Cannot connect Macbook to tv

I have a MacBook 5,2 intel Core 2 Duo and running Mac OS X 10.5.8 with 4 GB of ram. I purchased the apple mini dvi to TV adapter. I have hooked it up to two different TV's and tried both s-video and RCA connections and can't get a dvd to play on the screen (it plays fine on the macbook). I clicked the "detect display" button but nothing happens. The sound through other cables works fine but I can't get a picture of any kind. When I first plug in the dvi adapter, the computer screen goes blank for a moment but that is all. I don't see any options in the display settings that could help except for the "detect display" which doesn't do anything. Any ideas?

mini dvi to TV adapter

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Do you mean Mini display to DVI cable? Or do you mean a DVI-to-HDMI adapter? A TV adapter can be VGA, HDMI or possibly even DVI, so we need a little more information here.

Mini-display won't work on S video since Macbooks don't carry composite audio/video signals. So going by what you're telling us, if you're looking for S video, you probably have the input on your TV set to the wrong option. Find the menu on your TV that allows you to switch inputs and try all the ones listed.

When I first plug in the dvi adapter, the computer screen goes blank for a moment but that is all.

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Plugging it into what? If you're plugging into a DVI port on your TV, that may not work. Or are you saying you're plugging the DVI adapter into your Macbook? Only slightly older models of Macbooks have a DVI port. In 2008 they started using Mini-display ports. And if your computer screen is going blank momentarily, that means the signal is being sent out... the issue is probably somewhere else down the line.

Anyway, let us know exactly what kind of cable you're using, specifically what kind of adapter you're using, which port on your TV you're plugging it into, and what input your TV is set to.

Oneironaut: He is using the mini-DVI to Video adapter.


While I have not used composite video since S-video arrived and not used S-video since component came out, I don't believe you are going to have any luck with a newer Mac. By most all the reports I've seen it does not.

Even on Apple's page for the device the most current iMac listed that it will work with is the Intel Core Duo, not the Core2Duo. It specifically states it is not compatible with the 2009 MacBook.

Thanks for the help

Even on Apple's page for the device the most current iMac listed that it will work with is the Intel Core Duo, not the Core2Duo. It specifically states it is not compatible with the 2009 MacBook.[/QUOTE]

That is exactly my problem. I bought it from Amazon not Apple and my mac is only a few months old so this explains everything. I just switched to Mac after many years of PC's so I need to pay more attention and do better research before I buy any more accessories.

Thank You.