Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: jagraham on August 29, 2009, 04:53:14 PM

Title: VGA > RCA solution? need laptop display on TV
Post by: jagraham on August 29, 2009, 04:53:14 PM
my laptop has a VGA output and the TV has RCA connections.  cant seem to find a cable for this at any store(other than ebay).  anyone have experience with this?  is VGA and coax even the same language?  i know the cables exist because they are on ebay but i would like some input from someone who has a similar set up.  help is appreciated.
Title: Re: VGA > RCA solution? need laptop display on TV
Post by: printguy on August 29, 2009, 05:27:15 PM
Check the Apple Store - they carry a wide range of video adapters, and when I was last there had the cable/connector/adapter you need.

And you might have better luck searching for "VGA to Composite Video" - RCA generally refers to a Video and Audio cable, and since VGA is video-only your results may be limited.
Title: Re: VGA > RCA solution? need laptop display on TV
Post by: H₂O on August 29, 2009, 08:34:23 PM
What kind of RCA's does your TV have?

You may need a converter box not just a cable.
Title: Re: VGA > RCA solution? need laptop display on TV
Post by: runonce on August 29, 2009, 08:36:03 PM
I think VGA is compatible with RGB. I know my monitor came with a VGA > RGB cable.
Title: Re: VGA > RCA solution? need laptop display on TV
Post by: jagraham on August 30, 2009, 10:41:42 AM
the RCAs are just "video" and mono "audio" that go into the front of the TV.  it is an older TV(circa 2003) if that matters.
Title: Re: VGA > RCA solution? need laptop display on TV
Post by: H₂O on August 30, 2009, 12:20:45 PM
Composite Video (a yellow RCA connector) is not compatible with a standard VGA connector.

On the other hand if your VGA connector supports TV-Out (which I have never heard of till a search on google - and would suspect it is somewhat unlikely it does) you could try the following cable:

http://www.amazon.com/VGA-to-S-Video-RCA-Adapter/dp/B000S675JU/ref=pd_sim_e_1
http://www.amazon.com/EFORCITY-VGA-S-Video-RCA-Adaptor/dp/B000P3UB24


If your VGA Connector is a more traditional one then you will need to get a VGA to Composite converter

Like the following:
http://www.amazon.com/PC-To-TV-Video-Converter/dp/B001CJOLBW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251649190&sr=1-4

What kind of laptop do you have?
Title: Re: VGA > RCA solution? need laptop display on TV
Post by: theslygoose on August 30, 2009, 12:41:19 PM
What kind of RCA's does your TV have?

You may need a converter box not just a cable.
VGA-RGB is basically VGA to component hookup.  I think they just leave some pins in the VGA connector floating.  The problem is, like you mentioned, the signal won't transfer and you might need some sort of scaler/converter to change the resolution so your TV can read the signal.