Adapter for connecting to tv

[knew2mack]

Hi there,
i have a Macbook that does not have an hdmi port but rather a couple of usb ports and something I have no idea what it is for but my question for today is.....
i have some movies on my computer that I'd like to be able to watch on my tv. I've gotten contradicting answers from Radio Shack saying that there is no such adapter to do what I want.
Is there a connector or adapter that I can buy that I can hook up to my television? I've been told that the adapters are only for extracting data from my laptop.
I've also been told the complete opposite.
Do i need to buy a male to male usb wire or do they sell usb to hdmi wires?
would it help if I sent a pic of the side of my macbook so you all can see the ports that I have available or is this question an easier one than having to do all of that?

Help!!!

Thanks so much
dawn

 

[seveej]

If my assumption is correct, that your laptop is the aluminum unibody MacBook, then it has a Mini DisplayPort. There are adapters for mDP->hdmi. That is what you'll need (assuming your tv does hdmi)

RGDS,

 

[pkutemp]

If your MacBook has a Mini DisplayPort, you can buy an adapter to connect your laptop to TV.

Buy a Mini Display to HDMI cable if your TV has an HDMI port:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SV73LUU

or buy a Min Display to VGA adapter if your TV has a VGA port:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SWFFPWS

Here is a link from Apple website: About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202079

You can follow the steps in the following article to connect you laptop to the TV:
http://lifehacker.com/5811209/how-to-connect-your-computer-to-your-tv-for-beginners

 

[Jkj12]

Your miniDVI does not support sound (assuming it's the alu macbook), so you will only get video from that connection.

 

[BrettApple]

See previous posts on getting MacBook's to a TV with sound here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1848460/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1844587/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1838053/

In short:

Do keep in mind that you can go mini-DVI to HDMI but it will not carry sound. Just video. So if you're plugging it into a TV you will need another way to get the sound. Either with external speakers going to the headphone jack, or by using a PC-in on the TV if it has one. It's usually VGA or DVI along with a 3.5mm audio in jack.

Something like this:

If you have a separate sound system though, it's usually easy as taking an aux cable (3.5mm to 3.5mm) and plugging them in. Or 3.5mm to RCA.

You will need an adapter to get video to the TV. Check your TV and see if it has a PC-in of some sort. Usually VGA as pictured. Then you need to get the right adapter for your MacBook. Do you know what model it is? 2006-Early 2008 will use Mini-DVI, Late 2008 and Late 2009 and up will use Mini DisplayPort. The Early and Mid 2009 plastic models will have Mini-DVI like the original.

Mini DVI:

Mini DisplayPort:

If it's the MacBook in your signature, you will need Mini DisplayPort to VGA

And a 3.5mm audio cable to get it to the speakers if you have the input.

It's pretty much dependent on your TV at this point. I used my Late 2008 on my TV a good bit going through VGA and the headphone jack. Worked just fine.