Notebook S-video output to LCD display

[Reid]

Has anyone tried connecting a computer's S-video output to a small LCD display (6 to 8 inch), typically used with portable/vehicle DVD players? I am wondering if there is good enough resolution to watch my travel progress with navigation programs such as Street and Trips, and Street Atlas.

I know that it might not be possible to read street names, but I mainly just need enough resolution to see my path over the planned route.

I don't even try to look at the notebook's screen while moving and just listen to SA's voice prompt, but it would be nice to locate a small screen on the dashboard that can be glanced at occasionally.

It is legal here for a driver to be able to see a video display as long as it is only for displaying navigation.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Can't you just paint your windshield black and navigate by radar and instrumentation?





:D
I've almost gone off the road trying to look at my gps before. No wonder the manual says to have a copilot/navigator!

[Paleo Pete]

The only time I've tried S-Video was through a standard desktop computer, but it should work basically the same. As long as both devices support S-Video, as far as I know it should work. I didn't change settings, since I wasnted the secondary screen to duplicate the primary monitor, not "extend" onto it.

Don't know about the legality, but it's probably not entirely legal in the US. ON the other hand, it seems that if a GPS is acceptable, this should be as well.

I've used my laptop for that purpose, but it's not easy to read on a sunny day and difficult to balance due to the seat shape. I found it best to pull over periodically when I needed to check the map. Trying to navigate both the vehicle and display was not what I thought of as safe. Think I only ran off the road 4 times though... :rolleyes:

[Reid]

I pull over if I have to study the map, but I would probably not be able to see street names anyway at the normal zoom level, on a 7" display. I just want to see if my current position is on the planned route. I don't think I would spend any more time looking at it than I do glancing at the mirrors.

California (of all places) allows that a driver may have a GPS display in view.

Oh well, I probably will not spend $129 just to experiment and become more of a danger to other drivers.

FTT can paint his mirrors black. That should allow more time to look straight ahead. Let me know how that works out.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

No need to paint them, one came off from the bush, the other was ripped uh, taken off due to the noticed aerodynamic effect... :p

Sometimes navigating on the coast, all you have is charts, radar and a depth measurement. Fog will disorient you big time! Even on inland lakes!

Time of day lends a clue too for determining tides and which way the current is flowing when near or in any of the rivers. GPS is a Johnny-come-lately...

Not the same as a highway but same idea ;) Sextant, step aside...

[123456]

OR buy a GPS Navigation system. Works very well if you buy an Acura. Assuming you don't need a car....

[Reid]

OR buy a GPS Navigation system. Good solution, but I don't feel like paying around $1,000 for a self-contained system when the notebook computer with USB GPS does most of what I need. I also assume that it would be easier to plan routes on a notebook than on a dedicated GPS system.

[superdrumr]

I have a similar setup with an old laptop of mine. I wouldnt recommend using the svideo, as the quality simply isnt that good. Instead get a monitor that supports VGA. I picked up a 7" touchscreen with 1024x768 resolution on ebay for about 200 bucks.

[Reid]

Instead get a monitor that supports VGA.Thanks. After studying the issue a little more and getting your recommendation, I will not get a TV monitor. Not too sure I want to invest $200 or more for a VGA monitor, but that is the best way to go.

[PrntRhd]

Reid,
I saw a navigation software package last week at the local Costco for $89 that includes the DeLorme GPS which plugs into a notebook PC nicely. Not something to leave out in the open but very useful.
:)

[Reid]

PrntRhd, I did not put much detail in my first post. I do have DeLorme's Street Atlas 2004 and the Earthmate GPS running on a 15" wide-screen notebook. The notebook is too large to put in a place where it can be easily glanced at while driving, so I was thinking of using a small LCD screen on the dash. For safety and financial concerns, I should probably just rely on using the voice prompts and only open the notebook cover when stopped.

[PrntRhd]

Reid,
Ok, I get it now. Also safer than a laptop if you have to stop in the CA traffic too. My former boss had the same setup you have and made the Corvette Anniversary run to Bowling Green KY navigating with it, worked pretty good too.
:)