Play a movie from laptop to TV screen?

[Paul_27]

Ok, where to start?
Well, I've bought a cable that connects my laptop to my TV set. Once I hooked everything up I was able to see my laptop screen on my TV screen (well it impressed me :;) ). However, the picture on my TV is in black & white only :error .
Also, mpeg files seem to play fine, but avi files don't. I just get a black square where the video should be playing.

I'm running Windows XP Professional and I'm not exactly a techie (but not a newbie either).

If anyone can help me, or even give me a few things to try out, I would be extremely grateful.

Cheers! :tilted

[QuickSurfer]

All you have to do is connect an S-video cord from your video card's video out connector to the TV. Then in you display settings set the TV as your default monitor and your good to go. Make sure everything you are trying to watch is encoded in NTSC (27fps) and not PAL (25fps)

[Paul_27]

Thanks QuickSurfer.

All you have to do is connect an S-video cord from your video card's video out connector to the TV.

Connecting it up is no problem, it's just the colour that has me confused.

Then in you display settings set the TV as your default monitor and your good to go.

I'll try that when my girlfriend has finished watching TV.

Make sure everything you are trying to watch is encoded in NTSC (27fps) and not PAL (25fps)

How do I know if it's NTSC or PAL? Sorry, this is kinda new to me! :tilted

[Bodhisattva/GoldenSilence]

Actually, NTSC is a North America standard. . . your TV/laptop equipment (if purchased in Norway or Europe) would most likely be PAL compatible.

If you could specify the brand and model of your laptop's graphics card, people could probably give some more in-depth help. :)

[Paul_27]

Bodhisattva/GoldenSilence
Thanks :gj ! Actually I did buy my laptop in Norway, so perhaps that means it's PAL?

Anyway, my graphics card is:
Product - SiS 650
Chip Type - Sis 650 Rev 00
Software version - 2.07k
Driver version - 2.07k
Video Memory (type) - DDR SDRAM
Video Memory (size) - 16.0 MBytes
Video Memory Clock - 133 MHz

I got these details in my display settings. I think that's right? Does that help?

[dragonpaulz]

I had this very problem.
I used BSPlayer and changed the settings of it.
I can't remember what the exact setting was, but ithink it was a checkbox having ot do with RGB.

[Paul_27]

dragonpaulz
Thanks :gj
I'll look into that idea. Hopefully someone will have a solution that doesn't limit me to using just one media player (BSPlayer). But if I have to, then I will :tilted .

[Black Beard]

I used to have problems with this when I tried to TV-out with nvidia cards - so I purchased a ATI with VIVO. Unfortunately this isn't going to help you, also unfortunately I can't remember all the stuff I learnt when trying to do it the hard way. I do however remember that a Google search on a phrase like "tv out problems" or "tv out troubleshooting" put me in the direction of some forums specialising in the topic.

I read somewhere that if your computer is outputing NTSC to PAL or vice verca, you get the black&white thing going on.

[Paul_27]

Thanks Black Beard :gj
It sounds like my TV and laptop are speaking different languages (NTSC and PAL). The thing is, how do I get them both on PAL? :playboy

[Paul_27]

I've searched a few other forums, but most of them seem inactive or just not that helpful.
Since I'm in Europe, my TV must be PAL, which usually means 50Hz. I'd like to try to get my TV and monitor both at 50Hz, but my laptop drop down menu only has 60Hz available to me.
I'll keep trying a few other things, and if I figure it out I'll post the solution here.
In the meantime, if anyone has any other comments or suggestions I would appreciate any replies.
Cheers! :tilted

[neoufo51]

I've searched a few other forums, but most of them seem inactive or just not that helpful.
Since I'm in Europe, my TV must be PAL, which usually means 50Hz. I'd like to try to get my TV and monitor both at 50Hz, but my laptop drop down menu only has 60Hz available to me.
I'll keep trying a few other things, and if I figure it out I'll post the solution here.
In the meantime, if anyone has any other comments or suggestions I would appreciate any replies.
Cheers! :tilted

Edit: Never mind that...

If that does not work, look at the advanced settings for more options that could be helpful. See my next post.

[neoufo51]

Again, look CLOSELY at your advanced display settings window. If your video card has updated drivers, it should have its own tab in which you are able to change display settings in the card itself. Look around for any settings that say "output type" or "display type." Those will ususally allow you to change the output device and in many cases make it very easy to change from "standard crt monitor" to "50hz PAL TV" or "60 NTSC TV"

I'm not familiar with your video card, so it would be a good idea to consult your manual if you have it or visit the manufacturers website to see what the proper settings are for PAL television sets.

[Paul_27]

Thanks for the reply neoufo51 :gj
In the monitor tab, the monitor settings are set at 60Hz. This is a drop down menu, but 60Hz is the only possible option, there's no 50Hz option.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought PAL was 50Hz, therefore my laptop should be 50Hz aswell.
But, as you said, maybe my best option is to contact the video card manufacturers to find out what settings will work on a PAL TV.

Once again, thanks :tilted

[nasrules]

PAL is 50Hz. Running in 60Hz will result in a black-and-white picture.

[Paul_27]

nasrules :gj
A black & white picture is exactly what I'm getting.
I think I need to find a way to change my laptop from 60Hz to 50Hz. Unfortunately I can't seem to do it because I only have 60Hz available in my drop down menu.
Annoying! :green5