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

[AppleNewton]

Nice article; one inquiry I was curious about...is instad of the standard miniDP - DVI adapter from Apple...I have the dual-linkDVI -to- miniDP adapter for the larger Apple Display and was going to try and hook up my mbp to an HDtv; so theoretically would it work as well or no?


thanks!

 

[m85476585]

The MDP to S-video and MDP to Component video won't work. The MDP to VGA doesn't have TV out required by the VGA to S-vdeo adapter, and the MDP to DVI doesn't have the analog signal required for the DVI-Component adapter.

 

[ziggyonice]

The Unibody MBP's does not output an analog DVI signal therefore a DVI to component cable will not work. To get component out of a unibody MBP, the only route you can take is to us a mini-display port to VGA adapter and then a VGA to component cable.

Fixed. Replaced DVI cable with VGA cable.

The MDP to S-video and MDP to Component video won't work. The MDP to VGA doesn't have TV out required by the VGA to S-vdeo adapter, and the MDP to DVI doesn't have the analog signal required for the DVI-Component adapter.

Fixed by adding a third-party converter.

Just thought I would let you know, that if you have a 'newer' machine with a mini display port, you can now purchase a third party adapter -> Mini Display Port to HDMI that carries audio too. It was released about 3 days ago. Here is the link: Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting Adapter

Awesome find! Added this to the uMBP configuration for HDMI.

 

[9822737]

Very useful post!

 

[smokphattys]

I bought an hdmi to dvi cable but when i hook it up it acts as an extension of my screen so i cant get the full screen mode to work and have to drag the application over to the tv screen and fit to screen but that leaves the play/ff etc buttons visible as well as part of my desktop, anyone know how to fix this?

 

[MacMom43]

Only showing desktop image

I am trying to connect a MacBook Pro from 06 (silver with silver keys) to a Sharp HDTV. I have a dbi cable from the MBP to a hdmi on the tv. I can only get the desktop image to show - not any of my icons or applications. Any suggestions?

 

[smokphattys]

the tv is acting as an extension of your screen, drag the application over to the tv- you wont be able to get full screen, only fit to screen will work and you will have the desktop background showing on the top and bottom

 

[MacMom43]

Wahoo!

Oh Mr. SmokPhattys, you have saved the day. Something so simple and yet seemed impossible to figure out. A million thanks!

 

[1creator]

I ordered the Mini display to hdmi( the one with the audio included) and now I wanted to purchase the hdmi cable from amazon that you linked but they don't ship to where I am. So how do I know what's a decent cable that isn't expensive and similar to the one linked?

Is this a good cable to purchase?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=4956&seq=1&format=2

ps. What does AWG mean? (28awg, 26awg, etc)

 

[scottness]

This is by far one of the better posts here. Awesome!

 

[icedd]

Question: I have dug up a cable that looks like a 3.5mm to Stereo RCA Cable, however mine appears to have..well take a look.

While the ones I have seen have black and red jacks.

Is there a difference? Isn't it just if you input it right or left? I don't know what I'm saying, actually. So some clarification would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

Question: I have dug up a cable that looks like a 3.5mm to Stereo RCA Cable, however mine appears to have..well take a look.

While the ones I have seen have black and red jacks.

Is there a difference? Isn't it just if you input it right or left? I don't know what I'm saying, actually. So some clarification would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

Shouldn't make a difference, probably just color coded from whatever device it was from. If it doesn't work, well nothing bad will happen, it just doesn't work...

 

[m85476585]

Yours is for a camera, with the yellow for video and the black one for audio. It might still work, and it probably won't hurt to try it.

 

[madog]

Shouldn't make a difference, probably just color coded from whatever device it was from. If it doesn't work, well nothing bad will happen, it just doesn't work...

Looks like a normal 3.5" audio jack. Unless it's something special like for a video camera and the yellow is for video (like posted above) and the other is for mono sound, however, I've never seen anything transport video through a 3.5" jack other than the cables Apple originally used to get video out from the iPod Videos.

Other than that, the color's can be pink and orange, it doesn't matter. There's usually always at least the black cable and one other though. They are just for left and right audio signals, so with a cable like that you can plug it in, listen to it, then switch them if the sound is coming out the wrong sides.

For example, if it was RCA on both sides (the 2 cables on both ends), you could have black going into the red port, and red cable going into the black port as long as you connected the other side in the same way (just like jumper cables for a car battery the colors are just there to help, but if it was connected "wrong" in the same fashion on both ends, it would still work the same as a "correct" connection).

 

[m85476585]

Canon cameras, and probably others, use a cable like that to display images and video on a TV. I have a cable like that somewhere, and if I find it I can test it to see if it will work for audio.

 

[m85476585]

I dug up my Canon AV out cable, and it looks just like the one pictured in icedd's post. Electrically, it matches a 3.5mm to RCA cable. The yellow plug corresponds to the red one, and the black plug corresponds to the white one. I haven't tested it with audio, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work.

 

[IDANNY]

Thanks for the thread you did a great job. I had to hook up a couple different computers to my samsung tv. This is a good guide.


I have a quick question about the mini Optical to Optical cable (aka "mini Toslink to Toslink"). cable.

The current setup I have is with a classic macbook pro and i have been using the rca cables but the sound is pretty poor and I get that live audio sound.

That toslink cable looks like what I need but I need one that is about 30ft.

