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How to: Connect a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro to a TV
- Thread starter ziggyonice
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The digital connection is a good place for items like transcoders or other high fidelity/broadcast quality video and audio components.
Here is a link explaining Transcoders and within are links to transcoders they sell.
http://www.digitalconnection.com/faq/hdtv_4.asp
I have made a purchase from them in the past, and they are a good store.
No control of MacBook
I hooked up my MacBook (white unibody, purchased Nov 09) to our Toshiba HDTV as instructed. But I didn't get a picture on the TV until I changed the display resolution. Then all sorts of odd things happened - I don't get on the TV what I have on my MacBook screen. Depending on the display resolution I can control the TV image but not the image on the MacBook. Exactly how do I get the same image on the TV as on the MacBook (right now the image is usually way off the TV screen) with the MacBook controlling the image?
Primarily I am trying to use the TV to show iPhoto slide shows or to use the MacBook as a DVD player for the HDTV. I was able to do this so easily with my old iBook that it is now really frustrating to not be able to do it.
Thanks in advance for any help
I hooked up my MacBook (white unibody, purchased Nov 09) to our Toshiba HDTV as instructed. But I didn't get a picture on the TV until I changed the display resolution. Then all sorts of odd things happened - I don't get on the TV what I have on my MacBook screen. Depending on the display resolution I can control the TV image but not the image on the MacBook. Exactly how do I get the same image on the TV as on the MacBook (right now the image is usually way off the TV screen) with the MacBook controlling the image?
Primarily I am trying to use the TV to show iPhoto slide shows or to use the MacBook as a DVD player for the HDTV. I was able to do this so easily with my old iBook that it is now really frustrating to not be able to do it.
Thanks in advance for any help
I am in the process of buying a 26' TV for my apartment to work on my MBP. This guide is pretty darn useful, much props !!
Thanks for the awesome post, including the updates!
I'm still puzzled why there's no Mini-DP to Video(component, s-video) adapter yet. Not everyone has HDMI TVs yet, and I can't afford to buy one, especially since I'll be moving far away so it doesn't make sense even if I could afford one, so I have this little crappy TV with component video input.
c'mon, apple, anyone, create one!
I'm still puzzled why there's no Mini-DP to Video(component, s-video) adapter yet. Not everyone has HDMI TVs yet, and I can't afford to buy one, especially since I'll be moving far away so it doesn't make sense even if I could afford one, so I have this little crappy TV with component video input.
c'mon, apple, anyone, create one!
This thread need to be fixed. Some of these combinations wont work. Like the MacBook (Polycarbonate White or Black) to Component.
Also the thread makes mention of using a DVI to component cable for older MBPs when it has been said several times on the internet (Google it) that it doesn't work. Monoprice says this when referring to DVI to component.
Just saying you can't dish out recommendations like such in this thread if they aren't accurate.
How exactly do you plan on converting a DVI-D signal (Single-Link, Digital only) to component (Analog) without an active adapter? It can't happen.
Also the thread makes mention of using a DVI to component cable for older MBPs when it has been said several times on the internet (Google it) that it doesn't work. Monoprice says this when referring to DVI to component.
The 8600M GT of the MBP doesn't support it. Same can't be said for the X1600 MBPs but the same can be assumed.Monoprice said:
Just saying you can't dish out recommendations like such in this thread if they aren't accurate.
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trouble with new macbook to tv link
I want to watch movies from the internet, on my tv, using my computer. I have an old Samsung, non-HD tv. I bought my Macbook in the fall of 2009 and I think it's the new one. I also bought the Apple mini-DVI to Video adapter device. I have not been able to see any image on my tv screen, when I connect the cord with the red/ yellow/ white prongs (it may be an RCA or composite video thingy) from the tv to the mini DVI device. Should I be using this mini DVI to video adapter device? Do I need a second device to make it all work or is there a setting on the computer that i need to change. ?
Thank you for your help. All this connection lingo is over my head.
I want to watch movies from the internet, on my tv, using my computer. I have an old Samsung, non-HD tv. I bought my Macbook in the fall of 2009 and I think it's the new one. I also bought the Apple mini-DVI to Video adapter device. I have not been able to see any image on my tv screen, when I connect the cord with the red/ yellow/ white prongs (it may be an RCA or composite video thingy) from the tv to the mini DVI device. Should I be using this mini DVI to video adapter device? Do I need a second device to make it all work or is there a setting on the computer that i need to change. ?
Thank you for your help. All this connection lingo is over my head.
I have an older "HD ready" (i.e. it needs a separate HDTV receiver, but it is wide screen) TV that I would like to hook my computer up to so that I can watch online videos and stuff on it, and I would like to use the full wide screen without black bars on the side. I have an older Macbook Pro... will a DVI cable work? What about audio with this?
Thanks for any help you can give me!
Thanks for any help you can give me!
The USB-only one gets sound through USB, which is digital, so it should be the same quality as the Toslink one. I don't know if it supports full Dolby 12.1 DTS+ Advanced DSP Pro HD Digital surround sound, though. Although I don't know how many buzzwords worth of sound quality Toslink out of the mac supports.
It is probably best to contact Monoprice and see if they can tell you the difference. The specifications don't say much.
so i just bought a minidisplay port DVI and found out that my hdtv does not have DVI, it has VGA so lame. and i have a VGA cable.
P/S what does it mean by MALE and FEMALE?
ie
http://www.amazon.com/DVI-I-Male-VGA-Female-Adapter/dp/B00068NUM6/ref=pd_cp_e_1
P/S what does it mean by MALE and FEMALE?
ie
http://www.amazon.com/DVI-I-Male-VGA-Female-Adapter/dp/B00068NUM6/ref=pd_cp_e_1
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okay can someone HELP me figure out what i am doing wrong? i currently have the apple minidisplayport DVi. i recently find out that my TV uses VGA and i asked my friend waht should i do, he said just buy a DVI to VGA connector. i bought one but it does not fit into the MINIDISPLAYPORT DVI <_< here is a picture:
link : http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-DVI-...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1271700770&sr=8-1
apparently, the DVI part of the converter, the - part of it, has two spikes on top and two on the bottom and it does not fit into the minidisplay port DVI. can anyone help me get the right link to the right dvi to VGA converter?
link : http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-DVI-...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1271700770&sr=8-1
apparently, the DVI part of the converter, the - part of it, has two spikes on top and two on the bottom and it does not fit into the minidisplay port DVI. can anyone help me get the right link to the right dvi to VGA converter?
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wireless sound
I use airfoil to have wireless sound going with my VGA hookup.
airfoil transmit audio to an airport express that's hooked up to my receiver.
It also has a video player that's basically just a QT player with the appropriate delay so that audio and video are in synch (airfoil delays your audio a bit, thus the need for the video delay).
I use airfoil to have wireless sound going with my VGA hookup.
airfoil transmit audio to an airport express that's hooked up to my receiver.
It also has a video player that's basically just a QT player with the appropriate delay so that audio and video are in synch (airfoil delays your audio a bit, thus the need for the video delay).
yeah, friend just told me that apple does not allow DVI to VGA converters to work >_>. they want you to buy MDP DVI and MDP VGAlol. thanks thanks
Your friend is wrong. Apple DOES allow DVI to VGA adapters to work, but only for those Macs with a DVI port. You have to use the adapters that are appropriate to your computer. My older model MBP has a Dual-link DVI port, so I can use a DVI to VGA adapter. Since your model has a Mini DisplayPort instead of a DVI port, you have to use a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter.