To connect a laptop to a TV it should be known what the connectors on the laptop are. For example, if there were only one video output on the laptop, such asVGA port shown in this image,

then the only option would be to connect a laptop through this port. Contemporary LCD TVs already have the VGA input, so the only thing necessary is a special cable.
If the TV does not have the VGA port it is possible to use the SVideo input. If the TV does not even have an S-video input, it probably has a composite video input or a SCART. But the quality of pictures from VGA port on TV will be not very good. There also are special boxes that convert VGA signal to composite video (Video).

If the laptop has an S-Video output, it is easier to connect it to a TV. Only the S-video cable or an S-video to the SCART cable is necessary. The S-Video on laptops looks like this:

If the laptop has a DVI output, it is possible to connect it to a TV using an adaptor to the SCART. If the TV has a DVI input, the same is done by using the DVI cable. The DVI has RGB output signals, so to connect it to a TVRGB inputs have to be find or SCART socket used. There should be the possibility to receive RGB signals in the SCART. The last thing to be done is connecting the audio signal from the laptop to the TV.

Nowadays, almost every new laptop comes with the HDMI output. So, it is possible to connect it to TVs with either HDMI or DVI port. If the TV is with DVI port an adaptor from HDMI to DVI is necessary.

The DVI and HDMI are backward compatible. The only one difference between them is that DVI does not provide the audio signal. So, while connecting a laptop with DVI to the HDMI TV an adaptor has to get the audio signal from the laptop. Usually, it is a plug to headphone socket.
The worst case is when the laptop only has a VGS connection. Then there are special converters, which convert VGA signals to something usable, such as a composite video or the AV.

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