Q: Mini display port to HDMI problem

I would like to connect my MacBook with an external monitor so that I can have a larger screen when I am using Dreamweaver. I don't know what to do or what to buy. I haven't gotten a monitor yet because I don't know what will work best. I also don't know what kind of adaptor and connectors to use. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Just opened up a new topic (read below), before I saw this one. It doesn't seem to be exactly the same problem, since my Mini Display Port to HDMI connection from a MBP to a projector works. But I have encountered the same issues with the connection of a MB to a projector via Mini DVI to HDMI.

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"I just bought an Acer K11 mini projector. Tried to hook it up with my MacBook (white, 2008) over a Mini DVI to DVI adapter and a DVI to HDMI cable (HDMI goes into the projector), but the projector doesn't recognize a signal. The same cable/MacBook combination is working fine with my LCD-TV. So I guess the cables are okay.
When I connect the projector over VGA (Mini DVI to VGA adapter and the VGA to VGA cable, which came with the projector), everything is working fine. So this means, the MacBook generally recognizes the Acer K11.

My guess was, that the projectors HDMI port must have some problem. So I tried to hook up my second Mac, a MacBook Pro (2009), using a Mini Display Port to DVI adapter and the same DVI to HDMI cable I used with the MacBook. And I couldn't believe, this worked like a charm.

So, fact is, the Acer K11's HDMI port doesn't talk to the MacBook or vice versa. But TV's HDMI port does. And Acer K11's HDMI port DOES talk to the MacBook Pro.
(BTW, both Macs have Mac OS 10.6.4 installed.)

Of course I'm familiar with the displays preference pane and tried all the settings.

Does anyone have an explanation for that behaviour? Or even better, a solution to make it work?"

Don't know if it helps anyone in here, but at least my problem is solved!

Instead of using the chain Mini DVI to DVI adapter (from Apple) and a DVI to HDMI cable I bought a Mini DVI to HDMI adapter (from LMP) and a regular HDMI cable. Works perfect now!

So I managed to solve the problem in my particular case.
I Have a 32inch LG Tv which i just bought to replace my 19inch Element tv. (ohh yeahh, talk about an upgrade) But I bought the monoprice minidisplayport --> HDMI connector (not adaptor, but litterally the cable with both plugs)

Well, at first the Element 19inch would not work (it just stated that it was "Not Support"..... However, the LG works just wonderfully, so i knew the cable worked, and that there was either something with the tv or the settings.

So far what a lot of ppl have said is that there is some issue with the resolution of the output not being accepted by the tv. This problem is compounded by the inability to alter the resolution under normal circumstances of the ext monitor (the settings pop up on the ext monitor, which if not compatible cannot be displayed and therefore not changed)

THE WORK AROUND!

is to enable the Show Displays in menu bar!!!!!! under the Displays settings. FROM HERE

with the cable connected. Click on the display icon the menu bar and alter the resolution until you find one that works for the monitor!!!!! You should see options for both the Color LCD (your macs screen..... remember i have a laptop) and then another for your TV/Monitor

this worked for me and I hope it works for others!

(I have a 19inch external monitor Element brand)

It appears like I am experiencing the same problem everyone else is. I went on vacation this past weekend, allowing others on the trip to use my computer while there. By doing so, someone allowed a software update to download and install which, in the past, I had always just avoided. Back at home, I use my mini-port to hdmi cord connection to watch various things on my flatscreen on a regular basis. The night before I left, everything worked fine and the picture was perfect, just as it had been for months before. The night I came back, however, having had these unwanted software updates installed, it stopped working. The screen flicks light blue for a moment on my laptop just like other people, but there is nothing on the tv. When I enter display preferences, there is no arrangement tab to select from, from which I would have been able to click the mirror image selection; and under the display tab, there isn't the needed resolution options which had existed before. From what it sounds like, this seems to be reoccurring amongst several people. In my case, I can isolate the moment it stopped working to the time after these software updates were installed, nothing else had changed, that it the only possible solution I can think of. This is incredibly frustrating and if anyone has any idea on how to fix this obnoxious problem, I would greatly appreciate it.

Really? There's no way to manually activate/enable a display output?

I have a macbook, a DVI monitor and a (monoprice) mini displayport to dvi cable.
All of them work fine on their own (each tested separately), but in combination the macbook refuses to detect the monitor connected through the adapter cable.
I'm assuming that the monitor is old/cheap enough that it doesn't send the necessary signals back to the laptop, but so what?
There's no hidden command or config file I can use to say 'this resolution, this kind of output: go'?

As a side note, I find it more than a bit hilarious that I can get this to work easily on my linux computers, but on the CandyOS macbook: nothing. Furthermore, there doesn't appear to be any way to force it to work.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Mac, OS X is fine and auto-detection/configuration is great, but why is there no manual option for something this basic? I'm not afraid of some complicated configuration options, or (gasp) the commandline.

So, no way to make this work?

For the moment, I'm stuck using this monitor though a MDP->VGA adapter. It works, but the image (of course) is not that pretty.

Just select "Gather Windows" in the display settings. It will bring the secondary monitor options over to the MacBook (for some reason it's displayed on the TV, but because the TV isn't responding, you can't change it), and you can lower the resolution from there.

I believe the default output is 1080p, and if you have a smaller TV, it won't display. Bring it down to 1080i or 720p and things should be fine. Worked for me.

