Hello all, I have a Panasonic TH42-PZ85U and I want to use it as a monitor for my laptop. Is the best way to do this just to connect the two with VGA? I'm just concerned with 2 things. 1) I want the whole TV to be used, not just have the same size picture just on a nicer screen (I read something about DVI here but don't know much about it) and 2) Is there a way to stream 5.1 sound or no way? Thanks a bunch.
Highly dependent on T.V and laptop There are various ports on a modern laptop that you can buy a lead from your local electronics store to connect to a PC, the picture quality is entirely dependent on your laptop's graphic's card and it's capabilities, chances are it won't be HD and therefore will not be the same quality as your used too... As regards to the sound system, a normal audio jack to jack will connect it, and your TV should in actual fact translate the sound and play it as Dolby 5.1, however, again dependent on TV If I were you, I would forget about it because the quality will not be what you expect and the audio won't be amazing, but if you really want to, just head on down to PCworld and buy a VGA cable or there is indeed other alternatives, infact, there is a whole isle dedicated to this sort of thing...
The simplistic video connection will be VGA if the TV has a VGA input and the resolution you have the laptop already set at should display but check the TV manual to see what resolutions it accepts over VGA. I have found VGA to be Very good for general PC work but better quality for watching Video is achieved over DVI. The laptop will need a DVI output and the TV will either have DVI or HDMI input. (DVI to HDMI cables are easy to find). Sometimes getting the resolution right over DVI or HDMI can be a little trickier. You will need to experiment. Regarding audio, you most likely just have a 3.5mm stereo output jack on the laptop and could have a number of connection options on the TV for audio input, the most porobable being either a 3.5mm stereo jack input or Left and Right RCA connections. This will enable analogue stereo sound to pass from the laptop to the TV. You will not be listening in Dolby Digital 5.1
Actually if you have the correct setup i.e. with HDMI like I have from my laptop to my TV you WILL be listening in Dolby Digital because I am right now so...
O.K xsketchx Yes you have DD over HDMI but unless the TV has 5 speakers & a SUB your listening to a downmix of DD 5.1 to DD 2.0 (Digital Stereo). I'm sure your advice is valued by the m0use.
