Connecting your Mac to your TV

[robertgarven]

I guess I answered my own question. Is anyone running an HDMI cable 35 feet long??

HDMI Cable from Blue Jeans Cable

Rob

 

[bobtomay]

Qualification: Since I'm just a home hobbyist, I've never tried anything over 12'.

One of the factors is the graphics card itself and how strong a signal it's pushing out. Most folks will tell you 15' with DVI and HDMI. HDMI does not provide for a distance spec. I have read many successful users going 50' without a signal booster and doubt you would have an issue at 30' - making sure you bought a "high speed" cable.

Check monoprice, they have some "in wall" cabling in the length you're looking for.

However, before you try running cabling under the house, I'd suggest you move your Mac next to the TV and try it out with a cable of 12' or less - just to make sure your TV is going to pass proper EDID and it works, especially with that brand TV. There are just too many reports of Samsungs not working at all.

Also, check out this link at BlueJean.

 

[RavingMac]

I haven't tried this, but have considered it for extended runs of HDMI. Any experience with this, Bob?
Tripp Lite HDMI over Cat5 Wallplate Exten P167-000

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I guess I answered my own question. Is anyone running an HDMI cable 35 feet long??

HDMI Cable from Blue Jeans Cable

Rob

I'll just further point out a couple things from their FAQs:

HDMI Cable Overview -- Blue Jeans Cable

(in reference to signal degradation):

The shame is that, with HDMI, this is prone to happen at rather short lengths. When DVI was first introduced (same basic encoding scheme, same cable structure, but a different connector from HDMI), it was hard to find cables that were reliable in lengths over 15 feet. The fact that these multipin cables aren't economical to manufacture in the US and so were being produced exclusively in China, too, didn't help; Chinese cable manufacturers are very good at keeping costs down, but not the best at keeping tolerances tight. Today, a good HDMI cable can be relatively reliable up to about 50 feet, but because different devices tolerate signal degradation differently, it's impossible to say categorically that a 50 foot cable will work; it's only possible to say that it will work with most devices.

I use Blue Jean Cable's products myself, and they aren't simply "good enough". They are the best you can buy, and reasonably priced too. If you need to run a long cable, I would, without a question, go with their advice and product. As per the quote above though, you may still see signal degradation if your connected equipment isn't up to the task.

 

[bobtomay]

I haven't tried this, but have considered it for extended runs of HDMI. Any experience with this, Bob?
Tripp Lite HDMI over Cat5 Wallplate Exten P167-000

No personal experience. Always forget about that. It's been awhile, but pretty sure I have read at least a couple of reports of successfully getting 1080p at 75-100' using Cat6 cable.

You can probably find a few reports over at the AVS forum from those that have tried it.

 

[jenny_]

Not working

Hi,

I have the mid-2010 macbook pro 2.4 and i have a sony ex40b tv (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10551&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666077671)

I want to connect my macbook pro to the screen. I am currently using a mini displayport to hdmi adapter and then attaching a hdmi cable to my tv screen. When I plug the cable into my computer, the screen flickers to blue for about 4 seconds then returns to normal. the tv recognizes that an hdmi cable is plugged in but the television screen says "no signal. check the external input". as well when i click detect displays nothing shows up and when I try to find arragements this message comes up on my laptop "The Arrangement tab of Displays preferences is hidden because you only have a single display attached to this computer."
I am 100% i am in the correct hdmi input.
What is the problem? am I using a wrong cable?

 

[bobtomay]

Work through the troubleshooting steps in the first item of Post # 2 of this thread.

There is a known issue (Sony is aware) with their current model TV's not providing proper EDID info to computers. You might check to see if they have issued a firmware update for the TV or consider the DVD Doctor mentioned in the above post.

 

[Beckys Mac]

New MBP-to-LG TV?

I have read and hope to follow the suggestions for posting here correctly.

I have a new 13" MBP 2.3 - it's an upgrade from a 5-year-old PB, so things like Thunderbolt and FireWire 800 are new to me. Also an LG 42LH90 (owners manual here).

I'd like to connect, but don't know if there's HDMI->Thunderbolt or if I should use some other port. Here are the ports from Everymac: Ports.

I haven't a clue how to begin or if I even can. I'd like to be able to view movies and video.

Thanks for any help you can offer me,

Becky

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I have a new 13" MBP 2.3 - it's an upgrade from a 5-year-old PB, so things like Thunderbolt and FireWire 800 are new to me. Also an LG 42LH90 (owners manual here).

I'd like to connect, but don't know if there's HDMI->Thunderbolt or if I should use some other port. Here are the ports from Everymac: Ports.

I haven't a clue how to begin or if I even can. I'd like to be able to view movies and video.

