DVI to HDMI on Plasma LG gives "Invalid Format"

Hi, this question is really driving me mad.
I've tried reading about it, and making several adjustments, but none have worked so far.

This is the problem:
I have a macbookPro (original) and was running Leopard latest version. I've just recently bought a TV Plasma LG42PQ1100, which has one HDMI port. The right assumption would be that just connecting the cables (DVI to HDMI) the TV would receive the sign, but when changing to HDMI input on the TV it keeps showing the message "Invalid Format". My mac recognizes the TV,as in the preferences it shows the display settings for the Plasma.

As I've been reading about HDMI problems in the forums, I've tried everything.
- SwitchResX to change the resolutions, and always the same case.
- Tried with another old Powerbook, since I had read that versions under 10.5.5 would work better with HDMI, and had the same result "Invalid Format".
- Tried updating from Leopard to Snow Leopard on my macbookPro, in order to have those display preferences to the new TV settings, and also... "Invalid Format".

The worst in this, is that I've tried these two macs on other TVs, and it worked straight away. Just plug'n'play.
Also, my Plasma is working fine before you ask, since trying to connect a portable Compaq via HDMI-HDMI also worked just fine.

What the **** can I do about this? Any other thoughts I haven't read about it in forums?
By the way, besides HDMI,I only have Scart input on the TV. Any other way I can connect via my macbookPro, as an option to HDMI?
Help appreciated....

MacbookPro, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Sep 23, 2009 3:04 AM

Reply
5 replies

Sep 23, 2009 12:46 PM in response to JoaoMendes

"Invalid Format" usually means the received timing cannot be used. You haven't really said what timings have been tried. Have you tried 1024 x 768 at 60Hz? I would expect that to work.

Another possibility is that the TV requires HDCP over its HDMI port. Apple has never been clear about which Macs support HDCP and which don't, but it's safe to assume older hardware doesn't.

Sep 23, 2009 3:53 PM in response to BSteely

I've tried all the possibilities I had on screen. Meaning, all resolutions, in each single refresh rate.
Nothing worked...
And why would it require HDCP if it works with a pc HDMI-HDMI connection?

By the way, don't know if it's important, but reading the LG manual, it says that HDMI problems might be related if I don't have a cable that's 1.3 HDMI.
Is there several versions of HDMI cables? Shouldn't this be a output version, instead of a cable? It's really out of my knowledge...

Message was edited by: JoaoMendes

Message was edited by: JoaoMendes

Sep 23, 2009 4:27 PM in response to JoaoMendes

A PC with an HDMI output will provide for HDCP. Anything with an HDMI output does HDCP by definition. The same is not true of DVI.

So does the LG's user manual make any reference to connecting a PC? The fact that a Compaq with HDMI drives the LG really suggests the issue is with HDCP in my mind.

About your Scart question, I don't really know much about that interface. We don't have it over here in the States. Maybe someone else can help you with that question.

May 19, 2010 2:43 PM in response to vieiradasilva

Hi guys..hopefully someone can help me. I have a macbook pro 13" that I just bought and bought the DVI to HDMI cables with the minidisplay cable to hook my macbook to my LG plasma 1080p tv. For some reason when I connect the two I only get the macbook wallpaper on my tv and I cannot get anything else to come up at all on my tv. Does anyone know how to fix this problem?

Leslie

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DVI to HDMI on Plasma LG gives "Invalid Format"

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