Plan B Forum

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!

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.

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.

I bow to your superior geekyness...

That's geekiness to you mush!

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

yrs,
rubato

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!

bigskygal wrote: 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.

bigskygal wrote: I'll still visit this place, of course!

I hope so!

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!

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?