Okay, techies. All I want to do is connect the laptop to the tv, so I can stream NetFlix without buying a Wii (or similar system.) It shouldn't be hard. The tv has standard A/V input, and my dvd player and PS2 are connected to it via an selector box which has standard A/V and S-video input and output. The laptop had VGA and S-video outlets.
Day one: After looking at adapters and such online, I decide I need a S-video to standard video adapter. I already have A/V cords to connect to the selector box. I have a gift card to Office Depot. They don't have em. Ran an errand to Target. They don't have em either.
Day two: Radio Shack doesn't have em either.
Day three: Check this place called "Micro Center," which is apparently the place to go (according to the Radio Shack guy.) Buy adapter.
Go home. Plug in adapter to S-video of laptop and standard audio cables into the headphone jack. But the adapter has a 4 pin S-video, and the laptop has a 7-pin S-video. And standard audio cables do not really fit in headphone jack. Decide that it's a failure, and give up. However, notice that selector has 4 pin S-video input.
Day four: Return adapter. Can't find a cord that has 7-pin S-video anywhere. Explain to employee. Employee googles and concludes that 4-pin should work with a 7-pin. Buy S-video cable. Also remember to buy cable that adapts headphone output to standard audio.
Go home to finally hook up system. Plug in audio, which works fine. Plug in S-video from laptop to selector box, which doesn't work at all. Spend several minutes on google and various help forums, to no avail. Google more and realize that selector box does not convert S-video to standard video on the whim of the user. Finally decide to just plug the stupid S-video straight into the TV... TV does not have S-video input.
So, really, the only way to get this thing connected is to go back and buy the adapter (which was returned earlier in the day,) and then use the adapter and standard video cable to connect laptop and selector box. Which is what I did yesterday, except I gave up prematurely due to the pin discrepancy. All I've got to say is, it better work this time...
Update (06-14-11) Everything works! Although I'm a little disappointed that NetFlix doesn't have all the shows I want available for direct streaming. Some, I'd have to order on dvd, which isn't nearly as gratifying.
Day one: After looking at adapters and such online, I decide I need a S-video to standard video adapter. I already have A/V cords to connect to the selector box. I have a gift card to Office Depot. They don't have em. Ran an errand to Target. They don't have em either.
Day two: Radio Shack doesn't have em either.
Day three: Check this place called "Micro Center," which is apparently the place to go (according to the Radio Shack guy.) Buy adapter.
Go home. Plug in adapter to S-video of laptop and standard audio cables into the headphone jack. But the adapter has a 4 pin S-video, and the laptop has a 7-pin S-video. And standard audio cables do not really fit in headphone jack. Decide that it's a failure, and give up. However, notice that selector has 4 pin S-video input.
Day four: Return adapter. Can't find a cord that has 7-pin S-video anywhere. Explain to employee. Employee googles and concludes that 4-pin should work with a 7-pin. Buy S-video cable. Also remember to buy cable that adapts headphone output to standard audio.
Go home to finally hook up system. Plug in audio, which works fine. Plug in S-video from laptop to selector box, which doesn't work at all. Spend several minutes on google and various help forums, to no avail. Google more and realize that selector box does not convert S-video to standard video on the whim of the user. Finally decide to just plug the stupid S-video straight into the TV... TV does not have S-video input.
So, really, the only way to get this thing connected is to go back and buy the adapter (which was returned earlier in the day,) and then use the adapter and standard video cable to connect laptop and selector box. Which is what I did yesterday, except I gave up prematurely due to the pin discrepancy. All I've got to say is, it better work this time...
Update (06-14-11) Everything works! Although I'm a little disappointed that NetFlix doesn't have all the shows I want available for direct streaming. Some, I'd have to order on dvd, which isn't nearly as gratifying.
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