Question

dell laptop to tv setuo using s-video

Asked by: courtenayt

Hi,

I have a dell latitude laptop C600/C500 that has an s-video output port.  I've hooked that to my Sanyo tv's s-video input, but nothing appears on the tv under any of the video input or component input or chanel 3 channels.  I've tried pushing the fn & f8 keys at the smae time (for CRT/LCD changeover), but that doesn't work.  I've tried going to the graphics card to select tv, but all it lets me select is 'Default Monitor', which is listed several times.  I also tried to see if there was any setting specifically for s-video in the TV menu, but no such thing exists.  If anyone knows what I need to do to get this setup, please let me know.  I'd really love to be able to use the tv to watch online movies, etc. instead of sitting infront of my laptop screen.

Thanks,
Courtenay

PS it says my display adaptor is: ATI mobility 128 AGP 2X (Dell).  It seems weird that it wouldn't have a setting for s-video or tv output or shatever it should have since the computer has an s-video port built in.

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Asked On
2007-12-19 at 13:04:39ID23034526
Tags

dell

,

latitude

,

tv

,

laptop

,

video

Topics

Computer Displays / Monitors

,

Video Cards

,

PC Laptops

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Answers

 

by: cforantPosted on 2007-12-19 at 13:19:45ID: 20503012

Have you expanded your desktop onto the second monitor?  That is after all what your tv is.  

Go to Display properties
Settings Tab
Select the TV Monitor
Check Expand my Windows desktop onto this monitor.  
Click OK.

 

by: sparkmakerPosted on 2007-12-19 at 13:26:49ID: 20503071

Here is the troubleshooting guide for TV setup on this laptop.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/latc600/en/ug/solution.htm#tv

 

by: rlistenbPosted on 2007-12-19 at 13:29:37ID: 20503102

The issue is that you haven't "activated" the s-video out on your laptop.  The function keys that do that are notoriously SLOW on some Dell laptops.  This means that you've probably tried it, but didn't wait long enough for a picture to show up on the tv (give it 30 seconds between function presses).

By the way, Dell default operation of that function is :
1st change - switch from laptop lcd to output
2nd change - use both lcd and output
3rd change - back to laptop lcd only

When you computer is in the correct mode you should see what Cforant mentions above.  You can also "share your desktop" instead of extending it if you want a mirror image.  I reccomend extend your desktop and set the resolution at a low setting for best s-video performance.

Nice article from MS here:
http://www.microsoft.com/AtWork/stayconnected/multiplemonitors.mspx

 

by: courtenaytPosted on 2007-12-19 at 14:16:03ID: 20503470

Ok, I'm a little closer.  I played with the fn/f8 keys some more and didn't see any direct changes after waiting over 30 seconds between each change.  I also went to display properties/settings/advanced and selected the 4 different 'default display' choices as the type of display (there was no tv option listed).  That didn't seem to do anything either.  I then decided to try it one more time and selected the second 'default display' from the list and then restarted the computer.  The connection showed up for just a few seconds on the tv, - it shouwed the cursor and the welcome screen and then the connection was lost again.  I didn't touch the tv or computer during this time, so I have no idea why the connection was lost.

I'm not really sure what I should change.  it seems I should not touch the fn/f8 keys again.

Unfortunately the link for support doc sparkmaker provided on this computer isn't working.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated - really strange that it would work and then just turn off.  Seems like when windows kicks in fully it disconnects from the tv.  Weird!

Thanks,
Courtenay

 

by: patrvicPosted on 2007-12-19 at 14:25:03ID: 20503511

If i remember correctly, my ATI card would allow video on my TV when the TV was set as primary device and "Display video on primary device only" was checked. g'luck

 

by: courtenaytPosted on 2007-12-19 at 14:26:54ID: 20503523

I don't know where I can set it ti TV as a primary device for my ATI card - there is no TV listed anywhere in the display settings.  How do I change this?  

 

by: sparkmakerPosted on 2007-12-19 at 14:33:45ID: 20503567

Here is the doc from Dell

Basic Checks:

    * Eliminate possible interference. Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference from those devices.
    * If you connected a TV to the TV-out connector on your computer and there is no picture on your TV screen, verify the following connections and settings:
          A composite video cable is connected to the S-video connector on your TV and the TV-out connector on your computer.
           Check for damaged or frayed cables and for bent pins on connectors.

          note.gif (1234 bytes)NOTE: If your TV did not come with a composite video cable, you can purchase one from a local electronics store.

         Television Type in the system setup program is set to the correct video standard for your country.
           Television Port is Enabled in the system setup program.

Check the TV Type Setting
For Microsoft Windows XP

   1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open application programs.
   2. Shut down your computer.
   3. Connect the proper video cable to the S-video TV-out connector on your computer. See "TV and Digital Audio."
   4. Turn on your TV.
   5. Verify that the correct video input is selected on the TV.
   6. Restart your computer.
   7. Click the Start button, and click Control Panel.
   8. Under Pick a category, click Appearance and Themes.
   9. Under Pick a task..., click Change the screen resolution.
  10. In the Display Properties window, click the Settings tab, and then adjust the Screen resolution setting to 800 by 600 pixels.
  11. Click the pull-down menu under Color quality, and then click Medium (16 bit).
  12. Click OK.

For Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows 98, or Windows NT

   1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open application programs.
   2. Shut down your computer.
   3. Connect the proper video cable to the S-video TV-out connector on your computer. See  "TV and Digital Audio."
   4. Turn on your TV.
   5. Verify that the correct video input is selected on the TV.
   6. Restart your computer.
   7. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and double-click Control Panel.
   8. Double-click the Display icon.
   9. Click the Settings tab.
  10. Click the Advanced button.
  11. Click the TV button.
  12. Set the television type to NTSC (US) or PAL (Europe).

note.gif (1234 bytes)NOTE: For more information on connecting a TV to your computer, see "TV and Digital Audio."
Check the System Setup Program Settings

   1. Click the Start button, and select Shut Down.
   2. In the Shut Down window, select Restart the Computer.
   3. Click Yes.

    Your computer shuts down and restarts.

   4. When you see the Dell logo, press <F2> to enter the system setup program.

    The system setup program screen appears.

   5. Press the right- or left-arrow key to select the Main menu.
   6. Press the down-arrow key to scroll down to Televison Type.

    Either NTSC or PAL is highlighted.

   7. To change your selection, press <F6>.

    note.gif (1234 bytes)NOTE: The function key tasks may be different for your particular system setup program. Be sure to check the function key menu at the bottom of your system setup screen.

   8. To save your selection, press <F10>.
   9. The Setup Confirmation window appears.
  10. Select Yes and press <Enter>.

    The computer shuts down and restarts.

   

 

by: sparkmakerPosted on 2007-12-19 at 14:36:37ID: 20503582

You should go into the SETUP program (BIOS) on startup by pressing F2  and check that
-Television Type in the system setup program is set to the correct video standard for your country.(NTSC  or PAL)
-Television Port is Enabled in the system setup program.

 

by: patrvicPosted on 2007-12-19 at 14:52:22ID: 20503682

I dont quite think that the video standard option is available in the Bios.

I'm absolutly certain that the option is available in the ati display control panel, in display settings click advanced to goto it.

If you can't see your TV detected in the control panel there wont be a display on your TV no doubt abt that.
Chek your cables, plug them out and in and out, restart once...if you still don't see the TV option enabled there's some problemo with your cables, lappy and tv are fine, dumb cables.

and then when you get the TV detected...."If i remember correctly, my ATI card would allow video on my TV when the TV was set as primary device and "Display video on primary device only" was checked. g'luck"

:) computer's can get real nasty...just like your girl friend can't live w/out them - cant live with them.

good luck

 

by: patrvicPosted on 2007-12-19 at 14:53:14ID: 20503686

absolutly no offence to sparkmaker

 

by: courtenaytPosted on 2007-12-19 at 15:01:34ID: 20503735

I wasn't able to find any reference to tv settings in the bios (on any of the pages).

I set my computer display to: 800 by 600 pixels. & 16 bit.

I've tried restarting several times and every time it just shows up momentarily, but disappears before windows finishes loading.  I've done cable wiggling, etc. but it always cuts out at exactly the same time so it must be something in windows that is causing it to cut off.

Any ideas?

 

by: sparkmakerPosted on 2007-12-19 at 15:01:45ID: 20503739

None taken, the info I posted was from the Dell doc page for trouble shooting a tv connection issue for this model of laptop. Sometimes starting from the very beginning gives a better understanding of the situation.

 

by: courtenaytPosted on 2007-12-19 at 15:08:28ID: 20503777

Would updating the Bios and/or the ATI drivers help?  

 

by: courtenaytPosted on 2007-12-19 at 15:29:23ID: 20503892

I've looked on Dell's website for Bios updates under C500, but the only one listed is for Dell C600 - weird.  I also can't find the right ATI listing for updating those drivers.  I have an ATI Mobility 128.  The only thing I see for them is Mobility Radeon with a bunch of different numbers or Legacy rage 128 - neither of which really match the name - maybe I don't need to do this anyway, but it's strange that no tv is ever listed under the display settings (not even grayed out like lots of other solutions posted on experts exchange suggest it should be).  I know it's possible to do this because it shows up on the tv until about the middle of the blue Windows welcome screen and then disconnects.

 

by: courtenaytPosted on 2007-12-19 at 16:16:29ID: 20504146

Hey - I got it to work!  I finally found the upgrade to the ati driver on the dell website, installed it and presto - all of the settings that you all were talking about were suddenly available!  Thanks for all of your help!

 

by: kroniPosted on 2008-10-22 at 03:42:06ID: 22775013

Hello courtenayt,

I am having about the same problems with a Dell latitude C800.
Connected to a TV via svideo I get my 30seconds on the telly and then it switches off.
Also I have no extended desktop, TV.... in my control panel.

I have been looking for new/updated drivers now for quite a while but didn't come across anything.
I am on version 5.1.2001.0

Could you tell me where exactly you found the driver which solved the problem?
Could you possibly get in contact with me??

Cheers

 

by: courtenaytPosted on 2008-10-25 at 09:18:14ID: 22804003

Try this link and look under the video listing for ATI.  I'm not sure this is the right one for you, but it seemed to work for me.  Good luck!

Courtenay

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&ServiceTag=&SystemID=LAT_PNT_P3C_C800&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

 

by: kroniPosted on 2008-10-26 at 12:37:11ID: 22808420

Thanks for the answer.
I found a driver which solved my problems and gave me the menues mentioned above on driverguide.com
To download a FREE registration was required, that is why I didn't go there in the first place, thought I should be able to find it on Dell or ATI sites.

Thanks a lot

 

by: courtenaytPosted on 2008-10-27 at 20:22:59ID: 22818884

No problem - glad I could help!

Cheers,
Courtenay

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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