Connect my laptop to my Tv - help!

[ronianna]

I want to connect my laptop to my tv so I can watch movies with audio, but don't know the best route to use. My laptop has a SVHS TV and a headphones out. The TV I have only has the options of Scart or Red,Wht,Yellow RCA connections in. What combination of cables / adaptors should I use? Do audio signals travel via SVHS or do I need to use the H/phones out as well? Anyone, please?

[tomd]

SVHS is a type of video tape, and not a connector. Assuming you mean S-Video, S-Video does not carry audio.

Dell laptops sometimes have a combined S-Video and audio plug, just with sockets for extra pins (see this image). However, a normal S-Video plug will work with this.

In either case you could use a cable like this.

[ronianna]

Thanks tomd, yes it's a Dell and yes I mean S-Video - ooups!

The little adaptor image you sent, is that a Dell part or a generic adaptor? Any idea's where I can get one from?

Thanks again for your help.

[tomd]

To be honest with you I'm not totally sure, I have a Dell laptop but it's too old to have a tv out, I just know about the things.

Firstly, make sure you laptop has the 7-pin s-video out, as if it's a normal s-video that adaptor's not going to fit.

Secondly, you're still going to need an second adaptor to link that breakout cable to your tv, and third, that only has outputs for mono sound.

If I was in your position I'd go with a 3.5mm stereo jack ('headphone' or 'minijack') + s-video to scart cable, as the pins in the dell adaptor are lined up to take a usual s-video as well, and that way you'd only have one cable, and stereo sound. In addition the official Dell part is likely to be expensive.

[tomd]

Had a further look and the 3 centre pins of the 7-pin S-Video connectors are not standard, so I couldn't say if they're audio or not, but as a rule of thumb the 4 outside pins match the 4 pins for standard S-Video, so a standard S-Video lead can be used instead.

http://www.svideo2rca.com/ stocks some appropriate cables, I'd recommend this one. Not looked if there's cheaper but the price seems reasonable, especially with the current exchange rate.  

[ronianna]

Thanks again tomd.

I agree this looked at your suggestion and it appears to be the best option (not bothered about cost within reason provided it works etc).

I'll order it up and let you know how I get on.

Thanks again.

[tomd]

Would definately be less than the official dell component from PC World or similar, you'd get it in one interconnect, and you'd have stereo sound. You might be able to get it within the UK, or if you you especially want a scart lead instead you'll be able to get one of those as well.