the TV only if I disconnect the computer monitor. If I can't get both to work then it doesn't do me any good.

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.
Frustrated in Hootersville! lol
Ken

click

Have you tried to turn off the computer and then connect the cable from your computer to your TV. With your TV monitor on, turn on your computer...it should automatically detect the TV and start displaying on both.

aquarist48

Hello Click and thanks! Yes, I have turned everything off, made the connections and adjustments to my computer. I'm missing something but I don't know what. From my desk top I do a right mouse click, then "personalize" then "display settings". Once I get to the 1 and 2 computer screens I click on 2 then I check extend the desk top to this monitor, hit "apply" then "OK". It still won't allow both the computer monitor and the TV on at the same time.

Tony G.

Shouldnt it come up like "Device Installed" or "New Device" or something like that, like a USB? I'm just guessing LOL