Connecting your Mac to your TV

[bobtomay]

jack_cf:

If you haven't bought them already - you only need the first one - don't need the 2nd one at all. You will also need an audio cable i you want the sound somewhere besides on your Mac.

Bmwilko:
The Kanex iAdapt 20 only supports 2 channel audio. That's why it's called the "20" for 2.0 audio - link.

If you want 5.1, as an example in the Kanex product lineup, you need the iAdapt 51 for 5.1 audio - link.

There are cheaper options than Kanex also - see option # 1 in post # 475 above.

 

[Jon45189]

Connecting late 2008 MBP to Vizio HDTV

I've recently bought a brand new Vizio HDTV that I am trying to watch videos/movies on from my 2008 (Unibody) Macbook Pro. I am a hockey goalie coach, so when I do teaching sessions, I like to have video set up for the kids to watch on the TV.

Anyway, I went to the Apple store to get the appropriate cables and I bought the mini display port to HDMI cable. The Apple guy told me that it would work for both video and audio. However, when I used it, only the video worked. Then, I went and bought the 3.5mm headphone jack to RCA to get sound, but that didn't work. After that, I went and got an auxiliary cable, but that also does not work.

Is there anything else I need to buy or set up differently to get sound to come out of the TV?

The past two days, I've searched all over different forums and Google but everything is saying I have the appropriate cables.

So, just to reiterate, I am getting video but no audio.

 

[bobtomay]

Jon45189:

The Apple store guy is just not aware of the history of the mdp. No Macs supported audio out until the mid '10 models via the mdp.

You should start here with post 3 for directions on determining where to connect a separate audio input with HDMI on the TV.

If you need help from there, I'll need the info requested in post 1.

 

[Jon45189]

Info requested in post #1:

1) 2008 Macbook Pro 5,1 2.53GHz

2) Vizio M421 NV (User manual can be found here: M421NV - LED LCD HDTVs | VIZIO )

3) Would like the sound coming from TV.

 

[bobtomay]

Jon45189:

Pg 22 of the Owner's Manual:

Note: There are no dedicated audio ports for HDMI so there may or may not be audio from the TV with this connection,

Just one of the things that makes Vizio cheaper than most of it's competitors.

To get audio to that TV you need an adapter that will combine the audio and video into the HDMI out such as:

this one - which only does 2 channel audio and 2 channel is all you need for connecting to your TV

or this one which does 5.1 audio - good choice if you're planning for the near future and planning on getting a 5.1 surround system and use it as the switch for your HD sources

You will also need a "high speed" HDMI cable - get it from monoprice or pick up one of the Amazon Basics cables.
You should not pay more than $10 for a HDMI cable at 3-6'.
Take the one you bought from Apple back to them and tell them their sales staff needs to be trained related to Mac models that do and do not support audio out via the mini displayport instead of just saying "Yes, it will work' in order to make a sale.

 

[Jon45189]

Awesome, thanks. I will order the cables. Hopefully, Apple takes back the cables I bought.

 

[khoang89]

In need of assistant please.

Hey guys, I am new to the forum. I have been looking on youtube and google about how to run sound from macbook.
Here are the basic info.

MBP unibody, I bought it in around july of 2009 2.26ghz
HDTV is the Sony Bravia EX621

I don't think my macbook can run audio through HDMI. Is there any other way I can run audio to the tv through the AUX port from MBP? Thank You Very Much!

Those are the image in the back of the TV.

 

[bobtomay]

khoang89:

Stereo mini-plug and as it shows in the pic - video must use HDMI 4

 

[khoang89]

Stereo mini-plug and as it shows in the pic - video must use HDMI 4

Thank You, for the stereo audio cables, where do I plug it at in the tv? Also do I have to change any settings on the tv to make the audio come out of tv speakers?

 

[khoang89]

thanks

Stereo mini-plug and as it shows in the pic - video must use HDMI 4

Thank You, for the stereo audio cables, where do I plug it at in the tv? Also do I have to change any settings on the tv to make the audio come out of tv speakers?

 

[bobtomay]

Plug it in right there where it's labeled:

Audio
PC/HDMI 4
Audio In

 

[j0nb0y32]

Thank You, for the stereo audio cables, where do I plug it at in the tv? Also do I have to change any settings on the tv to make the audio come out of tv speakers?

