Connecting your Mac to your TV

sarchasmic:

Personally, I'd recommend not even trying to connect to that TV depending on what it is you plan on viewing.

To stay in the $50-60 range, you'll want to use either composite or S-Video connections on the TV - posts # 7 & 15 will show you what you'll need for video. You have a mini displayport on the Mac. imho - not worth the $50-$60. You'll need a stereo mini-plug to RCA cable for audio.

If you're interested in spending probably $200+ to use component, let me know.

Mac and TV wireless connection

Hi, I have a SONY HD TV with wireless internet connection; it does allow me to use Internet TV (e.g. YouTube) but does not recognize Front End as a media server - any suggestions?

solid123:

I am assuming you mean 'Front Row', the media player on your Mac.

I would suggest you open up the Owner's Manual for your TV and start reading about it's wifi capabilities. I believe you'll find that it will not connect to a computer through it's wifi.

My Setup

Thanks ahead of time for the help. I am a complete computer newbie, so please be as descriptive as possible, thanks again.

1. 2010 Macbook Pro 13', 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo

2. Samsung 40', Model No: LN-S4051D

3. I would like my sound to come from my television.

krapy:

Your TV does not support a computer through it's HDMI ports. Even has it in bold letters - three places I found in two minutes in the owners manual.


You'll need to grab Apple's mini displayport to VGA adapter and a VGA cable for video. For audio, you'll want a stereo mini-plug cable.

The manual indicates it supports 1360 x 768 thru it's VGA port.





I will also warn you, Samsungs from that time frame (and even their current models) are notorious for not working with Macs. You may be one of the lucky ones. Some do, some dont. Have seen no rhyme nor reason to it. Yet another reason to not purchase anything from Samsung, imho.

Thanks again for the speedy response and all the help!!

No problem - let us know if it works with your Mac or not.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I am about a four on understanding this situation. Here are my specs for my Mac I bought last November and my TV that I bought in 2008. Hopefully you can give me easy for me to understand way of connecting the two. I want to route some video from the internet (college football games from a system called All Access) through my Mac to my TV.

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac10,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 3.06 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: IM101.00CC.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.52f9
Serial Number (system): W8945D8J5PC
Hardware UUID: BF4F6082-38F8-5959-A355-D8435960B671
Software: Snow Leopard System Version: Mac OS X 10.6.4 (10F569)
Kernel Version: Darwin 10.4.0

My TV is a Sony KDL 42V4100 HD 1080p User manual at:

Download Sony KDL-42V4100 BRAVIA LCD TV Operating Manual

If I am not taking too much of your time and trouble I certainly would appreciate it if you could give me easy to follow instructions on how this can be done and the type of connections. Looks like I only have a mini display port on my Mac if that is the port to use. Thanks so much. You are such a knowledgeable person and give so much to all of us with limited knowledge.

Need my waders, it's gettin' deep around here.

ralphmorgan:

Don't know a thing about All Access - however , if you can view it on your computer screen then you can view it on an external monitor.

Option 1 with HDMI, you need a mini displayport to HDMI cable in whatever length you want and a stereo mini-plug to RCA cable for audio.



Option 2 with HDMI - the above is the cheapest route. However, beginning with your model iMac, the mini displayport now supports audio along with video. You have the option of getting a mini-displayport to HDMI adapter - either the Moshi or the Griffin and a HDMI cable in the length you need. You can use any of the HDMI ports on the TV with this option.


If you prefer Amazon to monoprice, you should be able to find any of those cables there also at reasonable prices - just check the ratings if it's shipped from someone other than Amazon.

Connectiong your Mac to your TV

Thanks bobtomay. Your explanation was easy for me to understand and I will buy the necessary cable and adapter. Really appreciate it.

Another option - just discovered this through another member tonight - the mini displayport to HDMI adapter for only $7 from Amazon - it has the right spec and have at least two reviewers indicating it does pass the audio - link.

Choppy Video Playback on Mac to TV

Hi Everyone-

I recently bought a mac mini and hooked it up to my Westinghouse 42" LCD TV. Everything works find in terms of video and sound.

However, the video playback is choppy on sites like Hulu. The in "normal" size, the video runs alright, with a few hitches. When I set the video to full-screen, the playback gets really choppy. Unwatchable.

The mini is running Tiger and has 512MB memory. While not the fastest machine in the world, this should be sufficient to watch a Hulu video on full screen, shouldn't it? When watching Hulu, literally all I have running on the mac is the single safari window. No other applications.

Any suggestions of how I can remedy this or what the source of the problem is? My mini? The internet connection?

