hdmi?

[koster]

We're buying a flat screen wall-mounted TV, and want to connect a laptop to it.

The specifications for it say it has an HDMI connection. What is this? Do only new computers have HDMI?

[Ethel]

High Definition Multimedia Interface - it allows High Definition dvds and television broadcasts to be displayed in high definition.

Some newer laptops have a HDmi connection - but even if yours doesn't you should still be able to connect it. The tv will play in non-hdmi format

[Big Maggot]

To connect a laptop (or any PC) to a flat screen TV use the VGA connections, the same as you would connect a PC monitor.
Most new TVs are now fitted with VGA sockets.
You will need to buy a VGA lead although look carefully at the gender of the sockets on both the laptop & TV (holes or pins) & purchase the appropriate connecting lead.
When using the VGA input the screen size & format is automatically adjusted for computer display.

[koster]

We were looking at the LG 42LY95 42" HD Ready 1080p Digital LCD TV which only has HDMI connectivity. It is listed on the Curry's website as:
2 x HDMI digital connectivity

Other TVs are listed with, for example:
Inputs - 2xHDMI, 2xSCART, 1xComponent, 1xPC

This presumably means that the LG 42LY95 could ONLY be connected to a computer with an HDMI output. The HDMI plug is physically different to a USB plug, even though it looks quite similar.

When I looked in Curry's, only one of the laptops they had in store had an HDMI output.