Connecting your Mac to your TV

[bobtomay]

mtn1:

And what resolution do you have selected in Displays preferences for the projector?
Have you tried changing it to something else and then changing it back?

You might try a pram reset.

Resetting PRAM and NVRAM
Shut down the computer.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

 

[mtn1]

I tried the PRAM reset awhile ago- at Apple's suggestion. No change. Also played with all res combos and hooking up in various combos- with computer on, with off, with projector on/off etc etc. All I get is fine static with occasional red bars. It did work at one point though.

I have a fairly expensive 1080p projector so I don't want to downres any files. I would obviously like to send full HD, but thinking now maybe a wired PS3 is the way to go. Any other suggestions?

 

[bobtomay]

Next up would be trying it with the same cable on a different TV and/or trying another cable on that projector.

Assuming you have the projector turned to the correct input, have been able to try both 720 & 1080, can't get your desktop, sounds like a cable issue to me.

edit:
I'll try and pull up the projector's manual later today and have a check through it. Will post back in this post if I find anything that could be the Panny, but I doubt it. I'll delete this edit if I don't find anything.

 

[mtn1]

must be the cable- I moved my iMac upstairs and used the MDP to hdmi and ran an hdmi into my Panny plasma- black screen. Nada.

I've had similar issues with monoprice cables- cheap for a reason I guess.

It did work with the projector at one point so I don't think its a panasonic setting.

Maybe- an MDP to DVI to HDMI?

 

[bobtomay]

1. I would never recommend two adapters and that's what you've got going mdp to dvi to hdmi.

2. DVI does not carry audio. So if you go that route you'll be plugging a separate cable in to get audio.

I've not had an issue with any cabling purchased from monoprice, nor do I see them reported very often. If it were me, I'd either call monoprice and ask for a replacement or if I'd already had a couple of problems - I'd probably give up trying to save $10-$20 and get one of the 3 or 4 name brand mdp to HDMI adapters listed in post 4 and a high speed HDMI cable.

 

[bryce86]

Thanks for the reply earlier bobtomay. Had a fiddle with the setting and its reasonably good now

next problem though... Cant get it to connect to my Sony Bravia (BX3|32) using the same equipment - Mini DP to HDMI. Its just not displaying anything and the Macbook Pro isnt showing it in System Pref. Display or Sound

Hmmmph...

 

[bobtomay]

bryce86

There has been some issue with at least some of the current gen Sonys and Sony is aware of it. Will do some searching later and see what I can find.

 

[bobtomay]

bryce86:

Am "assuming" this must be the KDL-32BX300 model??

If so, you must use HDMI 1 in order to get separate audio to function with it.
I'd give that a try if you haven't.

If yours is a different model - open up the owners manual (or look at the back of the TV at the PC audio input) to find out which HDMI port should be used with a computer.

 

[naarmstr]

no audio, MDP - HDMI connection to 42LGX

Hello all,

I'm stuck and it looks like this is a great place for answers, so far tho I haven't found a solution to getting audio (video is fine) from my mbp through the tv.

- Macbook Pro 7,1 (mid 2010) with Mini DP that supports audio and video
- Dynex or Moshi Mini DP to HDMI adaptor (both support audio, both tried)
- "Oculus Designs" HDMI cable
- LG 42LGX

When connecting my mbp to the tv HDMI input I receive beautiful picture but no audio, audio only comes through the mac's internal speakers. When selecting my audio output on the Mac's Sound Preferences it detects the tv "LG TV HDMI" but instantly reverts to "internal speakers".

I've reset the PRAM on my mac, tried unplugging and differing the power-on sequence to check for handshake issues, and double checked the HDMI cable with my blue-ray player (it works great) to no avail. I can't seem to get audio through my tv speakers despite perfect video functionality

The only other variable I can think of is the HDMI cable itself, the one I'm using is a few years old and poorly marked. Does it matter which HDMI cable I use? does it need to be at least v1.3? My LG manual is pretty void of info regarding PC hookup

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[bobtomay]

If when manually selecting the LG in sound preferences and it immediately changes back by itself, yep, I'd probably upgrade the HDMI cable as a 1st step.

We just had another member with the same issue resolved with a new cable a week or so ago.
Doesn't have to be expensive, just make sure it's labeled as a "high speed" HDMI.
Amazon's own labeled cables are not too bad - flexible instead of stiff and cheap enough.

 

[naarmstr]

Bobtomay, Thanks for the speedy reply.

Just got back from the local best buy w/ a 30$ hmdi cable, said it was 1080p, 7.1 audio, and deep color compatible......dud, same result.

