How can I connect my 42' to my Desktop?

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Finch

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#68960 30-Sep-2010 15:54

Hi there I want to connect my PC up to my TV so I can watch movies on a larger screen. I am a complete beginner at this. I started by doing what I thought was right, it didnt work, so I checked online and some people are just doing what I was doing.

I have a brand new Panasonic 42" Tv, This one

http://www.panasonic.co.nz/viera/plasma/th-p42u20z.html

I have tried a couple of methods

1: Through a HDMI Cable, I hooked up my Monitor to my TV - No Success. I chooce HDMI 1/2/3 and also PC Mode - but just a black screen.

2: Through VGA, I hooked up my Monitor to my TV - No Success (And Monitor didnt work). By Monitor not working I mean it was just flashing colours because the VGA cable wasnt connected up to the Hard Drive of my PC

What do I need to do? Do I need any other cables? Im a complete beginner at this, dont know anything.

Thanks in advance

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BitSignal

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#386380 30-Sep-2010 16:14

You need to connect your TV to your computer, not your monitor.

That way, you're only connecting to display devices together, when you actually need the video source to be connected for any video to come through.

If your computer has a spare VGA or HDMI port, then use that to hook into your TV.

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Finch

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#386387 30-Sep-2010 16:25

Hi thanks for the reply. I only have 1 HDMI Slot, and thats on my monitor - which as you have just said isnt what I need. So my Computer doesnt have one. I have a VGA Slot - but that is connected to my Monitor, so no I dont have a spare. I have just noticed a DVI Slot on my Computer. Currently I dont have a DVI Cable however though.

On my TV I have a VGA Slot and also 3 HDMI Slots.

Finch

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#386401 30-Sep-2010 17:00

So I have a DVI Slot on my Computer, could I use this? Connect the DVI Slot to my Computer, and then put the HDMI into my TV?

tr3v

234 posts

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#386425 30-Sep-2010 18:36

M_I_C_H_A_E_L: So I have a DVI Slot on my Computer, could I use this? Connect the DVI Slot to my Computer, and then put the HDMI into my TV?

Yes. That's how I have mine connected.

Nety

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#386440 30-Sep-2010 18:57

M_I_C_H_A_E_L: So I have a DVI Slot on my Computer, could I use this? Connect the DVI Slot to my Computer, and then put the HDMI into my TV?

OK just to confirm as I am not sure what you mean by "slot". You are best to purchase a DVI to HDMI cable. Something like

http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4ca425fa0199706c273fc0a87f3b0718/Product/View/XH9595

Then connect the DVI plug on the cable to the DVI port on your computer (hard drive as you call it) the other end of the cable connects to your TV via one of the HDMI ports.
Depending on you computer you may or may not at that point also get sound through the TV but we can cross that bridge when you get to it.

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Finch

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#386470 30-Sep-2010 19:36

Thanks Nety. Ill buy one of those when I next hop into town. Thanks for all the help everybody :)

Finch

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#386545 30-Sep-2010 23:51

Hang on I just thought of something. Im most likely going into town tomorrow to buy a cable, if the sound doesnt work, does that mean I will need another cable? or is it just some settings I will need to change on my PC/TV?

Reason I ask is because I dont want to make two seperate trips into town. Might aswell buy both (if a cable is needed for sound) while im there.

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Nety

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#386637 1-Oct-2010 09:56

Is your PC a name brand? If so if you can tell us what model it is then should be able to tell you if it will output sound over the dvi connection.

Finch

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#386668 1-Oct-2010 10:58

Nety: Is your PC a name brand? If so if you can tell us what model it is then should be able to tell you if it will output sound over the dvi connection.

Its an HP

http://www.priceme.co.nz/HP-Pavilion-p6030a-Intel-E5200-2GB-500-Vis-HM-Prem/p-882761737.aspx

Finch

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Uber Geek

#386792 1-Oct-2010 15:25

I have now bought the DV-HDMI Cable. I have the DVI plugged into my computer and the HDMI into the TV. Im still seeing a blank screen.

What do I need to change?

Finch

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#386799 1-Oct-2010 15:45

Changed the Resolution to 1920 x 1080 and i got picture. But yes no sound from the TV. What do I need to do to get sound?

Thanks

Dunnersfella

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#386894 1-Oct-2010 19:34

What sound ouputs does your PC have exactly?
Or in other words, where do you plug speakers in on your computer?

sbiddle

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#386902 1-Oct-2010 20:04

You can't get sound from a DVI -> HDMI cable as the DVI output doesn't support audio.

You'll need to run another audio cable into the TV or buy a video card that has native HDMI out and supports audio.

gummick

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Wannabe Geek

#387360 3-Oct-2010 12:06

M_I_C_H_A_E_L: Changed the Resolution to 1920 x 1080 and i got picture. But yes no sound from the TV. What do I need to do to get sound?

Thanks

Have a read through your TV's manual, it'll tell you which audio ports to use when connecting via a HDMI/DVI conversion. I couldn't find the manual online otherwise I'd be able to tell you exactly what cable you needed.

It'll either be this:
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4ca7b622041c3ab82742c0a87f3b06d0/Product/View/C1240

or this:
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4ca7b622041c3ab82742c0a87f3b06d0/Product/View/C1158

Based on the manual for the US TC-P42U2 you'll need the first cable, but I'd double check your own manual before buying either.

Nety

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#387533 4-Oct-2010 08:19

sbiddle: You can't get sound from a DVI -> HDMI cable as the DVI output doesn't support audio.

You'll need to run another audio cable into the TV or buy a video card that has native HDMI out and supports audio.

DVI can output sound. Only SPDIF but still can output sound. Depends on the video card though and normally requires a SPDIF header that you can connect to the video card.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

Look under DVI to HDMI heading.

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