how can i connect my netbook to my tv better?
I currently play movies from my netbook and use a vga cable and external speakers.
my tv has hdmi inputs (and no usb inputs).
my netbook only has usb and vga outputs.
is there a usb to hdmi cable/adapter?
would this carry sound?
I'm sick of setting up the external speakers each time i want to watch a movie.
suggestions?
netbook is emachines m350. tv sanyo 32inch something
I question whether a netbook would have the computing power to utilise a USB graphics card. You're basically using your CPU as the Graphics adapter.
I think you're using the best method at the moment.
Here's the system requirements of a random HP branded USB Graphics Adapter:
http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product/sku/3967421/mfg_partno/NL5…
1.2 GHz or higher processor clock speed, with an Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent power CPU
?512 MB RAM for a single attached monitor, 1 GB for two attached monitors and more for additional attached monitors
At least one USB 2.0 port
30 MB of available disk space
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive if installing from a CD or network access if installing from a network
For Windows Vista, the Windows Experience Index must be greater than 3.0**
I don't have any personal experience with this technology but the minimum specs I found for that product says:
Software: Microsoft® Windows® 7 with Service Pack 1 (32-bit or 64-bit); Windows Vista® with Service Pack 1 (32-bit or 64-bit); Microsoft® Windows® XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3. Hardware: The driver will run on processors ranging from Atom N270 based PCs, basic single Core CPUs, and of course the latest Dual, Quad Core and Core i3/i5/i7 CPUs.; 512 MB RAM for a single attached monitor, 1 GB for two attached monitors, and more for additional attached monitors; At least one USB 2.0 port; 30 MB of available disk space; Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor; CD-ROM or DVD drive if installing from a CD or network access if installing from a network
Are we looking at the same page?
The wiki page for DisplayLink, the technology used, says:
The DisplayLink network graphics technology is composed of Virtual Graphics Card (VGC) software that is installed on a PC and a Hardware Rendering Engine (HRE) embedded or connected to a display device. The DisplayLink VGC software is based on a proprietary adaptive graphics technology. The VGC software runs on a Windows or Mac OS X host PC and takes information from the graphics adapter and compresses the changes to the display from the last update and sends it over any standard network including USB, Wireless USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. After receiving the data, the HRE then transforms it back into pixels to be displayed on the monitor. While the basic network graphics technology can be used on a variety of network interfaces (Ethernet, and Wi-Fi), DisplayLink has to date only designed products around USB 2.0 and Wireless USB connectivity.[4]
A RAM framebuffer isn't that big a CPU load, but does consume RAM space. The compression algorithm might use up CPU, depends on how efficient they are. (Remember that VNC and RDP have been around for a while.) They claim to be able to support up to 6 adaptors per PC, so I suspect it's the RAM that's the limiting factor.
Or http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/320774300938?hlp=false#ht_1813wt_…
Edit: don't think this works cause it says "Cable does not support computer from signal" so ignore this comment :p
You are best to stick with VGA. The quality is pretty good and you will suffer greatly in responsiveness using USB HDMI at high resolutions.
For audio however, I think you are saying that you are using different speakers to those you usually use to watch TV. You should be able to get a simple cable to run the audio into the TV. The input might be RCA or 3.5mm depending on the TV.
Still two cables, but probably the best solution.
+1
Stick to VGA, and connect an audio cable from the headphone jack on the netbook (if available) to the TV.
The main problem here is that you bought a netbook.
If I were you I would buy an Android HDMI stick for about $40, and play the videos wirelessly on the TV….
How it works is that Android HDMI stick can access any media from your netbook wirelessly and play it on your TV…. Very neat and clean arrangement, better than having your network always connected to the TV physically. It also brings much more functionality into your TV such as playing videos from the web directly, playing youtube videos etc….All for such a low price!
This looks like a great little gadget batrarobin. Ive searched on ebay and theres many to choose from. What should i be looking for in terms of function and quality and which one stands out from the crowd in your opinion?
There are so many of them available in the market, depending on their processor speeds, RAM etc… A lot of people prefer Rikomagic MK802, and you can buy it from Aliexpress.com, there are two different versions available 500MB and 1GB RAM (just search "mk802"). These come with Rev.1 firmware installed, however there is a Rev.2 firmware out on Rikomagic website that you can upgrade to… it adds much more functionality to the device.
Also Rikomagic have released a higher model device called Mk802 II (also available from Aliexpress), which has the HDMI inbuilt on the device, it is only $20-$30 expensive than the predecessor and comes with the latest firmware and other improvements.
Check out the forums at rikomagic.co.uk for more info.
PS : The other cool feature of this device is you can connect a USB webcam and use Skype on your TV.
I had no idea these things existed! The specs on the MK802 II are great for something so small. It sells for USD$66 shipped from http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/563764893-New-arrival-R… Have a guess what im treating myself to! Thanks for bringing this to my attention batrarobin :)
No worries :)
The cheapest on Aliexpress is $59 :
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/619476177-MK802-II-2-An…
Also note that these things do not come with wireless keyboards, so that's something you would need to buy extra…. I am using Levono N5902 - it's a good quality one, but I find trackball a bit hard to navigate with…some of the reviews said its predecessor N5901 was better with a physical ball as a mouse.
A lot of people also go with Mele F10 air fly mouse.
If you want to avoid the expense of a keyboard/mouse, you can install an app Droidmote on your android phone and use it as a keyboard and mousepad. See this video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Keancvm07uo
You could also use your normal size wireless keyboard and wireless USB mouse if you want to….but that's, in my opinion, adds to the clutter in the theatre.
I think video adaptors with HDMI outputs that plug into USB2 or 3 ports exist, search eBay. They would look like a second video card to your netbook.
Here's an example of one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-DVI-VGA-HDMI-Display-Adapter-…