best way to connect laptop to plasma?

LordSnailz

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Nov 2, 1999
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I'm thinking of hooking up one of my old laptop to using it to surf the web with the plasma. What's the best way to connect to the tv?

Without the docking station the only thing I have is a VGA cable, can I use VGA to DVI cable? I would then need a stereo cable for sound right? The only thing is that the manual states that the PC connection be on the HDMI side, would VGA to DVI then work?

Other option is to use my docking station which has a DVI out, then I would just need a DVI to HDMI cable. Would I still need the stereo cable for the sound?

 

montypythizzle

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Nov 12, 2006
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You would have to use your docking station.
The DVI adapters from VGA only output the analog signal, and have no HDCP.
Yes you will need the stereo cable for sound from the TV.
Are you sure you do not have a VGA in on your TV?
 

LordSnailz

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Nov 2, 1999
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What's HDCP? I'll double check I thought I read that it didn't. If it did have the VGA port, I would still need the stereo cable right? Also, if I did have the VGA port, would I still be better off going the DVI route? Either way, it seems like I'll need to get a stereo cable for sound.
 

Quasmo

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Jul 7, 2004
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VGA ports dont carry the HDCP (Hi-def Digital Content Protection) signal. It wont matter unless you're playing HD movies off your laptop.
 

montypythizzle

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I would go VGA if you have a VGA port available on your TV.
HDCP=High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection
AKA the man holding our nutsacks.
 

Syrch

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May 21, 2004
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really would depend on your tv. Mine has a VGA connection on the back but everyone recommends using an HDMI port. But there really shouldn't be anything wrong with going VGA. Are you going to be reading text on it? How far away are you going to be? What size screen is it?