How to stream from iMac to TV

Question

Level 1

0 points

How to stream from iMac to TV

Hey all,
After a lot of internet searching, this still seems to be a somewhat unanswered question. I'm not interested in ATV, as you can only stream iTunes content.
What I'm trying to do, if possible, is to stream whatever I'm watching on my iMac (24" screen) to my TV. I regularly watch Hulu, Netflix streaming, some anime sites. Is there any way/product that will allow me to just stream this stuff to a TV screen? The iMac isn't conveniently located to watch on the monitor. Sling box seems to be designed to do the opposite. Roku is for netflix only. ATV is for iTunes only.
It seems like someone must make a product that will just take the audio & video from your Mac, and send it to the TV.

I have an Airport Extreme, so wireless isn't a problem. I'm using an old style 29" TV, no fancy flat screens with millions of inputs or options.

So yeah, if anyone has any input or advice, it would be appreciated. It may be that just nothing out there yet to really do that...maybe that's why the question seems to be largely unanswered?

Thanks for any input,
Rob

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.7), Airport Extreme, old style TV

Posted on Mar 6, 2010 5:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

capaho

Level 4

3,673 points

Mar 6, 2010 6:16 PM in response to ultisimo

The only way to get whatever you're watching on your Mac to your TV is to use a video adapter cable and an audio cable to connect it directly. You can't stream your video output directly to your TV via the network.

There are a variety of media players (like the Buffalo Link Theater, for example) that can stream non-DRM files from a shared folder on your Mac to your TV without the need for intermediary software like iTunes, but there is no single device or method that can do everything.

Reply

Answer 2

ultisimo Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 8, 2010 2:57 PM in response to capaho

I kind of figured that's what I was going to have to do. I was hoping to not have cables going across the floor.

Thanks for the reply and the info,
Rob

Reply

Answer 3

capaho

Level 4

3,673 points

Mar 8, 2010 5:30 PM in response to ultisimo

I was hoping to not have cables going across the floor.

That's hard to avoid if you like tech toys. You should see the floor behind my A/V cabinet.

Reply

Answer 4

Mar 8, 2010 7:37 PM in response to ultisimo

I came across this just now too. Walt Mossberg - WSJ

http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20100303/how-to-watch-video-wirelessly-on-your-tv-se t/

Reply

Answer 5

capaho

Level 4

3,673 points

Mar 8, 2010 7:57 PM in response to musicmaker

I came across this just now too. Walt Mossberg - WSJ

PlayOn appears to be a DLNA server for Windows that can stream Internet video. If you have a Windows PC and an Xbox 360 or a PS3 it might be worth a look, but there's no Mac version.

Reply

Answer 6

loopy8

Level 1

8 points

May 31, 2010 5:43 PM in response to capaho

Anybody left out there? I'm in the same boat and taking on water...So, I'm getting the cables for the video connection; but what's the best way to get the audio to my HDTV?

Reply