Uncle Chris' & Rob's Tech Support - Page 18

~Helen~ · 03 Jul 2009, 14:01

do you know anyone that would loan you one for the few days yours is being 'fixed' for?

Lord Kagan · 04 Jul 2009, 04:37

sadly not

~Helen~ · 13 Jul 2009, 23:11

Did you solve your quandry in the end? I hope it's now fixed.

I have a new question...what do I need to enable me to view what's on my laptop screen on the TV screen instead? I know it's going to be some sort of cable...I just don't know what... :S

duke knooby · 14 Jul 2009, 01:11

will depend what connections are on your laptop, and tv

~Helen~ · 16 Jul 2009, 02:00

The TV has millions, most of which I have no idea what they are...but having inspected it, it appears to have a VGA as does my laptop ... so do I need a cable that connects those two together? and if so, would it have a name?

**RadioMaster** · 16 Jul 2009, 09:48

did you use to have a proper monitor? if so check if youve still got the cable for that lying around somewhere...that should do the job.

daveake · 16 Jul 2009, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Helen~

The TV has millions, most of which I have no idea what they are...but having inspected it, it appears to have a VGA as does my laptop ... so do I need a cable that connects those two together? and if so, would it have a name?

Yes, a cable that connects a VGA socket on a PC to a VGA socket on a monitor is called a, er, now what was it? ... oh yes, a VGA cable.

PM me with an address and I'll send you one gratis.

Dave

daveake · 16 Jul 2009, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Helen~

I have a new question...what do I need to enable me to view what's on my laptop screen on the TV screen instead? I know it's going to be some sort of cable...I just don't know what... :S

As well as the cable you will need to tell the laptop to switch on the VGA connection. Usually (well, always in my experience) they have 3 settings - laptop only; monitor only; both. This is usually controlled by the keyboard (normally FN + one of the function keys). You'll need to either stare at your keyboard for an icon that looks like it will do the job, or read the manwell.

The other option on many laptops is a video output (usually a round socket looking something like a keyboard or mouse socket). However VGA is the better option (simpler, much better picture). Finally, newish laptops will have a DVI connection which is better than VGA.

Dave

**RadioMaster** · 16 Jul 2009, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveake

read the manwell.

que?

~Helen~ · 16 Jul 2009, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveake

or read the manwell

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioMaster

que?

= Manual

~Helen~ · 16 Jul 2009, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioMaster

did you use to have a proper monitor? if so check if youve still got the cable for that lying around somewhere...that should do the job.

No. Though I'm in danger of needing one soon, that is if the laptop doesn't kick the bucket first

Not only do I have a flickering screen (hence desire to connect thing to TV...that and ooooh big sized screen!), I have intermittent charging (which I pray isn't the motherboard) and my right-direction arrow key came off yesterday...they're tricky beggars to get back on!

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveake

Yes, a cable that connects a VGA socket on a PC to a VGA socket on a monitor is called a, er, now what was it? ... oh yes, a VGA cable.

Clever!

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveake

As well as the cable you will need to tell the laptop to switch on the VGA connection. Usually (well, always in my experience) they have 3 settings - laptop only; monitor only; both. This is usually controlled by the keyboard (normally FN + one of the function keys). You'll need to either stare at your keyboard for an icon that looks like it will do the job, or read the manwell.

This I can cope with as it works the same way as when the work laptops are connected to the projector at work ... so this may be simpler than I was expecting it to be!

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveake

The other option on many laptops is a video output (usually a round socket looking something like a keyboard or mouse socket). However VGA is the better option (simpler, much better picture).

Ooh I have one of those video output things then - it's yellow and yes looks exactly like a mouse or keyboard socket, except for having a picture next to it that looks like an S in a box that has an arrow coming from it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveake

Finally, newish laptops will have a DVI connection which is better than VGA.

*heads to google*...

Hmmm they sound complicated!

Thanks guys!!

samurai7 · 16 Jul 2009, 18:33

I bought a new laptop yesterday that has a HDMI output. How cool is that?!

~Helen~ · 16 Jul 2009, 19:18

I had to google it, but yes - that's pretty cool!

R. · 16 Jul 2009, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by samurai7

I bought a new laptop yesterday that has a HDMI output. How cool is that?!

Well, that's cool until you discover that not all full-hd tv-sets or monitors support this, as these devices only accept hdmi input coming from a video device, ie. a blu-ray player.

**RadioMaster** · 17 Jul 2009, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Helen~

= Manual

hmmm....looks like my fawlty towers joke went unappreciated...

daveake · 17 Jul 2009, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioMaster

hmmm....looks like my fawlty towers joke went unappreciated...

Don't worry, some of us got it

Pudding · 17 Jul 2009, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by samurai7

I bought a new laptop yesterday that has a HDMI output. How cool is that?!

Well it doesn't make me cream my pants.

samurai7 · 17 Jul 2009, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.

Well, that's cool until you discover that not all full-hd tv-sets or monitors support this, as these devices only accept hdmi input coming from a video device, ie. a blu-ray player.

it has Blu-ray. Hmmmmm.. will try it out later. Thanks for the heads up!

Pudding · 18 Jul 2009, 00:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.

Well, that's cool until you discover that not all full-hd tv-sets or monitors support this, as these devices only accept hdmi input coming from a video device, ie. a blu-ray player.

You can get an HDMI converter though, can't you?

**RadioMaster** · 19 Jul 2009, 13:36

little problem with my DVD player:

Is there any way I can switch the playable format from region 2 to region 1 dvds?
I read about this a few years ago, that there was some way, but it was only doable a few times, after that it would get stuck on the last played format. Or am I mixing that up with pal and ntsc?
If I cant switch it back that wouldnt be a big problem as I have two different players connected to my tv, so I could use one for R2 and the other for R1 dvds.

