Displaying PC Display on TV

peterfoster · 16-09-2010, 23:02

I've just now bought a Panasonic TX-L32S20B LED TV and was looking forward to seeing my pc screen displayed thereon. I've connected up the two bits of kit with a vga cable and selected the correct "pc" input setting on the TV with the remote control but just see a blank screen. I've googled and it seems I have to make some changes to the pc's video card settings before I'll be able to see a display on the TV. The card I have is a ATI Radeon Xpress 1150. I've found the ATI "Catalyst Control Centre" on my pc but am confused as to changes I would need to make to get the pc's display to appear on the TV. Could someone kindly help me out, please. Thanks.

StereRowe · 16-09-2010, 23:20

In the control centre right click on the second display (Advance settings if memory serves). It'll give you various options such as extend desktop, clone, swap display mapping etc.

I can't remember which you need (Not extend desktop however) but click on each of them. The software asks if you wish to keep changes. Just keep an eye on your TV and see which one does the trick.

emptybox · 17-09-2010, 00:57

Also, make sure you set the resolution of the display to 1920 x 1080.

peterfoster · 17-09-2010, 09:09

Many thanks, StereRow and emptybox.

grahamlthompson · 17-09-2010, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptybox

Also, make sure you set the resolution of the display to 1920 x 1080.

In common with all the TV's I have ever seen the d-sub won't accept the non vesa 1920 x 1080.

Best available is 1368 x 768 @ 60Hz or 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz

emptybox · 17-09-2010, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

In common with all the TV's I have ever seen the d-sub won't accept the non vesa 1920 x 1080.

Best available is 1368 x 768 @ 60Hz or 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz

If that's the case, perhaps the OP should consider connecting DVI to HDMI, if that's an option. You should be able to select 1920 x 1080 (the TV resolution) that way.

You won't get a sharp picture if the display resolution doesn't match up with the pixels on the telly.
OK for videos, but not good for a working PC desktop, if that's what the OP is after?

peterfoster · 17-09-2010, 11:01

Just to provide a little more information. I have two laptops both operating XP SP3. The TV has HDMI connectors but the PCs do not.

Here are the relevant parts of the TV's spec-

Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Display Format: 1080p (FullHD)
Input Video Formats: 1080/24p, 1080/60i, 480/60p, 720/60p, 1080/50i, 720/50p, 576/50p, 1080/50p, 1080/60p, 480/60i, 576/50i
Enhanced Refresh Rate: 100 Hz
Motion Enhancement Technology: Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
24p Technology: 24p Smooth Film
Video Interface: Component, composite, HDMI, SCART
HDMI Ports Qty: 3 port(s)
PC Interface: VGA (HD-15)
HDCP Compatible: Yes
Technology: TFT active matrix ( IPS )

Is DVI an option?

Thanks.

chrisjr · 17-09-2010, 11:06

DVI and HDMI are electrically compatible. So all you need is a DVI to HDMI lead or adapter plug to interconnect the two.

c4rv · 17-09-2010, 11:09

DVI would be on your PC, not the TV. Have look near the VGA connector, is there a rectangular, white connector with about 20 pin holes ?

If you use this connector using a DVI to HDMI lead, this should automatically adjust the PC to 1920x1080. Note you will need to transfer audio seperately as DVI does not pass through audio.

Other other is to install a cheap video adaptor in the PC. Around £25 will buy a PCI-E video card with HDMI output and HD acceleration. You then don't need to flaf around transmitting sound through a seperate cable either as HDMI will carry video and audio, Something like this,

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/256MB...-DVI-I-HDMI-LP

c4rv · 17-09-2010, 11:10

Sorry just to confirm, are you using laptops or desktop PC ?

peterfoster · 17-09-2010, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by c4rv

Sorry just to confirm, are you using laptops or desktop PC ?

Laptops. A 3 year old Dell Vostro 1000 and a 6 year old Dell Inspiron 1300. Thanks.

grahamlthompson · 17-09-2010, 11:56

Acceptable inputs (Page 70)

http://dlc.panasonic-europe-service....odel=TXL32S20B

Unless the laptop is recent and near the top of the range it's unlikely that the graphics support 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz. The key here is the laptop spec which is not posted. If it's not got a 16:9 display it likely won't

c4rv · 17-09-2010, 12:16

Did a quick look on google, express 1150 is a rebranded Xpress 200m and from what I have seen max resolution is 1440x900.

peterfoster · 17-09-2010, 12:26

The older machine is not 16:9 so I'm sure we can discount that.

The Vostro has the following spec-

Integrated ATI Radeon® Xpress 1150 HyperMemoryTM
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280x800) display

Does this mean that in practical terms I'm not going to be able to hook the Pc and the TV up as I would like (i.e. to give an acceptable result.) Would it help if I upgraded the graphics card? Thanks.

c4rv · 17-09-2010, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterfoster

The older machine is not 16:9 so I'm sure we can discount that.

The Vostro has the following spec-

Integrated ATI Radeon® Xpress 1150 HyperMemoryTM
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280x800) display

Does this mean that in practical terms I'm not going to be able to hook the Pc and the TV up as I would like (i.e. to give an acceptable result.) Would it help if I upgraded the graphics card? Thanks.

I am afriad so, its unlike either laptop is going to support 1920x1080. They will work on the TV, just not at full HD resolution.

I am not sure if you will be able to upgrade the graphics, its usually a pain on laptops.

peterfoster · 17-09-2010, 12:34

Ok, c4rv. I guess I'll just have to settle for running stuff from the PC to the TV via the SD card slot. Hopefully my ancient laptops won't present a barrier to this! Thanks.

grahamlthompson · 17-09-2010, 12:58

If you look at the acceptable resolutions in the link I specified setting the highest one your laptop supports and 60Hz (which is likely the default) it should work fine. Note on many laptops you have to press a fn key to use the external output. (look for a monitor picture on the FN keys)

Generally FN F4 toggles laptop only, external output only, both

peterfoster · 17-09-2010, 13:03

Thanks, grahamlthompson. I'll give a whirl this evening.

c4rv · 17-09-2010, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterfoster

Ok, c4rv. I guess I'll just have to settle for running stuff from the PC to the TV via the SD card slot. Hopefully my ancient laptops won't present a barrier to this! Thanks.

Are you trying to play back media files stored on your PC on your TV ?

Another alternative to the laptop is get a media streamer, these are device that connect to your PC over network (wired or wireless) and allow you to play media files from your PC on your TV. These start as low as £30 and go up from there depending on which features you want.

peterfoster · 17-09-2010, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by c4rv

Are you trying to play back media files stored on your PC on your TV ?

Another alternative to the laptop is get a media streamer, these are device that connect to your PC over network (wired or wireless) and allow you to play media files from your PC on your TV. These start as low as £30 and go up from there depending on which features you want.

Yes. I was looking at media players but dropped the idea when I made the decision to buy a nice TV assuming, incorrectly, that I would be able to get where I wanted to go with this by hooking up the pc to the TV. If it doesn't work out this evening with grahamthompson's suggestion then I'll buy one. The wireless option would be a runner because my wife just hates the spaghetti. Would ii be a reasonably straightforward matter to stream wirelessly from the pc to the media player to the TV? Thanks.

Soundbox · 17-09-2010, 14:28

I wish I could diplay on my TV. I have a Gateway laptop and this has an S-Video looalike socket but no signal comes out. I wish they supplied a simple composite socket for quick hook-ups.

David (2) · 17-09-2010, 21:52

been through a few generations of this problem. The only good option is HDMI to HDMI. This has been plug n play for me. VGA to tv needed adjustments in the Windows software, and there are some issues with some software not supporting dual screen and defaulting to the pc screen everytime. Going back a few more years, S-Video and Composite quality from pc to tv were quite poor. I wouldnt bother at all with those methods.

I undersatand from some DS posts in the recent past that some modern PCs with HDMI dont send the audio channels over HDMI, meaning you need to run another cord for audio feed. Luckily, my one does do audio over HDMI.

LostFool · 18-09-2010, 01:06

I use an old laptop connected to my TV to play back DIXV videos. Video connected by VGA, audio out goes to my surround sound. It's not perfect, the max resolution I can get is 1400 x 1050, but adequate enough.

