Laptop to LCD TV via VGA/HDMI

skizzy · 29 Mar 2011

I have a Toshiba Laptop with the following graphic card properties:

Intel® HD Graphics (Core i3)

Report Date: 3/29/2011
Report Time[hr:mm:ss]: 21:53:25
Driver Version: 8.15.10.2086
Operating System: Windows 7 Service Pack 1(6.1.7601)
Default Language: English (United States)
DirectX* Version: 10.0
Physical Memory: 3893 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 32 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 1696 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 53 MB
Processor: Intel64 Family 6 Model 37 Stepping 5
Processor Speed: 2394 MHz
Vendor ID: 8086
Device ID: 0046
Device Revision: 02

* Accelerator Information *

Accelerator in Use: Intel(R) HD Graphics
Video BIOS: 1994.0
Current Graphics Mode: 1366 by 768

I am trying to do video out (via VGA) to my tv using a VGA to HMDI cable. I am not getting anything to my tv even after attempting to switch monitors (FN F5) and trying all sorts of display property settings. My concern has reached the stage of wondering if my laptop/video card can even perform this function!?!? I have updated everything I can but still cant make it work.

Any suggerstions?

severedsolo · 30 Mar 2011

HI Skizzy, welcome to the forums.

I suspect that your problems stem from the fact that VGA and HDMI use two completely different signal types. In fact I wasn't even aware it was possible, I was having this conversation with a friend the other day, and the conclusion we came to was that it probably wouldn't work, because VGA is analogue, and HDMI is digital.

If you have a HDMI slot on the laptop, then try a HDMI cable, failing that, a VGA>Scart Cable should work fine, as both are analogue,

Hope it helps.

skizzy · 30 Mar 2011

Thanks...as unfortunate it may be.
I wonder why Newegg and Amazon and many other electronic retailers sell those cables then (15-pin VGA to HDMI). Very odd, but I see your point. Unfortunately my laptop doesnt have a HDMI out or I would surely use that. I only have a USB, VGA, and USB port on my laptop.

So much for using my laptop as a video player.....gah!

severedsolo · 30 Mar 2011

Im not saying that is necessarily the case, someone else may be able to give you more information, but that is certainly my "educated guess" if you will.

Does your TV not have a Scart socket? Can you not use a VGA to Scart Adapter?

skizzy · 30 Mar 2011

Not sure what a Scart adapter is. My TV has (3) HDMI ports, AV, S-video, YPbPr, and VGA port. I cant say anything about those ports since I dont have cable/adapters for those....yet. I have my Wii, Sony Receiver, Cable box, and DVD/Blue Ray hooked up through some of those.