Connecting your Mac to your TV

janeway_usa

I'd recommend the MDA (mini displayport) to HDMI cable available from monoprice.

You can also use a MDA to HDMI adapter and a HDMI cable.

You'll need to connect your Mac to HDMI IN - 1 (DVI).

For audio, grab a stereo mini-plug cable - link.
This will plug into the PC/DVI audio port.

(outdated link removed)

dougthoreson said:

Thanks again. Last thing, I promise: My brother has the same computer as me and is thinking of getting a 22" Samsung LN22B460B2D, if he gets that one can he also run it as a monitor?

Click to expand...

When he gets it, open up the owner's manual to page 13 and you'll have the cables and ports with diagrams for both HDMI and VGA.

Thanks for your help! I have ordered the cables and can't wait to try it.
You're the best. Thanks for your quick response.

MDP to HDMI

Hi there.

Today I purchased a mini-displayport to HDMI cable and tried hooking it up to my TV (Philips 26pw9100d/37). My Macbook Pro flashes a blue screen once or twice upon plugging in the cord, and the TV is listed is the display options, but I can't seem to get any picture on the TV. I have tried all of the different combinations of turning on the TV and mac before/after cords are plugged in, and there are still no signs of life. I have tried every display option listed in the preferences, but still no picture. I'm afraid that the TV simply too old (5 years?) or lacking the necessary components (are there any other than an open HDMI port?) Any help would be great.

Macbook Pro
Snow Leopard 10.6.3
Dynatron MDP to HDMI cord
Philips HDTV 26pw9100d/37 26" 'Real Flat Picture Tube"

Now that's an oldie today. There was quite a bit of issue connecting that set even to Windows when it was new. Some with no luck and some only getting it to connect at 480 even with DVI to HDMI. I really think the TV just is not passing good info to the computer. There weren't that many of us already connecting our computers to our TV sets just 5 years ago and none of the TV manufacturers were considering it. At that time, most folks were just concerned with getting their OPPO hooked up.

Have seen other's suggest those early Phillips models may be sluggish syncing when changing inputs and to try changing the input back and forth a few times, waiting each time.

As for order to turn on, best bet for order: have the cable plugged in, turn on the TV (have the TV set to the HDMI input when you turn it off, not changing it after it's turned on) - wait for however long it takes that set to warm up, then turn on the Mac.

Once the Mac is on, you'll need to open up system preferences - displays - head for the appearance tab and put a check in mirror displays for the time being. Then move that display window out of the way and see if you have a separate display window for the tv. If so, try different resolutions until you find one that will work. If you're not even getting the appearance tab or the separate display window, the TV is not providing the proper EDID info to the computer. If this doesn't work, I'd say it's probably a no go.

Even the TV's that did work with Windows at that time, most of them would not work with Linux at all via HDMI. And that was before my time with a Mac.

Is there any set up where you can use your computer and full screen tv at the same time?

When I put things like Hulu on the TV and make it full screen I can no longer use my MBP as it will automatically exit out of full screen.

Full screen video use on a Mac is only allowed on a single screen. Why? Good question...

The best way I've found to get around it is to drag the window to full screen size.

connecting macbook to a TV

This is my first time on Mac Forums.. or any forum for that matter...and not sure how all this works... its taken me about an hour and a half to work out how to post this message! lol anyhow here goes.

I am trying to find out what leads I need to connect my 2009 MacBook with 2 GHz processor to my TV which is a 2009 Sony Bravia KDL-26V4500

SONY Support Country Selection Page

I have no other equipment. I just want Macbook to TV connection with the sound coming out of the TV.

Can anyone help? or point me in the right direction?

Many Thanks

By Googling "KDL-26V4500", I draw the conclusion you are in the UK?? I mention that because the only place I know of that sells the cable you need is monoprice.com. I have no idea if they ship to the UK or have a UK site. But anyways, follow that link to see what cable you need to connect your mini displayport on the Macbook to the HDMI on your TV. You will also need one of these to send audio to your television.
Only you know the lengths required, so take these links as merely reference points.

Haven't checked, but if monoprice does not ship to the UK or you don't want to wait that long, grab a mini display port to HDMI adapter and a HDMI cable (just make sure it's classed as a 1.3c version cable at this point in time).

You will need to connect to HDMI port # 2.

For the audio, you'll need a stereo mini-plug (aka 3.5mm) at both ends like this one.

Here's a pic:

(outdated link removed)

If you are willing to spend a little more money in order not to have two connections on the TV, you could get one of the following and a HDMI cable.

Mini DisplayPort + USB AUDIO to HDMI adapter cable by: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Mini DisplayPort + TOSLINK Digital Audio to HDMI: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Hello, I have an early 2006 MacBook 2.0 GHz and a Panasonic TH-42PZ85U (here is the manual).

I was thinking of using this cable, but I was confused as to how I would go about the sound. I want the sound to come out of the TV speakers since I don't have any external speakers. Thanks for your time.

Welcome to Mac Forums
I just use with the same setup, a 3.5mm plug to left/right RCA plugs from my headphone jack on my MB to the RCA on my TV. You could do this with TV or Stereo.

(outdated link removed)

I know this seems confusing as the HDMI supports audio, but the mini DVI doesn't output audio, so this is why you will need the above cables.

You've got the right adapter there. Just add the length HDMI cable you need.

It looks like you're in luck. 6string has the right audio cable there - monoprice link. It will plug into the "Video In 1" connection.

