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Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter not working with MacBook

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I bought the Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter and was hoping to watch movies from my MacBook to TV (older RCA type) but it didn't work. I have a Macbook Version 10.4.11, 2 from 2007. Does anyone know if it's compatible. I got jittery weak signal.
Please help.
 

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So it is working, just not a very good signal?

Unplug everything and plug them back in.

Then try a different composite or S-Video cable.

(Has this composite port on the TV been in use or sitting there empty for a few years? After you turn the TV off and unplug the power cord, take a can of air and spray into the port to clear out the dust that has settled in there.)
 
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I get a very bad signal so I'm not sure if I will call it working.
It does seem like the cable is making a connection to the tv.
I switched of TV and Macbook, plug in adapter, RCA cables on both ends and power on both. I then go to the system preferences, select "detact displays" and "mirror screen".
The composit port is active. I connect my dvd player to it.

I know on the Apple website, it says this adapter is not compatible to the 2009 MacBook so I am beginning to wonder if it's compatible to the 2007 model. Do you know?

Will try your suggestions.

Thanks.
 

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I get a very bad signal so I'm not sure if I will call it working.
It does seem like the cable is making a connection to the tv.
I switched of TV and Macbook, plug in adapter, RCA cables on both ends and power on both. I then go to the system preferences, select "detact displays" and "mirror screen".
The composit port is active. I connect my dvd player to it.

This is a composite connector? Meaning, a single yellow RCA cable for video output?

If so... that's the nature of the beast. Composite connections just don't yield great video.

I know on the Apple website, it says this adapter is not compatible to the 2009 MacBook so I am beginning to wonder if it's compatible to the 2007 model. Do you know?

Will try your suggestions.

Thanks.

The 2009 MacBook models went with a completely different port known as Mini Display Port. Yours uses a Mini DVI, the two are completely different, hence the compatibility warning.
 

cwa107


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Sadly, yes, it is the single yellow RCA cable for video output.

Yes, that is definitely a composite connection. You'll want to dramatically lower the screen resolution (800x600 should be a little better), but even then, you're going to get a fuzzy picture. It's really kind of useless, IMO...

Does your TV have any other type of input? Even S-VIDEO might be better.
 
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I did the lowest screen res and still got crappy signal.
You are absolutely right, it's practically useless.
I will check to see if it has the S-Video input.
Thanks.
 

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I did the lowest screen res and still got crappy signal.
You are absolutely right, it's practically useless.
I will check to see if it has the S-Video input.
Thanks.

Just to be clear, S-VIDEO isn't ideal, but some older TVs will have it and it might be a little better. Spin the TV around and look at the back. Are there any RCA jacks that are grouped together Red/Green/Blue? That would be a component connection and will be much better.

Best options (in order from least optimal) are:

SVGA
DVI
HDMI

Most TVs made in the past 3 years should have HDMI. If it's more than a few years old and you really need to connect things like computers, Blu-Ray players and even DVD players, you might want to consider an upgrade.
 
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I know, it may be time for an upgrade.
I am just trying to safe up enough money so thought this could be a cheap temporary solution.
Thanks for all your suggestions.
At least I learned something from this exercise.
Cheers.
 
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Question

Wendy. Did you get your Mini-DVI to Video to work. I am having simialr problesm as you. Composite cable (yellow) is not working. Did you try S-video. Did anything else work. Thanks much.
 
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Hi, my mistake, I bought a Dynex adapter that was supposed to work for MacBook but it didn't. I bought an Apple Mini-DVD to Video instead and it worked right away so it looks like it's just a defective adapter. Is yours an Apple product? If not, you might want to get the right one for compatibility. Good luck!
 

bobtomay

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Wendy. Did you get your Mini-DVI to Video to work. I am having simialr problesm as you. Composite cable (yellow) is not working. Did you try S-video. Did anything else work. Thanks much.

Whether Windy's works or not will not necessarily have any bearing on whether yours will work. If your Mac is an early '09 model or newer, that adapter will not work at all.
 

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