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How can a PowerBook G3 Series computer be connected to a TV?
DISCUSSION
TV Out
Some Powerbook G3 Series models come equipped with a TV out port (also called video out, not to be confused with External Video support) on the rear of the computer. See Figure 1.
Figure 1: TV out port.
It is an S-Video type of connector (the one that looks similar to the keyboard connector).
How Do I Use TV Out?
In the example below, we will use a TV as the device we're connecting to; the same steps apply for VCRs as well.
1. Shut Down the PowerBook or put it to Sleep.
2. Connect the PowerBook G3 Series to the TV using either an S-Video to S-Video cable or an S-Video to RCA Composite Video cable.
3. Set the TV to the line-in or whichever channel will display the PowerBook video (see your TV or VCR manual for this).
4. Power on or wake the PowerBook.
5. When the PowerBook has started up, choose the resolution to display on the TV. You will get a series of options like those shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Resolution options.
What Do All Those Video Options Mean?
1024 x 768 (built-in): This is the PowerBook display video-only setting. Selecting this will not display any video to the TV.
All other selections: These are all of the resolutions that a TV can display. Unlike RGB or VGA monitors, TVs can only display computer video at certain resolutions which limits the size of the screens that are selectable.
If you are getting corrupted video on the TV, make sure you have selected a resolution under the (NTSC) selections. The PowerBook G3 Series can use TV Out to both North American (NTSC) and European (PAL) TVs. If you are using a PAL resolution on a U.S. TV, it will give a corrupted video image. To resolve this, disconnect the TV, restart the PowerBook so the display is showing on the PowerBook's display only, follow the directions above and make sure you choose an NTSC setting.
Connecting to a VCR or TV
Figure 3 shows how a TV can be connected to the TV out port of the PowerBook G3 Series. This also applies to a VCR as well.
Figure 3: Connecting a TV.
TIL article 8405: " Macintosh: Video Mirroring and Extended Desktop Defined " provides some additional information on what video mirroring is and when it should be used.
Note: Macintosh PowerBook G3 Series computers should not be confused with Macintosh PowerBook G3 computers. Though the names are similar, there are significant differences. For more information differentiating between the computers, please see the following Tech Info Library article:
Article 24604: " PowerBook G3 & G3 Series: Identifying Different Models "