Connect laptop to TV both sound & image

I would like to connect my laptop to my TV for both sound & image.


Most computer shops tell me that I can only do the image using a VGA cable & the sound should come out from my laptop.


BUT I AM SURE THERE IS A WAY TO CONNECT BOTH.


Any advise?


I have a Bose Lifestyle system, hopefully, I'd like all to go through it....


Thanks a lot!


Diego

"Most computer shops tell me that I can only do the image using a VGA cable & the sound should come out from my laptop."


How unimaginative of them. And yes they are mistaken. It is true that, with the exception of HDMI cables, old fashioned antenna coax and SCART, sound travels separately from the picture. However there is no need to let the poor laptop shoulder the audio burden.




I'll ignore the Bose for a minute.


Output side (laptop).

- Video. Either VGA cable (or more rarely DVI). DVI can be converted to VGA. Some laptops also have an S-video output. Some rare laptops have HDMI.

- Sound. Typically 3.5 mm headphone jack. More rarely there is also a 3.5mm sound out jack. With HDMI sounds travels through that as well.


Input side (TV).

- Video: If you have a VGA or DVI input on the TV your problems are solved. It will work just like any other monitor. Use a VGA or DVI cable as appropriate. If the laptop has HDMI, use HDMI on the TV.

- Audio: There will typically be a 3.5 mm input next to the VGA (or HDMI) input. Use a male/male sound cable from the laptop.


Bose system:

- The way I do it for the receiver is that I send the sound computer->TV->receiver. Our receiver simply doesn't have enough sound inputs. If your Bose does you can plug the laptop sound output directly to the Bose. So you get video to the TV and sound to the Bose.


If the TV has no VGA (or DVI) input you need to convert the VGA output to composite, component or s-video (check which of these your TV has). All these conversions are possible.

Just found this super detailed video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWRzYMsNEZM


Now, I need to buy a mini plug to RCA stereo audio cable. Any idea where I can get this?

"Now, I need to buy a mini plug to RCA stereo audio cable. Any idea where I can get this?"


- Wan Chai Computer Centre.

Or more likely

- ComputerZone at 298 Hennessy Road (middle floor)