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Macbook pro to plasma tv????????

D

d88s

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 14, 2010
2
0
I was wondering if someone could help me with this, there probably already threads somewhere on this but i'm learning how to use this forum still and I need quick help. I've been to future shop and best buy and none of the people know what they're selling me unless this is something VERY new which i doubt. Im trying to put the image of my macbook pro on my panasonic plasma which is also new (summer). They sold me an adapter that fits into a port in the macbook, then on the other end it connects to a 'monitor' cable which they told me would in turn fit into the back of my plasma. There is no monitor port. I've heard about DVI D and hdmi but I'm new to this and just want to know what specific cords/adapters i need. Any help is much appreciated.
 
when did you purchase your laptop? Do you know if its a uni-body? Do you know if it has a mini display port?
 
jpefjr said:
If you have a newer MacBook Pro then it has a mini displayport port to hook up to an external display (monitor/TV/projector). Your TV will have HDMI inputs so you can buy one of these adapters to go from mini displayport to HDMI and then buy an HDMI cable to go from the adapter (which plugs into your MacBook Pro) to the TV:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=5311&seq=1&format=2
Click to expand...

While on the topic of HDMI, does the newest MBP support audio through the HDMI cable?
 
entatlrg said:
I'm looking to hook up my ('09) MBP to my Panasonic big screen via HDMI. Which of the two adapters above would you recommend?
Click to expand...

One has two options for audio optical or usb. The other is usb only. As far as I know the usb audio should do stereo or 5.1 audio depending on the source, so you might as well save a few dollars.

Here is a review for the usb only model:
Simple little adapter, but it works great. I had some reservations about it, thinking there was no possible way some random USB audio device would work out of the box. Turns out I was wrong. I use it between a Mac Mini and a Samsung LCD. No drivers to install, no configuration to perform, it just works. I even export digital DTS and AC3 audio through it successfully from Plex.
Click to expand...
 
entatlrg said:
I'm looking to hook up my ('09) MBP to my Panasonic big screen via HDMI. Which of the two adapters above would you recommend?
Click to expand...

The first one you listed, that is slightly cheaper than the $49 one only outputs at 2.1 sound.(I initially tried it out and was told 5.1, but tech support was wrong)
 
imac9556 said:
However, if you want full 5.1 sound via HDMI from Displayport, you need this one:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=6331&seq=1&format=2
Click to expand...

imac9556 said:
The first one you listed, that is slightly cheaper than the $49 one only outputs at 2.1 sound.(I initially tried it out and was told 5.1, but tech support was wrong)
Click to expand...


If you were able to get 2.1 pass through, then you should be able to get 5.1.

Were you using a DVD with a dolby digital sound track? or were you using a CD or other source which has only a stereo sound track?

These posts sound like user confusion of audio formats or user improperly configuring the pass-through.

If you are connecting the usb only model directly to your TV, then you will be limited to 2 channel audio. You will need to connect it to a receiver with a dolby digital decoder to get 5.1 audio.
 
A few more reviews
This product works exactly as described. Someone reviewed this product earlier and suggested it's only 2channel. He's an idiot. This plays DD/DTS 5.1 flawlessly over USB muxed with the minidisplayport flawlessly. I'm not sure where the confusion is, perhaps he was unaware how to set it up. I just wanted to write something so that there would not be any confusion.

Please note, as others have described you have to go into settings and setup the adapter as USB audio. You'll also probably need to select it in whatever program you're using. In my case XBMCI would select digital audio, and USB as the source.

I'll be testing DTSMA / TrueHD to see if we can push it across this adapter as well. I'm not certain if it will support 7 channel audio, but we'll see if the signal comes across properly. If it's raw, it shouldbut who knowsKanex claims theirs does so I don't see why this wouldn't. I'll update my review after I've confirmed either way.
Click to expand...

This highest bitrate I could get with this is 16/48 so if you are planning on using this for HD audio it won't do it. It will do Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1, but not True HD or Master Audio.
The video works great. I have tried the mini display port - DVI - HDMI adapter as well as the mini display port - HDMI connector without the USB audio. I had difficulty with both with my display, but this one has worked great. As long as you don't need HD audio, this is a good adapter.
Click to expand...

The product is a little pricey, but really wanted the 1080p and 5.1 surround sound output from my mac to my Sony v5100 TV so I decided to give it a try. It worked like a charm. Very easy, just plugged it in and it worked perfectly, no adjustments needed. Great picture, great sound. I would have given it a 10, but it is a little overpriced.
Click to expand...
 
kny3twalker said:
If you were able to get 2.1 pass through, then you should be able to get 5.1.

Were you using a DVD with a dolby digital sound track? or were you using a CD or other source which has only a stereo sound track?

These posts sound like user confusion of audio formats or user improperly configuring the pass-through.

If you are connecting the usb only model directly to your TV, then you will be limited to 2 channel audio. You will need to connect it to a receiver with a dolby digital decoder to get 5.1 audio.
Click to expand...

Trust me, I know what I am talking about and not some "idiot"

I saw the same post and even talked to the tech support chat. They initially confirmed with me 5.1 sound was supported with the USB audio device. However, I couldn't get it to work in 5.1 mode because on my audio receiver says it is outputting at 2.1. Then, after connecting to tech support again, they said the original tech was wrong, it was 2.1 sound output.

However, once i connected it to the receiver via Optical, it was in 5.1.
Yes, it was a DVD movie, not a audio cd. I also connected it via to the receiver directly, not to the TV. I am just speaking from experience.

With that new monoprice optical + displayport to HDMI adapter, 5.1 sound should be working.
 
imac9556 said:
Trust me, I know what I am talking about and not some "idiot"
Click to expand...

LOL:D

I saw the same post and even talked to the tech support chat. They initially confirmed with me 5.1 sound was supported with the USB audio device. However, I couldn't get it to work in 5.1 mode because on my audio receiver says it is outputting at 2.1. Then, after connecting to tech support again, they said the original tech was wrong, it was 2.1 sound output.

However, once i connected it to the receiver via Optical, it was in 5.1.
Yes, it was a DVD movie, not a audio cd. I also connected it via to the receiver directly, not to the TV. I am just speaking from experience.

With that new monoprice optical + displayport to HDMI adapter, 5.1 sound should be working.
Click to expand...

Well thats really is unfornate then. I wonder why those people from the other reviews thought they were getting 5.1 pass through then???
 
kny3twalker said:
LOL:D



Well thats really is unfornate then. I wonder why those people from the other reviews thought they were getting 5.1 pass through then???
Click to expand...

I am not sure honestly, tech support was apologetic that they told me I would get 5.1 with that USB adapter one and sent me a return shipping label for free with no restocking fee.

That wasn't my post either on the monoprice saying it was unable to 5.1 and then being called an idiot :D
 
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