As the above member advises. If there is still no sound, on the computer, go to system preferences / sound and change the output tab from internal speakers to TV

J

 

[Chefreinvented]

MacBook to Westinghouse

New to the forum, so excuse any errors in posting/etiquette.

Would be super appreciative for any help. I'll muddle through with my explanation of the problem as best as I can. Note: I am clearly no computer expert and have the most tenuous grip on the language here.

I have a Macbook 2009, 2 Ghz and I'm trying to connect it to a Westinghouse tv, model VR-3215 (more info here: 32″ LCD HDTV VR-3215 | WD)

I bought a 6 ft Mini DisplayPort Male to VGA Male Cable for MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or devices utilizing mini Displayport.

I start with my tv off and my comp. off. I connect the mini displayport cable to the VGA input on the tv. I turn the tv on and set the input to VGA. I turn on my computer.

My tv first says VGA and lists the resolution then switches to "no signal" and my computer goes black. I cannot check displays or anything because I can't use my computer any longer. I have to disconnect the cable, power the computer back on to be able to use it again.

Any idea what the problem is? I want to be able to stream movies from my computer to the tv (using Hulu, etc), wasn't sure if this cable supported audio w/my comp. so also have a audio cable in case to possibly put into a PC audio input jack on the tv? Appreciate any help.

 

[bobtomay]

Chefreinvented:

After you've tried turning on the devices in different orders - I'd be getting a different cable. I'd suggest you head for either monoprice.com or Amazon.

If that cable turns the MB screen black just by plugging it in and requires a re-boot to get the screen back - stop there and get another cable - don't keep trying.

And you will need a separate audio cable since VGA is not capable of passing audio - regardless of whether your mdp is capable or not.

 

[bobtomay]

As the above member advises. If there is still no sound, on the computer, go to system preferences / sound and change the output tab from internal speakers to TV

J

That is not necessary in the above case when using the headphone port for audio. A Mac auto switches to the headphone jack when a cable is plugged into it. That is only done when using a mdp/TB port that passes the audio along with the video.

 

[Chefreinvented]

1 more thing

Many thanks for your speedy reply --I neglected to mention one other - possibly important - item -- there are 2 hdmi inputs on my tv which are not being used. When you say "get a different cable" do you mean get the same type of cable? Meaning a mini displayport to VGA cable? Or get a totally different kind of cable. thx.

After you've tried turning on the devices in different orders - I'd be getting a different cable. I'd suggest you head for either monoprice.com or Amazon.

If that cable turns the MB screen black just by plugging it in and requires a re-boot to get the screen back - stop there and get another cable - don't keep trying.

And you will need a separate audio cable since VGA is not capable of passing audio - regardless of whether your mdp is capable or not.

 

[khoang89]

Plug it in right there where it's labeled:

Audio
PC/HDMI 4
Audio In

Hey I bought the Aux/headphone cables and it plug in in the only slot in the HDMI 4. When I watch video the sound is not coming out of the speakers. Am I doing something wrong? I am running HDMI through MDP for video but headphone jack is not producing any sound.

Thanks

 

[bobtomay]

khoang89:

see the pic

 

[bobtomay]

Many thanks for your speedy reply --I neglected to mention one other - possibly important - item -- there are 2 hdmi inputs on my tv which are not being used. When you say "get a different cable" do you mean get the same type of cable? Meaning a mini displayport to VGA cable? Or get a totally different kind of cable. thx.

I would guess you have a bad cable. So, another one, whether the same or move to HDMI is up to you. Personally, I'd move to HDMI - I have not used VGA in well over 10 years.

Westinghouse does not have the owners manual for that TV available. However, I would guess they still are not putting a separate audio input that works with HDMI on their TVs. It might cost them another $1.50. Personally, I'd get one of the adapters and HDMI cable I have recommended in post # 485 for this TV.

 

[Chefreinvented]

thank you

Just wanted to make sure you saw my big thank you. I will order the cables you recommend. It's confusing for a non-technical person like myself to wade through all this -- I really appreciate your time.

I would guess you have a bad cable. So, another one, whether the same or move to HDMI is up to you. Personally, I'd move to HDMI - I have not used VGA in well over 10 years.

Westinghouse does not have the owners manual for that TV available. However, I would guess they still are not putting a separate audio input that works with HDMI on their TVs. It might cost them another $1.50. Personally, I'd get of the adapters and HDMI cable I have recommended in post # 485 for this TV.