Q: Macbook won't connect to Philips TV with USB-C adapter

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javestde

Level 1 (9 points)

Notebooks

Q: Macbook won't connect to Philips TV with USB-C adapter

I recently purchased the (very expensive) Apple USB-C adapter for my 2016 Macbook. When I connect the computer to my Philips TV via HDMI cable, after some initial flickering I see a stable image on the TV. The problem is the stable image usually lasts for less than 1 minute. This cycle of flickering and temporarily stable image repeats a few times until I finally get an error message on the TV which says "Unsupported video format" and the screen goes blank.

The HDMI cable I'm using works perfectly with a Sony laptop connected to the same TV. The USB-C adapter was also updated after I purchased it.

Anyone experiencing the same issue with their TV?

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 10:14 AM

I have this question too

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javestde

Level 1 (9 points)

Notebooks

A:

An SMC reset has solved the problem: after shutting down the computer and connecting to power, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.

Posted on Aug 12, 2016 4:20 PM

Q: Macbook won't connect to Philips TV with USB-C adapter

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by kbclend9,

kbclend9 Aug 10, 2016 10:33 AM in response to javestde
Level 1 (35 points)

iCloud

Aug 10, 2016 10:33 AM in response to javestde

Hello,

Are you able to test on another TV and with another HDMI cable?
If all of it works, I might suggest to return the Apple HDMI adapter and get another one via the online sales support or your reseller.

Using the USB-C port and adapters on your MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) and later - Apple Support
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by javestde,

javestde Aug 12, 2016 7:15 AM in response to kbclend9
Level 1 (9 points)

Notebooks

Aug 12, 2016 7:15 AM in response to kbclend9

I've just checked with another HDMI cable and the problem still occured. I also checked using the original HDMI cable and a different TV and it worked flawlessly. So this leaves either the TV (most probable) or the USB-C adapter as the culprit. Just to repeat, my Philips TV worked fine when I connect a Sony laptop (using the same HDMI cable which does not work with my Apple USB-C adapter), so I the TV is not necessarily the root cause. Could it be that Apple's USB-C adapter is "fussy" about which hardware it will cooperate with?
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by kbclend9,

kbclend9 Aug 12, 2016 12:04 PM in response to javestde
Level 1 (35 points)

iCloud

Aug 12, 2016 12:04 PM in response to javestde

Let's hope not.

What about a different HDMI port on the TV?

Also, on the Phillips TV, is it a "Smart TV" that can download updates and the like? If so, there may be an update available.

Also, if you are simply wanting to stream to your TV or mirror your display to the TV, you can return the adapter and use AirPlay with any Apple TV.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204289

Use AirPlay to display video from your Mac on an HDTV - Apple Support

Hope that helps!

KC

P.S. There was a time when one of my TV's was picky with an Apple adapter, and so I moved my backup TV to my living room. Not fun, but it worked flawlessly on the backup TV in the room that I wanted.
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Accepted Answer · Aug 12, 2016 4:20 PM

javestde

Level 1 (9 points)

Notebooks

Aug 12, 2016 4:20 PM in response to kbclend9

An SMC reset has solved the problem: after shutting down the computer and connecting to power, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.

Q: Macbook won't connect to Philips TV with USB-C adapter

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by kbclend9,

by javestde,

by kbclend9,

by javestde,Solvedanswer

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