depending on the connections available on the tv and laptop, you have a number of choices.

1. you can run vga direct from the laptop to the tv.
2. you can run component, svideo, or composite video from the laptop to the tv.
3. you can use a scan converter to convert vga to component, svideo, or composite video.

length limitations are dependent on the type of signal, type of cabling, and presence or absence of additional signal processing or amplification.

by the way, the vga connectors would be a DE15, not a DB15. (the second letter is connector shell size)