Options for using TV as Monitor

By: Myk OLeary

Category: Opinion > Other

Read the article on Judy’s Book.

There are a couple ways to do this:
1) a VGA to RCA converter (they have a special name that is totally escaping me right now…) They work like those old pong style video game converters, but take a VGA monitor cable as input.

2) S Video works as well if you have a computer with S Video output and a TV/VCR with S Video input. A lot of PC laptops have this now a days. You should be able to find a custom video card that has it if you have a desktop. Just look for S Video out.

3) DVI is the best way. Unfortunately, most TVs with DVI input are plasma TVs. If you have one, you’re in luck! The video cards with DVI out are not standard (unless you’re MAC users like us… so again, you may have to buy a custom card.

The VGA converters are not a good option, they blow out fast and frequently and when they do work long enough, the resolution is for crap. I went through three with my old laptop before I gave up on the idea.

I have used S Video once and the resolution looked much better, although it could still use some work. It’s a very cable option, especially if your video card already has an S Video out.

The DVI out from our MAC to our plasma was a site to behold. If you can swing it, I’d go that way, but S Video works well.

After you get it hooked up, don’t forget to look for a good wireless mouse and keyboard. No sense sitting so close once you get this going.

I’d suggest a RF or Bluetooth based set and to NOT go for the IR wireless. The required line of site and diminished distance are not nearly as good…