Connecting your Mac to your TV

I have connected my Black Macbook (early 2008) to my TV by using a mini-dvi to HDMI adaptor + a HDMI cable but nottings happen... I have choosen the right imput, i have done PRAM reset and also SMC reset but i still have no signal on my TV.... What can i do?

Am assuming you mean you have selected the HDMI input on the TV corresponding to the input the Mac is connected to?

What TV is this - make and model?

Exactly and i've tried all the HDMI Inputs on my tv. Its a 32 inches LCD Sony Bravia KDL-32L5000.

Per Sony, you need to use the HDMI 1 port - you'll definitely have to use that port if you want to get the audio with the video on the TV.

Only thing from there is to work through the troubleshooting steps back in post # 2.
I did not find any settings that you would need to adjust on the Sony.

After that, my first question would be where did you get the adapter. That is the item most often not working.


.

One more thing - do you have the Mac plugged in to power? Won't work on battery power.

Iv'e tried all the troubleshooting step in post #2 and it stills not working. I have connected my HDMI in port 1. I bought this adaptor online at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001T4EDZO/

from this company : http://www.amazon.ca/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=A2EUQ1WTGCTBG2&me=A1A4WDMXI70UAF?tag=

Also, I can't see the mirroring option. My macbook is connected to power.

Also, sometimes when i unplug the mini DVI to HDMI adaptor from my mini DVI port my macbook screen become blue for 2 seconds and become normal after that.

20% of the reviews for that adapter say it didn't work

You could try moving the HDMI cable up/down/around where it attaches to the adapter and see if you can get the picture to come up if you hold it just right.

I'd send it back and try a different adapter not the cheapest one you can find.
With adapters, would suggest sticking with some of the name brands - not necessarily the most expensive - ones available on Amazon here in the US would be Monoprice, Griffin, Belkin, Startech, Cables Unlimited. Check to see if one of them have a mini-DVI to HDMI cable instead of using adapter + cable.

Normal - Your Mac screen is going to go blue for a couple seconds when it detects and attempts to connect to another monitor.

Maybe someone can help guide towards what I need to connect my MBP to a new flatscreen I have bought. It is my first flatscreen ever (I know I am behind the times...just subsided on my grandmother's tv which is about 25 years old) and I have only once connected my MBP to a projector. Now I am in our new summer home and want to watch Netflix on the flatscreen.

Here are the details:
New Philips 3000 series Slim LED TV (site with manual) bought in Estonia
MBP from late 2008. Mactracker shows that my display port is 1 - Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI, or dual-link DVI with adapter)

Just to make sure, is this MBP
a: 5,1 - A1286
or
b: 4,1 - A1260

It is MBP a (i.e. model number A1286)

Trolle:

Without a doubt, Phillips has just taken over as the absolute worst user guides for a TV from any manufacturer I've ever seen.

Bottomline - your guess may be as good as mine if you want to get audio on the TV along with the video.

Based on what I'm reading - my best guess, there is no way to get a separate audio input to work with an HDMI input. I'm not even sure the only audio input there will work with the VGA port on that TV.

Option 1 - VGA
You're going to need a mini-displayport to VGA adapter - I would recommend getting Apple's if you can still find one. - and a VGA cable.

Audio - Based on the picture - you're going to need a 3.5mm stereo mini-plug cable like this.

Option 2
Video only - mini-displayport to HDMI cable or adapter and a HDMI cable.

Video and audio, you're going to need something that will combine the audio and video from your Mac, like this or this.
Then add a HDMI cable.

No idea where you'll find something like those last 2 adapters there in Estonia.

Thanks for the detailed help. I will have to look around and see what I can find.

Well, I guess I can cross Philips off my list when looking for a flat screen for our main home.

The good news is that all Macs from about late '09 have the audio via the video output.
Took Apple awhile to figure out we all wanted to use our big screens.

Just a follow up question: would a viable alternative be to purchase an Apple TV? I haven't tried one yet but maybe it would be easier when it comes to cables etc. The main thing I want to do is watch Netflix on the tv and with OS 10.8.4 I am able to view the content on my MBP screen on the tv. How is the quality then?

You get Netflix in Estonia?

I bought the tv there for the family to watch for a few weeks but am bringing it back to Denmark where we just got Netflix.

An Apple TV would work - I'm going to have to remember that for these older computers.

Must have 10.8 and you won't have Airplay on that machine, but you can use AirParrot to stream your desktop. Read about why no Airplay here.

I've only done very minimal mirroring as I have an AppleTV, a B-R player with Vudu, Amazon, etc., along with my old MBP directly connected to my primary TV/surround system and to gigabit ethernet to a Win box with my media sitting on an external eSATA RAID drive.

Well, you learn something new everyday. Thanks for the input re: Apple TV. Guess I will just go with a hardwired connection. The store had all the necessary connectors and cables.

Wow....Bobtomay you are awesome!

But I need some help. I am looking to buy a ~32" TV to connect to my MBP. I don't want to buy a TV and end up limiting or slimming my options of connectivity. I am completely illiterate with TV's and their connections (It's like the one electronic that I cannot understand )

Here's what I have:



I would like to get audio from the TV. I have a small apartment and don't want to deal with the extra cables from a sound system.

Usage would be basically as an external display. I want my computer screen to be displayed on the TV. Mainly for TV shows and movies (not from netflix etc.).

Any recommendations on a TV? No need for links, that will be my responsibility . Just a brand and model number if possible. Budget is a maximum of $350. I don't need anything fancy like wifi built in or smart apps and all that stuff (unless they are necessary for a setup).

Edit: Before I get any replies, I just wanna make sure I have the cable part straight. What I need is a Mini-display port to HDMI adapter, an HDMI cable, and an RCA to 3.5mm Audio jack cable. Correct?