Showing Image on my Laptop to my Television

I would like to show some videos, on my laptop, on my HD television. What software and hardware do I need to accomplish this? Thank you for your help and guidance.

 

Your laptop must have a TV out option; many have an SVideo port. Then your TV needs the same port... then it's just a matter of hooking up the cable and sending the signal thru the SVideo port which is usually done with a driver setting, or by using a hotkey combo on the laptop's keyboard.