Also, I use Abyssoft Teleport (abyssoft - teleport) to allow me to use my MacBook to control the mini. Would this have something to do with it? It is even choppy when I am not controlling the screen with my MacBook - but it is the only other thing running besides Safari.


Thanks!

Hi bobtomay

Was hoping you could help me – I’m trying to connect this Macbook (2.26/13inch) - MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 13" (Uni/Late 09) Specs (Late 2009, MC207LL/A, MacBook6,1, A1342, 2350*) @ EveryMac.com

to this LG TV – LG Product Support for 52LB9DF

From reading this thread, my take on it is I need:
1. A mini display to HDMI cord; and
2. A 3.5mm mini-plug to RCA cable
Would be grateful if you can confirm this is what I need and I’ll go ahead with the purchase.

Regards,

Eden Monaro

Eden,

You've got the right video cable.

For audio, your Mac for sure uses a stereo 3.5mm mini-plug and looks like the LG should be the same, no RCA here - the audio cable shown on page 26 is the one you want, not the one on page 27.

Also, check page 50 of the manual - at the bottom - definitely go in and change the label of the HDMI port you'll be using to PC. From what that note is saying, my guess is that changing the label is what enables the audio from the PC port and hopefully it will turn off overscan automatically for you also.

Favor, since I am a hobbyist, I don't have physical access to all these different TVs. Could you verify, that is a mini-plug port on the TV and not a mono RCA port? I'm about 99% sure it is, but it'd be nice to have someone verify that for me. Thanks.

Thanks bobtomay

Will definitely heed your advice re changing the label of the HDMI port.

As for the port on the back, I can confirm it is a mini-plug port and not a mono RCA port.

Will let you know if I encounter any difficulties from here.

Regards,

EM

Thanks. Figured they were, but better to know they are.

Hi,

I have read through this entire thread, and I still have a couple of questions for you guys.

I have a 15" 2.4 MBP from 2008

I want to connect it to my Panasonic TC-L32U22

The TV has a VGA input and 3 HDMI inputs.

My mbp has a DVI and a mini display port. I have the DVI to VGA adapter that came with the computer.

Here's what I think my options are:

1. Buy a VGA cable and utilize the DVI to VGA adapter that came with my machine.

2. Buy a DVI to HDMI cable

3. Buy a Mini display to HDMI Cable

I read here that VGA is a good option for TVs under 40". However, l also read in this thread that VGA only has a max resolution of 1360x768. If I use a DVI-HDMI or a Minidisplay-HDMI cable, will the resolution be higher?

Also, is there a difference between a DVI-HDMI and a Mini display-HDMI hook up?

I am not worried about sound. I have a the 3.5mm mini plug connected to a audio receiver. And I'm also aware that neither my mini display nor my DVI support sound output.

Thank you very much for your input on this. I appreciate any advice you guys have to offer.

Tobissimo:

You Mac only has a DVI port if you have linked to the correct machine. No MacBook Pros up to this point in time have two video ports. Therefore, your option 3 is not an option. (Am guessing you're probably looking at the FW800 port there.)

You should note the following in the owner's manual:




Having pointed that out, cables are cheap. If I were purchasing the cable for myself, I would be getting the DVI to HDMI cable and giving that a shot first. This is partly due to the VGA port being limited to 1366x768 as you have found. But also, I just have not read about this being an issue with Panasonic in general.

another mac to tv

I read all the posts, but still not comfortable with knowing what I need.. So here is what I have.

I'm not sure what year my macbook is? Not sure where to find that.

MB 13.3/2.2/2x1g/160/sd-DL:white
Model # a1181


Here is the link to the tv I am using : Scroll down a little and you will see the manual in pdf form:

LG Product Support for 37LH30


As far as sound goes I am not picky. Using the tv is fine, or using my surround sound. If using surround I think it only has rca's and a headphone jack. Thank you for your help and let me know if you need any other info.

aaron427:

Almost everything you want to know about your Mac is here.

Your Mac has a mini-DVI port. I would suggest HDMI instead of VGA with that TV.

Video - You'll need a mini-DVI to HDMI adapter and a HDMI cable.

Audio - You need to decide where you want your audio. If it's up to me, it's going to my surround sound and not to the TV.
Connecting to your receiver, about 95% odds, you need a mini plug to RCA cable - you need to verify this.
Connecting to the TV you need a mini plug cable - not one of the first 3 that say "Two 3.5mm".




Read pages 66 & 67 of the manual while you're waiting for the cables. Pay attention to the section on "Just Scan". This will take care of the overscan issue for you.

Set the resolution at 1920x1080.