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Connect unibody MacBook Pro to old TV (composite) - How do I do it?

mgpg89

mgpg89

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 31, 2008
970
16
Belgium
How do I connect my unibody MacBook Pro (mini-displayport) to an old TV (with composite inputs)?

Thanks in advance
 
I don't think you can do it, fairly sure there are no analog signals to be found in the mini MDP connector. But if you happen to already have the dvi adapter and the old composite adapter, it can't hurt to try.
 
You don't, directly. You can use a miniDP->VGA adapter and a VGA->S-Video/Composite converter though. The converters usually cost about $50-$100 I believe, though you may be able to find one cheaper. Unfortunately the ability to connect to S-Video and Composite was lost when Apple went to DisplayPort (mini or standard).
 
drichards said:
I don't think you can do it, fairly sure there are no analog signals to be found in the mini MDP connector. But if you happen to already have the dvi adapter and the old coloosite adapter, it can't hurt to try.
Click to expand...

I tried this:

MiniDisplayPort > VGA > Composite

didn't work.
 
danny_w said:
You don't, directly. You can use a miniDP->VGA adapter and a VGA->S-Video/Composite converter though. The converters usually cost about $50-$100 I believe, though you may be able to find one cheaper. Unfortunately the ability to connect to S-Video and Composite was lost when Apple went to DisplayPort (mini or standard).
Click to expand...

How sure are you?

I won't be happy when I spend $100 on a converter, only to find out it doesn't work.


Thanks for the suggestion though! :)
 
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Hi,

Not sure what the mini DP is but it sounds similar to my miniDVI port in that there is a $25 apple accessory to convert to VGA (using a standard macbook).

You need:
1) miniDP -> VGA converter
2) S-Video or Compostite video cable
3) 3.5mm -> to Composite audio (RCA cable)

So with the converter plugged in, use either S-Video/Cable or composite video cable for the video output (yellow tv input) & a 3.5mm to Composite audio cable for the audio output (white & red tv inputs) and you're set.

The key to getting this working with frontrow is to have the laptop closed and the power cord plugged in. Probably not good for battery in long run, but unfortunately doesn't work without power plugged in. Your apple remote will work from here.

Good luck
 
In the true theme of Apple thinking, you should just buy a new HDTV with the HDMI input to go along with your new mini DisplayPort :)
 
charliemacey said:
Hi,

Not sure what the mini DP is but it sounds similar to my miniDVI port in that there is a $25 apple accessory to convert to VGA (using a standard macbook).

You need:
1) miniDP -> VGA converter
2) S-Video or Compostite video cable
3) 3.5mm -> to Composite audio (RCA cable)

So with the converter plugged in, use either S-Video/Cable or composite video cable for the video output (yellow tv input) & a 3.5mm to Composite audio cable for the audio output (white & red tv inputs) and you're set.

The key to getting this working with frontrow is to have the laptop closed and the power cord plugged in. Probably not good for battery in long run, but unfortunately doesn't work without power plugged in. Your apple remote will work from here.

Good luck
Click to expand...
Nope, that on't work. The new miniDP does not support S-Video or Composite connections at all. The only way to do it is with a VGA-to-S-Video/Composite scan converter.
 
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