(outdated link removed)

Looks like you'll be able to use either of the two HDMI ports on the back.
Here's what it looks like in the manual on page 40.

(outdated link removed)

You will also need to change the Audio setting for the HDMI input on the TV since it's expecting the audio on the HDMI cable.

See pages 24-25 for how to adjust this setting - the how to is toward the bottom of 25.

bobtomay said:

You've got the right adapter there. Just add the length HDMI cable you need.

It looks like you're in luck. 6string has the right audio cable there - monoprice link. It will plug into the "Video In 1" connection.

(outdated link removed). Looks like you'll be able to use either of the two HDMI ports on the back.
Here's what it looks like in the manual on page 40.

(outdated link removed). You will also need to change the Audio setting for the HDMI input on the TV since it's expecting the audio on the HDMI cable.

See pages 24-25 for how to adjust this setting - the how to is toward the bottom of 25. (outdated link removed)

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Thanks a lot!

And just one more question:

I recently bought Apple's Mini-DVI to Video cable to connect my MacBook to an older TV, but even with S-Video the highest resolution I could pick was 1024x768. Do you know if I'll be able to select 1280x800 with the hdmi cable and my hdtv?

hi Moderator, i have a question about connecting my Macbook Pro 4.1 with DVI-port to my Samsung p2470hd with HDMI-port.
I already tried to connect it directly with HDMI-DVI cable (brandhillips) and it worked but there's a problem with the display picture in my TV, the picture displayed in TV is not as good as in my mac, the resolution on my TV is worse, although the resolution is already 1080p and there is a shadow on everything that showed on the display e.g on letters, pictures, panels, icons, etc.
Then i switched my Mac OS to windows XP (i have installed Windows XP on my Mac) and the display picture in my TV becomes better as good as the display on my Macbook Pro (with Windows XP)
is it always like that or there is a mistake that i've made with setup or maybe with the cable connector?
i would really appreciate your answer, thanks!

imanwarih:

Nope, you've done nothing wrong and there is no problem with your display if you have set the output to match your TV's native resolution.

imho: MS got this one right and is one of the reasons I use a Win machine as my primary HTPC. You can read about the differences in font rendering between the two OSs here.

You should find it totally fine for any graphics, but if you're accustomed to MS Cleartype, some folks are just not going to like text on a big screen TV, myself included.

Connecting your Mac to your TV

your instructions are mac model tv model and where is the audio so here i go.

Macbook specs:

ImageShack - Best place for all of your image hosting and image sharing needs (outdated link removed)

Tv specs:

Dynex 40" lcd tv

DX-L40-10A
i cannot find a online user manual but i will gladly scan and send anything that is required.

audio option:

i dont have a home theater so id like the sound to be on the tv if its to much of a hassle i guess it would be fine to use the audio on the computer speakers its mainly for photoshop and design software tho it would be nice to use itunes so i dont need my ipod and dock. while i work.


thanks!!

-jan
[email protected]

Your MB has a mini-displayport.

Dynex does not have manual for this TV available online, which means, you'll need to do some work here. The idea is that you want to use HDMI if possible. I have a feeling you won't be able to, but we'll check it out.

You need to open the owner's manual and go to the connections section. You're looking for a mention of connecting a DVI device. If it has the mention of it, it should have a picture showing you which HDMI port to use and where to plug in the audio for it.

You can also look on the back of the TV at the connections. If you can use an HDMI port with separate audio, one of the ports should be labeled "HDMI (DVI)" or similar.

Let me know if you find either of those.

no sound

bobtomay said:

This is for ptpro's equipment.

No problem. Wasn't really the wrong section, I'm just starting to try and keep some of these in one place so they'll be easier for not only myself to find them, but others that may come looking also.

From what you've said, you have an early '09 MacBook Unibody with the 2.0Ghz.
This would be the mini displayport on your Mac.

Since you have a spare HDMI cable already, there are a couple of options open to you for the video side.

1. A mini displayport to HDMI adapter (less than $9 here) and use your HDMI cable.

Or keep your HDMI cable for that Blu-Ray player you've been eyeing and get a:

2. Mini displayport to HDMI cable in the length you require (from $9-$13 here).

For the audio with either of the above you will need a 3.5mm mini-plug to RCA cable like this one.

Option 3. Is this handy dandy device - much more expensive - and not really worth it imho in your particular scenario, but some folks will want and/or need this option. Read the description there for an overview.

You'll find the exact picture for your connections on page 45 of the owner's manual and you want to use the HDMI-DVI conversion diagram. Here is a cleaned up version for you depicting the first two options. The 3rd would not have the audio connected to the TV, since they would now be combined via the adapter into the HDMI cable. (outdated link removed)

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Hi again,

I finally got the cables in the mail and set everything up, except the sound isn't working. I went with Option 2 from above post. (Thank you bobtomay for your help with that). The video part is great. I checked my computer Preferences under "Sound" to make sure it was playing through the headphone jack. Is there something I need to check on the TV to make sure it's on the right setting?

I can't get any audio to come through from my iMac to my TV. I have a LG 42PQ30 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV, and for hardware I have a mini dvi to hdmi connected to HDMI port 1, and I just bought a 3.5mm audio male to male end which I plugged into my headphone jack in my iMac and connected it to the audio in (RGB/dvi) port in the back of the TV. I am not getting any sound and am getting quite frustrated, if you could help me resolve this problem I would be very happy. Thank you.