How to Get S Video on a NVIDIA Video Card to Work

By David Weinberg

Use an S-Video cable to connect a Latitude to a TV.
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Many graphics cards include S-Video output ports that allow your computer to connect to a TV using an S-Video cable. S-Video only supports standard definition signals, but it's compatible with most televisions. The S-Video output is disabled by default on NVIDIA cards and it may be improperly configured for your computer on others. You may need to connect your computer to a standard computer monitor to configure the computer's S-Video output before you connect the computer to a television.

Step 1

Download and install the latest drivers for your NVIDIA video card (see Resources). After the installer is finished, connect the S-Video port on your graphics card to the S-Video port on your television and turn the television on. Set the television's input to "S-Video." Restart your computer.

Step 2

Right-click on the Desktop and select the "NVIDIA Control Panel." Click on the "Plus" icon next to the "Display" label in the left "Select a Task..." pane.

Step 3

Click on "Set up multiple displays." Select "Clone" display mode. If you see a grayed-out icon for the second display, click on it and select "TV."

Step 4

Click on "Video & Television in the "Select a Task..." pane. Select "S-Video - SDTV" under "Connector Selection."

Step 5

Click "Adjust screen size and position." Use the arrows to resize and move the image on your television screen until it's centered and fills the entire screen.

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