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VGA - Scart cable same as Scart - VGA?

11 replies

whethergirl · 06/09/2012 17:30

I am trying to work out a way to stream films from my computer to my tv and I apparently need a VGA to Scart cable. This might be a really stupid question but...is that the same as a scart to VGA cable?

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BoulevardOfBrokenSleep · 07/09/2012 08:42

I am no expert but I think so - both connectors on the cable will have the pin bits sticking out IYSWIM.

SunWukong · 07/09/2012 11:30

It's input output I've never heard of one that only goes one way, are you sure that's what you need many modern tv's have serial or hdmi connectors on them that can be connected to a pc

whethergirl · 08/09/2012 01:00

Thanks, I'm not 100% sure, I've just tried to follow directions on the lovefilm website but my tv is quite old so it's possible!

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nannynick · 08/09/2012 08:15

Scart is in/out where as VGA I think is only out.
Old tvs won't have VGA input usually, so quite possible you need a cable that includes a converter.

nannynick · 08/09/2012 08:31

You want PC TO TV BOX on the Maplin website. Not sure what cables are included, so you may also need an S-Video to Scart connector. Then you need to deal with the audio - laptop may have a 3.5mm headphone jack so a 3.5mm to Phono audio lead should work.

Quality of image won't be that good but will be watchable. Perhaps like vhs tape rather than blueray image quality.

nannynick · 08/09/2012 08:59

PC to TV box £30

S-Video and Phono Audio to Scart adaptor (you would change the in/out switch to IN so that the signals go from the cables IN to the Scart connector. £5

3.5mm Jack to Twin Phono £7 for a 1.5m length.

Another option is a Digital Stream Internet Television Box][ £30. This needs an Ethernet connection to your router. It access online content and output's it via a SCART connector (also has HDMI should you get a new TV in future). It will need a SCART to SCART lead [[http://www.maplin.co.uk/scart-plug-to-plug-leads-universal-1039 Plug to Plug £9. This would then not use your laptop At All. For more about the digital steam internet television box see ONYX and also on the maplin website there is a manual and overview sheet (click on Media tab to see the downloads). This will mean that you would need to have an Ethernet cable going to very near your TV.

nannynick · 08/09/2012 09:00

Digital Stream Internet Television Box £30

nannynick · 08/09/2012 09:20

If it is only Lovefilm, YouTube, BlinkBox (another movie streaming service) then the Digitial Stream box may be the solution for you, and means your laptop can be used for other things. If you don't have ethernet (a network cable) near your tv, then you may need to use Powerline adaptors to transmit the network from near your router to near your TV.

Hope that all helps... gives you a couple of options with luck.

whethergirl · 09/09/2012 22:52

Wow nannynick...thanks so much for your all your helpful advice!

"Old tvs won't have VGA input usually"- I was trying to follow directions on here and after much fiddling about looking for anything that resembles the diagrams, I'm pretty sure it's a VGA to Scart cable - with the Scart connected to the TV. And yes, I would need the recommended audio cables to go with it.

I don't quite get the PC TO TV BOX (seeing as there are so many cable possibilities, depending on type of tv/computer). And how it's different to the digital stream internet tv box.

Didn't think of Maplin, I went straight on to Amazon/ebay to look for cables. Do you know if they're quite good at advising on this sort of thing? It might be worth me making the journey to a store.

Thanks again for all your help!

OP posts:
nannynick · 10/09/2012 05:58

I can't find any VGA to Scart cables, only a Scart to VGA which is different and designed for projectors.

PC to TV box will do what you want to do.

Digital Stream will replace the laptop completely, it is like a small computer that links LoveFilm to a TV.

Maplin may be able to offer advice. Take photos of the connection ports on Laptop and TV.

whethergirl · 11/09/2012 14:08

Yeh, I had the same problem, couldn't find any, which is why I wondered if they were different to vga to scart.

I will consider pc to tv box/digital stream, although I only wanted it because I've been offered a years free subscription to lovefilm through talk talk, and having to pay £30 kind of defeats the object (I am vair poor).

Great idea re taking photos. Thanks nannynick, you've been amazing! Thanks

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