Imac>smart TV

[dotdotdot]

Just wondering if it's possible to connect an iMac to a smart TV. I know I can't mirror the web. What I want to do is view, for example, my pics and vids from my iMac for viewing on the TV.

 

[Slydude]

This should be possible. Which iMac do you have Model and OS version installed). Do you have an Apple TV? It can also be done using that as well.

 

[dotdotdot]

Mid '11, with Yosemite. No Apple TV. I'm hoping that with my smart TV I could bypass buying it. Not looking to watch TV shows, just my own material.

 

[vansmith]

What TV do you have? If we know this, we'll know what kind of functionality is has.

 

[dotdotdot]

this one:
VIZIO E43-C2 43" 1080p 120Hz Class LED Smart HDTV - Walmart.com

 

[RadDave]

Mid '11, with Yosemite. No Apple TV. I'm hoping that with my smart TV I could bypass buying it. Not looking to watch TV shows, just my own material.

As you see from the other posters, the ease of attaching your iMac to your smart TV (assume this is a HDTV w/ HDMI inputs - correct?) depends on 'matching' compatible ports - please provide the information requested and need to know what AV outputs are on the back of your iMac (e.g. MiniDisplay, Thunderbolt, possibly HDMI)?

For my iMac, my only option (see pic attached) is to used a Thunderbolt (TB) port (one w/ a lightning bolt) and a hybrid cable w/ a TB connector for the computer and an HDMI cable for my HDTV (as shown below, second image). Dave
.

 

[RadDave]

this one:
VIZIO E43-C2 43" 1080p 120Hz Class LED Smart HDTV - Walmart.com

OK - your link states that there are 3 HDMI ports on the HDTV, so we need to know the ports on the back of your iMac - may be similar to mine and the cable needed is shown in my previous post. Dave

 

[dotdotdot]

Well...connection isn't an issue as my WiFi network is connected to the TV. I'm just wondering if an iMac can connect to the TV on my network. Not looking to watch TV show or movies, just my own content.

 

[dotdotdot]

I got to the screen on my TV that's prompting me to enter a custom name for Devices > Comp asking "Name COMP from a set of common device names or enter a custom name." What should I enter?

 

[RadDave]

Well...connection isn't an issue as my WiFi network is connected to the TV. I'm just wondering if an iMac can connect to the TV on my network. Not looking to watch TV show or movies, just my own content.

Well, I wish in your opening post that you had mentioned your goal was to mirror your iMac to your HDTV wirelessly - I would not have bothered w/ posting the cabled options. Now it makes no difference what is on your computer's screen (your content, pics, or a movie playing), you want to mirror the iMac to your TV's screen, and w/o a cable - correct?

My HDTV is also on my Wi-Fi home network but I'm not sure how to really mirror my MBPro's screen w/o the use of a cable (in that case, I use an HDMI to HDMI cable); others will have to 'chime in' w/ some advice. Now, Slydude mentioned an Apple TV which would easily allow you via Apple's AirPlay to wirelessly view your computer's screen on the TV, but you mentioned a lack of interest going that route. Dave

 

[dotdotdot]

Well, I'm sorry to have "bothered" you! However, your efforts are not wasted because I think an HDMI cable may be a solution. I don't want an Appel TV device simply because I have no interest in watching shows or movies.

 

[Slydude]

If it's like most TVs that really doesn't matter. It's more for your convenience than any technical requirement. Check the manual for your TV to make sure that it doesn't require the computer to be connected to a specific port. If this set it relatively new that won't be an issue.

 

[RadDave]

Well, I'm sorry to have "bothered" you! However, your efforts are not wasted because I think an HDMI cable may be a solution. I don't want an Appel TV device simply because I have no interest in watching shows or movies.

Oh, not a worry if the pics help and others looking at the thread may be helped -

Well, if you do go the 'cabled' route, just make sure what is available on the back of your iMac - I suspect it is similar to mine, i.e. a Thunderbolt port - good luck and let us know your results - this question comes up occasionally and my be useful to others. Dave

 

[dotdotdot]

Never mind as "there's an app for that" (isn't there always?) which I found after a quick search and does what I want sans cable.