I have an acer aspire 4720z laptop and want to transfer my monitor to my big TV screen to watch video's, digi-camera pictures, etc.

To enable me to do that and following the instructions I purchased an s-video cable and a sound transfer cable (1 out) from laptop to (2 in) to TV.

My laptop has a 7 pin s-video connection.

My TV has a 4 pin s-video connection.

I was told in Tuckom that an s-video cable with 4 out and 4 in pin is fine and will work.

However after connectiong the s-video cable to both laptop and TV and pressing the blue fn+f5 keys nothing happening.

My TV was tuned to s-video recieve mode.

After that failure a mate of mine connected his laptop to my TV using the very same cables and it worked fine, (he has 4 pin to 4 pin s-video ports).

Why was that?

Should i have a (7 out) laptop - to (4 in) TV s-video cable (if available) or is the problem elswhere?

Any suggestions guys?

Here is an explanation of the two different types: S-Video. Primarily the 7 pin carries both the standard s-video signals and the composite video. However, looking at the diagrams the pins match up for the correct signals for s-video so it should work correctly. Recheck that the TV is set for the correct input (s-video) jack.

Thank's tywais

Bearing in mind i'm an ageing novice i'm not sure what you mean when you say....................."Recheck that the TV is set for the correct input (s-video) jack".

If you mean was the TV 'set to the s-video screen'.................Yes it was.

The TV was set to 'receive s-video' and even though the signal from my laptop wouldnt transfer to the big screen my mate's 'laptop did' (showing his desktop and icons) and from using the very same connector's mine failed with.

Am i missing a driver or somthing?

Have you tried a reboot? I know it's the age old question, but some laptops (my old Compaq being a prime suspect here) would only allow me to switch IF the tv was connected and the laptop restarted.

I used a s-video to Phono cable (2 wire).

Maybe you have to tell your laptop to go and use the s-video first; that option should be in your graphics card program or advanced options for the display settings.

Maybe you have to tell your laptop to go and use the s-video first; that option should be in your graphics card program or advanced options for the display settings.

Hence the reboot, to let the laptop and it's GFX driver know the external display is connected and available....