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HDMI

Hi all!

I don't know if this is the right place to ask help for this stuff, but I'm giving it a go anyways...

I've been wanting to connect my MacBook Pro to my TV for a while, but has been overwhelmed and then confused by all the different adapters. Thing is, my TV has HDMI, but not DVI... I was thinking about using VGA, but then I'll have to get the audio through my TV with another cable...

Does anyone have any idea on how to do this? It would be greatly appreciated...

Oh and I should probably let you know that I have a MacBook Pro unibody which means I only have a Mini DisplayPort...

MacBook Pro unibody

Posted on Jun 3, 2009 8:33 AM

Reply
18 replies

Jun 3, 2009 9:10 AM in response to Woggledog

Yeah, but then I'd have to get like 3 cables: Mini DisplayPort to VGA which is not very long. Then I should get an extension chord for VGA. And then last an audio chord of some kind... Right?

It's not possible to use these two together, is it?

http://store.apple.com/dk/product/MB570Z/A?mco=NDcxNjkwMA
http://store.apple.com/dk/product/TR842ZM/A?mco=NDc2MzA0Nw

Thank you for your speedy reply! 😉

Jun 3, 2009 9:37 PM in response to Louise Olesen

By far the best solution is this Mini-DisplayPort to HDMI adaptor from Monoprice.com. Use that to get video from the MBP to the TV. The HDMI signal will be much higher quality than an analog VGA connection, and the difference will be quite noticeable, especially on a nice TV. An HDMI extension cable can be found here.

For audio, if you have an audio receiver or TV that supports optical toslink inputs, you'll want to use a mini-toslink to toslink cable. If the receiver/TV does not support optical toslink, then you'll be stuck with an analog 1/8" to RCA cable.

Of course, the mDP-HDMI cable and the optical toslink cable will give you the best picture and sound. I wouldn't recommend VGA unless you cannot do HDMI for whatever reason. Same for the analog 1/8" to RCA for audio. The toslink audio cable will give you 5.1 Dolby Digital output if you have a sound source that supports it, such as a DVD.

Also, I linked you to 6 foot cables in all cases. I believe that there are shorter and longer versions of each cable on monoprice.com, which is an excellent site, by the way.

--Travis

Jun 4, 2009 1:45 AM in response to Louise Olesen

Thank you so much for all your awesome answers! The world of cables and adapters can be pretty confusing so I thank you for all your help!

Like Dave, Ellie and Nikulr suggests I think I'll go with the DVI to HDMI - simply because the quality will be better and it's not way too expensive. Rather that then VGA and the realising I need HDMI later on.
I actually thought HDMI would give me audio as well, but as you guys say and what my own research shows the Mini DisplayPort doesn't give you audio. *****... :P

Thank you, Luke, for the link! It really helped! 😉

To Travis: I'll definitely check out monoprice.com - don't know it they'll ship to Europe (Denmark, more specifically)...
I don't use the speakers on my TV but I have my audio hooked up to my stereo. I have no clue about what that stereo can and can't do - it's pretty old... 😉 But it works just fine.... :P

So to sum up: HDMI and audio cable! Got it! Thank you, guys! 😉 Have a wonderful day all! 😉

Jun 4, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Louise Olesen

Just to clarify:

The mini-DisplayPort to HDMI cable is only one adaptor, whereas if you go through DVI, you will need two adaptors (mDP --> DVI and DVI --> HDMI). It should be cheaper to go directly from mini-DisplayPort to HDMI, and possibly give you better quality as well. I don't like to string adaptors together; sometimes it doesn't work as well.

Monoprice will ship worldwide without any problems as well.

--Travis

HDMI

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