Connect Macbook to Sony Bravia HDTV via HDMI?

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Level 1

5 points

Connect Macbook to Sony Bravia HDTV via HDMI?

I am trying to connect my Macbook to a Sony Bravia HDTV via HDMI, but are unable to get one to recognize the other. I am not sure what the problem is.

I have the following set up:

- Macbook 13" (2.16 GHz Intel Core 2, 10.4.11)
- Apple Mini DVI to DVI adopter
- 15' DVI to HDMI cable (from monoprice.com, same cable recommended elsewhere in these forums)
- Sony Bravia KDL46W3000, (Full HD 1920 x 1080 p)

The Sony tv does not seem to recognise the Mac is connected (and/or vise versa). The screen is just black. Yes, I have tried all 3 of the HDMI inputs on it, Yes, I have set the tv input setting to match the corresponding input jack. HDMI does work on the tv though, as I have a DVD player connected via HDMI and that works fine.

The Mac Display preference pane does not detect the tv/monitor being connected. I normally use another external LCD monitor with the Macbook via mini DVI to VGA adaptor without any problem. I have tried various solutions others have mentioned for similar problems I found in these forms, such as turning the tv off then on, rebooting the Macbook before connecting, etc. and every other combination.

An hour on the phone with Sony tech support did not get me anywhere closer other than they say the Mac should recognize the tv as an external monitor.

Has anyone with a very similar configuration managed to get this to work? Please note, I am well aware that many many people use HDTV's as a external monitor, but this is a Sony Bravia, not a LG, or Samsung, or anything else. Also, it is a Macbook, not a Powerbook or anything else. Also, I am trying to connect via HDMI, and not VGA.

Any tips or success stories would be appreciated.

Thanks

Macbook 13", Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jan 22, 2008 9:51 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

brzilian76

Level 1

116 points

Jan 23, 2008 9:29 AM in response to MrGigabyte

I'm sure you don't want to hear this, but this is something you REALLY need to research before buying a TV. I physically took my MacBook to the store and asked permission to plug it in to every TV I was considering buying. I tried all brands (LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Sony...) and there were only a couple that worked (Panasonic and Samsung). I ended up buying a 50" Samsung 1080p plasma.

You could try reading through forums at www.avsforum.com or www.123macmini.com to see if people had success with your particular TV, but my guess is that you'll need to use something like DisplayConfigX or SwitchResX to get it working...

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Answer 2

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jan 23, 2008 7:05 PM in response to MrGigabyte

Have you confirmed the Mini DVI to DVI adpter is working with another display? There have been cases where people have gotten defective adapters.

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Answer 3

MrGigabyte Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 6, 2008 10:20 AM in response to BSteely

I have confirmed that the mini DVI to DVI is functioning by connecting it to my 19" Benq monitor. I just recently ordered a 5Ft SVGA Super VGA M/M Monitor CL2 Rated cable from monoprice.com. Once it arrive I can use my existing mini DVI to VGA adapter and hopefully that will work. I think I now own every adapter Apple makes. At this point I don't care what the image looks like on the Sony. I would be happy with a white dot in the middle of the screen.

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Answer 4

Feb 7, 2008 3:12 PM in response to MrGigabyte

If you get this working please post the solution. I own a Sony Bravia and recently tried hooking up a macbook to the VGA port. I had the same result. I wish I had a recommendation for you.

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Answer 5

MrGigabyte Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 11, 2008 1:35 PM in response to MrGigabyte

Problem Solved!!!! 🙂

I am typing this looking at a gloriously HUGE 1920 by 1080 display.

I returned the mini DVI to DVI adapter back to where I got it. I threw the DVI to HDMI cable in the junk drawer (with many other failed networking solutions from over the years) and went straight with VGA.

I already had the mini DVI to VGA adapter and use it daily on my regular cheap external monitor. The 6 dollar 15 ft SVGA Super VGA M/M Monitor cable just arrived and the Bravia recognized it the moment I plugged it in, and set the input to PC on the Sony.

I would be surprised that if I ever did get the HDMI connection working that it would be any clearer than what I see now.

My recommendation is to go straight with the VGA solution and forget the DVI-HDMI route, despite the fact that both Apple and SOny claim that this "should" work.

I hope this advice saves others with this problem the time and frustration I experienced.

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Answer 6

Macaby

Level 3

923 points

Feb 11, 2008 2:34 PM in response to MrGigabyte

I hooked my Sony .Bravia 40" up to my MacBook with no problem. From your description, it sounds like you may also have a bad DVI->HDMI cable. I'm using the stock Apple miniDVI adaptor mated to my DVI->HDMI cable.

I was going to go the route you took and use the VGA port on my Bravia, but thought it might limit me to "side" letterboxes since I thought VGA basically stood for 640x480 or 4X3 format. I'm surprised that you get 1920x1080 from a VGA cable. While your picture may be great, by definition I understand high to low video quality in order is...

HDMI/DVI, Component, s-video, VGA, and lastly, A/V cables.

My DVI->HDMI cable is a cheapie that I think I bought at Frys. This type of cable is probably getting harder to find as most stuff is straight HDMI now. Anyone thinking of getting a new flat screen should strongly remember to get one with at least 3 HDMI ports unless they are into cable switch-a-roo when connecting various devices. The stock devices today are cable/satellite, Blu-Ray/HD-DVD/DVD and one for the old Mac.

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Answer 7

aamjfm

Level 1

0 points

Feb 12, 2008 8:41 AM in response to Macaby

What kind of HDMI to DVI cable are you using? What display resolution are you using? My Sony HDTV requires that I change my PC display settings to 1920 x 1080 Horizontal frequency (kHz) 67.5 and the Vertical frequency (Hz) 60. My MacBook display settings only go up to 1280 x 800. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 8

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Feb 13, 2008 9:51 PM in response to aamjfm

It sounds like you need to turn off mirroring in Displays preferences. WIth mirroring turned off, you should see higher resoluiton choices avaialble for the Sony TV.

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Answer 9

aamjfm

Level 1

0 points

Feb 14, 2008 5:44 PM in response to BSteely

This worked!!! Thank you so much! I finally got it working and the picture is perfect!!

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