It appears like I am experiencing the same problem everyone else is. I went on vacation this past weekend, allowing others on the trip to use my computer while there. By doing so, someone allowed a software update to download and install which, in the past, I had always just avoided. Back at home, I use my mini-port to hdmi cord connection to watch various things on my flatscreen on a regular basis. The night before I left, everything worked fine and the picture was perfect, just as it had been for months before. The night I came back, however, having had these unwanted software updates installed, it stopped working. The screen flicks light blue for a moment on my laptop just like other people, but there is nothing on the tv. When I enter display preferences, there is no arrangement tab to select from, from which I would have been able to click the mirror image selection; and under the display tab, there isn't the needed resolution options which had existed before. From what it sounds like, this seems to be reoccurring amongst several people. In my case, I can isolate the moment it stopped working to the time after these software updates were installed, nothing else had changed, that it the only possible solution I can think of. This is incredibly frustrating and if anyone has any idea on how to fix this obnoxious problem, I would greatly appreciate it.

yettiman wrote:

So far what a lot of ppl have said is that there is some issue with the resolution of the output not being accepted by the tv. This problem is compounded by the inability to alter the resolution under normal circumstances of the ext monitor (the settings pop up on the ext monitor, which if not compatible cannot be displayed and therefore not changed)

Actually you CAN see the display preferences for that screen you can't see. In display preferences, click "GATHER WINDOWS" That makes the display preferences for BOTH monitors appear on the display where you clicked gather windows, instead of putting the adjustment for each monitor separately on the display they affect.

This will save all the clicking trial and errors, and will also allow many more combinations that would EVER possibly be displayed in the drop down from the icon in the menu bar.

To everyone who complains they see a background image on their device, but can't see anything else...

What's happening: Mac OS X, by default treats a second connected display (your notebook computer's display is the primary) as a monitor to EXTEND your desktop, meaning you can have a web page open on one, and a quicktime movie playing on the other, or any other combination of things.

Solution: If you want your television/second monitor to display the same thing as your primary display, go to system preferences, select displays, and enable mirroring. Mirroring refers to showing the same things on both screens.

If you'd like to have two displays, but you'd rather have your dock and menu bar on the second display, go to Displays in System Preferences and in "Arrangement" you will see a representation of two screen. One will show a bar at the top, denoting your menu bar. Click and hold on that menu bar representation and drag it to the other box--which represents moving your menu bar from one display to the other. The screen will go blue for just a short moment while it updates your preferences change.

I hope this clears up some of the confusion that seems to keep happening in this thread whereby people keep complaining that they see a background image but don't see any icons, or can't see "safari" or all other sorts of things. Bottom line, if you can see a background image on the second display you've connected, you're home free except for understanding simple display settings and how Mac OS treats secondary monitors as just that until you enable mirroring.

I am having the same exact problem.

I have also tried hooking up my MacBook Pro to a Apple Cinema Display with the Mini DV port and it works fine. But via HDMI & my LG tv - nothing.

I'm going to upgrade to 10.6.5 and cross my fingers.

I was wondering if you solved your problem, as I have the identical one. I have been using a generic mini-dvi to hdmi dongle plus a HDMI cable to connect my white intel imac to my television. It has worked great and flawlessly until very recently. Now the TV says "no signal". Nothing was changed in my setup. I have tested the mini-dvi port with another dongle, tried a new minidvi-hdmi dongle, tested the HDMI cable, and tested other ports on the TV, as well as resetting the TV to defaults. Still nt working.
At this point, I was assuming it was a software problem, even though starting from a restore disk or in safe mode did not solve this. Your conclusion about a software update is intriguing, because the timing would match for me too. If you come to a solution, could you please post it here? Thanks.

This worked for me after trying everything else:

- In System Preferences > Displays, check the box Show displays in menu bar.
- From the menu bar display icon, try the settings in various combinations until it works
- For me with a MacBook Pro connected to an LG (42"?) and Monoprice adapter:
- Color LCD 1152 x 720
- MDP 720P (Television)

Note: the 720P option under MDP didn't show up until I selected 1152x720 under Color LCS

Same problem here. MacBook Pro 6,1. Just ordered a 3rd party mini DP to HDMI adapter and when plugged in, my display will flash blue and then back again. The TV simply continues to show "No Signal." I will try the one sold at the Apple store tomorrow to confirm the adapter is the problem. Seems odd to me that a cable adapting two standard connections would only not work on a MacBook Pro/MacBook.

OK…
Lets see if I can explain this.

I run my macbook pro through the TV as a second screen in mirroring mode.
About two weeks ago when I brought it out of sleep mode the display on the laptop started blinking between my desktop and a light blue screen. (i never really put it into sleep mode instead of turning it off until this time. not sure if that's a reason)
The blinking was about once a second and I was able to see the cursor between blinks and move it to restart the laptop.
The TV on the other hand did not connect to the laptop and just stayed searching for a connection.
Once it restarted…it was fine.

Yesterday when turning everything on it started again. Blinking and not connecting to the TV.
I did a restart. And the blinking stopped but the TV did not connect.
I searched for displays and it started blinking again and not connecting.
I remove the mini DP video port plug and it stops blinking.(i use a Mini DP to HDMI from Monoprice like many others)
Reinsert it and search for display and blinking begins again.

It has worked perfectly since July and only started recently. I've scanned through this forum and didn't notice anyone else having a "blinking" problem.

I'm going to try switching some of the display ratios to see if i can get something working. any help would be great.