Karaoke Forums

I have an older laptop with XP that I would like to put Sax & Dotties and use it to run my karaoke shows. Unfortunately, it does not have an S-Video output, only a VGA?

How would I use the VGA to connect to my standard 13" TV? Will the quality be the same?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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---wallyd

http://sewelldirect.com/pc-to-tv.asp

It's an inexpensive way to do it. I bought one once for a laptop with the same problem as what you have. It did work, but had to make sure the resolution on the 2nd screen was right. But the little unit stopped working after about 2 months of use. Dunno if I just got a dud or what, but still they DO work. There are several brands out there that do the exact same thing. All I did was plug it into the computer VGA output and the other end into a RF modulator, and then from the modulator to the tv.. really simple.

Scott

Why did you have to use a RF Modulator in addition to the device you linked too?
Did the TV(s) not have rca or s-vid inputs?

I use the exact device that twansenne linked to (virtually the same product as MrScott's link). VGA from laptop to device and rca out from device to tv. So far have not had any issues.

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

Simply because I chose to. I also had a player hooked up to the RF modulator, and used it simply as a switch between channels. It also makes it easier to run just an RCA cable to the tv from the modulator. The modulator is more stable from cords being bumped. Sure, its not necessary, you could just simply run the video cable from the little unit directly to the tv if that is all you are doing.

Ahh, ok, I was going to go there but didn't. Now I understand.

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

just curious... instead of investing in a converter why not buy a cheap 15" inch computer monitor and hook up VGA to VGA and send the output from the laptop to the computer monitor... better quality and much easier... Not real computer literate but am I missing a down side to this type of setup?

That is fine if you just run to 1 singers monitor (your 15" computer monitor) or even to split the signal out to bar TVs that have vga input, but not all bars have TVs with vga input or you might have a combination of any type of input (s-video, rca, coax or vga) Otherwise to answer your last question, No there is no down side to that if that is all you are going to run to (1 monitor, vga to vga)

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

I do both. I have a unit that breaks out S-Video for the house TV's, but passes VGA to my lyric screen which is simply a 17" computer monitor. It is light years easier than lugging around an obsolete TV, not to mention much better looking.

I break my S-Video into an RF coax converter to a splitter for the tv's in the bar.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I have to agree. Get a flat screen LCD monitor. Your customers will love you for it. The difference in picture quality is worth it. No more eyestrain, just crystal clear graphics. Alot more professional than a TV.

yeah...you can even find old picture tube monitors for 10 - 20 bucks with a vga on them....CHEAP! if that is what you are looking for.

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[glow=red]Yo sucka, we need this hea CHOPTER, and we need it now![/glow]

I just got a new computer without s-video, and did exactly this. It's easy and versatile, and looks great. LCD monitors are getting cheaper every day, and they look worlds better than a CRT tv.

I need one of these for my other laptop. The only issue I see is that it is powered by usb, which is great...except I only have (3) and they're already used, I'd prefer not to use a hub, but don't see any other choice.

MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Well, you could always spend another $10 and get one of these--> http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travelpower/9124/

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

Those are very cool. I have one, and I use it to charge my MP3 player. It will charge it while in use, while the regular USB cable will not. If you have a device that uses USB only for power, it's a great way to go.

I thought about it and I have decided to just run perminate HDMI at all my bars. THe one bar that I use a projector I will just use a 30 foot vga cable.

Monoprice.com has great deals on these vga converters as well as all needed cables.

Liquid,

I was just checking and am thinking this is the way to go. Only both of my Laptop don't have HDMI, either! Ugggggh....definately the way of the future!

MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

My last notebooks were due for replacement. I upgraded to add more to my shows are far as video, texting and advertising. Fortunatly all my bars have HD tv's with HDMI inputs. I simply just ran perminate cable in all my locations.

The converters will work, sometimes they don't look very good but they work. My projectors have VGA on them so I can run them vga and they work just fine.

The thing that needs to be addressed is that these older pcs with olny vga out don't have any dedicated video ram. Without dedicated video ram they will run not very well when using a second display.