Blue screen with HDMI

Your TV doesn't have video output on either HDMI or Composite video. (There are a few TVs that do have a video out but often that is only available for some input/output combinations. You would need to check the manual but the PC input is usually not available for the video output.)

You could get a VGA to composite or component video converter and direct the signal to your new TV from your PC. One example of the first converter is here: http://www.cablestogo.com/product/29548 . An example of the VGA to component video is here: https://sewelldirect.com/audio-authority-vga-to-component-pc-to-hdtv-converter.asp . There are other models available. A few VGA to HDMI converters also exist. However, since those need to convert an analog output to digital, they are more expensive.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(A few VGA to composite cables exist. They will not work for your purpose. They are designed to connect projectors with RCA ports and understand the VGA RGB signal to a computer.)

I have had no luck with hdmi when I tried to use one on my big screen the screen went blank I just resorted to a reg cable, I think you need internet for hdmi cable

Maybe. You could try a USB to HDMI adapter, like this: http://sewelldirect.com/articles/USB-to-HDMI.aspx . These are fine for some uses but not generally for gaming. I'm not sure this works with Win7 Starter (due to driver issues).
Another option is a VGA to HDMI (analog to digital) converter. An example is http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011404&p_id=6191&seq=1&format=2#description . Note: the VGA output is a 480 (SD) signal; some issues may occur. Also you need to make sure that the refresh rate for the computer is set to 60Hz. (On some ultrabooks, the VGA port is disabled for power-savings. In that case, you may need to enable it in the BIOS as well as setting the video output.) Then the TV will be the only monitor while it is connected to the Ultrabook.

The only issue you may have is with the TV. Not all TVs with HDMI ports read the signal from a computer. The converter gives the signal for TVs. I'm not sure about the output signal from the USB device. (If the port is labeled HDMI/DVI, it is more likely to support a computer's signal.) There are also VGA to component video or composite video converters that will do similar signal modifications. These don't have the HDMI issue. (Make sure you don't get a VGA to component cable; these are for projectors that can talk to computers.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Most TVs will have HDMI and RCA component and composite jacks. Some TVs will also have a VGA port. Your laptop will have a VGA port. (If the laptop is fairly new, it may also have an HDMI port.)

Not all TVs will support an HDMI signal from a computer, so the VGA signal is often better. However, that limits you to SD (anything with HDCP will fail.)

Very few TVs ship with the HDMI or component cables. However, there are some vendors who do package the HDMI cable with their TV. Without knowing which exact model of TV and laptop, I can only make a few suggestions. I know that the TCP42ST30 (Plasma 42") doesn't have a VGA port.

Look at your laptop for any external monitor port. VGA ports are generally blue female ports with 15 holes (D-Sub). If your TV has a matching VGA port, get a standard VGA monitor cable.

If you have the VGA port on the laptop but not on the TV, you can try a converting from VGA to HDMI. (You may need a DVI to VGA adapter and either a DVI to HDMI cable or a DVI to HDMI adapter.) Note: this gives an analog signal (RGB format) to the TV. You'll also need to make sure that your VGA port is active (in the BIOS for some computers) and then set your computer to send the signal to the external monitor. It is best to turn off both the computer and the TV before connecting the two. Then turn on the TV and set it to the correct input before turning on the computer. (In Windows 7, I set the video signal for the external monitor by right clicking on the desktop and selecting Graphics Properties. Set the signal to the external monitor and click Apply. Then click OK (in the external monitor's screen).)

If this doesn't work, you need a VGA to component video converter. (Not a VGA to component video cable - those are for projectors that read the RGB signal.) See http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/video-converters/vga-rgb-hv-to-component-video/c10000-c11200-c11215-p1.html .

Some laptops come with an HDMI, mini-HDMI or a DisplayPort option. For the latter two, you will need the appropriate cable with that end and the HDMI connector on the other. Then connect the TV and the computer as described above. (Note: my TVs accept a computer signal at the HDMI port labeled HDMI/DVI. However, you need to make sure that your TV understands this signal. It isn't the same format as that from a set-top box. My laptop has VGA and HDMI out; the desktops have VGA, DVI and HDMI (on one).)

If you add a comment with the model of your TV and laptop, I'll be glad to give you more specific options to connect the TV and the computer.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(A DVI port is a digital video out option with ~21 pins and is usually white.)

Get a component video cable (blue, green, red) and a separate RCA audio cable (white and red) if your cable box has a component video output and the TV has a component video input.

If your cable box doesn't have the component output, you will need a converter to go from the HDMI to component video. Something like this: http://www.hdtvsupply.com/hdmi-to-component.html . There are other converters available if your TV has some other inputs available.

A cable that has an HDMI M on one end and a VGA M on the other will not work. HDMI signals from the set top box are a digital signal. The VGA port on the TV is set to read an RGB analog signal. (Similarly a component to VGA cable would not work since the RGB and PbPrY are not compatible.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

You have a bad cable, try another cable... or patiently test the cable before you buy... clean the contact pins then try again.

In order to connect your laptop to your TV using RGB, you need an RGB adapter. RGB is also known as component video; it breaks up a video signal into red, green and blue. laptops do not have RGB outputs. However, many laptops have VGA, DVI or HDMI outputs. An RGB adapter connects the single VGA, DVI, or HDMI cable to an RGB cable, which is actually three different cables tied together. INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Connect either the VGA, DVI or HDMI (in the order of increasing video quality) cable to the VGA, DVI or HDMI port on your laptop, depending on what is available. 2. Connect the other end of the cable to the side of the RGB adapter with the single input. 3. Connect the RGB cables to the red, green and blue ports on the other side of the RGB adapter. 4. Connect the other end of the RGB cables to an available component input on the back of the TV. 5. Tune the TV to the component video input you used through your television's menu. 6. Turn on your laptop. The laptop should now display on your TV screen.

hey fox,
sounds to me like a connection problem. If the compaqs output is vga, you need to convert the input (tv side ) to hdmi, component, s-vidio... what ever you can find. Typically when you hook up your computer to a flat screen or such, its best to try to use the hdmi ports or the rpg. But if thats not available you need to take the outout from your laptop ( whatever type that might be and input it into your flat screen tv. If you input laptop into tv under ( eg..HDMI) then when you VIEW it you need to select the correct source on your flat screen. Such as hdmi or pcmi or rpg.I know that the do sell alot of cables that adapt from one type of connection to another. Typically only one cable is required from the laptop to the flat screen. If you think about it you are only using the flat screen as a monitor.

what model of TV was it please,
Does your computer have tv out video card installed?
For video to tv you will need a vga to tv converter,this is an external device and will work on the computers vga output straight into a vga input and give you 1 x vga out,1 x rca out, 1 x s/video out,comes supplied all prebuilt with onboard graphics solution. no extra power required runs straight of vga output.
Once the computers video output is established then set the TV up to tune into the converters output signal.
HD TV can be set up to run thru rca and components and if model is late enough shuld come equip with serial vga input for computers.Other than that HDMI seems to be the better quality of picture over rca component.Cost verses dollar really and function.

Cheap fix VGA to TV CONVERTER
Expensive Fix HDMI to HDMI

(it is posible to hdmi over cat5e)
NO COMPARISON FOR QUALITY.

Try to use a HDMI cable, your component cables may not be usable with your TV.