As per the specs on the page from Everymac:

This model is equipped with a Thunderbolt port in place of a Mini DisplayPort. It is backwards-compatible with Mini DisplayPort-equipped displays as well as adapters that are compatible with Mini DisplayPort

It appears from your owner's manual that your TV has HDMI inputs. So, what you need is a mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter. And you need to be sure it supports audio as well. Here's one that's as cheap as they come:
For only $5.32 each when QTY 50+ purchased - Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter | Mini DisplayPort to HDMI / DVI / VGA Adapters

EDIT: This is a LOT pricier, but it plugs directly from your Mac to the TV. The cheaper adapters still require an HDMI cable. That's still a cheaper solution, but if you like it simpler and don't mind the price…
http://www.kanexlive.com/products/mdp_hdmi_10ft.html

One last edit: shopping link for the Kanex:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H4637ZM/A

 

[nico11]

Hello,

So i have a 2008 black macbook 2.16 and I am trying to hook it up to my westinghouse 32" LED tv (SK-32H640G). I have a mini-DVI to VGA adaptor, and a male/male VGA cable that i have plugged into both the adaptor and the TV. My macbook recognizes that I have a TV hooked up to it, but my TV keeps telling me that it has "No Signal". I have literally tried every combination of resolutions and refresh rates I can think of, and nothing has worked. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, if I change the resolution do i have to restart my computers and shut off the tv and turn everything on again. I read somewhere that shutting off and turning on the macbook will allow the tv to recognize it, but that would be extremely annoying to have to do every time i changed the resolution.

Here is a link to the TV's manual, which has been of no help to me:
32

Thank you!

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Hello,

So i have a 2008 black macbook 2.16 and I am trying to hook it up to my westinghouse 32" LED tv (SK-32H640G). I have a mini-DVI to VGA adaptor, and a male/male VGA cable that i have plugged into both the adaptor and the TV. My macbook recognizes that I have a TV hooked up to it, but my TV keeps telling me that it has "No Signal". I have literally tried every combination of resolutions and refresh rates I can think of, and nothing has worked. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, if I change the resolution do i have to restart my computers and shut off the tv and turn everything on again. I read somewhere that shutting off and turning on the macbook will allow the tv to recognize it, but that would be extremely annoying to have to do every time i changed the resolution.

Here is a link to the TV's manual, which has been of no help to me:
32

Thank you!

Have you selected "PC" as the input source on your TV? It's the button labeled "PC" on your TV's remote.

 

[nico11]

Have you selected "PC" as the input source on your TV? It's the button labeled "PC" on your TV's remote.

Yes I am 100% certain that it was selected the entire time i was trouble shooting... there is a button labeled PC on my remote and the TV says "VGA" as the input when i hit the PC button

 

[bobtomay]

Use the troubleshooting steps in post #2 of this thread.

 

[totofaz]

About connecting my imac to the tv...

I have an Imac with mini dvi output, i have the adaptor from mini dvi to hdmi , there all connected to the tv but ween i go to display preferences and press "detect displays" nothing happens and if i search in system preferences for "mirror displays" the following message appears : The Arrangement tab of displays preferences is hidden because you only have a single display attached to this computer. " (this with everything plugged in.

 

[ChristianBoooy]

Hey!

I have been looking around the internet for hours for a solution, but have found none. Hopefully someone here can help me! I am trying to connect my MacBook Pro (July 2009) to my Westinghouse LD-2685VX using a Dynex Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter and an HDMI cable.

When I connect the HDMI cable from the HDTV to the adapter (which is already connected to my MBP) my MBP recognizes it (sometimes), but my HDTV says "No Signal." I've tried changing the resolution on the tv to 1080i (because the manual said it accepts that resolution) and others, but still nothing changes. Any ideas?

 

[bobtomay]

Need to start working through the steps, one at a time, in the first item of post # 2 in this thread.

When you get to the section on resolutions, start off at a 1080p (1920x1080) resolution and try everything all the way down to 480p.

 

[ChristianBoooy]

Need to start working through the steps, one at a time, in the first item of post # 2 in this thread.

When you get to the section on resolutions, start off at a 1080p (1920x1080) resolution and try everything all the way down to 480p.

Alright, I tried them all, but it still says "No Signal."
I am really at a loss right now. I have no idea why it shouldn't work since my MBP is recognizing the HDTV (it says the model name and everything in the Displays drop down menu).

 

[ChristianBoooy]

I'm starting to believe that the Mini DisplayPorts on MacBook Pros made in 2009 or earlier were not really meant to support HDMI connections simply based off of this: MacBook Pro (Mid 2009 External Ports and Connectors)

It mentions nothing about the minidisplay port supporting hdmi, however, this does: MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 External Ports and Connectors)

Then again, that's only for the 13" models, and for those of you who manage to get it to work, then congrats! Guess I'll just have to stick to VGA.

 

[bobtomay]

You did try changing the input on the TV?

If it does not work, it has to do with the TV not passing proper EDID info along. And Westinghouse knows it. From your TV owner's manual:

You should also try adjusting the display format or view mode - pg 23 & 33, video presets - pg 26, and try a Reset - pg 28.

You can also try the DVI Doctor from monoprice, although I'd probably just go for the VGA connection also.

If you're wanting audio on that TV while using HDMI, I don't think it's going to happen. There is no mention, anywhere in the owner's manual, related to any of it's audio ports working with a HDMI port for DVI devices.

It is also showing the optical port on the back of the set as an audio input port - if it is really audio in, it's the first TV I've ever seen with optical in. I'd be willing to bet that is an error and it's actually an audio out port.

 

[ChristianBoooy]

Yeah, I tried changing the input on my tv between HDMI 1 and 2, but no luck.
I'll try adjusting to the different display formats and see if that is it.

As far as sound goes, Apple already said that anything predating the 2010 model does not support sound through HDMI. The link is here.

However, I already have external speakers so I am fine with that

As for the DVI Doctor, I'm using a Mini DisplayPort, so would that still work?