It depends on the laptop and the TV. If both have a VGA port, then use a VGA cable between them. Make sure the VGA port is enabled on the computer (possibly in the BIOS) and then set the monitor properties. You may need to reboot the computer to get the TV on.
If the TV has HDMI input and the laptop also has an HDMI port then you need to check the TV specs. Some HDMI ports can accept a signal from a computer (often labeled HDMI/DVI) and others don't. If the HDMI port is compatible with a computer source, then use an HDMI cable between the two. Again make sure the port is active. If TV's HDMI port is not compatible with the computer, you will need a converter.
If the TV doesn't have a VGA port (and the laptop doesn't have any video port other than VGA), then you will need a VGA to component video converter (or VGA to composite video) depending on the inputs of the TV. See http://www.svideo.com/pctocomponent.html for some converters.
Note: the converters are needed since computers output in a different format than the TV input understands. For analog, the computer is RGB and the component video is YPbPr.
A few media PCs might have a TV out port. This would eliminate the need for a converter. Check the specs for the cable you need.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Wells
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