Soon I'm planning on replacing this with a proper HDMI media streamer (probably the WD TV Live box)

c4rv · 18-09-2010, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterfoster

Yes. I was looking at media players but dropped the idea when I made the decision to buy a nice TV assuming, incorrectly, that I would be able to get where I wanted to go with this by hooking up the pc to the TV. If it doesn't work out this evening with grahamthompson's suggestion then I'll buy one. The wireless option would be a runner because my wife just hates the spaghetti. Would ii be a reasonably straightforward matter to stream wirelessly from the pc to the media player to the TV? Thanks.

If you are hooking up a PC rather then a laptop, then I would get the £30 graphics card (assuming your TV has a PCI-E slot). It will solve the problems of display plus you get the benefits of everything that a PC can do.

As for wireless streaming, setup is not that difficult depending on which streamer you get. Wireless G can cope with SD xvid, Wireless N would be fine with DVD rips but it may struggle with HD content. Some media streamers have HDD so you can copy the files locally and play from there, then wireless speed is not an issue.

Also if you don't want cables everywhere, you can get homeplug for networking. Gives a more reliable connection then wireless, faster then wireless G and faster then N in some situations.

Nigel Goodwin · 18-09-2010, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by David (2)

been through a few generations of this problem. The only good option is HDMI to HDMI. This has been plug n play for me.

It's entirely dependent on the specific PC and the specific TV - sometimes HDMI works best, sometimes VGA does, it's important to try BOTH and see which is best in your exact situation.

Having access to loads of different sets, and a fair sprinkling of PC's (plus doing it for a number of different customers - including renting TV's out for the day for meetings) I've had a goodly amount of different options.

I was setting a new PC up at work the other week, and so I used an old test TV (a Bush 16:10 27 inch, which I've used before) and I couldn't get it to work acceptably via either VGA or DVI. In the end I gave up and stuck a 32 inch W series Sony one instead - banged the VGA lead in, spot on immediately

Yet on a computer I'd used previously, the Bush was perfectly fine, via both VGA and DVI.

16-09-2010, 23:02	#1
peterfoster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 717	Displaying PC Display on TV I've just now bought a Panasonic TX-L32S20B LED TV and was looking forward to seeing my pc screen displayed thereon. I've connected up the two bits of kit with a vga cable and selected the correct "pc" input setting on the TV with the remote control but just see a blank screen. I've googled and it seems I have to make some changes to the pc's video card settings before I'll be able to see a display on the TV. The card I have is a ATI Radeon Xpress 1150. I've found the ATI "Catalyst Control Centre" on my pc but am confused as to changes I would need to make to get the pc's display to appear on the TV. Could someone kindly help me out, please. Thanks.

16-09-2010, 23:20	#2
StereRowe Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,273	In the control centre right click on the second display (Advance settings if memory serves). It'll give you various options such as extend desktop, clone, swap display mapping etc. I can't remember which you need (Not extend desktop however) but click on each of them. The software asks if you wish to keep changes. Just keep an eye on your TV and see which one does the trick. Last edited by StereRowe : 16-09-2010 at 23:33. Reason: Additional info'

17-09-2010, 00:57	#3
emptybox Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 11,995	Also, make sure you set the resolution of the display to 1920 x 1080.

17-09-2010, 09:09	#4
peterfoster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 717	Many thanks, StereRow and emptybox.

17-09-2010, 09:52	#5
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	Quote: Originally Posted by emptybox Also, make sure you set the resolution of the display to 1920 x 1080. In common with all the TV's I have ever seen the d-sub won't accept the non vesa 1920 x 1080. Best available is 1368 x 768 @ 60Hz or 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz

17-09-2010, 10:17	#6
emptybox Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 11,995	Quote: Originally Posted by grahamlthompson In common with all the TV's I have ever seen the d-sub won't accept the non vesa 1920 x 1080. Best available is 1368 x 768 @ 60Hz or 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz If that's the case, perhaps the OP should consider connecting DVI to HDMI, if that's an option. You should be able to select 1920 x 1080 (the TV resolution) that way. You won't get a sharp picture if the display resolution doesn't match up with the pixels on the telly. OK for videos, but not good for a working PC desktop, if that's what the OP is after?

