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SET TOP BOXE
The newer your
computer is, the
better chance
that it comes
with either a
RCA Composite or
SVIDEO
connection. Some
notebook
computers also
have video
outputs on them.
When buying a
new computer
always look for
the words "TV
out" or "video
out" in the
computer
description.
If you only have
a VGA connector
and don't have
an HDTV then
your best choice
is to buy a
newer video card
with an S-Video
connector. There
are other third
party solutions
out there but
the quality is
very poor and we
do not recommend
it.
The VGA port is
the connector
that's connected
to your PC
monitor (the TV
like device that
came with your
computer). This
connector is
usually only
usable for VGA
Monitors or HDTV
setups. If you
have an HDTV
this will give
you the best
image possible.
HOOKING YOUR PC
UP TO A
TELEVISION
If you always
wanted to hook
up your PC to
your Television
but you needed
help, we are
here for you. If
you take a
minute to look
on the back of
your PC you will
see several
different ports
or connectors.
There are
basically three
connectors to
look for when
hooking your PC
to your TV.
These are RCA
Composite
(Picture 1),
SVIDEO (Picture
2), and VGA
(Picture 3).
If you have an
RCA Composite
connector on the
back of your
computer, then
you can use that.
You may also
need to power
down your
computer and
reboot to be
able to get the
signal. You need
an RCA Composite
cable that will
be long enough
to reach from
your computer to
your PC. Connect
the cable to the
back of the
computer to the
back of your TV
SET.
S-Video is
superior to that
of RCA Composite
and will give
you a clearer
picture. If you
have a fairly
new TV you
should have this
connector in the
back. You will
need to buy an
S-VIDEO cable,
which you can
buy just about
anywhere you buy
home video
products.
Connect the
cable to your
S-Video on the
back of your
computer and
then connect it
on the back of
your TV.
NOTE: If your
TV has many
video modes you
might need to
select the video
mode that the
cable is plugged
into. Read your
instruction
manual that came
with your TV to
do this.
If you have
cables that are
not long enough,
there are some
wireless
solutions, but
the meantime
here are a
couple of video
cards for
desktop
computers that
offer S-Video
out:
Most video cards
with at least 64
Megabytes of
memory will come
with a S-Video
connection and
there are some
with 32
Megabytes of
memory that will
come with the
connection as
well. Prices can
range from $100
all the way up
to $300. What
you get with the
price is power
and speed of the
video card.
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PC to TV 
