Cable links between computer and TV 

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There are many different cable connection options for linking your computer to the TV.  First, identify the connections provided on the computer and those on the television to see which options are possible for you.

You should also consider the level of quality that you need – showing films which you have downloaded to the computer needs more sophisticated kit than displaying family photos on the TV. 

As a guide:

• composite video connection delivers a poorer quality signal, but is ok for photos
  

• S(uper)-Video connection provides a good signal
  

• component video connection delivers the best signal
  

• DVI and HDMI offer High Definition quality

The PC to TV Convertor may give extra capabilities to a direct cable link (see option 8. below).

The new breed of slim line TV sets, whether LCD or plasma, allow transfer of High Definition signals from the computer (see High Definition Television).

Q: Does your computer have an Super-Video TV-out connector socket as shown below?

A: Yes? See options 1 - 4

A: No? Go to 5-7 below 

If your computer has an S-Video TV-out socket or an upgraded video card, these are the connect options:

1. Link the Super-Video output on the computer to the S-Video on the TV:

    Note: audio cables will be needed to provide the audio signals from the computer to the TV

     2.  Link the S-Video output on the computer to the composite RCA jack on the TV

Note: audio cables will be needed to provide the audio signals from the computer to the TV

3. Use the SCART socket on the television with a SCART adapter. Some SCART adapters give the option of using S-Video input or an RCA jack for the video signal.

 4. Purchase a computer-to-SCART cable which will plug into the video and audio outputs on the computer and a SCART socket on the TV.

If your computer does not have a TV-out socket, then these are other options:

5. Use the blue VGA (Video Graphics Array) connection on the computer to connect it with the component video adaptor (blue, green and red RCA sockets) on the TV.

Note: audio cables will be needed to provide the audio signals from the computer to the TV

6. Or use the VGA (Video Graphics Array) on the computer to connect with the S-Video socket on the TV, using the plug illustrated here: 

Note: audio cables will be needed to provide the audio signals from the computer to the TV

7. Or upgrade your video card to one with a TV output as shown below and return to (1) above:

8. The PC to TV Convertor may give extra options to direct cable links.

The Avermedia Keylite allows simultaneous display of PC and TV screens and provides for adjustment of brightness, sharpness etc of the TV picture. Powered by USB. Wide range of connections: S-Video or VGA to the PC; composite, S-Video and component for the TV.

Audio cables

Audio cables are necessary for many of these options. An audio splitter cable plugs into the headphone socket on the computer. The red and white RCA plugs fit into the TV.