How to use a TV as a Computer Monitor?

Question

I only have a VGA input on my computer. My TV has 2 HDMI inputs, 3 composite video inputs, 2 S-video inputs and 3 RCA A/V inputs. What type of cable or adapter do I need to connect my computer to the TV? And if there is a cable or adapter, can I buy it at a store (CircuitCity, Bestbuy, RadioShack, Staples etc...)?

If you give me a best answer, you might just get 10 Points!

I don't want to buy a new card because they cost a lot. I want to know where can I find a cable or adapter.

Answer 1

You comp needs a S video out slot .. Connect that to your TV

Also Apple TV will be making this happen ....

- beware resolutions on TV and a monitor are way different; on even a hi def TV it will look a bit fuzzy compared with monitor

Answer 2

The problem that you'll run into is that the resolution on a television is not nearly as good as that on a computer monitor. You'll get a maximum of a few hundred lines vertical resolution and a few hundred pixels of horizontal resolution. You won't be able to vary the scan rate either. The main difference between television sets and computer monitors is that a television signal is analog, not digital. It was never intended to produce the resolution that a modern computer requires. Televisions used to be used for computer monitors, but that was in the day of the early Apple, Commodore and Atari systems. At best, a television, (no matter how large the screen), could handle maybe 40 characters of text across, by something like 20 or 30 vertical. When you try to cram more than that on a screen, the resolution was just so poor that you couldn't see the characters. Even though you have a 27 inch TV, the resolution is no better than a smaller one. Larger monitors, if the resolution is the same as a small one, run into the same problem. Most really large monitors have greater resolution, making them able to display much more information. This requires, also, a video card that is capable of managing that great resolution. It takes a faster video processor and more video RAM to be able to do it. In the end, the 27 inch TV is ok as a TV, but would be completely worthless as a monitor. Some new flat screen TV's come with a computer input, and they would work much better. You can use them for both TV and monitor.

Answer 3

You need a Pc to tv converter

ITV-900 PC-to-TV Converter
Features:

Converts PC data to TV for presentations
Plays different format video clips on PC to TV
Play PC games on TV
Supports NTSC/PAL
9x zoom
Move auto fine tune
Screen Auto fine Tune
Anti-flicker
Supports PC and Mac
This ITV-900 is a one piece PC to TV Converter that lets you show computer presentations, play games and watch DVDs on TV. It converts your computer's VGA signal to your TV's S-Video and video output signal!

The PC to TV converter supports up to 1024 x 768 resolutions, NTSC/PAL system, auto fine tuning and more! This ITV-900 is compact, portable and easy to use!

Controls:
Menu
Size
Zoom
Up
Down
left
Right
Connectors:
15-pin VGA input to computer
15-pin VGA output to monitor
PAL/NTSC switch
S-Video
Video output
DC 5V power
PC Graphic Card Resolution/Refresh Settings:
640 x 480 @ 66/72/75/85 Hz
800 x 600 @ 56/60/72/75/85 Hz
1024 x 768 @ 60/72 Hz
Macintosh Graphic Card Resolution/Refresh Settings:

640 x 480 @ 66 Hz
832 x 624 @ 75 Hz
Unit Dimensions:
0.75 x 2.25 x 4-inches (H x W x D, approximate)
Regulatory Approvals:

FCC
CE
Package Contents:

ITV-900 PC to TV Converter
User Manual
VGA cable
USB power cable
A/V cable
S-VHS cable

Answer 4

For best result, get a card that supports HDMI and connect using this ..

Answer 5

A decent graphics card & a DVI cable will do just fine.

Answer 6

Buy an SV card.