Movie from laptop to TV question

[Blueface]

Multi media Computer illiterate needs help.
How can I play a movie I rent from iTunes that is on my laptop onto my TV?

[LooseCard]

It depends on your equipment.
What kind of TV? DVD player?

Basically, you have to connect your PC to the TV and use the TV as your monitor.

Easiest if you have a d-sub, DVI or HDMI connector.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by LooseCard

It depends on your equipment.
What kind of TV? DVD player?

Basically, you have to connect your PC to the TV and use the TV as your monitor.

Easiest if you have a d-sub, DVI or HDMI connector.

[tedrodgerscpa]

I'll agree with everyone that's posted in the thread.

If you have a 'high definition' television, that's going to be your easiest option. Use the video out connection from your laptop (3 rows of five holes) and connect directly in the back of your high def TV using the same connector. The connection cable is typically colored blue for the 'non-technical' types.

This cable will not carry sound, however. You can pick up an adapter from radio shack that will convert your headphone jack to a red/white jack. You can then plug that into the audio input on the television. Alternatively, if your laptop speakers are good, you can just listen through them.

Bottom line, we'd need to know a bit more about the tv you plan to watch the movie on, as well as the laptop you're using, in order to get the easiest display.

If you're NOT using a high definition television, things become more difficult and expensive, just FYI.

[Jbailey]

If it's an older laptop it might have an S-video port.

[Jbailey]

Also plug computer speakers to the laptop if you don't feel like running into to town to pick up a L/R audio to mini jack.

[Blueface]

Thanks guys.

I have a MacBook that is about 2 years old.

I was going to use it on either of two HD TVs.
One is an older model, projection. The other is a flat panel Samsung.
They have every possible input. So many, heck if I will ever know what they are for.

[jaymz]

photos of the outputs on your laptop, or just the laptop model would probably help

[tedrodgerscpa]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Thanks guys.

I have a MacBook that is about 2 years old.

I was going to use it on either of two HD TVs.
One is an older model, projection. The other is a flat panel Samsung.
They have every possible input. So many, heck if I will ever know what they are for.

The flat panel samsung will almost definitely have a 'monitor in' cable (the typical blue cable connection for most computer monitors). I'm a PC guy, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts the 'monitor out' cable will be on your macbook.

If you have a desktop somewhere in the house, just 'steal' the blue monitor cable, and you'll have your video straightened out almost immediately. All you'll have to do is select the correct video port using your TV remote, and you're gold for video.

Sound will still be a challenge, but using JBailey's suggestion will work.

The best connection will always be HDMI, but I wonder if your macbook has that port (only recently have computer makers started putting HDMI ports on laptops)

[Blueface]

Pulled out the box.
Here is what mine has.
Mini-DVI port for DVI, VGA, Composite and S video
Optical digital audio input/audio line in
Optical digital audio output/headphone out

[tedrodgerscpa]

http://www.entechtaiwan.com/images/dvicon.gif

There's your different types of video output. The 'Blue Cable' is VGA. The other mini-DVI cables are a bit harder to come by, as the technology is not supported as much anymore (at least, that's my opinion)

Composite video is the yellow jack. Sounds like that may be your 'cheapest' connection.

SVideo is a better connection than composite.

VGA and up will provide a highest-quality connection, but my guess is that the Itunes videos that you're renting are going to be lower than high definition, anyways. Just something to think about before you blow a big wad on cables.

Also, none of the video outputs you have listed will carry audio. You're still going to need to figure out a way to get the audio out into the television.

[JE3146]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Thanks guys.

I have a MacBook that is about 2 years old.

I was going to use it on either of two HD TVs.
One is an older model, projection. The other is a flat panel Samsung.
They have every possible input. So many, heck if I will ever know what they are for.

You'll need to purchase an expensive adapter. How convenient that Apple makes you do that huh?




In addition to what everyone else is saying. You're going to need 2 adapters. 1 for video. 1 for audio.

Audio is easy, as you can just get a 3.5mm stereo plug to RCA

Something like this.




The video, you're going to need the adapter to either VGA, DVI, or HDMI.. or since it's probably going to be a low resolution itunes video, an S-Video one would probably work too.

[replicant_argent]

I do netflix streaming to my upstairs flat panel from my macbook all the time, Carlos.
Works great.
I use the video output with the adapter that came with my macbook, yours probably did too, it is a mini dvi to VGA, most newer TVs have a vga port in back.
I also just take a 1/8" plug from the headphone port straight into the tv. Yours may or may not have this though. I can send you a pic if you would like.
If you have to buy the adapter, I think they run about 19 bucks.... (ripoff, but convenient)
This might also be a good option.
http://www.amazon.com/PTC-Mini-DVI-A.../dp/B001H0REVK

hmm...


http://discussions.apple.com/thread....75283&tstart=0

Maybe that is a Pro thing or a Samsung thing?

[s0leful0ne]

I have the same setup that Jordan (JE3146) and Ted (tedrogerscpa) outlined. I feed the audio directly into my receiever rather than to the TV, because my HDMI input doesnt have a separate input for audio.

If you're gonna feed audio directly to the TV you're gonna have to get this:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mini-dvi.../dp/B00011KHTW

and send the signal through s-video or composite video so that you can send audio into the same input on the TV.

[replicant_argent]

Originally Posted by s0leful0ne

I have the same setup that Jordan (JE3146) and Ted (tedrogerscpa) outlined. I feed the audio directly into my receiever rather than to the TV, because my HDMI input doesnt have a separate input for audio.

If you're gonna feed audio directly to the TV you're gonna have to get this:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mini-dvi.../dp/B00011KHTW

and send the signal through s-video or composite video so that you can send audio into the same input on the TV.

Not really, he can do it the way I do it.