How to Connect a Projector to a PC Using an S-Video With No Color

PC and projector connection via S-Video.

Connecting a PC to a projector using the S-Video connection with no color is not difficult. However, the video signal will not be as good as it is with other types of video connections. S-Video carries standard definition video with a standard 480i or 576i resolution, which is 640 X 480 pixel VGA resolution. Most computers or digital televisions have an average resolution of 1280 X 768 pixels, or higher. You have to lower the screen resolution on the computer, to adapt it to the much smaller S-Video resolution. This type of connection will work adequately with images, and video signals, but you may not get the fine resolution you want in the viewing of a movie, as you would on your PC or on a digital TV.

Things You'll Need

• Projector
• Projector manual
• Computer
• S-Video cable

Instructions

1. Set up the computer near the projector within connection distance of the wall outlet, and connect the S-Video cable to the projector. Add any additional peripheral you may use, like a mouse, keyboard, external hard drive or memory stick. Do not turn on the computer yet.

2. Set up the LCD projector. Plug the three pronged electrical cord into the back of the projector, and plug the other end into the wall outlet. Turn on the projector to make sure the viewing light is projected on the screen at the right viewable height. Turn the projector back off.

3. Connect the S-Video cable to the projector and the PC.

4. Set the projector to S-Video with the switch on the projector. Projectors work on different video inputs and you usually have to set the projector to accept S-Video before the images will show.

5. Turn on the projector.

6. Turn on the computer and go to "Start," "Control Panel," then "Appearance and Themes." Go to "Display," "Settings," and click on "Advanced." Choose your graphics card tab on the top toolbar, and change the setting to TV, then click on "Accept."

7. Change the screen resolution by moving the slider down to 800 x 600 pixels and click on the "Apply" button.

8. Press your computer's "FN" key plus the correct function key four or five times to get the right TV-Out setting. In some computers, this is "FN"+"F5," while in others it may be "FN"+"F3." the number key you press will depend on your computer brand.

9. You should see the display on the projector now.

Tips & Warnings

• Here is a basic F-number list for most PC brands: Acer Fn+F3; Dell Fn+F8; Fujitsu Fn+F5; Gateway Fn+F3; HP Fn+F5; IBM Fn+F1 or +F3, +F7 +F8; NEC Fn+F3; Panasonic Fn+F2; Samsung Fn+F4 or F5 or F6; Sharp Fn+F5; Sony Fn+F7; and Toshiba Fn+F5.

• If you are running Windows 7, skip Step 6 and instead run the Windows 7 TV wizard once you have connected the cables.

• Most computers and projectors use a 4 pin S-Video connector. However, there are some that use 7 pin connectors. Make sure you have the right S-Video cable for the connectors your PC and projector have.

References

• Svideo: How to Use the S-Video Out of your Computer
• University of Wisconsin: Setting Up a LCD Projector and Laptop
• AV Forums: Computer to S-Video Projector Problem