question syncing laptop to tv

[flowremix]

ok, i have a dell inspiron 8600 and my parents just bought some sony bravia 42" lcd tv, 1080p, all that crazy tv stuff. It came with a cord to hook up with the computer. I tried hooking it up to my computer, tried every input, some how it didn't work. I don't know much about computers. The reason i am asking because i want to show off pictures on lightroom to guest rather than my 15". Is it possible, or do i need like some kind of HD laptop to hook up with my parent's tv. Do i need a video card? Is it even possible? thanks for any advice.

[jorgemonkey]

I've got an HP that I use to hook up to my TV. I use an S video cable, and I have to hit one of the function keys (I don't have my laptop in front of me) which puts it into presentation mode.

[masdog]

What kind of computer do you have? And does the cord that came with the TV have a white plug or a blue plug?