AndrewG · 19 Jul 2009, 13:53

You can change DVD regions on a normal PC DVD drive up to 5 times after which it will be locked (check the properties of the drive in Windows). Stand alone DVD players do not normally allow DVD region changes, at least they are unsupported by the manufacturer as far as I am aware. However there are often all sorts of gimmincky ways to override region codes. It depends on the manufaturer usually (codes / button combination on the machine or on the remote) to override the region setting. You'd have to Google your model/make probably to see if it can be done.

**RadioMaster** · 19 Jul 2009, 14:01

ah, so what i read about was only about pc drives....

when i insert the region 1 dvd it plays without a problem. so i guess there wasnt anything switched from R2 to R1. Do I still have to be careful now not to screw up my dvd drive?

daveake · 19 Jul 2009, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioMaster

Do I still have to be careful now not to screw up my dvd drive?

As Andrew says, look up your make/model on the interweb to find out how to make it permanently multi-region. You'll almost certainly find a method which will likely involve typing in strange key sequences on your remote control, turning the machine off and on, standing on your head, and sacrificing an mlukfc moderator.

AndrewG · 19 Jul 2009, 14:37

Nah I don't think you can mess up a DVD player that easily. The unlock codes are usually only to make the thing play region free. But if you are not using any unlock codes I wouldn't worry.

Interestingly I think Blu Ray drives are much more restricted when it comes to region encoding, but then the regions are different too.

**RadioMaster** · 19 Jul 2009, 14:41

thanks for the help guys, managed to switch one of my players to multi region.
It's a shame that I just had to press 3 keys when I was thinking aobut spending money on a new multi region player

03 Jul 2009, 14:01	#426
~Helen~ Mega Loafer Join Date: 01.11.2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,958	do you know anyone that would loan you one for the few days yours is being 'fixed' for?

04 Jul 2009, 04:37	#427
Lord Kagan On the other hand, You have different fingers Join Date: 17.05.2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 8,833	sadly not

13 Jul 2009, 23:11	#428
~Helen~ Mega Loafer Join Date: 01.11.2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,958	Did you solve your quandry in the end? I hope it's now fixed. I have a new question...what do I need to enable me to view what's on my laptop screen on the TV screen instead? I know it's going to be some sort of cable...I just don't know what... :S

14 Jul 2009, 01:11	#429
duke knooby Mega Loafer Join Date: 24.06.2005 Location: belfast Posts: 17,882	will depend what connections are on your laptop, and tv

16 Jul 2009, 02:00	#430
~Helen~ Mega Loafer Join Date: 01.11.2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,958	The TV has millions, most of which I have no idea what they are...but having inspected it, it appears to have a VGA as does my laptop ... so do I need a cable that connects those two together? and if so, would it have a name?

16 Jul 2009, 09:48	#431
RadioMaster The German Join Date: 11.03.2006 Location: some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdos... Posts: 15,778	did you use to have a proper monitor? if so check if youve still got the cable for that lying around somewhere...that should do the job.

16 Jul 2009, 18:33	#437
samurai7 Rock Star Join Date: 09.05.2005 Location: The future... Posts: 2,928	I bought a new laptop yesterday that has a HDMI output. How cool is that?!

16 Jul 2009, 19:18	#438
~Helen~ Mega Loafer Join Date: 01.11.2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,958	I had to google it, but yes - that's pretty cool!

19 Jul 2009, 13:36	#445
RadioMaster The German Join Date: 11.03.2006 Location: some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdos... Posts: 15,778	little problem with my DVD player: Is there any way I can switch the playable format from region 2 to region 1 dvds? I read about this a few years ago, that there was some way, but it was only doable a few times, after that it would get stuck on the last played format. Or am I mixing that up with pal and ntsc? If I cant switch it back that wouldnt be a big problem as I have two different players connected to my tv, so I could use one for R2 and the other for R1 dvds.

19 Jul 2009, 13:53	#446
AndrewG I hope your salmon sucks! Join Date: 18.01.2004 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 7,077	You can change DVD regions on a normal PC DVD drive up to 5 times after which it will be locked (check the properties of the drive in Windows). Stand alone DVD players do not normally allow DVD region changes, at least they are unsupported by the manufacturer as far as I am aware. However there are often all sorts of gimmincky ways to override region codes. It depends on the manufaturer usually (codes / button combination on the machine or on the remote) to override the region setting. You'd have to Google your model/make probably to see if it can be done.

19 Jul 2009, 14:01	#447
RadioMaster The German Join Date: 11.03.2006 Location: some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdos... Posts: 15,778	ah, so what i read about was only about pc drives.... when i insert the region 1 dvd it plays without a problem. so i guess there wasnt anything switched from R2 to R1. Do I still have to be careful now not to screw up my dvd drive?

19 Jul 2009, 14:37	#449
AndrewG I hope your salmon sucks! Join Date: 18.01.2004 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 7,077	Nah I don't think you can mess up a DVD player that easily. The unlock codes are usually only to make the thing play region free. But if you are not using any unlock codes I wouldn't worry. Interestingly I think Blu Ray drives are much more restricted when it comes to region encoding, but then the regions are different too.

19 Jul 2009, 14:41	#450
RadioMaster The German Join Date: 11.03.2006 Location: some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdos... Posts: 15,778	thanks for the help guys, managed to switch one of my players to multi region. It's a shame that I just had to press 3 keys when I was thinking aobut spending money on a new multi region player