I'll make sure I get a high speed (10.2gb) HDMI if I can find one for cheap here in Canada. I'll let you guys know if that indeed solves the issue.

 

[bobtomay]

Does the LG show up in Sound preferences and what happens when you select it?

And are you using the Dynex or the Moshi adapter and where did you get it?
The Dynex one has not been so reliable.

 

[naarmstr]

Hey Botomay,
Yes, the LG shows up in Sound Prefrences as a device for sound ouput
"LG TV HDMI"
When selected nothing happens, audio continues to be emitted via the macbook speakers. When revisiting these preferences the settings always revert to internal speakers.

I've tried both the Moshi and Dynex adapter (both from BestBuy) with the same result. I've ended up keeping with the Moshi since along with being recommended by Apple, it seems better quality.

Yesterday I tried playing audio through the TV via my optical out to RCA stereo inputs that are positioned beside a HDMI input. As predicted audio appears on a different input channel (RCA) and video via a separate HDMI channel. This is frustrating as it appears that on my model on TV none of the 4 HDMI inputs accept separate audio.

I spoke with Apple yesterday as well, they suggest that my macbook is likely not the issue but that I should take it in to get it looked at by a Genius and perhaps isolate the problem. I've also emailed LG but I am somewhat less optimistic of hearing from them

If anyone has any ideas feel free, otherwise I'll check back after hearing from LG or Apple.

 

[bobtomay]

Try dumping the sound preference file.

Users / Your user/ Library / Preferences / com.apple.soundpref.plist

at the same place - com.apple.systemsound.plist

drag both of them to the desktop - log out and back in - give that a try

If it works, you can trash the files.

If that doesn't work try a SMC reset.

For a separate audio input, you need to use HDMI 1, 2 or 3 and the audio cable needs to be a stereo mini-plug at both ends (not RCA) and will plug into the single port right below the HDMI ports.

(outdated image link removed)

 

[Duff]

This is a great thread and given me a lot of info but i seem to have run into a problem i can seem to fix.

I have a August 2010 imac I5 connected to a LG60PK550 plasma via mini display to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable up to the tv.

Using HDMI 1 input on the TV.

Here's the problem, i set it up for the first time no problem and everything worked fine, sound, picture, mirroring etc. I then disconnected the cable and tried again a couple of hours later but nothing at all will happen. When i enter the display set up on the mac and click detect displays nothing comes up so the mac doesnt seem to see anything connected.

I tried rebooting, turning the tv on and off, turning TV on first then mac etc.

The thing i cant work out is that one minute all is fine and the next nothing??

Any ideas?

(also the cable and adapter are brand new)

Thanks!!!

 

[rmharrison]

Sound on both Devices

Hi bobtomay,

Today i got a cable following your post, audio and video works, now my problem, can i get sound though both iMac and TV at the same time? I had a quick look through this thread and couldn't find a similar question.

I have a iMac i3 3.2 OS x 10.6.6

TV Samsung LE32R87BD

Cable iwires Mini DP to HDMI

Ps I’m from the UK if that makes any difference


THanks

Rich

 

[bobtomay]

Duff:
After you work through all the troubleshooting steps in Post # 2, then you might try a SMC reset.

rmharrison:
Not any way I know of. You either set it to use the internal speakers or use external speakers. There's no A, B, A+B switch like you might see on a receiver to run multiple sets of speakers.

 

[rmharrison]

rmharrison:
Not any way I know of. You either set it to use the internal speakers or use external speakers. There's no A, B, A+B switch like you might see on a receiver to run multiple sets of speakers.

Thanks for that

 

[naarmstr]

Rmharrison,

does your iMac supoort audio and Video from the Mini Display Port? Models before mid 2010 only send video through the Mini DP, in that case u'll have to use the 3.5mm audio port for audio out.

sorry, let me correct my mistake, iMacs after later 2009 support audio and video through the miniDP

here is the Help document about connecting to an HDTV

View attachment Mac Help_HDTV.pdf

 

[luckystar_30]

Ok, so hopefully you guys can help me as well (I just don't want to order the wrong cord!) I essentially really want to get netflix, but don't have a game system to play it on my computer with.

My computer: MacBook
Display: 13.3"
Processor Type: 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo
Model Number: A1181
Factory: China
Production Year: 2009
Production Week: 38 (September)
Production Number: 935

My TV:
32PFL5332D Phillips 32"
Here is the link to the owners manual:
www.p4c.philips.com/files/3/32pfl5332d_37/32pfl5332d_37_pss_aen.pdf

Please let me know if there is anymore info you need. I really appreciate your help!

Sorry, forgot to mention the sound coming out of my tv would be fine.