Figure 1: VGA Connector	Figure 2: DVI Connector

Generally speaking, your computer is going to have one of two outputs: either a standard SVGA output (figure 1), traditionally used to connect to a computer monitor, or, on higher-end machines, a DVI output (figure 2). Your television, on the other hand, could have one of several video options, each of which we will look at in this article.

Computers with a VGA output

Assuming your computer has a VGA input, then the easiest connection is if your TV also has a PC VGA input. This would be the standard VGA video output from a computer to the same connection on a TV. Many newer televisions, in particular HDTVs, have this connection. If your TV does have this input, then a simple Super VGA cable (male to male) will do the trick, and will give you the best possible video quality.

If your television does not have a VGA input, your next best bet is if the television has a component video input. If so, a converter box is available (our part number 40H1-50200) that will convert your VGA signal into Component video. (Note that this part only works in one direction; if you needed to convert component video back to VGA, you would want part number 40H1-50300). Component video gives you the same high quality picture as VGA, so it’s the next best choice after VGA for converting a computer signal. (The other two video options we list below, composite video and s-video, will not deliver as clean a picture, and should only be used when neither VGA nor component video are available.)

VGA to Component Converter

Converting VGA to component video often causes confusion for customers, who wonder why a converter box is needed. This confusion is because there is also a cable out there that looks as though it would do the same job as the VGA to component video conversion box. VGA to component video cables, such as the one shown to the right, are often mistakenly purchased in an attempt to connect a computer’s VGA source to a component video display.

VGA to component cable

The reason why this cable will not work to convert a computer’s VGA signal into component video is because the VGA signal and component video signal are very different video signal types. It takes more than a simple cable to convert between the two. This cable is actually designed for use with certain projectors that have a 15-pin VGA connection that is specially designed to be capable of accepting the component video signal (often referred to as a Y/Pb/Pr signal). This design is so that the projector doesn’t have to have separate jacks for both component video and VGA, thus saving space (and money). This same dual-purpose connector is also found on certain HDTV set-top boxes.

If you have an older television set that has neither a VGA nor a component video input, then it will most likely have a composite video (yellow RCA jack) and / or an S-video connection. To convert your VGA into Composite video or S-video, our part number 41CV-50220 will do the trick. This box gives you the option of converting your computer’s VGA signal into either Composite or S-video. It also has an additional VGA output if you would like to have a VGA monitor and your TV hooked up at the same time.

VGA to S-Video / Composite Video Convert

Computers with a DVI output

As we mentioned earlier, higher-end computers are coming equipped with a DVI (digital video) output.

Any new HDTV out recently will have a DVI or HDMI input on it as its digital connection. If this is the case for you, connecting your PC to the television is simply a matter of choosing either a DVI cable (if your TV has a DVI input port on it) or a DVI to HDMI cable (if your TV has an HDMI port on it). So what do you do if your television is not equipped with DVI or HDMI ports? Well, as it turns out, most computer video cards with DVI on them can be readily adapted to a VGA connection using a simple DVI to VGA adaptor to convert the DVI port into a VGA port. From there, you can simply follow the instructions above for connecting a VGA output to your TV.

DVI Digital Video Cable

DVI to HDMI Video Cable

What about Audio?

All of the options listed above are for video signals only. Audio will have to be run separately. Fortunately, unlike the video hookup, connecting up audio between a computer and a TV is pretty straightforward. Computer sound cards have a 3.5mm (sometimes also referred to as a 1/8 inch) connection. This is the same connection you would find on headphones or computer speakers. That signal is easily converted to a 2 RCA (Red and White) stereo connection, which can be plugged into the back of your TV, or the back of your receiver if you have one. CableWholesale offers two versions of this cable, depending on your needs; our standard quality and premium quality 3.5mm to two RCA cables are shown in the pictures on the right.

3.5mm to 2RCA Stereo Audio Cable

Premium Grade 3.5mm to 2RCA Cable

Network Interface Card

Ethernet CAT5E Cable

With many homes now having more than one computer, home networks are becoming more and more appealing to the average PC user. Networking your computers together allows you to transfer files amongst the different computers at breakneck speeds, as well as share a printer or scanner or other peripheral.A basic network (LAN or Local Area Network) consists of two computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CD-ROMs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications.

For this article, we will assume that your local cable or phone company has installed a broadband Internet connection on one of your PCs. If they haven’t, then that should be your first step.

Many new homes are being built pre-wired for Internet. This means that you have network cables running throughout your walls and coming out as jacks in the wall in various rooms. If this is the case then you will have an even easier time setting up your network. If not, that’s ok too, as cables can be neatly run under carpets, through attics, or along baseboards.

For the basic network, you will need the following in order to connect two or more computers together (see figure to left):

• A broadband internet connection (such as cable modem or DSL)
• A router
• One CAT-5E network cable for each computer
• One CAT-5E network cable for modem
• One network interface card for each computer
  Note that more and more computers are offering a network card already built in, so check your computer for an Ethernet cable port before purchasing another card.

Flat Network Cable

Plan Your Setup

Next, you need to figure out how and where to run the appropriate length cables to fit your specific needs. We offer special flat Ethernet cables specifically designed for running along baseboards and the floor. This helps in keeping them out of the way and from people tripping over them.Connect one end of a network cable into the back of your DSL/cable modem and the other into the “Internet” port on the back of the router. Connect a network cable in the back of each of your computers and into separate ports in the back of the router. You now have the start of a basic network.

Note that the purpose of the network router is to allow multiple computers to share one internet connection, without having to pay for a multiple-connection option from the internet service provider.

Most new computers will auto-configure your router and get you connected. You may have to configure your computer to turn on DHCP. This allows your router to differentiate between your different computers.

Enable DHCP

If you have a Windows based computer: Go to Start -> Programs -> Control Panel -> Network Connections. Right click on the connection and select Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click properties. Select Obtain IP Address Automatically and Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically. If you are using a Windows 2000 machine you must then click Advanced and select DHCP Enabled and click OK. You may have to reboot for the settings to take affect.If you have a Mac running OS 10.2: Go to System Preferences -> Network. Click on the TCP/IP tab. In the TCP/IP panel, change Configure Manually to Using DHCP. Delete any Domain Name Servers that are listed in the Domain Name Servers box. Click Apply Now.

Network Router

If you have a Mac running OS 10.3: Go to System Preferences -> Network. From Show, choose Built-in Ethernet. Click on the TCP/IP tab. From Configure, choose Using DHCP. Delete Domain Name Servers. Click Apply Now.

Repeat the above steps for each computer on the network.

Setup Sharing

To allow for the other computers to share certain folders or printers:
If you are running Windows 2000/XP: Right click on any file folder and go to Sharing and Security… Select Share This Folder. Click OK. The other computers on your network can access anything you put in this folder. To share a printer, on the PC with the printer, go to Start -> Printers and Faxes. Right click on the printer you’d like to share and select Sharing… Select Share this Printer. Click OKIf you have a Mac running OSX: Go to System Preferences (on the Apple menu) and click on Sharing. Select Personal File Sharing. The “Public” folder in your home folder will now be shared automatically. Use the address displayed at the bottom of the Sharing window to access this folder from other computers. Unlike Windows, Mac OSX does not allow you to share any folder you want. To share printers, select Printer Sharing.