Connecting to a TV without HDMI, how?

iamsen47 · Nov 16, 2012, 03:26 PM

I've not owned a TV in almost a decade, but someone has gifted me some old Philips plasma tv. It's quite huge, I'm guessing 50"? It has DVI, VGA and those red/yellow/white holes in the back. I've tried the DVI but couldn't get a signal. I'm not sure if it's the tv or if I just have it connected wrong. There's no manual, there's a remote with MANY buttons but nobody knows how to use it.

Are there any cables or switches I could use to connect to the red/yellow/white holes?
There doesn't seem to be anything on the online Apple store for macs though there is one for the iPad.

I'm only intending to use it to watch movies (if it still works).

fa8362 · Nov 16, 2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamsen47

I've not owned a TV in almost a decade, but someone has gifted me some old Philips plasma tv. It's quite huge, I'm guessing 50"? It has DVI, VGA and those red/yellow/white holes in the back. I've tried the DVI but couldn't get a signal. I'm not sure if it's the tv or if I just have it connected wrong. There's no manual, there's a remote with MANY buttons but nobody knows how to use it.

Are there any cables or switches I could use to connect to the red/yellow/white holes?
There doesn't seem to be anything on the online Apple store for macs though there is one for the iPad.

I'm only intending to use it to watch movies (if it still works).

The red and white are audio. Yellow is analog composite video. The Mac doesn't output that so forget it. There might be a digital to analog converter available that will work, but most won't work.

DVI or VGA are your best bets. You should search for a manual for that tv via Google.

donald.t · Nov 27, 2012, 08:10 AM

Those colorful holes are for audio/video output.
Check online for VGA to HDMI convertor, it does work in many cases.

ericrwalker · 08:21 AM

Edit: Nevermind. I assume when you tried DVI it was with a converter.

CHAOS STEP · Nov 27, 2012, 08:46 AM

I would use VGA - however, does it have a separate audio in (like a heaphone plug socket)? Otherwise you'll get no sound via the telly, unless the red and white also act as input.

You can use composite if you can find the adapter (I had one years ago), but the picture will look pants.

Nov 16, 2012, 03:26 PM	#1
iamsen47 macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Kobe, Japan	Connecting to a TV without HDMI, how? I've not owned a TV in almost a decade, but someone has gifted me some old Philips plasma tv. It's quite huge, I'm guessing 50"? It has DVI, VGA and those red/yellow/white holes in the back. I've tried the DVI but couldn't get a signal. I'm not sure if it's the tv or if I just have it connected wrong. There's no manual, there's a remote with MANY buttons but nobody knows how to use it. Are there any cables or switches I could use to connect to the red/yellow/white holes? There doesn't seem to be anything on the online Apple store for macs though there is one for the iPad. I'm only intending to use it to watch movies (if it still works).
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Nov 27, 2012, 08:15 AM	#4
ericrwalker Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albany, NY	Edit: Nevermind. I assume when you tried DVI it was with a converter. Last edited by ericrwalker; Nov 27, 2012 at 08:21 AM.
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Nov 27, 2012, 08:46 AM	#5
CHAOS STEP macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: playing tiddlywinks with Kim Jong-un	I would use VGA - however, does it have a separate audio in (like a heaphone plug socket)? Otherwise you'll get no sound via the telly, unless the red and white also act as input. You can use composite if you can find the adapter (I had one years ago), but the picture will look pants. __________________ Like Shooters? C A V E -> on iOS New Release Mushihimesama (Bug Princess).
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Nov 27, 2012, 08:10 AM	#3
donald.t macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012	Those colorful holes are for audio/video output. Check online for VGA to HDMI convertor, it does work in many cases.
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