Can I use an iMac as a TV?

Question

Level 1

16 points

Can I use an iMac as a TV?

I'm thinking about buying an iMac. Would we be able to run a line from our DirecTV set top box into it somehow (i.e. pass-through mode) or something like that?

It would be a waste for our kids to have also have to have a TV in their play area.

Thanks.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Aug 28, 2009 6:08 PM

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Answer 1

Lasey L.

Level 1

11 points

Aug 28, 2009 6:15 PM in response to rcook349

You're giving your kids a brand new computer in their play area?

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Answer 2

rcook349 Author

Level 1

16 points

Aug 28, 2009 6:24 PM in response to Lasey L.

Actually, no.. more in the corner of the TV room. So they can be on it (with headphones) while us grownups are doing something else (ok, watching football).

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Answer 3

Aug 28, 2009 6:33 PM in response to rcook349

go here:

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products.en.html

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Answer 4

mlk

Level 1

0 points

Oct 21, 2009 6:11 PM in response to Johnathan Burger

I tried tubestick and found the picture "jittery". I also thought it was confusing to get cable up and running on my imac. Can you give your impressions of elgato, and do you connect your cable form the wall into the device? Thanks.

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Answer 5

Oct 21, 2009 9:30 PM in response to rcook349

The new 27" (only) iMacs can accept an HDMI input directly to the screen. If your DirecTV system has HDMI out, then YES you can connect it to the iMac and have it appear.

Otherwise, as the other replies have mentioned, you will need to use some sort of USB adapter.

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