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77 Posts
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December 31st, 2008 02:00
VGA output
Does the 15 pin VGA socket on the Inspiron 1501 support TV output?
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husky0894
1.6K Posts
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December 31st, 2008 06:00
You'll need an RF modulator of some sort - exactly what will be dictated by the type of inputs on your television set.
Here's one example of what you'll need:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817707113
Rod Stocker
77 Posts
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December 31st, 2008 08:00
Thanks husky0894 for the info and link. However, I'm trying to avoid buying a "convertor" box. I can buy these from Maplins at £40 but it seems to me that you ought to be able to just use a cable. Several companies sell such cables (VGA one end and either S-video or composite at the other) and users have reported that it works. However, the two suppliers that I have contacted both say that you need to ensure that the VGA socket is capable of TV output. Hence my question on this forum.
husky0894
1.6K Posts
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December 31st, 2008 10:00
It's not designed for that, no - you do need the RF modulator box.
Rod Stocker
77 Posts
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January 7th, 2009 04:00
Thanks husky0894. So, do you know why companies sell an adaptor cable with VGA at one end (to connect to the computer) and either S-video or compsite, at the other end, to connect to a TV?
Rod Stocker
77 Posts
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January 23rd, 2009 03:00
Having done some checking on this subject I have found that the Inspiron 1501 is fitted with the ATI video card Radeon Xpress 1150. Having checked the ATI web site it confirms that this card supports external displays (including TV) and that there is an integrated TV encoder with on-chip DAC though simultaneous output to TV and CRT is not supported. Having now bought the VGA to TV (either S-video or composite) cable I have connected it and pressed to switch the display but the system reports "no monitor connected". Does anyone have any clues please how to solve this problem?
TheRealFireblad
4.6K Posts
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January 25th, 2009 11:00
Is it set to use the TV is the graphics options?
Open the display options, and click on the video card's TV (/Output Device) tab.
Click Settings --> Advanced --> TV (/Output Device), and choose 'Enable output to TV'.
Different brands of video cards may have slightly different wording of course - i.e. 'Output Device/TV'.
Rod Stocker
77 Posts
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January 26th, 2009 01:00
Thanks TheRealFireBlade for your help; it's really appreciated. Unfortunately, when I go into the advanced settings I do not get the TV output option shown on any tabs. I have tabs for General, Adapter, Monitor, Troubleshoot, Color Management and Catalyst (R) Control Centre. I am using the multiple monitors driver from ATI (version 8.31.0.0). The adapter is ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 with BIOS BK-ATI VER008.0501.058.002.
I checked the ATI web site where it states that TV output is supported and even downloaded the latest BIOS and multiple monitor drivers. I asked the question on the ATI support Forum but they referred me back to Dell.
Any other suggestions would be most welcome.
Rod Stocker
77 Posts
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January 26th, 2009 04:00
Thanks TheRealFireBlade. Your help is much appreciated. I didn't know about the CCC before. Anyway, I went in and checked the Advanced settings.
Under Display Manager it shows the Main Display but no 2nd display. When I click "detect displays" and I have the laptop connected to the TV and the TV set to the correct AV input channel, there is a momentary flash on the TV indicating some signal. (This obviously doesn't happen if the AV input channel is set to anything other than the one to which the laptop is connected).
Under Display option there is a section entitled "Display Management Option". This has a title saying "if my TV is not detected" and underneath "Force TV detection". However "Force TV detection" is greyed out!
Any further ideas please?
TheRealFireblad
4.6K Posts
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January 26th, 2009 04:00
There's no such option(s) in the CCC (Catalyst Control Centre) either?