How can I play movies-MacPro-to my TV?

On the back of your TV, can you list which ports it has? Usually, new HDTV LCD sets are capable of DVI, and of course most (if not all) televisions can run S-Video no problem (even my 18-year old 32" CRT, retro 320 pixels).

You can pick up an Apple 'DVI to S-Video' adapter for $19 in the Apple Store (and of course a little cheaper from less reliable resources).

But it's a fairly simple process. The DVI connects to your video output (in this case, your 7300GT - I've got the same card), and then you can use an S-Video cable to rig it up to your television set. I'm not too sure as to if we can plug it up to DVI port #2 (on the 7300), but I assume that would be possible (so that your monitor serves as one screen, and your television as the other).

I hope this helps out!



+When I search I mostly get wrong info - that is, no matter how I enter Mac Pro, I get back MacBook Pro.+
^ I know how that is. Makes me so angry.

I see "NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT" at the top of the list.
I do have an Apple DVI to Video Adapter-for my laptop.

The DVI to Video adapter requires the ATI graphics card. It won't work with NVIDIA cards.

My TV is fairly new and has many ports for input. (Not sure which to tap into for my purposes).

VGA, DVI, or HDMI will all give a better picture than the DVI to Video adapter (even if it worked with you graphics card).

Yo Noodle-head,

I hope you get this message. Ya man, I have the same issue with Mac Pro-->Nvidia video card-->Apple DVI to video adapter kit-->s-video/composite cable-->my 20" TV-->watch my movies!!

I have done extensive research, spoken to tech reps at both Nvidia AND Apple, and I'm still terribly frustrated.

Basically, what I keep reading is that only ATI cards, not Nvidia cards, are able to DO TV using the DVI-->video adapter-->TV setup. However, every tech rep I've spoken to says it SHOULD work, but that they couldn't tell me why it won't. Additionally, the manual for my Nvidia card (the GeForce 8800 GT for Mac -- an upgrade model for pre 2008 Mac Pros -- not the same model that you use, but the same manufacturer, and I've come to believe that's what counts) states explicitly that the DVI-I port on this card (supports analog out) is *designed to work* with the Apple DVI to video adapter kit, purchased from the Apple store. /palmface

OK, so the Nvidia tech rep whom I spoke with was as baffled as I am, but he was willing to confirm an alternative solution: http://www.svideo.com/vga2videosmall.html My card shipped with a DVI-->VGA adapter, so this seems like a fairly sure-shot solution (DVI-->VGA adapter-->VGA to composite video and s-video converter-->TV). I'll likely return my Apple adapter and buy this device, though it costs more.

So, to conclude, have you come up with a functional solution, separate from your circuitous laptop-->vhs-->TV route since you posted, lol? I share your sentiment that, short of buying an Apple TV, this should be much simpler!

chapinbk@hotmail.com (avid apple enthusiast, 95% of the time!)

Hi Noodle,

Is this what's on the back of your LCD TV?



I can see two HDMI inputs there. If that's the case, just ignore the VGA cable, and go to radio shack and get a HDMI to DVI cable. You are set to go.

Of course I would agree with dchao99 that if Noodle-head's Visio LCD TV has HDMI inputs, that a digital solution is far superior to the analog option that I'm trying to achieve. Any thoughts on the analog front?

Basically, what I keep reading is that only ATI cards, not Nvidia cards, are able to DO TV using the DVI-->video adapter-->TV setup. However, every tech rep I've spoken to says it SHOULD work, but that they couldn't tell me why it won't. Additionally, the manual for my Nvidia card (the GeForce 8800 GT for Mac -- an upgrade model for pre 2008 Mac Pros -- not the same model that you use, but the same manufacturer, and I've come to believe that's what counts) states explicitly that the DVI-I port on this card (supports analog out) is *designed to work* with the Apple DVI to video adapter kit, purchased from the Apple store. /palmface

See Table 2 and Table 4 in:
<http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Conceptual/HWTech Video/Articles/Videoimplementation.html>

Hopefully your new TV has HDMI inputs. If so, you should be able to get a DVI <---> HDMI cable for not too much money, then it's a matter of setting up your monitor to the appropriate resolution in OS X and making the correct settings on your television.

I started doing this recently with my Mac Pro and it's working great! I have an DVI - HDMI connected to one output, then another DVI connected to the other, which is connected to a KVM switch which alternates to my Macbook Pro.... SWEET JUICY TECHNOLOGICAL YUMMY GOODNESS

Isn't this the type of thing that Mac-Mini (rumor of overdue updates) or Apple TV targets?

There is an issue that no one has talked about and that is HDCP compliance. If the DVI to HDMI does not show the tv that it is HDCP compliant you will not get a picture. The ATA radeon 2600 card I believe is HDCP compliant and that is why it works. Just my 2 cents and hope it may shed some light. I personally have all my video on my Mac Pro and use Apple TV with HDMI connection to get a HD picture on my Mitsubishi 73 TV. A more expensive way but it works.

Robert Rogers wrote:
I personally have all my video on my Mac Pro and use Apple TV with HDMI connection.

Same with me - I compared the reasonable associated costs / time with using a video converter (DVI -> HDMI), then an HDMI cable long enough to reach my set from the computer desk. After computations, the Apple TV was roughly the same amount as a decent conversion setup would cost me, but saves me the hassle of additional hassle on my Mac Pro. I'm enjoying the ease of use of the Apple TV.

Another option: Used mac mini - G4 or core solo can be bought for near price of new Apple TV, then you can play other video modes, DVDs, browse web, etc., without worries about transcoding, hacking ATVor such. Upgrading mini HD is easier, easier to use ipod, and you get reasonably capable 2nd (or in my case 9/10th) computer.