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ramparts

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 11, 2008
173
1
I got a DVI-to-HDMI cable from the Apple store, the employee there said it was the best way to connect my Macbook (older model) to an HDTV. As it turns out, HDMI carries both video *and* audio and unless I'm mistaken, my TV doesn't have associated audio jacks for either of its HDMI inputs. Is there a way around this, or is HDMI not a useful way to connect a Mac to a TV?
 
I use a DVI-HDMI cable on my Mini to my TV. The audio I have going from my Mini's audio out (headphone jack) to my stereo system using a composite audio converter adapter. I haven't tried connecting audio directly to the TV though. It has audio in jacks though.
 
I got a DVI-to-HDMI cable from the Apple store, the employee there said it was the best way to connect my Macbook (older model) to an HDTV. As it turns out, HDMI carries both video *and* audio and unless I'm mistaken, my TV doesn't have associated audio jacks for either of its HDMI inputs. Is there a way around this, or is HDMI not a useful way to connect a Mac to a TV?

HDMI can pipe both audio and video, but DVI can pipe only video. So for audio, you need an extra cable. I use the same cable I use to connect my ipod to my car stereo. Plug one end to the macbook headphone jack and the other end to similar input on your DVD Player/receiver/TV. If this isn't an option, go with a composite cable (red and white at one end and goes into your mac headphone jack at the other).
 
HDMI can pipe both audio and video, but DVI can pipe only video. So for audio, you need an extra cable.


Yup. You're using DVI from the computer, which is only video, and connecting THAT to HDMI. If Macs had a HDMI port directly on it, then it would be transferring both audio and video. The Mac, like most computers, has a separate video card and separate audio card, so you need to use the two different ports. The headphone jack, and the DVI port.
 
I have a Samsung LCD TV and one of the HDMI inputs also has audio inputs associated with it in case you are actually using DVI. It works great. I'm really glad I bought these cables to be able to connect my MacBook to my 52" TV. It really comes in handy when our DVR missed recording a show and we want to catch up. The best part is when it's on a network where the show is in HD.

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