Laptop 2 tv (Please Help)

I dont know if this info is needed but i will say it anyway. I have a gateway laptop with vista and iam trying to hook it to my tv. Now my laptop doesnt have svideo. So i would need a vga (think thats what its called) to av adapter or vga to s video adapter. Ive looked around and no one has anything like that. If anyone has any info on where to get one or how to make one (im up for a challenge) it would be much appreciated. Thnx


P.S. if this is in the wrong topic please move it. wasnt sure where to put it. thnx

 

What kind of video outputs does the laptop have? If it only has the VGA out to a monitor, then you will need a scan convertor since VGA-to-TV/VGA-to-S-Video adapters will output a frequency that will be improper for(and may even damage!) your TV.

 

yea its only vga. How much does the cheapest box cost? And would a graphics card be cheaper i have a gateway ml3109 series. thnx

 

Graphics card would be the best route. Scan converters are a headache to set up, and good one can get pricey. I built a mame arcade cabinet and was going to get a scan converter, but instead did a specialized card made for the proper frequency, so I didn't have to mess around with it. What do you plan on doing on your PC that you want on your TV monitor?

 

Pc games, movies and stuff. But if i got a graphics card can i install it myself or are laptop graphics cards a chip on the motherboard? How much do they run for a decent one with s video? And is there a way i can keep my old one and switch back to it if i want? thnx

 

Laptop graphics are typically integrated into the motherboard. A desktop video card with s-video out will do regular DVD movies quite nicely on a TV. Games, applications, and Hi-Def movies will not look so great without a HDTV and higher powered (and higher priced ) video card. If you're going HD for PC to TV, you need HDMI or DVI I/O for best results.

 

But how would i add an s video port? wouldnt i have to cut out a hole in my laptop?

 

You won't be able to do it on your laptop. The method I'm describing is only for a Desktop. Laptops typically have everything as part of the motherboard. You're kinda stuck with what the manufacturer gives you unless you can get external peripherals.