What AV cables?

cavemanoc · 12 Sep 2007 at 19:59

At a bit of a loss here. I have a Dell XPS m1710 laptop that has the 7 pin s-video connection at the back. I need to plug it into a Philips 32PFL 5322/10.

It has:

•Ext 1 Scart: Audio L/R, CVBS in/out, RGB
•Ext 2 Scart: Audio L/R, CVBS in/out, S-video in
•Ext 3: S-video in, CVBS in, Audio L/R in
•Ext 4: YPbPr, Audio L/R in
•Ext 5: HDMI
•Ext 6: HDMI

Am I correct in thinking that I can use a standard 4 pin s-video connector from computer to screen? Or do I need something special?

Resolution wise, it supports:

•Computer formats
640 x 480 @ 60, 72, 75, 85Hz
800 x 600 @ 60, 72, 75, 85Hz
1024 x 768 @ 60, 70, 75, 85Hz

•Video Formats
640 x 480i @ 1Fh
640 x 480p @ 2Fh
720 x 576i @ 1Fh
720 x 576p @ 2Fh
1280 x 720p @ 3Fh
1920 x 1080i @ 2Fh
1920 x 1080p @ ?

Will I get all of these through the s-video connection or are some of them limited to HDMI only, in which case is there any way to get them with what I've got?

The XPS also has VGA and DVI outs - would I get better resolution/quality out of a dvi-hdmi plug? Are there any other catches to watch out for?

Cheers!

(Finally - does cable quality make much of a difference? Bearing in mind most of the stuff we're watching is divx - yes of home movies! - I'm sure that won't make a difference, but for anything HD (720p) I have a choice of £6 cable of £16 cable - make much difference?)

Fr0dders · 12 Sep 2007 at 21:11

s-video is dire quality

you'd be much better getting a DVI - HDMI adaptor that enables a HDMI lead to be plugged into a DVI socket at one end

or a DVI to HDMI lead (ive seen them on-line, have a google for them)

Honestly, anything is better than S-Video.

PhillyDee · 12 Sep 2007 at 22:35

Is that not for Component outs too. I know most newish graphics card come with the RGB Component outputs. I ran my PC through my HD telly this way.

Fr0dders · 12 Sep 2007 at 22:58

RGB component is top of the analogue signals

S-Video is bottom

cavemanoc · 13 Sep 2007 at 10:13

So would I be better getting a:

1. DVI to Component RGB Cable 1.8m

or

2. DVI to HDMI cable

Both can be had for around £10

davejm · 13 Sep 2007 at 11:01

DVI to HDMI is better... as DVI and HDMI are both digital.

The DVI to Component RGB cable is going to convert a digital DVI signal to analogue RGB.