Imac > Netflix > TV

I use Netflix and in the past (before it became available on the Wii) I've done what you're trying to do (but with my MBP).

Start with this sticky thread: http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/other-hardware-peripherals/193239-connecting-your-mac-your-tv.html
USB will not provide audio/video out to a monitor or TV.

Have you ever considered just getting a BluRay Player with Netflix on it, or even AppleTV? It's a bit less painless.

Thanks MyMacRox
I didn't realize they have a blue ray player with NetFlix built into it. I just bought a blue ray 6 months ago, but I don't think it has Netflix. I have a Sony Bravia Internet Link on my big TV in the living room, but I was looking for a way to play Netflix on a different TV in a separate room where my Mac is.
Darn, guess it's not going to happen with the Mac. Thanks for the info guys.

Stopped in my Apple dealer today here in Kalispell and asked how to export internet media from my iMac to another Tv. They said I could do it with a mini display to HDMI cord, but they didn't have one. I was wondering what that little square port was on the back of my iMac 27"

Go to monoprice.com for that cable. Great prices.

Hey, thanks for the tip. I have found some really good prices on other cables at Amazon and Ebay also. One question.....when you plug in a mini display cable, does it shut off the iMac 27" screen? Or to put it more simply, can I shut off the iMac display while viewing on a TV?

It doesn't automatically "shut it off".
Try this: Turn off your TV, turn on your iMac, plug in the cable, turn on the TV and put it to whatever input channel is appropriate, on your iMac go into System Preferences>Displays and from there you can decide which screen is primary, which is left/right, if you want the TV to "mirror" what you see on your iMac or not, screen resolution, etc. etc.

I don't own an iMac, so I'm not sure if there's an "off" switch just for the screen. But if you wanted to do something like that I'm sure there's a way. If no "off" switch, then you can change your energy saving settings to turn off the screen only after idle for 1 minute or whatever.

Thanks MyMacRox
I haven't even bought a cable yet and probably won't until I decide which way to go.

Yeah, I gathered as much. Just pointing you in the right direction so you're ready to hit the ground running.

If you're in the market for a video game console, I think the big 3 (Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii) all have Netflix on them. Sort of an "app". Not 100% sure about the Xbox 360, but I can't imagine why they wouldn't if the other 2 do. That's just another route to consider in addition to an internet capable Blu Ray player or new TV.

Thanks for helping. I appreciate it.

I would recommend you take a closer look at AppleTV.

chas_m said:

I would recommend you take a closer look at AppleTV.

Click to expand...

Or the Roku.

Want to stream your own content, the ATV is an inexpensive way to do it and gives you Netflix and youtube access along with the iTunes store.

More interested in web streaming, the Roku gives you Netflix, Hulu, Amazon's Unbox (and if you're already a Prime member there, you've got instant access to 5,000 free movies/TV shows), Pandora and a current lineup of about 100 other streaming sites. Access to youR Facebook or Picasa photos... It has a way to stream your iTunes content, but it's convoluted and ugly - requiring you to upload your content to the web and then stream.

Will do guys. I'm going to do some customer review reading on the ATV.

Here's a review for you... I love my Apple TV so much I now own two of them. One in the living room, and one hooked to the TV in the bedroom. We primarily use it's Netflix features, which always work great for us. When the rec room gets done, I see a third Apple TV there as well.

The capabilities, compatibility with my Macs, and the price point make the Apple TV the perfect choice for me.

I plan on purchasing the Apple TV today at Vann's in Kalispell. I went to Best Buy last night, but they didn't have them. They said Apple won't let them have them. I don't understand why Apple wants to limit sales. We don't have a dedicated Apple Store here in Kalispell, a town of 100,000 people.

That's weird. Checked the Kalispell Best Buy's inventory and they are indeed a ship-to-store site for the Apple TV. The Missoula Best Buy has them in stock, but that's a drive.

Wherever you get it, I have no doubt that you'll love it!

I have a problem understanding the concept that Best Buy, being a large chain like they are, wouldn't be a full outlet for Apple. The store sales associate told me it was that way because Apple wants it that way.

The Best Buy salesman was lying to you, and that's just a small part of why Apple doesn't let Best Buy be "a full Apple outlet." Their salespeople tend to lie a lot.

(disclosure: I used to work as an Apple Trainer, and attempted to train Best Buy employees during one of Apple's earlier pushes into the chain. It was a pretty miserable experience.)

You could have saved yourself a lot of back and forth, if you would have remembered my first post in this thread. lol