momomentous
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Q: Can I connect 48" 1080p TV to my early 2009 iMac

If i use a mini display port to hdmi adapter, can I connect an external 48" 1080p TV to my early 2009 iMac.

Everymac.com seems to say there is a limitation of 30" but they toss in some display dimensions of

like 2600 x 1600 and I don't know how that fits - my TV I'm getting is 1080p - or 1920 x 1200?

Any clarification would be appreciated.

iMac (24-inch Early 2009), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), 8 GB RAM

Posted on Jun 21, 2016 2:07 AM

by momomentous,Solvedanswer
momomentous momomentous
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops
A:

Hi Mende1 - Thank for the excellent and helpful reply. Based on your input I'll go ahead and order this TV through Amazon - along with an adaptor. I can live with the audio from my Mac / attached speakers as long as there isn't any latency which I would not expect but I don't know how this stuff works!  If there is a problem I'll send it back to Amazon - they are great in that regard. I'm still a little concerned about the everymac.com wording but your comment clarified this though I admitted don't understand how the numbers work here - they should have worded it differently for the non HDTV experts - it is discussed in a confusing way on an otherwise great site that I've used a lot in the past .   I guess I'm just confused why they would even mention a 30" display - but I guess they are assuming it is a retina-style external display that is being connected driving rather than a standard 1080p (1920 x 1080) TV. If you have any insight why they would specifically mention 30" I'd appreciate it!  My iMac is 1920 x 1200 resolution with a 24" screen and I don't know the connection my iMac and an 30" and 2560 x 1600 resolution. Anyway, I'm going ahead and ordering so thanks again! - Derek

 

 

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.66-24-inch-al uminum-early-2009-specs.html

 

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600

Details:

Apple reports that this model simultaneously supports the native resolution of the built-in display and up-to a 30-inch external display (2560x1600).

Posted on Jun 21, 2016 2:53 AM

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momomentous

Q: Can I connect 48" 1080p TV to my early 2009 iMac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Jun 21, 2016 2:17 AM in response to momomentous
    Level 10 (93,314 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 21, 2016 2:17 AM in response to momomentous

    Have a look -> About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters - Apple Support

     

    You shouldn't have any issue due to your TV size, but more likely to your TV resolution. However, your iMac supports up to 2560x1600 resolution for an external display and your TV has got a lower resolution (1920x1080), so it should work.

     

    (Please note that your iMac does not support audio streaming through the Mini DisplayPort, so you will not get audio on your TV).

  • by momomentous,Solvedanswer

    momomentous momomentous Jun 21, 2016 2:53 AM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 21, 2016 2:53 AM in response to mende1

    Hi Mende1 - Thank for the excellent and helpful reply. Based on your input I'll go ahead and order this TV through Amazon - along with an adaptor. I can live with the audio from my Mac / attached speakers as long as there isn't any latency which I would not expect but I don't know how this stuff works!  If there is a problem I'll send it back to Amazon - they are great in that regard. I'm still a little concerned about the everymac.com wording but your comment clarified this though I admitted don't understand how the numbers work here - they should have worded it differently for the non HDTV experts - it is discussed in a confusing way on an otherwise great site that I've used a lot in the past .   I guess I'm just confused why they would even mention a 30" display - but I guess they are assuming it is a retina-style external display that is being connected driving rather than a standard 1080p (1920 x 1080) TV. If you have any insight why they would specifically mention 30" I'd appreciate it!  My iMac is 1920 x 1200 resolution with a 24" screen and I don't know the connection my iMac and an 30" and 2560 x 1600 resolution. Anyway, I'm going ahead and ordering so thanks again! - Derek

     

     

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.66-24-inch-al uminum-early-2009-specs.html

     

    2nd Display Support:

    Dual/Mirroring

    2nd Max. Resolution:

    2560x1600

    Details:

    Apple reports that this model simultaneously supports the native resolution of the built-in display and up-to a 30-inch external display (2560x1600).

  • by mende1,Helpful

    mende1 mende1 Jun 21, 2016 3:14 AM in response to momomentous
    Level 10 (93,314 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 21, 2016 3:14 AM in response to momomentous

    There's no connection at all.  Maybe EveryMac was referring to the old 30-inch Apple Cinema Display, which had a maximum resolution of 2560x1600 (the maximum resolution your Mac supports on an external display).

  • by momomentous,

    momomentous momomentous Jun 21, 2016 3:17 AM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 21, 2016 3:17 AM in response to mende1

    Hi - ah excellent to know - Everymac should clean up that section perhaps so it makes sense to those of us who don't know the full history - like you do! - it was a highly relevant comment then perhaps if expressed more clearly but today just causes confusion!  but they have so much data I guess they write it at the time based on current technology and specs and move on!

     

    Take care - thanks again

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Jun 21, 2016 3:19 AM in response to momomentous
    Level 10 (93,314 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 21, 2016 3:19 AM in response to momomentous

    You're welcome!