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How do I connect a TV to my lappy?
RazMan - 11/5/08 at 03:09 PM

I've done the basic stuff - connected an SVGA lead to my 50" plasma TV which has a dedicated PC input. So far all I can display is a very nice blank version of the desktop (no icons or anything else) so I must be doing something right

Next stage is to get media player to display on the TV but I just can't figure it out and all I get is the bloody desk top!

Are there any lappy gurus out there willing give me some pointers before I lose what is left of my remaining hair ?


[Edited on 11-5-08 by RazMan]

matt_claydon - 11/5/08 at 03:17 PM

Sounds like you now have an extended desktop on the TV. If you try dragging a window off your laptop screen (probably to the right, but it may be another direction) it will appear on the TV. Just so happens I am watching something from the laptop on the TV while writing this on the laptop screen

If you don't like this setup then in advanced properties of display control panel you should be able to set the TV as a 'clone' of the laptop rather than an extension.

[Edited on 11/5/08 by matt_claydon]

Dangle_kt - 11/5/08 at 03:24 PM

think matt has hit the nail on the head. Right click on your desktop and go to display properties, then see what its set up as.

RazMan - 11/5/08 at 03:52 PM

Oooh righto - back in a tick

RazMan - 11/5/08 at 04:38 PM

Simple as that! I just moved the mouse to the right and it suddenly appeared on the TV. I then dragged the Media Player window onto the TV and Bingo!

Unfortunately it now appears that my graphics chip isn't capable of running a 50" plasma and is very jerky.

Humbug - 11/5/08 at 05:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
Simple as that! I just moved the mouse to the right and it suddenly appeared on the TV. I then dragged the Media Player window onto the TV and Bingo!

Unfortunately it now appears that my graphics chip isn't capable of running a 50" plasma and is very jerky.


Now there's a surprise, 'cos most laptops have a 50" screen, don't they?

RazMan - 11/5/08 at 05:35 PM

Actually it might have been due to the fact that I was reading a 700Mb avi test file from a usb stick. I copied it onto the hard drive and things are much better.
It won't quite expand to fit the screen but it's still bigger than most Tv's

liam.mccaffrey - 11/5/08 at 06:03 PM

my lappy will happily play video on my 42" lcd while i surf the net on the other screen

MikeRJ - 12/5/08 at 07:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
Simple as that! I just moved the mouse to the right and it suddenly appeared on the TV. I then dragged the Media Player window onto the TV and Bingo!

Unfortunately it now appears that my graphics chip isn't capable of running a 50" plasma and is very jerky.


Your laptop doesn't know it's connected to a 50" screen, if it can display video smoothly on the internal screen then chances are you just need to sort the configuration out. It's possible video acceleration is disabled with the desktop stretched across two displays.

Most laptops have some kind of hotkey selection to switch between internal and external displays, usually you have to press a function key and another key that often has a picture of two screens on it.

RoadkillUK - 12/5/08 at 09:22 PM

Like the chaps above have mentioned, it looks like you've got the TV connected as an extended desktop (seperate screen). You can set you second screen as a clone. IE, what you see on the laptop screen will be duplicated on the TV. It may help, it may not