I'd like some advice from DLP, because I'm not very familiar with even basic TV stuff. I want to play something I stream off of, say, Hulu or Netflix onto my TV.

My laptop has VGA and HDMI ports. My TV has got VGA, S-Video, and RCA. The TV cannot play both VGA and RCA audio at the same time.

Space is a concern (I'm balancing a 22-inch TV on top of a mini-fridge bolted to the floor in my dorm with nothing but a 3-foot drop and a wall around it). I've been told to just stick with the VGA connection and hook up speakers to the computer, but there's nowhere to stick the subwoofer, or laptop for that matter, considering that the cords on my speakers are so short.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to convert a digital signal via HDMI from my laptop into an analog signal that I can then connect to my TV with component cables. However, the closet I could find at my local electronics stores was a component input/HDMI output box thing, and I need it to go the other way around. Remotely similar products all turn up lukewarm reviews on Amazon, so I'm hesitant to buy them.

Also, please don't tell me to get a better TV.

Is it possible at all to do what I'm trying to do, using any combination of converter boxes and/or adapters?

Thanks in advance.

 

You might want to begin with posting in the right place.
That would be the support sub-forum by the way.

 

Couldn't you get a VGA -> RCA cable and a phono -> RCA audio cable and just use both simultaneously?

VGA -> RCA

Phono -> RCA

I assume your laptop has a headphone socket?

Something I'll point out is to make sure you've got the correct gendered connectors. VGA->RCA only seems to come with a female RC connectors. Most TVs will need a male connector, so you'll need a male to male lead as well.

Either way you've got to realise you're not going to be getting a good image out of it. It'll look weird because it's not an HDTV.

 

What NMB said.

HDMI was specifically designed to prevent this. HDMI is encrypted so that you can't change it to an analog signal. It is an anti-piracy measure which closes the so-called "analog hole". It's a pain in the ass for the rest of us though.

HDMI might be cracked, but if it is you'd have to search the internet for someone who sells HDMI-to-VGA conversion boxes or cables.

fake edit: Ah, here we go. HDFury seem to have a good reputation. The converter is small, but requires its own power source. Prices range from $99 to $249, depending on inputs, outputs, and other stuff I haven't looked into. It's so expensive because it's essentially a very tiny computer doing on-the-fly decrypting and re-encoding of your HDMI signal. It also converts and outputs the HDMI audio signal.

Make sure you get the correct one. You might be able to get away with the $99 one. I'm not sure. Read reviews and google for HD forum threads. You'll probably find that someone in China or HK is selling cheaper knockoffs.

fake edit 2: Well known HK merchant Deal Extreme had some sub-$50 HDMI-to-VGA converter boxes. I don't know how well they work, or even if they work at all. Do your research. Caveat emptor.

HDMI-to-VGA should look pretty good on a HDTV. It's certainly a lot better than crummy RCA.

 

except HDMI to VGA doesn't get him anywhere since the sound doesn't work with VGA. My suggestion: get better speakers or what enembee said.

 

His TV can't play VGA and RCA audio at the same time? Ugh.

And his laptop already has VGA out anyway... Jesus. This is what comes of replying to tech questions when I'm sick.

 

Ah yes! Of course you need the converter. It was stupid of me to forget since I've used one before lol.

 

Ah. My mistake. I've actually done exactly what I suggested in the past, but glancing through some pages on google it's apparently only possible if your graphics card has a TV Out setting for VGA.

This doesn't really change much except for replacing the VGA -> RCA with this.

Which is still his best option if he's resolute in not changing up his speaker configuration. However this ought to warrant some investigation. You say your speaker cables are too short but how exactly do they connect to the sub? Would it be possible to extend them?

 

You can use something like this

HDMI > Converter box > VGA > Computer

It transports audio as well as video.

EDIT: Shit, I thought that it was your TV that had HDMI. Sorry.

 

I was hoping it would be RCA audio, but VGA and RCA audio don't play at the same time. Currently, I'm using VGA on both ends for the visual (which, by the way, does work) and plugged in speakers to my laptop's 3.5mm headphone jack. This setup is fine at home, but not at school due to space concerns.

I'm okay with lousy quality, as long as I can still make out what's going on. My TV is a luxury; I don't need to see every single piece of debris in an explosion.

I'm willing to bet you're right in saying that my graphics card probably doesn't have TV out, because I'd previously considered VGA -> component and bought a similar cable to the one you linked at Fry's. It didn't work.

Thanks for the link to the converter box thing; I wasn't aware these things existed for analog input and output. I'll give it a shot.

The sub itself is a little large and has got a 3.5mm jack in the back that connects to the speakers themselves through a very, very short cord (I'd say less than a foot long). The sub also has a cord that I plug into my laptop's 3.5mm headphone jacks, and another wire to plug into the wall for power. It's rather messy.

I'm planning on putting my TV on top of my fridge, the surface of which is large enough for adding my laptop or sub/speakers, but not both. I suppose I could always try extending the cord between the sub and laptop, and just set the speakers on the floor.


My apologizes for being nitpicky. I'm a TV junkie, and this was supposed to be my treat to myself for getting into a decent professional school. I was looking forward to a final year of pampered couch potato'ing. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

I'm no expert on the inner workings of cables and converters and video cards, etc. so take this for what it's worth. BUT - before I spent $99 to $249 on a converter box - the purpose of which will essentially be "add a complicated step to the mix and oh yeah reduce the signal quality while you're at it" - I know if it were me, I'd look into investing that money in a TV that actually has HDMI or S-video input.

I know you said don't suggest that, but I'll bet you that craigslist, the local classifieds or, better yet, your campus university center will have For Sale flyers or posted ads where you could pick up a good quality used TV with at minimum an S-video input. There's bound to be a few other students strapped for cash and ready to part with a decent TV for some beer and/or date money, especially if you only need a smallish 22" +/- screen.

That's my opinion, and I'd look into that simple step long before trying to string together a jury-rigged band-aid solution like a converter. Occam's Razor and all that.

Good luck.

 

The solution to all your problems?

 

It looks like there are 3 options:

1) Buy a new TV.

2) Buy a VGA -> RCA video connector as well as a 3.5mm headphone -> RCA audio connecter and connect everything to your TV through RCA.

3) Get new speakers that are better suited for your living situation and stick with pure VGA for just video.