17-09-2010, 11:01	#7
peterfoster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 717	Just to provide a little more information. I have two laptops both operating XP SP3. The TV has HDMI connectors but the PCs do not. Here are the relevant parts of the TV's spec- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Display Format: 1080p (FullHD) Input Video Formats: 1080/24p, 1080/60i, 480/60p, 720/60p, 1080/50i, 720/50p, 576/50p, 1080/50p, 1080/60p, 480/60i, 576/50i Enhanced Refresh Rate: 100 Hz Motion Enhancement Technology: Intelligent Frame Creation Pro 24p Technology: 24p Smooth Film Video Interface: Component, composite, HDMI, SCART HDMI Ports Qty: 3 port(s) PC Interface: VGA (HD-15) HDCP Compatible: Yes Technology: TFT active matrix ( IPS ) Is DVI an option? Thanks.

17-09-2010, 11:06	#8
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	DVI and HDMI are electrically compatible. So all you need is a DVI to HDMI lead or adapter plug to interconnect the two.

17-09-2010, 11:09	#9
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	DVI would be on your PC, not the TV. Have look near the VGA connector, is there a rectangular, white connector with about 20 pin holes ? If you use this connector using a DVI to HDMI lead, this should automatically adjust the PC to 1920x1080. Note you will need to transfer audio seperately as DVI does not pass through audio. Other other is to install a cheap video adaptor in the PC. Around £25 will buy a PCI-E video card with HDMI output and HD acceleration. You then don't need to flaf around transmitting sound through a seperate cable either as HDMI will carry video and audio, Something like this, http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/256MB...-DVI-I-HDMI-LP

17-09-2010, 11:10	#10
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Sorry just to confirm, are you using laptops or desktop PC ?

17-09-2010, 11:19	#11
peterfoster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 717	Quote: Originally Posted by c4rv Sorry just to confirm, are you using laptops or desktop PC ? Laptops. A 3 year old Dell Vostro 1000 and a 6 year old Dell Inspiron 1300. Thanks.

17-09-2010, 11:56	#12
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	Acceptable inputs (Page 70) http://dlc.panasonic-europe-service....odel=TXL32S20B Unless the laptop is recent and near the top of the range it's unlikely that the graphics support 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz. The key here is the laptop spec which is not posted. If it's not got a 16:9 display it likely won't

17-09-2010, 12:16	#13
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Did a quick look on google, express 1150 is a rebranded Xpress 200m and from what I have seen max resolution is 1440x900.

17-09-2010, 12:26	#14
peterfoster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 717	The older machine is not 16:9 so I'm sure we can discount that. The Vostro has the following spec- Integrated ATI Radeon® Xpress 1150 HyperMemoryTM 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280x800) display Does this mean that in practical terms I'm not going to be able to hook the Pc and the TV up as I would like (i.e. to give an acceptable result.) Would it help if I upgraded the graphics card? Thanks.

17-09-2010, 12:31	#15
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Quote: Originally Posted by peterfoster The older machine is not 16:9 so I'm sure we can discount that. The Vostro has the following spec- Integrated ATI Radeon® Xpress 1150 HyperMemoryTM 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280x800) display Does this mean that in practical terms I'm not going to be able to hook the Pc and the TV up as I would like (i.e. to give an acceptable result.) Would it help if I upgraded the graphics card? Thanks. I am afriad so, its unlike either laptop is going to support 1920x1080. They will work on the TV, just not at full HD resolution. I am not sure if you will be able to upgrade the graphics, its usually a pain on laptops.

17-09-2010, 12:34	#16
peterfoster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 717	Ok, c4rv. I guess I'll just have to settle for running stuff from the PC to the TV via the SD card slot. Hopefully my ancient laptops won't present a barrier to this! Thanks.

17-09-2010, 12:58	#17
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	If you look at the acceptable resolutions in the link I specified setting the highest one your laptop supports and 60Hz (which is likely the default) it should work fine. Note on many laptops you have to press a fn key to use the external output. (look for a monitor picture on the FN keys) Generally FN F4 toggles laptop only, external output only, both

17-09-2010, 13:03	#18
peterfoster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 717	Thanks, grahamlthompson. I'll give a whirl this evening.

