Laptop > LCD TV Connection Help Request...

[William33 110]

Having some problems getting a Vista laptop to work with a Sony LCD HDTV.

I connected a 15 pin VGA cable and selected PC on the TV. On the Laptop, I selected "mirror display" for the external monitor, when prompted by Vista.

The TV indicates "no signal" on PC mode and I also checked all other inputs.

Any thoughts? Wrong cable...wrong resolution....wrong settings on Vista?

Any help is appreciated.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Is the tv set to the right aux port? (mine has 5 ports, AV1 to AV2)

[Niels Bohr 72]

Try decreasing the resolution of the VGA mirror display if there is a setting for it. For my laptop, I can set a different resolution setting for the output. The VGA out has a limit to resolution, if you output more than it can then you'll get black screen. Try like 800x600 or 1024x768.

Edited March 28, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[William33 110]

Is the tv set to the right aux port? (mine has 5 ports, AV1 to AV2)

Not sure what you mean...This TV has over 10 input ports..

[William33 110]

Try decreasing the resolution of the VGA mirror display if there is a setting for it. For my laptop, I can set a different resolution setting for the output. The VGA out has a limit to resolution, if you output more than it can then you'll get black screen. Try like 800x600 or 1024x768.

I will give the resolution setting a try. Perhaps I need a DVI or HDMI cable to eliminate the resolution problems?

[HAL 9000 96]

Try decreasing the resolution of the VGA mirror display if there is a setting for it. For my laptop, I can set a different resolution setting for the output. The VGA out has a limit to resolution, if you output more than it can then you'll get black screen. Try like 800x600 or 1024x768.

I will give the resolution setting a try. Perhaps I need a DVI or HDMI cable to eliminate the resolution problems?

Sounds like Dr Bohr is right. If you are input to TV on a DVI port or HDMI port, you need to make sure the cable is DVI or HDMI rated. I can't remember if the 15 pin VGA converts the PC output. At least Vista recognized it.

Check if the VGA cable is connected to the RGB (not AV) input on the TV. Then try the resolution trick, but it shouldn't be an issue if your laptop is widescreen in rez format.

[William33 110]

Try decreasing the resolution of the VGA mirror display if there is a setting for it. For my laptop, I can set a different resolution setting for the output. The VGA out has a limit to resolution, if you output more than it can then you'll get black screen. Try like 800x600 or 1024x768.

I will give the resolution setting a try. Perhaps I need a DVI or HDMI cable to eliminate the resolution problems?

Sounds like Dr Bohr is right. If you are input to TV on a DVI port or HDMI port, you need to make sure the cable is DVI or HDMI rated. I can't remember if the 15 pin VGA converts the PC output. At least Vista recognized it.

Check if the VGA cable is connected to the RGB (not AV) input on the TV. Then try the resolution trick, but it shouldn't be an issue if your laptop is widescreen in rez format.

The manual for the TV indicates a requirement for a HD15 cable, in this application. Is there a difference between HD15 and a 15 pin VGA cable? Given that we are talking about 15 pin male copper to 15 pin male copper on both ends, I cannot detect the difference. Thoughts?

Edited March 28, 2009 by William33

[Niels Bohr 72]

HD15 is "high density" 15-pin connector. You have the right cable. It has 3 rows.

Try using the 'FN' button you your laptop keyboard. Hold that button, and press the square box with an arrow pointing to a solid box. Use this instead of using the software control. This triggers the exclusive BIOS controls to enable the VGA output without any Windows controls.

[HAL 9000 96]

Try decreasing the resolution of the VGA mirror display if there is a setting for it. For my laptop, I can set a different resolution setting for the output. The VGA out has a limit to resolution, if you output more than it can then you'll get black screen. Try like 800x600 or 1024x768.

I will give the resolution setting a try. Perhaps I need a DVI or HDMI cable to eliminate the resolution problems?

Sounds like Dr Bohr is right. If you are input to TV on a DVI port or HDMI port, you need to make sure the cable is DVI or HDMI rated. I can't remember if the 15 pin VGA converts the PC output. At least Vista recognized it.

Check if the VGA cable is connected to the RGB (not AV) input on the TV. Then try the resolution trick, but it shouldn't be an issue if your laptop is widescreen in rez format.

The manual for the TV indicates a requirement for a HD15 cable, in this application. Is there a difference between HD15 and a 15 pin VGA cable? Given that we are talking about 15 pin male copper to 15 pin male copper on both ends, I cannot detect the difference. Thoughts?

You got it. Its the same cable. I think Dr Bohr just mentioned it and the XP-style way to do it. Hopefully Vista will allow you to trigger BIOS this way. Now you see why HAL 9000 does NOT run Vista.

Fn + F4 or Fn + F5 depending on your BIOS version and laptop manufacturer.

[William33 110]

Thanks guys, I will give that a go. If that procedure fails, I will go for the DVI or HDMI cables. Although, I am convinced that this will work. Results forthcoming tomorrow, as my wife is now upstairs using her laptop to watch Indonesian TV drama shows via youtube right now...

Thanks again!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Is the tv set to the right aux port? (mine has 5 ports, AV1 to AV2)

Not sure what you mean...This TV has over 10 input ports..

I mean you have to switch to tv to use that input, unless it automatically switches. But I see you said you switched it to PC.

Go into display properties if the key combos above do not work, and

right click on the desktop, click personalize, and go into display settings, depending on your vid card, you should be able to enable the second port out of your pc in advanced properties.

It does work - i hook my laptop up to the tv all the time, and I just use the vga connector.

Edited March 28, 2009 by Bobby_Umit

[NickD 203]

If you have a desktop monitor, would try that first to isolate the problem as to if it's your computer or your LCD. Have yet to connect my wife's new fangled notebook to our video projector, so far, hadn't had a reason to, what to watch a DVD? Son did that with his for playing video games, but when he did, had to go to my room to watch TV on a little 27".

[diadromous mermaid 36]

Having some problems getting a Vista laptop to work with a Sony LCD HDTV.

I connected a 15 pin VGA cable and selected PC on the TV. On the Laptop, I selected "mirror display" for the external monitor, when prompted by Vista.

The TV indicates "no signal" on PC mode and I also checked all other inputs.

Any thoughts? Wrong cable...wrong resolution....wrong settings on Vista?

Any help is appreciated.

RGA setting on TV?