Can i connect my macbook pro directly to my directv box or only the tv?

I bought a "mini displayport to HDMI adaptor," for my parents HD TV. Unfortunately, after purchasing this, i came to find the the television does NOT have an HDMI port. I guess its a little bit too old. But my parents have an HD DVR Directv box that does have an HDMI port. So i am wondering if its possible to connect my Macbook pro directly to the box. If not, it looks like i need to go get some different cords. Any help is appreciated! thanks!

Yes it should work fine as long as the box is connected to the TV correctly. Also, if using a DVD player, you might have to play around in the settings to tell it that you are going through the box and not the TV.

Hope this helps.

No....

As far as I am aware, that HDMI on your DirecTV, DishNetwork and all cable boxes is a video "out" port, not a video "in".

I use the cable box in my house that is connected to the TV to connect my macbook pro, but as bobtomay said, make sure it is video in, not out. If it is, it should work. Anyways, if you are unsure, it wouldn´t hurt to try it out and see what happens...

Hopes this helps.