Depends on the laptop. The easiest case is when the laptop has either a composite video out or an S video out. In that situation it is just plug and go. All you need is the cable. If you've got an S video port and need composite, you'll need an adapter. If all you have is vga out, you'll need a suitable converter(search for "vga scan converter" if memory serves). If you have a DVI out matters depend on your TV. If you have a rather nice TV it is again just plug and go. Otherwise, you had better hope that your DVI out is one of those with an included analog signal (DVI-A if I remember correctly) so that you can use the vga converter as above. In short, we need more details.