Xbox on iMac

[mikefal33]

Can I use a Mini Display Port to HDMI to put the Xbox video on my iMac display? I don't need audio and video because I have a headset for it.

[MisterKeeks]

Originally Posted by mikefal33

Can I use a Mini Display Port to HDMI to put the Xbox video on my iMac display? I don't need audio and video because I have a headset for it.

Nope.

[Intell]

Originally Posted by MisterKeeks

Nope.

Yes, but only on the 27" non-Thunderbolt models.

[WilliamG]

Originally Posted by Intell

Yes, but only on the 27" non-Thunderbolt models.

i.e. only 2009 and 2010 27" iMacs.

[mikefal33]

Originally Posted by WilliamG

i.e. only 2009 and 2010 27" iMacs.

Why not the late 2012 models?

[Intell]

Originally Posted by mikefal33

Why not the late 2012 models?

Because those only accept Thunderbolt video input, not mini-DisplayPort like the 2009 and 2010 models. The XBox cannot output its video signal via Thunderbolt.

[SnowLeopard2008]

Originally Posted by mikefal33

Why not the late 2012 models?

No target display mode.

----------

Originally Posted by Intell

Because those only accept Thunderbolt video input, not mini-DisplayPort like the 2009 and 2010 models. The XBox cannot output its video signal via Thunderbolt.

Incorrect. MiniDP and Thunderbolt are one and the same (in this particular scenario).

[Stetrain]

Originally Posted by SnowLeopard2008

No target display mode.

2011 and 2012 iMacs have target display mode, but only when connected to another computer with Thunderbolt.

Originally Posted by SnowLeopard2008

Incorrect. MiniDP and Thunderbolt are one and the same (in this particular scenario).

There is a distinction. 2009 and 2010 27" iMacs can accept video via a Mini-Displayport adapter (like the Kanex XD). 2011 and 2012 iMacs can accept video in but only as a Thunderbolt signal.

[Intell]

Originally Posted by SnowLeopard2008

Incorrect. MiniDP and Thunderbolt are one and the same (in this particular scenario).

Physically the two are the same, but the 2012 iMac does not accept DVI compatible signals via the video port, only Thunderbolt signals. The 2012 iMac does have Target Display Mode, but can act as a display only for other Thunderbolt Macs just like the 2011 iMac. The 2009 and 2010 27" iMacs can act as a display for any device that outputs DVI compatible signals.

[mikefal33]

Originally Posted by Intell

Physically the two are the same, but the 2012 iMac does not accept DVI compatible signals via the video port, only Thunderbolt signals. The 2012 iMac does have Target Display Mode, but can act as a display only for other Thunderbolt Macs just like the 2011 iMac. The 2009 and 2010 27" iMacs can act as a display for any device that outputs DVI compatible signals.

No even if it is HDMI to the thunderbolt port.

[Intell]

Originally Posted by mikefal33

No even if it is HDMI to the thunderbolt port.

No, they aren't the same signals. The 2011/2012 only take Thunderbolt signals from other Macs. Nothing else. And no adapters exist.

[bungiefan89]

Originally Posted by Intell

No, they aren't the same signals. The 2011/2012 only take Thunderbolt signals from other Macs. Nothing else. And no adapters exist.

Which is exactly why I hate Apple for not growing a brain and just slapping an HDMI port on the back of their 27" computer screens.

[RedCroissant]

Originally Posted by mikefal33

Can I use a Mini Display Port to HDMI to put the Xbox video on my iMac display? I don't need audio and video because I have a headset for it.

No, but you could try video capture or game capture devices that would work to play games on your Mac. It would rely on usb connectivity, but I think it performs better than expected.

[Intell]

Originally Posted by RedCroissant

No, but you could try video capture or game capture devices that would work to play games on your Mac. It would rely on usb connectivity, but I think it performs better than expected.

I've played games with an EyeTV Hybrid before. Works really well, little to no noticeable lag.

[RedCroissant]

Originally Posted by Intell

I've played games with an EyeTV Hybrid before. Works really well, little to no noticeable lag.

I thought buying the actual HD capture device with my 20" iMac and my PS3, but I never got to play anyway due to being a full-time student and stay-at-home dad. I was really tempted though.

[FFabian]

Originally Posted by Intell

I've played games with an EyeTV Hybrid before. Works really well, little to no noticeable lag.

I have an EyeTV Hybrid too. Don't get what you're doing. Please explain.

[RedCroissant]

Originally Posted by FFabian

I have an EyeTV Hybrid too. Don't get what you're doing. Please explain.

http://support.elgato.com/index.php?...articleid=1063

You can connect this via the break out cable either with the s-video or composite output, then you can connect them and play.

[Intell]

Originally Posted by FFabian

I have an EyeTV Hybrid too. Don't get what you're doing. Please explain.

Plug EyeTV Hybrid into iMac, plug in the breakout cable into EyeTV, plug GameCube/Playstation/Xbox/whatever into EyeTV, turn off recording and timeshifting, play game.

[FFabian]

Originally Posted by Intell

Plug EyeTV Hybrid into iMac, plug in the breakout cable into EyeTV, plug GameCube/Playstation/Xbox/whatever into EyeTV, turn off recording and timeshifting, play game.

Thanks. "Console with iMac as Display" is a question that is asked very often but I never read of this solution before.

[WilliamG]

Originally Posted by FFabian

Thanks. "Console with iMac as Display" is a question that is asked very often but I never read of this solution before.

I wouldn't count on any acceptable input lag with that solution, though I admit I've never personally tried it. Just from what I read.... not so good!

With the analog setup it might be fine, but not digitally. So games will look pretty darn awful.

[Intell]

Originally Posted by WilliamG

I wouldn't count on any acceptable input lag with that solution, though I admit I've never personally tried it. Just from what I read.... not so good!

With the analog setup it might be fine, but not digitally. So games will look pretty darn awful.

Unless you've personally tried it, don't claim it as being not good. There is very little to no lag. And if one uses the Eyetv 250 or whatever the non-Hybrid one is called, you can reduce the already inperceivable amount of lag even more. While the yellow RCA video doesn't look very nice, S-Video and RGB look very nice when stretched to fill a full iMac screen.

[WilliamG]

Originally Posted by Intell

Unless you've personally tried it, don't claim it as being not good. There is very little to no lag. And if one uses the Eyetv 250 or whatever the non-Hybrid one is called, you can reduce the already inperceivable amount of lag even more. While the yellow RCA video doesn't look very nice, S-Video and RGB look very nice when stretched to fill a full iMac screen.

I didn't claim anything. I did say "from what I read."