connecting laptop to a tv

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Hi,
You shouldn't need a special adapter. If you can, try borrowing an
S-Video cable and some audio cable from a friend and try it before
buying any. If you have an S-Video port out and audio port out (or even
a headset port), you should have no problem using standard cables. How
the laptop views and sounds on the TV is another issue and is dependant
on the video graphics and sound capabilities of the laptop.
As far as Dell's motives with the "special adapter", if your
regular cable works (and it won't hurt to try), you sound like you know
already. It's too bad that so many of these computer / electronics
dealers want to make their products proprietary and try to tie
customers in with claims that you have to buy their product or a
recommended product, all under the guise of being "helpful", or what
you try from another manufacturer or retailer won't work, when often it
will. Not always, but often.

Hope this helps.
Silicon Alley Computers
http://www.siliconalleycomputers.com