Laptop as a dvd player input into TV (S-video)

Norman

Hello,

My dvd player just bombed out on me and I am deciding whether or not to buy a new dvd player or to set up my laptop to be able to play dvds on my tv.

I have a Sony KD32FS130 32" FD Trinitron WEGA Television for your reference.

The problem is that my dell notebook only has S-video outputs. I know nothing about the S-video format versus the component output that my old dvd player has. Would it even be worth it to use the S-video?

Anyone who can offer me some insight into this, please do.
Thanks,
Norm

NateTG

You should have little trouble getting the S-Video feed to your TV.

neurocomp2003

a 5-10feet S-video Cable cost 50$ CDN 4 years ago....hopefully it will cost less now.

Norman

I guess I did not phrase my question very well.

Is the S-video comparable to component video connections and is it worth it to use for DVD quality video? Or is a traditional DVD player better?

From this site it seems that component is the way to go and that I should forget about the S-video from my laptop and just get a new dvd player. Anyone have an opinion? Or can offer some insight?

z-component

If all you need to buy is an s-video cable (assuming your TV has an s-video in port) then your laptop could easily serve as an entire DVD player, with the exception of a remote. The quality of video over s-video, I noticed, is good.

The only problem is you have to remember, s-video only carries video, and no sound. If you want the sound to come out of the TV as well as the video, you'll need to buy an adapter that goes from your computer's audio/headphone jack to two RCA (red and white) cables to plug into your TV. If your TV doesn't have RCA ports or an s-video in port, you'd have to hook up a VCR or switch box to the TV first, which isn't really worth it in your case.

russ_watters

I've done this before due to necessity, but the loss of surround sound is a dealbreaker for me (unless your laptop has outputs for it, which would surprise me).

Norman

Well I don't have surround sound as it is, so no loss there. It sounds like S-video will work fine so I suppose I can save myself a little money and just do this. I found a cord to set up the sound with, no big deal there.

Thanks everyone for the input. I really appreciate it. I already checked and the TV has all the proper inputs needed. It has about 4 sets of component inputs, plus the S-video input. I also considered trying to get a converter for VGA to component but those seem a little more expensive.

Once again thanks all.
Cheers.

Pengwuino

Isn't RCA and Component two different things?

Boy i have a 25 foot cable thats awesome for what I do (which is exactly what the OP wants to do except with RCA). It has 2 audio RCA and an SVideo cable. Both hook right up to my TV (actually i have a dvd player so i route through that) and kapow, computer on the tv. I wish i knew how i could compare svideo to rca however.

NoTime

RCA is the type of connector.

You have 4 different types of video.

Composit Video
This has a max bandwidth of 3.5 mhz, usually somewhat less, due to the comb filter.

S-Video
Component Video
These are much the same with the olny difference being that the color info is put on one cable for s-video and two for component.
More of a sales tactic than a technical benefit as bandwidth limits are about the same.

RGB Video
Potentially unlimited bandwidth.

All of these use RCA connectors (just like audio) except for s-video which has its own connector, although you will also see BNC connetors in use for RGB.

guy_mu1

Hey, where did you get the S-video which transfers both audio and video signals?

Evo

I can play DVD's on my computer either with Real Player or (my preference) Intervideo WinDVD. It plays DVD''s better than when I play them on my tv. And it's free.

russ_watters

S-video, as the name implies, is video only.

The sound output on every laptop I have ever seen is a 1/8" stereo headphones jack. To get that to a tv, you use an adapter to convert it to RCA stereo.

Integral

Wear and tear on a $1k laptop vs a $50 DVD player

bjincs002

My Laptop (HP Pavilion dv6000) has an S-Video out port. I have all the needed cables and adapters to go from that port to my TV (I have an adapter that switches S-Video to Component Video). However, what do I do to get the video to transfer? When I connect the cables, I don't get any signal on the TV. I looked at the help files on my computer and did some research, but I am still stuck. Any help would be appreciated.

Norman

You have to tell your comp to send the video out through the externel port not to the internal screen. It differs from comp to comp but usually there is a button on the keyboard.

bjincs002

Yeah, there is a button, but when I press it...nothing. It pops up a little window with a picture of a laptop with an arrow pointing to a second laptop. But nothing else happens, no matter how many times i press it.

MeJennifer

It is not correct to say that component has no benefit over s-video.

Also note that DVDs are encoded in component format.


The best connection is DVI or HDMI since there is no signal loss in the cable.