17-09-2010, 13:24	#19
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Quote: Originally Posted by peterfoster Ok, c4rv. I guess I'll just have to settle for running stuff from the PC to the TV via the SD card slot. Hopefully my ancient laptops won't present a barrier to this! Thanks. Are you trying to play back media files stored on your PC on your TV ? Another alternative to the laptop is get a media streamer, these are device that connect to your PC over network (wired or wireless) and allow you to play media files from your PC on your TV. These start as low as £30 and go up from there depending on which features you want.

17-09-2010, 13:42	#20
peterfoster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 717	Quote: Originally Posted by c4rv Are you trying to play back media files stored on your PC on your TV ? Another alternative to the laptop is get a media streamer, these are device that connect to your PC over network (wired or wireless) and allow you to play media files from your PC on your TV. These start as low as £30 and go up from there depending on which features you want. Yes. I was looking at media players but dropped the idea when I made the decision to buy a nice TV assuming, incorrectly, that I would be able to get where I wanted to go with this by hooking up the pc to the TV. If it doesn't work out this evening with grahamthompson's suggestion then I'll buy one. The wireless option would be a runner because my wife just hates the spaghetti. Would ii be a reasonably straightforward matter to stream wirelessly from the pc to the media player to the TV? Thanks.

17-09-2010, 14:28	#21
Soundbox Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The garden of earthly delights Posts: 4,509	I wish I could diplay on my TV. I have a Gateway laptop and this has an S-Video looalike socket but no signal comes out. I wish they supplied a simple composite socket for quick hook-ups.

17-09-2010, 21:52	#22
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: S.West England. Posts: 18,037	been through a few generations of this problem. The only good option is HDMI to HDMI. This has been plug n play for me. VGA to tv needed adjustments in the Windows software, and there are some issues with some software not supporting dual screen and defaulting to the pc screen everytime. Going back a few more years, S-Video and Composite quality from pc to tv were quite poor. I wouldnt bother at all with those methods. I undersatand from some DS posts in the recent past that some modern PCs with HDMI dont send the audio channels over HDMI, meaning you need to run another cord for audio feed. Luckily, my one does do audio over HDMI.

DS Forums

Displaying PC Display on TV

18-09-2010, 01:06	#23
LostFool Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 59,737	I use an old laptop connected to my TV to play back DIXV videos. Video connected by VGA, audio out goes to my surround sound. It's not perfect, the max resolution I can get is 1400 x 1050, but adequate enough. Soon I'm planning on replacing this with a proper HDMI media streamer (probably the WD TV Live box)

18-09-2010, 08:28	#24
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Quote: Originally Posted by peterfoster Yes. I was looking at media players but dropped the idea when I made the decision to buy a nice TV assuming, incorrectly, that I would be able to get where I wanted to go with this by hooking up the pc to the TV. If it doesn't work out this evening with grahamthompson's suggestion then I'll buy one. The wireless option would be a runner because my wife just hates the spaghetti. Would ii be a reasonably straightforward matter to stream wirelessly from the pc to the media player to the TV? Thanks. If you are hooking up a PC rather then a laptop, then I would get the £30 graphics card (assuming your TV has a PCI-E slot). It will solve the problems of display plus you get the benefits of everything that a PC can do. As for wireless streaming, setup is not that difficult depending on which streamer you get. Wireless G can cope with SD xvid, Wireless N would be fine with DVD rips but it may struggle with HD content. Some media streamers have HDD so you can copy the files locally and play from there, then wireless speed is not an issue. Also if you don't want cables everywhere, you can get homeplug for networking. Gives a more reliable connection then wireless, faster then wireless G and faster then N in some situations.

18-09-2010, 09:31	#25
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by David (2) been through a few generations of this problem. The only good option is HDMI to HDMI. This has been plug n play for me. It's entirely dependent on the specific PC and the specific TV - sometimes HDMI works best, sometimes VGA does, it's important to try BOTH and see which is best in your exact situation. Having access to loads of different sets, and a fair sprinkling of PC's (plus doing it for a number of different customers - including renting TV's out for the day for meetings) I've had a goodly amount of different options. I was setting a new PC up at work the other week, and so I used an old test TV (a Bush 16:10 27 inch, which I've used before) and I couldn't get it to work acceptably via either VGA or DVI. In the end I gave up and stuck a 32 inch W series Sony one instead - banged the VGA lead in, spot on immediately Yet on a computer I'd used previously, the Bush was perfectly fine, via both VGA and DVI.