Using 27'' iMac as a Television.

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Level 1

6 points

Using 27'' iMac as a Television.

Hi all,

Ive got a 27'' iMac and Ive been reading up alot on whether the mac can be used as an output for a tv tuner or xbox. Most answers about using an xbox as an input arnt very clear though:

I Know the 27'' can be used as an external display.
I have also seen Minidisplayport to HDMI cables, but not HDMI to MiniDP cables.
I had been looking at Component to MiniDP cables but have not found any, only composite to MiniDP.

Im sure there is away for this to be done but the hardest part seems to be getting something to convert component/HDMI into MiniDisplayport.

Any ideas - only want directly relevent answers please 🙂

Cheers,
Chris

Message was edited by: Chrisa112

iMac 27'', 2.8GHz Quad, 8Gb Ram, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Mar 4, 2010 5:24 AM

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Answer 1

kguy

Level 2

420 points

Mar 4, 2010 7:33 AM in response to Chrisa112

Hi-

You will need to purchase the following device to connect an HDMI equipped device (say a PS3 or Xbox360, or Blu-ray disc player) to your 27 iMac...

This will do it...

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Atlona-Shows-Off-HDMI-to-Mini-DisplayPort-Convert er-135922.shtml

or this...

http://www.drbott.net/product/9598-DGVL/

Important note- these devices can only do 720p. Newer devices announced at MacWorld Expo will be able to do 1080p, but I dont think they are on sale yet.

Message was edited by: kguy

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Answer 2

Mar 4, 2010 8:37 AM in response to Chrisa112

The hook up will be identical.

1: Buy DR BOTT HDMI to DISPLAYPORT converter for iMac 27.
2: Before unplugging the Cable box from the TV, set it to output 720p (and to upscale 480p to 720p).
3: Go ahead and hook up to the DR BOTT.
4: Press CMD-F2 to watch TV.

Be aware the you can't have the TV on the screen in a window, it will be forced into full screen. Also, you can't record the TV using anything on the iMac.

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Answer 3

Chrisa112 Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 22, 2010 7:10 AM in response to Avinash Vakil

Just bought the Atlona DP200HD so hopefully that will work all good 🙂

Chris

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Answer 4

rekirk82

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2010 1:20 PM in response to Chrisa112

@Chrisa112 or anyone else who has purchased the Atlona DP200HD... How do like it? How well does it work? I am considering purchasing the 27" iMac model after reading that this is possible. Id be hooking a PS3 and cable box up to it hopefully so I would require some type of video switcher, but if i lose quality I would settle for just the PS3... ANY input would be appreciated. Thanks!

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