How to Hook Up My Dell Laptop to a ViewSonic Video Projector to Show on a Screen

Connect a Dell laptop to a ViewSonic projector with an S-video cable.

Dell laptops are equipped with a variety of ports for hooking up peripherals and external components, including monitors and projectors such as a ViewSonic video projector. An S-video socket on the back edge of the Dell laptop is used for the connection to a ViewSonic projector, which has a matching socket on the back panel. Audio cables can also be connected between the laptop and projector, or the Dell's built-in speaker can be used for sound.

Things You'll Need

• S-video cable
• Y-adapter with mini-plug and two 1/4-inch audio jacks
• Stereo cables with 1/4-inch plugs on both ends

Instructions

1. Insert the plug on one end of the S-video cable into the S-video socket on the back edge of the Dell. The socket is round, with four holes in the center to align with the four metal pins in the plug.

2. Connect the plug on the other end to the S-video socket to the back of the ViewSonic projector.

3. Insert the mini-plug on the Y-adapter into the headphone jack on the left edge of the Dell laptop.

4. Connect the stereo cable plugs from the two jacks on the Y-adapter to the audio input jacks on the back of the ViewSonic projector.

5. Turn on the computer and click the "Start" button in the lower left-hand corner to select "Control Panel." Click "Connector to a projector" underneath the heading "Hardware and Sound," then select the connection method from the list of options to send the video signal from the Dell to the ViewSonic.

Tips & Warnings

• Self-powered desktop speakers can be connected to the Dell's headphone jack for audio if desired, instead of connecting stereo cables to the ViewSonic.

• Shut down the computer and the projector while connecting the video cable.

References

• ViewSonic: Projectors and Input Specifications