best quality big screen hdtv image
jason g
I recently got a new big screen TV. Shortly after I got it home, we had a bad storm and the power went out. The next morning, when we turned it on, it could only find a few of the channels we had before. Some of them can be found by typing in the channel numbers, but most of the channels are different now, the local channels are static and the provider says it's something in the house, not in the line or service.
Answer
Most likely, you made the number one mistake of TV and video equipment owners: failure to use a surge protector. People will spend thousands on an HDTV, then fail to spend another $40 to protect it from the necessity of a very expensive repair bill. Voltage surges on the power line are a *very* common cause for electronic equipment failures, especially HDTVs.
Your TV most likely has been damaged by a voltage surge on the power line, common during storms or other power outages. It might be repairable under warranty if failure to use a surge protector doesn't void the warranty.
You may have to take it to a service shop. While it's in the shop, visit the electrical department of a large hardware store and buy yourself two surge protectors. Don’t get the cheapest you can find. Those selling in the U.S. for around $10 to $15 are little more than power strips. You should expect to pay in the range of $30 to $50 or more for a unit that will confidently protect a few thousand dollars worth equipment.
Check the specs on any surge protector you’re considering. Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label, a transient or clamping voltage of 330 volts (U.S. systems), and a joule rating in the thousands (2000 to 4000 or more).
Be sure to plug all of your electronics into the surge protector: TV, DVD player, cable or satellite box, home theater receiver, surround sound amplifier. etc. The second one is for your computer and its peripherals (printer, scanner, Internet modem, router, etc.). If it’s electronic, it’s at risk for surge damage.
Surge protectors come with a monitoring circuit that continually tests its quality. When it’s providing full protection, an LED or other light is illuminated and remains steady. If the light goes out or begins to blink, the surge protector should be replaced. (It can still be used as a power strip but not a surge protector.)
Most likely, you made the number one mistake of TV and video equipment owners: failure to use a surge protector. People will spend thousands on an HDTV, then fail to spend another $40 to protect it from the necessity of a very expensive repair bill. Voltage surges on the power line are a *very* common cause for electronic equipment failures, especially HDTVs.
Your TV most likely has been damaged by a voltage surge on the power line, common during storms or other power outages. It might be repairable under warranty if failure to use a surge protector doesn't void the warranty.
You may have to take it to a service shop. While it's in the shop, visit the electrical department of a large hardware store and buy yourself two surge protectors. Don’t get the cheapest you can find. Those selling in the U.S. for around $10 to $15 are little more than power strips. You should expect to pay in the range of $30 to $50 or more for a unit that will confidently protect a few thousand dollars worth equipment.
Check the specs on any surge protector you’re considering. Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label, a transient or clamping voltage of 330 volts (U.S. systems), and a joule rating in the thousands (2000 to 4000 or more).
Be sure to plug all of your electronics into the surge protector: TV, DVD player, cable or satellite box, home theater receiver, surround sound amplifier. etc. The second one is for your computer and its peripherals (printer, scanner, Internet modem, router, etc.). If it’s electronic, it’s at risk for surge damage.
Surge protectors come with a monitoring circuit that continually tests its quality. When it’s providing full protection, an LED or other light is illuminated and remains steady. If the light goes out or begins to blink, the surge protector should be replaced. (It can still be used as a power strip but not a surge protector.)
How can I hook my laptop to my TV without an HDMI cable?
...em.love
It's mostly to watch Netflix on a bigger screen. My TV doesn't have an HDMI port so I can't use that. The laptop and TV both have VGA ports, but I don't think I can get HD quality off of that, right? So is there a way I can run an HDMI cable from my computer into a converter that changes to VGA to run into my TV and still get high quality?
If that can't work, is there any other way to get HD from my computer to my TV without HDMI?
Answer
I have to assume your TV is HD (if it's not, there is no way at all to watch HD on it). I say this because it is very unusual to have an HDTV with no HDMI port. Especially WITH a VGA port. But VGA does support HD as the first answer indicated. You don't need a converter since both your laptop and TV have VGA.
But one thing not addressed is the fact that VGA is video only (Video Graphics Array) - you do want audio, too, no? To get it your TV will need to have an audio-in port associated with the VGA port. This is usually a 3.5mm (1/8") stereo jack and your laptop should have the same - all you would need then is a VGA to VGA cable, and a 3.5mm stereo male to male cable like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-3-5mm-Stereo-Cable/dp/B0002ZPJZO
That one's only 3 feet but these are very easy to find in all lengths.
Another way to go is use a media player box instead of your laptop. Just find one that is Netflix enabled and it will in essence turn your TV into a "smart" one.
You will of course have to find one with outputs that match your TV's inputs - most are HDMI and you say that won't work for you. Does your TV have Component inputs? (Red/Blue/Green video, Red/White audio) - these are analog High Def.
Game consoles like PS3 and XBox are Netflix enabled, but if you don't have one of these it's not what you want to purchase unless you want to play games too (although PS3 is a most excellent Blu-ray player). You can find these all over - with names like Western Digital, Roku, Netgear, D-Link, Boxee, or even Apple TV if you're an Apple fan - for not much more than you would pay for a converter. Here is some help in choosing the one that's right for you (and these give you even more options beyond Netflix):
http://www.hometheater.com/content/how-choose-media-playerstreamer
Hope this helps - good luck!
I have to assume your TV is HD (if it's not, there is no way at all to watch HD on it). I say this because it is very unusual to have an HDTV with no HDMI port. Especially WITH a VGA port. But VGA does support HD as the first answer indicated. You don't need a converter since both your laptop and TV have VGA.
But one thing not addressed is the fact that VGA is video only (Video Graphics Array) - you do want audio, too, no? To get it your TV will need to have an audio-in port associated with the VGA port. This is usually a 3.5mm (1/8") stereo jack and your laptop should have the same - all you would need then is a VGA to VGA cable, and a 3.5mm stereo male to male cable like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-3-5mm-Stereo-Cable/dp/B0002ZPJZO
That one's only 3 feet but these are very easy to find in all lengths.
Another way to go is use a media player box instead of your laptop. Just find one that is Netflix enabled and it will in essence turn your TV into a "smart" one.
You will of course have to find one with outputs that match your TV's inputs - most are HDMI and you say that won't work for you. Does your TV have Component inputs? (Red/Blue/Green video, Red/White audio) - these are analog High Def.
Game consoles like PS3 and XBox are Netflix enabled, but if you don't have one of these it's not what you want to purchase unless you want to play games too (although PS3 is a most excellent Blu-ray player). You can find these all over - with names like Western Digital, Roku, Netgear, D-Link, Boxee, or even Apple TV if you're an Apple fan - for not much more than you would pay for a converter. Here is some help in choosing the one that's right for you (and these give you even more options beyond Netflix):
http://www.hometheater.com/content/how-choose-media-playerstreamer
Hope this helps - good luck!
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