Geordie

Q: Connecting my 867mhz Powerbook to a TV

Hi –

 

I'm trying to connect my old Powerbook 15" 867mhz to my HDTV so I can watch online movies through my Lovefilm account in the UK. I'm not actually sure if I can do this or even if it's worth doing if the picture quality is going to be so poor. I had some advice a while back regarding getting an S video cable and plugging that into the TV. The only cable I can find that came with my laptop is an ancient VGA adaptor cable (I think).

 

Firstly I need to know if I can do this and secondly what do I need to do it. I don't actually know what an S video cable looks like or if there are different types and I need a particular one for my laptop?

 

Any help much appreciated.

 

Thanks from someone trying to give his old laptop a new lease of life.

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jan 23, 2012 3:15 PM

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Q: Connecting my 867mhz Powerbook to a TV

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  • by Braby,Helpful

    Braby Braby Jan 23, 2012 3:40 PM in response to Geordie
    Level 4 (1,795 points)
    Jan 23, 2012 3:40 PM in response to Geordie

    I would be surprised if your HD TV actually has an S-Video input, it's a form of connection that pretty much went the way of 8 Track players and the mini-disc - promising at the time but short-lived. Let's assume however it does have one  though if  it doesn't you can use a connector of some sort  either to convert the signal to composite or even HDMI (as someone in this very discussion has done - with disappointing results.)

    A good place to start is somewhere like Maplin http://www.maplin.co.uk/

    just put s-video in the search box and you'll see what they've got.

    I have in the past connected my PB to a TV via S-video and its not very good by today's standards. With the right adaptor you can also make a connection via the external monitor port which should give a better result.

    Finally just to add to the obstacles - is the Lovefilm service downloaded or streamed? (When I had it they sent the DVDs though the post!) I ask because if it's streamed there's no way you will get anything other than audio and a series of stills - the processor just isn't up to it.

  • by Geordie,

    Geordie Geordie Jan 23, 2012 3:46 PM in response to Braby
    Level 2 (310 points)
    Jan 23, 2012 3:46 PM in response to Braby

    Thanks Braby –

     

    I was reading your post thinking this looking a little more promising until I got to the streaming bit (they are streamed and I currently watch them on my iPad though I can't use this to connect to the TV because it's an original iPad and not an iPad 2)... If you think the laptop isn't up to it then it's had it's day as I can't think of any other use for it!

     

    I did originally use it as a stereo conencted to powered speakers but now my music collection is on my iMac and I'm thinking of getting an Airport Express connected to the speakers to do that job.

     

    Sad days indeed then... Thanks anyway!

  • by Braby,

    Braby Braby Jan 24, 2012 3:01 AM in response to Geordie
    Level 4 (1,795 points)
    Jan 24, 2012 3:01 AM in response to Geordie

    Have you not just tried streaming something from Lovefilm on your PB? Then you'll know for sure.

    All I can tell you with certainty is that the BBC iPlayer for example doesn't work very well on any PPC Mac.

    As a side issue since my Sony HD TV is a model that doesn't have internet access I bought this streaming device

    http://www.trustedreviews.com/sony-smp-n100_TV-recorder---set-top-box_review

    which I notice includes Lovefilm and which Amazon UK are selling for £75.

    Other brands are available!

  • by Geordie,

    Geordie Geordie Jan 24, 2012 4:33 AM in response to Braby
    Level 2 (310 points)
    Jan 24, 2012 4:33 AM in response to Braby

    Hi Braby –

     

    I will try that – don't know why I didn't think of that myself actually – I suppose I thought it might work on the laptop but may not work on a TV if the TV required more power or something. Anyway will try it and see.

     

    I've seen the Sony box you're talking about and also a Sony Blu Ray player which handles Lovefilm but I was hoping not to fork out on another box for under the TV if possible...!

     

    Thanks