I have a newish LG 32in LED TV that I’m trying to connect to an oldish Dell desktop computer. The video connection over VGA is working well enough, but the audio connection isn’t working at all, it’s like the cable isn’t even plugged in. I’m using a 3.5mm male to duel RCA male cable from Radio Shack, going from the headphone jack on the PC to the inputs on the TV. I know the sound on the TV works, I know the sound on the computer works, I haven’t tested the cable anywhere but I doubt that’s the issue. I swear I’m not dumb, but this has me baffled! Any help would be appreciated.
It’s probably expecting audio input from a 3.5mm jack next to the VGA. Does that exist?
(Like in this PDF, page 2, but I don’t know which specific model you have)
Normally the component audio input is tied to the component video input, so when you’re using VGA instead, it won’t even bother looking there.
The TV may have a setting to take optical or coax sound input
The computer may have a multiple outputs. There may be an internal switch to activate some outputs, eg there may be an internal line out .
The sound may be set to go to the HDMI video card, for example. The choice is controlled by software (Windows control panel… )
Or there may be one output at the front and one at the back. An output at the front may have a volume control.
You aren’t meant to run HEADPHONE to the TV. Headphone sockets are only designed for headphones. Its a current source - the signal is in the current. Meanwhile the TV is looking for a voltage - a signal in the voltage.
Is there any other audio output on the computer you could use?
Reply: it does have a port for rgb/dvi in. What type of connector do I need for that?
Isilder: the computer is ten years old and wasn’t built as a media center, it only has onboard sound and nothing fancy. http://www.esaitech.com/images/detailed/10/TTT/img54591.jpg there’s a separate video card but it only has VGA, dvi, and svideo ports. I’ve considered upgrading to a card with HDMI, but the only AGP card with HDMI on the market has a bunch of reviews saying it won’t work in a Dell. I’m starting to wonder if I might not be better off just connecting some computer speakers…
munch, see my reply above. I have the 3.5mm ports shown, and another speaker port in front, and that’s it.
No, I mean is there a 3.5mm port audio port on the TV, somewhere NEAR the RGB port? RGB/DVI, if it looks like a wide and thin slot, is for video. You’re looking for the same kind of hole that came out of your computer. If you can find that on the TV, just connect your computer to that with a long audio extension cable.
I run my laptop or even iPod headphone socket into my home theatre audio input using a 3.5mm plug to RCA plug cord. There is no problem doing this in just about any audio to audio connection. I wouldn’t suggest running your 100 volt line PA system output into the amp but the headphone source should work with no problems.
Try Reply’s suggestion using a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord into the RGB/DVI AUDIO IN jack.
Here’s a picture showing what Reply is talking about. The 3.5mm stereo input is to the right of the VGA jack.
This. A set of inexpensive computer speakers will be easier to install and possibly cheaper than a new video card, and probably give you sound that is as good or better than the TV’s.
Maybe like a $50 set, but REALLY cheap computer speakers often have terrible highs and bass. TVs that I’ve heard at least have some moderately acceptable sound quality, especially if they’re a relatively modern LCD/plasma type.
There’s like a whole market for really crap computer speaker for businesspeople who only ever listen to the Windows startup sound.
It’s entirely possible that those audio inputs are ignored by the TV unless it’s switched to the Composite Video input. You may want to test that by playing some music on the PC and switching from the VGA to the composite or component video input setting. If the music plays when you’re switched to composite/component, that’s what’s happening. In that case you won’t be able to use those audio inputs with that video input.
Generally, any television with a “VGA In” connection has an associated 3.5mm phone socket input close by and which is the selected audio input when the TV is switched to “VGA In” mode. Many VGA cables intended for use between flatscreen TVs and PCs come with an integrated 3.5mm cable, like this example on Amazon
Thank you everyone for your help, especially Reply. The 3.5mm connector worked pefectly, and I feel silly for not trying it in the first place - the hole looked too small! (And yes, that is what she said.)