Can you connect a MacBook to an old projector?

Question

Can you connect a MacBook to an old projector?

I have a trusty MacBook Air running Mojave version 10+.

I have been doing a number of presentations and on Saturday had a total tech failure. Of course it was the one presentation where I really needed to connect to the internet. The facility had an old projector - no VGA or HDMI - just serial and parallel ports. We found a serial-to-HDMI connector, and then I had an HDMI-to-miniDisplay port connector, but we were unable to get an image onscreen. Was this too many connectors?

Also I noticed my Mac display kept flashing on and off. I suspect it was repeatedly attempting to connect and failing. I managed to get everyone through my presentation, mostly by turning it from a presentation to a hands on workshop.

I have two questions. Have you successfully connected a MacBook to a projector with only serial/parallel ports? To ensure this doesn't happen again, would you consider buying a projector? If so, which one? All comments welcome, and thank you.

MacBook

Posted on Nov 24, 2019 1:16 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

K Shaffer

Level 7

34,972 points

Nov 24, 2019 6:12 PM in response to GenealogyDetective

If the older product cannot be attached via supported adapters for correct use

the projector product could cause damages to display and the Mac's hardware.

The somewhat modern MacBook Air that runs Mohave 10.14.6 has no business

attached to Serial or Parallel ports.

Also the video in Mac probably could not sustain some older technology; best

to ask a specialist Apple reseller. The newer 'projectors' are built to work right.

Examples of digital projector can seen here: bhphotovideo-projector-presentation

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Answer 2

K Shaffer

Level 7

34,972 points

Nov 25, 2019 9:53 AM in response to GenealogyDetective

Other sources of information and options that may (or not) be feasible appear in articles;

some from Apple support, & some journalistic filler that may offer good ideas. Examples:

• Mac Video Adapter Guide - meetingtomorrow.com

https://meetingtomorrow.com/blog/apple-mac-video-adapter-guide/

• Use an external display with your MacBook Air - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/macbook-air/use-an-external-display-apd8cdd74f57/mac

• Adapters for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or USB-C port on your Mac or iPad Pro - Apple Support

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=macbook+air+video+projector+adapters+use&t=ffab&ia=web

Some ideas may appear in macsales OWC pages, note the newer Dock that adds ports to portable mac.

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Answer 3

Nov 25, 2019 8:24 AM in response to K Shaffer

I had a sinking feeling when I saw the ports on the projector. Thank you for your advice and link to resellers. It's very much appreciated. Looks like I'll be checking out the online sales this weekend (Black Friday) - an opportune time to shop online. Thanks again!

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Can you connect a MacBook to an old projector?

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