Connecting your Mac to your TV

[Penzor17]

Thanks for the help! So I am looking through the TV guide under connection. It is a SHARP AQUOS LC-42D85U tv.

"when using an HDMI-DVI conversion cable, input the audio signal to the AUDIO terminal of input 6. When you input the audio signal via the AUDIO terminal with INPUT 6, set "PC audio select" to "input 6 (HDMI)".

I understand how to change the PC audio select to input 6 on the TV but after this step I don't know what to do or if I need another cable? I have a "Y" cable if necessary.

Thanks again for you time it is greatly appreciated.

 

[bobtomay]

Penzor17

Not sure what you're telling me - sounds like you know how to use the remote/menu to select the proper audio input, but have not plugged the audio cable in yet?

That is a mini-plug (aka 3.5mm stereo mini-jack), the same as the headphone port on your Mac. That is the cable you need with the same plug on both ends to connect the audio.

Note: I am using the owners manual for the 46 & 52 inch model. Sharp does not have the manual for the 42 inch version online, though it looks to be the same from your description.

You must use that HDMI port. That is the only HDMI port that will accept a separate audio input.

 

[Kraemer]

Assistance with connecting Mac and TV.

Hi!

I hope you are still assisting others in getting their macs to be viewed and heard on the TV. What you are doing is very generous and greatly appreciated. It would be incredible if we could watch, listen and surf the internet on the TV.

Per one of your postings, I have included the info you need below. Let me know if you need any additional info.

Thank you in advance!

With Aloha,

Austin Morioka



1. What Mac do you have?

Macbook 2007 model #A1181 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo


2. What TV do you have? This means make and model #.

Insignia NS-P501Q-10A

Insignia Plasma TV User Guide for the NS-P501Q-10A | ManualsOnline


3. Where do you want the sound? On the TV, a stereo, a 5.1 A/V receiver?

From the TV.

 

[bobtomay]

Kraemer

Your MB is actually a little newer than you thought, the A1181 is actually an '08 model as it was not released until Feb '08.

For the connections:
You will need a mini-DVI to HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable for the video.
For audio, a 3.5 mm stereo mini-plug to RCA is required.

In the manual, see the picture under 'Connecting a DVI device' (pg 12) for where to connect them on your TV.

A couple of options:
combo kit with the adapter and HDMI cable - Amazon
Audio cable - link

Just make sure you get the HDMI and audio cables in the length you need.

 

[zoi]

Many thanks bobtomay. A HTPC system looks like too much effort for the time it might take. I have an Xbox 360 with kinect lying in my store, do you reckon that would be sufficient for my streaming needs but I would like flexibility of playing most video formats? and I could buy a mini logitech keyboard to the rest?
Also, will the length of the HDMI cable affect the quality on the TV screen?
Thank you once again for your help.

 

[DehydratdSnwman]

Connect iMac to Sharp TV, But No Video or Audio

Here’s my setup:

• iMac 21.5” (Late 2009)
• Mac OS X 10.6.7
• Sharp LD-46D85UN
• Griffin Mini DisplayPort to HDMI

I've been using my iMac as an HTPC since I purchased it last year, but a few weeks ago it stopped working. When I connect everything now, the iMac flashes blue as it normally does when connecting an external display but no picture appears on the TV and there's no sound either.

I know the iMac recognizes the TV because it shows up in System Preferences under Displays and under Sound. It has worked perfectly for months and I can't think of a single thing that changed in my setup at all; it worked one day and didn't the next.

Here are the solutions I've found on the net and tried so far:

• Followed different sequences for connecting the pieces of the puzzle, e.g. turn TV on; set to correct input; connect HDMI cable; connect to adapter; connect adapter to iMac
• Restarted all devices
• Applied combo update to Mac OS X
• Repaired permissions on iMac
• Safe booted iMac
• Scrapped all the com.apple.windowserver.plist files in /Library/Preferences and in each user's home folder
• Reset PRAM
• Tried different HDMI inputs on my TV, different HDMI cords

I'd really appreciate any help anyone can offer!

Here’s an Apple support article confirming that my model should support video and audio.

 

[bobtomay]

DehydratdSnwman

Sounds like you've done just about everything.

Next two things to try are:

SMC Reset - because it's free and does control underlying video.

A new adapter - this would be my guess.


(Sorry, still trying to figure out why your links are not working properly.
Edit:Couldn't really find anything wrong with your link format.
Ended up just erasing and putting them back in.)

 

[DehydratdSnwman]

bobtomay,

Thanks for the suggestion. Reseting the SMC did not help, so looks like I’ll be buying a new adapter.

