Connecting Mac Pro to HDTV

I just did this the other week, hooking up my MBP to a Vizio 55" HDTV. Depending on the DIV port on your MBP, you will need either a DVI to HDMI ($19.99 at the apple store) or DVI-D to HDMI (check the internet for prices) cable along with a iCable 1000 Stereo Cable ($29.99 at the apple store) which is used to plug into the headphone jack on the MBP with RCA plugs on the other end to go into the TV. This one gets the sound to come out of the TV. These are then connected into the TV. You need to go into System Preferences - Monitor and make sure that you have Mirroring set to On. This will exactly duplicate what you see on your MBP on the TV. The system should also automatically set the proper resolution on the TV. Make sure you are connected to a power supply. There is a way to have the clamshell closed while you're watching the TV, but you need to change a setting which escapes me at the moment. Check the forum for instructions. If I find the link to the instructions, I will let you know. Hope this works.

Grandpa2 wrote:
You need to go into System Preferences - Monitor and make sure that you have Mirroring set to On. This will exactly duplicate what you see on your MBP on the TV. The system should also automatically set the proper resolution on the TV.

Setting to Mirroring isn't necessary if it's run with the lid closed. Running with the lid closed is actually best because then the resolution will only be that of the TV and it won't have to pick one monitor's resolution or the other.

There is a way to have the clamshell closed while you're watching the TV, but you need to change a setting which escapes me at the moment.

Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

george johnsen wrote:
so how is the picture when you connect it?

Well it should be a pretty nice full digital picture, if you go through HDMI. It will be like having another computer monitor. If you go through one of the other ports on the TV, like VGA or S-Video, the picture will be worse.