Does anyone know where to get a 30ft toslink cable. The cheaper the better if it doesnt affect the quality. Thanks for any help.


I found this 25 ft one http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Optical-Audio-TosLink-Cable/dp/B001ZTXBOW but cant seem to find anything longer.
Is this the same cable?

 

[m85476585]

Monoprice has a 35 foot one.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=2834&seq=1&format=2

 

[icedd]

Looks like a normal 3.5" audio jack. Unless it's something special like for a video camera and the yellow is for video (like posted above) and the other is for mono sound, however, I've never seen anything transport video through a 3.5" jack other than the cables Apple originally used to get video out from the iPod Videos.

Other than that, the color's can be pink and orange, it doesn't matter. There's usually always at least the black cable and one other though. They are just for left and right audio signals, so with a cable like that you can plug it in, listen to it, then switch them if the sound is coming out the wrong sides.

For example, if it was RCA on both sides (the 2 cables on both ends), you could have black going into the red port, and red cable going into the black port as long as you connected the other side in the same way (just like jumper cables for a car battery the colors are just there to help, but if it was connected "wrong" in the same fashion on both ends, it would still work the same as a "correct" connection).

Oh okay I see now. Yeah I was just hoping it could work for audio since I already have the VGA adapter anyway. Save me a hassle for buying one, aha. Thanks!

I dug up my Canon AV out cable, and it looks just like the one pictured in icedd's post. Electrically, it matches a 3.5mm to RCA cable. The yellow plug corresponds to the red one, and the black plug corresponds to the white one. I haven't tested it with audio, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work.

Hey, thanks so much for testing it out. I haven't had much to do it but after exams, I will definitely check it out. Appreciate it!

 

[IDANNY]

Monoprice has a 35 foot one.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=2834&seq=1&format=2

Hey thank you I ended up buying this cable. ( mini Optical to Optical cable (aka "mini Toslink to Toslink")). But I think that my tv only has a digital optical out is that possible?

here is the back panel of my tv. What would be the best way of inputting audio? Currently I just have it set up rca to rca. And I get that dam buzzing noise.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[m85476585]

Your TV probably doesn't have optical in because it wants you to connect the audio to a surround sound receiver. I guess they assume that since the TV speakers are not very good (compared to a real surround sound system), RCA is good enough for connecting a PC.

It looks like the only way to get digital audio in is HDMI. There is a MDP to HDMI adapter with USB that adds sound through HDMI. I don't know if something similar exists if you have an older MBP with DVI.

If you are connecting your MBP with a 3.5mm to RCA cable, try using the ungrounded 2-prong travel adapter. If that doesn't get rid of the buzzing, try using it on battery power (not the best solution, I know). You can also try an Optical to RCA converter, to add some isolation.
http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio...converter-gtv-digaud-2-aaud/prodGEF00232.html


They do make a DVI+Optical to HDMI converter
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10114&cs_id=1011405&p_id=5369&seq=1&format=2

 

[roarg]

At first, i tried using, a Mini displayport to dvi, then DVI-component cable. THIS DOES NOT WORK.

great thread! sticky?

 

[kny3twalker]

since someone was asking
composite and svideo are limited to 480i
component and VGA can certainly do 1080p
The reasons for using DVI, HDMI, and displayport are the ability to restrict the connection, the all digital path means fewer conversions, the ability to pass resolution video and audio together and at this high of a bit rate, digital connections will suffer less interference over longer distances.
single link DVI is capable of 1200p
dual link DVI, HDMI and Displayport are capable of 1600p and up

 

[MitchNetzer]

Please Clarify

Fair enough, composite is definitely the lowest quality signal out of them all. I work as a trainer and deliver courses on PCs and Digital products (flat panel TVs and connections), and the most common used component is cable is YPbPr: Which is Y - Luma (brightness), Pb - difference between blue and luma and Pr difference between red and luma. So red, blue and green (the two signals combined), are transmitted and brightness.

VGA or RGBHV (Red Green Blue Horizontal sync Vertical sync), has separate cables for red, blue and green so is an un-compressed version with other wires to control a monitor. The difference between the 2 is marginal.

HDMI and DVI are certainly the top end, for example if you want to watch a Blu-Ray film (yes I know, not possible on a Mac), then you need to use either of those cables to get the best possible picture.

Hope this helps, again really good guide and hope you don't find my points to be needless criticism, it's not intended as such.

I'm trying to connect my Macbook Pro with Snow Leopard, 2.16ghz, 2gb ram, Intel Core Duo to my HDTV via DVI to Component. My computer doesn't seem to be recognizing it as a secondary monitor (even while mirroring the displays). Is there a certain size and refresh rate that I need to set my computer or HDTV on?

Thanks for all the info people!

 

[kny3twalker]

I'm trying to connect my Macbook Pro with Snow Leopard, 2.16ghz, 2gb ram, Intel Core Duo to my HDTV via DVI to Component. My computer doesn't seem to be recognizing it as a secondary monitor (even while mirroring the displays). Is there a certain size and refresh rate that I need to set my computer or HDTV on?

Thanks for all the info people!

in order to connect your HDTV to your laptop via component video, you will need a device called a transcoder. A transcoder will convert VGA to Y Pb Pr (component video). So you would also need a DVI I to VGA converter.
The reason certain ATI graphics cards can output component video from their DVI I port is because ATI has made the graphics cards to do such outside of the DVI I specification, and the component to DVI adapter uses specific pins to output the component video stream.