# Can I run a PowerPoint slideshow on an older TV? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 22, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-a-powerpoint-slideshow-on-an-older-tv/622705 "2012-05-22T12:48:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-a-powerpoint-slideshow-on-an-older-tv/622705/1 "2012-05-22T12:48:54Z")
Well, the TV isn’t exactly ancient, but it does not have a port designed for a laptop cable. It does have composite, component, and s-video inputs, though. Are there any adapters that would make this work? (I tried looking at NewEgg, but I’m not exactly sure what I am looking for) I don’t need audio, just a visual display of a PP slideshow. Thanks, mmm ---
**Author:** ![Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ian_D.Bergkamp)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-a-powerpoint-slideshow-on-an-older-tv/622705/2 "2012-05-22T13:07:21Z")
Shouldn’t be too difficult. What kind of video output does your laptop have? Whatever it is, check [this site](http://www.svideo.com/compaq1700.html) to see if they have a conversion tool. They probably do. [Disclaimer: I’ve never purchased anything from that site, but it looks like a good guide to tell you which piece of equipment you need.] ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-a-powerpoint-slideshow-on-an-older-tv/622705/3 "2012-05-22T13:15:16Z")
That’s exactly what I need, **NotDennis** ; thanks! I did not realize earlier that my laptop has an s-video port, so that should make this pretty straightforward. However, I understand s-video does not produce the best quality image. I am thinking it is probably good enough for a PP slideshow presentation; anyone have an opinion on that? mmm ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-a-powerpoint-slideshow-on-an-older-tv/622705/4 "2012-05-22T13:29:27Z")
It’s probably the best and most simple you can do under the circumstances, since I don’t think VGA is the same signal as component - so a simple adapter wouldn’t do here. S-Video is definitely better than composite, and since this is apparently an analog TV, you should be okay resolution-wise. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-a-powerpoint-slideshow-on-an-older-tv/622705/5 "2012-05-22T14:08:41Z")
Standard-definition TVs have very,very low resolution compared to compute monitors. The maximum theoretical resolution is only 720x480, and the “safe area” cuts that down by 20% or more. So, don’t expect anyone to be able to read small text on a TV.