Stupid tech question

[BoSoxGal]

Probably anybody else would know the answer to this, but I am admittedly very basic when it comes to computer and tech stuff.

I have a Dell Dimension C521 that I inherited from a friend. It's enough for my computing needs for the time being - does internet, word processing and plays DVDs.

I want to know if I can hook it up to a HDTV. I recall when I had an HDTV a couple of years ago, pre-layoff, that I was able to hook my work laptop (also a Dell) to the TV and computer on that huge screen. I'm not sure if I needed a special cable, or what.

Is there any reason I could not also hook this tower up to an HDTV?

The TVs are super cheap these days. A new computer/monitor, much more expensive. I mostly want to do this so I can watch movies via Netflix streaming/DVD, watch CNN and ComedyCentral via streaming.

Please advise.

Thanks!

[Gob]

As far as I know it's easy to connect a computer to a HDTV, though you will not be able to use it as a monitor.

I stand to be corrected though.

[Sean]

Stand and be corrected Strop!

If your TV has a VGA input you can hook up your PC to it as you would with any monitor.
If not it should have a component video (RGB or RGBHV) input. Any half-decent electronics store should be able to sort you out with a VGA-component cable.

[Gob]

I bow to your superior geekyness...

[Sean]

That's geekiness to you mush!

[rubato]

With a wireless router and a new blu-ray player you can stream netflix, youtube &c directly to your TV.

yrs,
rubato

[BoSoxGal]

I know I can do the streaming Netflix thing, but I also love my Daily Show/Colbert Report fix on ComedyCentral.com and the podcasts of various CNN shows I like as well.

I don't want cable because there is just too much addictive crap on cable. I have a real weakness for television addiction, so I'd rather be limited to just the things I really want to see. I can watch TV when I'm visiting my BF.

Although I am planning a month or so doing a visual media fast before I consider getting the TV - and maybe after a month back on NPR only (with the occasional DVD on my computer) I'll decide to forego all the other stuff.

I've got a lot of work to do rehabbing my rental house, anyway. Lots of painting, refinishing hardwood floors, stripping old paint off woodwork, then gardening once the ground thaws. So a media fast might be just the thing . . . for a few months, even.

Anyone else ever craze a media fast?

I'll still visit this place, of course!

[Gob]

Anyone else ever craze a media fest?

I watch so little TV these days. The news, the cricket, Biggest Loser, and Masterchef, that's about it.

We tend to watch stuff on DVD more.

I'll still visit this place, of course!

I hope so!

[BoSoxGal]

Ruh-roh - I caught my typo and edited before I saw your post Gob - sorry!

Though you responded to fast, rather than fest, anyway.

I am right now watching Heavy, which has replaced Biggest Loser as my favorite reality show. I'm addicted to Intervention, Heavy and Hoarders. I love f'd up people!

[loCAtek]

For long spats of '09 and '10, i didn't have any home access; no media, media-less or spits from library surfing, and/or actually looking at a hardcopy newspaper, now and then.

YouTube was lost to me and I'm just catching up. Anybody wanna tell me what happened for the last two years? ...I think there was a recession, or sum-such?