Connecting MBP to TV via VGA

[palz]

This is going to sound confusing, but here goes.

When I got my MacBook pro, it came with a MDP/thunderbolt to DVI (D, dual-link) adapter, and I bought a cheap DVI-D to VGA adapter online to compensate for my not owning a DVI cord (or DVI monitor, for that matter.) But when I connect the adapter to the thunderbolt port, plug my DVI-VGA adapter in, and attach a VGA cable that's connected to a monitor, nothing happens. It doesn't detect the Mac whatsoever. I've tried pressing fn+F7 and detecting displays to no avail.

TL;DR My displays won't detect a MBP connected via a Thunderbolt DVI cable + a DVI-VGA adapter.
(by the way, I bought the DVI-VGA instead of a MDP-VGA because I'm cheap )

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Since that MDP to DVI adapter only transfers digital signals, such VGA dapter will not work.
You need to get an MDP to VGA adapter.

How to: Connect a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro to a TV

Most common video interfaces on external computer displays and TVs

Common video interfaces on Macs and the appropriate adapters to connect to other display devices

Most common audio interfaces on external computer displays, TVs and the Mac​

 

[jonbravo77]

You're problem is the DVI-D -> VGA Adapter. DVI-D is a digital connector and VGA is only analog. There is no compatibility. Your best bet is to get a MiniDP to VGA adapter.

 

[abbeywilliams]

Please note that cheap adapter don't do digital to analog single
conversion. What you need is an active DVI-D to VGA converter. Check
KVMSwitchTech as they offer DVI-D to VGA solutions.

 

[brand]

You're problem is the DVI-D -> VGA Adapter. DVI-D is a digital connector and VGA is only analog. There is no compatibility. Your best bet is to get a MiniDP to VGA adapter.

That might be his technical problem but his real problem is that he is cheep. He even admitted it in his first post.