best way to accomplish tv-out

[allen]

i want to watch movies played off my laptop onto a regular tv screen.

what are my options?

i know there are products on the internet offering vga to rca, vga to s-video, etc. etc., but, from what i can read they're all scams and don't work.

so, usb? pcmcia? vga? converting to rca preferable, but if not, then to s-video or dvi?

which i think can be converted to rca pretty easily maybe?
mac laptops come with some sort of dvi to s-video adapter and/or rca adapter

help?

[whizkid]

The vga-to-composite (or -to-S video) converters that go for $60 to $100 are not scams and work well and will not need drivers.

If your "regular" TV has a VGA input, you're set. If it has composite or s-video, one of those converters will do well.

If you get a USB or PCMCIA converter, that will need drivers and you may or may not get new drivers for your next OS.

[allen]

ok cool, yeah, i felt like the cheaper $15 and less cables were scams, or require a video card that has vga that supports composite out, from what i've read shopping.

i've tried to search myself, but, only really random websites offer the converters, any idea of a decent store? and/or decent model that's somewhat compact for travel?

thanks!!!

[eyecon82]

whatever you do, do NOT buy those vga--->s-video cables...they do not work...have this has been confirmed by many at NBR

not sure about the actual converters that are more expensive

[whizkid]

OK. Amazon has a couple. Enter "vga to tv" in the search bar and you'll see a few. The adapter cables for $3 only work with specific video cards which you don't have.

Somewhere around $50 to $100 will get you a nice unit, but it might not be useful for very long.

You might also consider upgrading your TV since if it only has a composite or s-video input it won't do HD. Get one with a VGA input, even if it's only a 17" screen.