Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How to watch iMac on TV?

2012Tony2012

2012Tony2012

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 2, 2012
741
3
What's the best way to watch and hear videos playing on my iMac on the TV?

My TV has HDMI port but I was surprised to notice the iMac doesn't have any HDMI port.

What can be done?
 
An MDP to HDMI adapter should work:

Mini DisplayPort (MDP) / Thunderbolt
Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.
Since 2011, all Macs come with a Thunderbolt port, which is meant for fast data transfer and also as means to connect to an external display device to mirror or extend the Mac's screen.
To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP): Introducing Thunderbolt​
MR_video_out_Mac_Mini_DP.png
MDP adapters and cables can be bought online from:


Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
​
Click to expand...
from
 
I would advise Airplay with an Apple TV 3. Wireless is the way to go!
 
jediDev said:
Airplay does a surprisingly good job with video, at least playing from my imac connected via ethernet.
Click to expand...

No video hiccups with streaming to the Apple TV? Do you know if it is the same with outputting games?
 
dranakin said:
No video hiccups with streaming to the Apple TV? Do you know if it is the same with outputting games?
Click to expand...

Never tried that. I was forwarding an HD feed from eyetv. I don't remember if it was HDPVR or EyeTV HD (I have one of each), but it looked surprisingly good and smooth. You could tell that it wasn't actual TV—it's not magic. But it was much better than I was expecting.
 
I've been toying with the idea of getting AppleTV myself. Currently my PC is connected to my LCD TV via HDMI. I understand that when I get my new iMac I'd have to buy an adapter to get the same functionality. I see the adapter cable is actually a third of the price of Apple TV and Apple TV will give me much greater functionality as well as working with my iPhone 5 and iPad 3. As long as I can stream (mirror) large size 1080p MKV files I'm thinking Apple TV is the way to go. The ATV box will be just a few metres away from a new Airport Express which will be connected to a new i5 27" iMac.

Actually thinking about, it was useful to have the TV act as a 2nd screen, therefore one person could watch a movie whilst the other uses the PC as normal. I'm guessing I'll lose this function with AppleTV yeah?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back