 

[bobtomay]

I'll keep my fingers crossed that'll do it for you.

 

[Kraemer]

Thanks bobtomay! I'll get these cables and let you know how it goes.

Austin

 

[scrbrd]

i3 to HDTV

I have a Core i3 iMac and a Panasonic HDTV (Panasonic CT-32HL44 Support and Service Information). I also have a 15 ft. HDMI cable. The Core i3 does not have a HDMI port. Is there a way to use the HDTV as a i3 monitor? (I'd like sound to come from the HDTV.)

Thank you!

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac11,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i3
Processor Speed: 3.06 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Processor Interconnect Speed: 5.86 GT/s
Boot ROM Version: IM112.0057.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.64f5
Serial Number (system): W811236ZDAS
Hardware UUID: 79E2DF92-D2E4-52A3-93A1-847EAE878843

 

[bobtomay]

scrcrd

You just need a mini-displayport (mdp) to HDMI adapter. See post # 4 in this thread - after all the pictures - for a listing of the adapters that are capable of carrying audio.

If I had one of these new Macs, think I'd get the one from OWC. Normally these type of things tend to work for years, but I'm starting to see posts where the adapter has quit working. That NewerTech from OWC is reasonably priced and has a 3 yr warranty.

 

[Kraemer]

Hi bobtomay,

The HDMI cables worked though we needed different audion cables. We needed audio cables with one end being "Y end" red and white. It works great, thank you for all your help!!!

Much Aloha,

Austin

 

[bobtomay]

Kraemer

Glad you got it working - went back and checked the manual, and yep, don't have a clue how I came up with that audio cable. :Blushing: Will head back and correct my original post in case others come looking for it. I appreciate the heads up. I must not have had my morning coffee when I made that post. ;D

 

[GlastoEls]

Hey in advance - really appreciate any support on how best I can connect the Macbook to the TV:

My setup:

- Apple MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (White-08)
MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (White-08) Specs (Early 2008, MB403LL/A, MacBook4,1, A1181, 2242) @ EveryMac.com

- Samsung 32" Class (31.5" Diag.) 4000 Series 720p LED HDTV
Features and Specifications - 32" Class (31.5" Diag.) 4000 Series 720p LED HDTV (2010 model) | Samsung TV/Video

Inputs & Outputs

4 HDMI Inputs (Rear)
1 Component Input
1 Composite (AV) Input
1 PC Input (D-sub)
1 PC Audio Input (Mini Jack)
1 USB 2.0 Port
1 Optical Digital Audio Output
1 DVI Audio Input (Mini Jack)
1 RF Input

 

[bobtomay]

GlastoEls

Your Owner's Manual - See the diagram for connecting a computer - on page 12 in the English version.

See the post for Kraemer above (#384). You need exactly the same video adapter/cable. You must use HDMI # 1 on the TV - also labeled as DVI.

See below for audio cable

 

[GlastoEls]

bobtomay - you're doing a great thing by offering this advice. Really appreciate it - thank you.

 

[bobtomay]

GlastoEls

For the audio, you actually need one of these - the stereo 3.5 mm at both ends - link

(Not the one in Kraemers post - sorry.)

 

[gteh]

Need help with Sony Bravia 46" and MBP

Hi, I will admit I did not read every post in this thread but a good chunk and couldn't find the answer. I'm hoping someone can help.

I have a late 2009 or early 2010 MBP right before they started doing sound through HDMI.

I have a 46" Sony Bravia (manual) . It has 4 HDMI ports, and HDMI port #4 has audio inputs. I have the right cables for minidp to hdmi and a belkin y connector wire from my headphone jack to the tv.

The display works just fine. The sound only works when the HDMI is not connected to the mbp. So if I have both the sound and the HDMI cable plugged into #4, I get only a picture, and no sound. If I unplug the audio cable, the sound comes through my MBP speakers. If I unplug the HDMI instead, then the sound comes through the TV. So I know the cables and connections are working, but every time I plug both in, the sound on the TV gets disabled. I also know that it has something to do with my MBP because I can leave the HDMI cable plugged in to the back of the TV, but disconnect the minidp and the sound works.

I have also gone to system preferences and ensured that my sound is set to the headphone jack.

I actually have two of these same TV's, only the other one is bigger, and the same problem exists so I know it's not a problem with the TV either.

Can someone help?

 

[bobtomay]

Just to make sure, you are connecting the HDMI cable to HDMI # 4 along with the audio cable?

Panasonic has a setting in the menu to change the HDMI port from digital to analog audio. Sony normally does this automatically. Let me do some checking and I'll get back to you.

Head into the HDMI menu on the TV and see if you find anything like that.