How to Use an S-Video Card to Watch Movies From My Laptop

by Dean Lee
S-Video Cable

S-Video Cable

s-video cables image by JoLin from Fotolia.com

S-Video is a type of analog cable that allows for the transfer of a video signal between compatible sources. S-Video compatible laptops can be connected to s-video compatible television and any videos or movies on the laptop can be enjoyed on a television with a much larger viewing capacity than a laptop monitor. A S-Video setup is easy with the right components.

Watching Movies on a TV Using a Laptop's S-Video Card

Step 1

Connect one end of the S-Video cable to the laptop and the other end to an available input channel with S-Video on the television.

Step 2

Connect the 1/4" end of the Y-Cable to the headphone jack of the laptop. Connect the other end to the same input channel as the S-Video, but plugging the red and white cables to the corresponding audio input jacks.

Step 3

On the television, turn the channel to the input used when connecting the S-Video and audio cables.

Step 4

On the laptop, click on the function button that activates the dual-screen mode. This button can be distinguished by the symbol that looks like a rounded rectangle (representing a monitor), a straight line, and a laptop. On many computers this button is F7, but may be different depending on the manufacturer. On some computers pushing the button alone will not work. The button must be pushed in conjunction with the "Fn" button.

Step 5

If pushing the function button (or "Fn" and the function button) does not work, right click on the desktop and select "Properties", then go to "Settings."

Step 6

Under the "Settings tab," there is a space with two boxes labeled "1" and "2." Select the box that corresponds to the television (this can be determined by the information in the "Display:" box), then click on the box that says "Use this device as the primary monitor." Click "Apply", then "OK."

Tip

  • It may be necessary to play with the settings for the graphics card by clicking the "Advanced" button under the "Settings" tab, however this is entirely up to the type and manufacturer of the graphics card. Also, using a VGA cable, DVI, or even an HDMI cable if supported can increase the resolution of the video on the television.

About the Author

Dean Lee began writing in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. Lee is currently a network technician with both Cisco Certified Network Associate and Security+ certifications. Lee graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and later completed a Master of Arts in communication at Regent University.

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