I have a 42 in plasma Akai that I'm converting to VGA, computer and I have connected all of it even test the connections with another monitor and when I put it on the tv it would not work. I went into the menu put in VGA and it still will not work help please I'm not a computer wizz Rachel

Most TVs will have HDMI and RCA component and composite jacks. Some TVs will also have a VGA port. Your laptop will have a VGA port. (If the laptop is fairly new, it may also have an HDMI port.)

Not all TVs will support an HDMI signal from a computer, so the VGA signal is often better. However, that limits you to SD (anything with HDCP will fail.)

Very few TVs ship with the HDMI or component cables. However, there are some vendors who do package the HDMI cable with their TV. Without knowing which exact model of TV and laptop, I can only make a few suggestions. I know that the TCP42ST30 (Plasma 42") doesn't have a VGA port.

Look at your laptop for any external monitor port. VGA ports are generally blue female ports with 15 holes (D-Sub). If your TV has a matching VGA port, get a standard VGA monitor cable.

If you have the VGA port on the laptop but not on the TV, you can try a converting from VGA to HDMI. (You may need a DVI to VGA adapter and either a DVI to HDMI cable or a DVI to HDMI adapter.) Note: this gives an analog signal (RGB format) to the TV. You'll also need to make sure that your VGA port is active (in the BIOS for some computers) and then set your computer to send the signal to the external monitor. It is best to turn off both the computer and the TV before connecting the two. Then turn on the TV and set it to the correct input before turning on the computer. (In Windows 7, I set the video signal for the external monitor by right clicking on the desktop and selecting Graphics Properties. Set the signal to the external monitor and click Apply. Then click OK (in the external monitor's screen).)

If this doesn't work, you need a VGA to component video converter. (Not a VGA to component video cable - those are for projectors that read the RGB signal.) See http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/video-converters/vga-rgb-hv-to-component-video/c10000-c11200-c11215-p1.html .

Some laptops come with an HDMI, mini-HDMI or a DisplayPort option. For the latter two, you will need the appropriate cable with that end and the HDMI connector on the other. Then connect the TV and the computer as described above. (Note: my TVs accept a computer signal at the HDMI port labeled HDMI/DVI. However, you need to make sure that your TV understands this signal. It isn't the same format as that from a set-top box. My laptop has VGA and HDMI out; the desktops have VGA, DVI and HDMI (on one).)

If you add a comment with the model of your TV and laptop, I'll be glad to give you more specific options to connect the TV and the computer.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(A DVI port is a digital video out option with ~21 pins and is usually white.)

Check Amazon.com for this: "Mygica SuperColor HD TV Box Video Converter Box."
http://www.amazon.com/Mygica-SuperColor-Converter-Definition-Standalone/dp/B000XY6N5Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1299386711&sr=8-4
that converter box is precisely what you need.

On the MacBook, check the Displays pane in System Preferences to make sure the settings for the external monitor are correct. It's possible that the system is not recognizing the adapter or it has the wrong resolution setting, so it's not sending out any signal that the adapter can use.

Many of the better DVD players and high-end video game consoles use HDMI. You can use one of those as a test signal generator to check the TV.

You may get better results if you use a DVI-HDMI converter, although you would need to get the DisplayPort to DVI cable. This will avoid converting to analog VGA signals and back to digital again.

A computer can't be connected directly. You will need a video converter of some sort to go from VGA to Component Video. If your computer's video card has TV-out functionality, you just need a VGA to component video cable. Otherwise, you will need a set-top box converter, such as http://www.svideo.com/hiwire.html .

I wish I could be of more help.

Cindy Wells

Most plasma/LCD's have a PC monitor plug on it. Most laptops will have one too. (or even DVI, which is usually a white plug, and wider than the VGA cable)

Either way, i'm confident that you'll probably have the BLUE 15-pin standard VGA on the monitor and the computer. If so, buy that. If you have the wider white (DVI), it'll be even better!

It depends on what kind of TV you have. If you have a flat-panel LCD or plasma TV, it may have a VGA connection already installed. If that is the case, all you need is a standard VGA cable to connect from your notebook to your TV.

If you have a TV without a VGA connection you will need a scan converter to convert your signal from VGA to RCA or composite video signal. These can be purchased online or from electronics stores like Radio Shack. You plug your VGA connection from the computer to the scan converter, then RCA or composite video cables from the converter to the TV.

Hope this helps. Please take a moment to rate this solution. Thanks.

If I'm not mistaken, that model only has a VGA input. Unfortunately, you are stuck using composite, component, svideo, or VGA video inputs.

Yes!

You need to either connect to the TV the cord that your computer monitor would connect to or have a video card that supports S-Video and the appropriate cables S-Video and RCA audio out cables for either.

Then you must select the appropriate input on your TV, such as VGA or S-Video (and audio in.) .

Let us know how you make out.

listen what you do is go down your local electronics shop and buy a video card or scart card which allows yyou to connect your pc to your television and v v . and the surround system wer you connect your pc speakers you buy a lead whiocih allows your to convert a phono plug to a 9mm phone jack and use that. hope it helps you.