connection MACBOOK PRO to Philips LCD: NO VIDEO SIGNAL

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connection MACBOOK PRO to Philips LCD: NO VIDEO SIGNAL

Hello all,

I recently both a Philips LED TV, type: 40PFL8605H/12.

I have a MACBOOK PRO from 2007.

I would like to use this MACBOOK PRO as a media server on the TV.

I have connected the MACBOOKPRO via DVI-VGA connector to the VGA input of the Philips TV.

Result; I get 'no video signal'-message on the TV screen. I recently connected the MACBOOK to a beamer and it worked perfectly.

Although, the TV say's 'no video signal' the display system preferences does recognizes the TV. It say's PHILIPS FTV and a different number of resolutions.

I have tried them all, the result stays the same.

I'll tried the Philips helpdesk and the answer was that everything seamed to be connected ok...so, no use full help there (yet)

'Google-ing' around did not give an answer either.

Anybody here with use full tips?

MACBOOK PRO, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Dec 18, 2010 1:37 PM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Dec 18, 2010 3:57 PM in response to NWL&P

Welcome to Apple Discussions!

That TV supports HDMI, so your better bet is to connect to HDMI. Going from DVI to SVGA requires extra digital analog conversion, and you don't get the full resolution. DVI HDMI connectors like this one are easy to connect, and give you a full digital connection:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/HDM120006F/

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Answer 2

NWL&P Author

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Dec 19, 2010 1:40 AM in response to a brody

Thanks a brody,

I'll get me one of those cables and give it a try...

are you sure it should work then? i see a lot of discussions and people with the same problems...

I was first thinking to buy a new mac mini to use it as my 'home-server' and as multi media player.

However, my 'old' macbookpro is also getting 'ware-out' and is subjet for replacement for profesional purposes...

If I could use my good old macbookpro as media/server, it would save me a couple of euro's...

Can you (or somebody else) advice me... my old macbook as media server and a new one as profesional lap-top or upgrade my old macbook (new harddisk extra memory) and mac mini as home server and media player...

of course, first criteria is to get my old macbook hooked-up to my TV ...

thanks for the advice...

cheers

p

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Answer 3

NWL&P Author

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Dec 19, 2010 5:45 AM in response to NWL&P

Hi you all,

just tried an old DELL, that I just remembered was eating dust in the attic...and guess what, this very old device (10yrs old) worked immediately, after taking 30' to boot of course...

So, my conclusion, it is not a cable problem...

My macbookpro works with a beamer, the old dell works with the TV...so the macbookpro should work with the TV...

why does it not? It has to be a simple setting, as in the display preferences the Philips FYV is recognized...

Please, help!

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Answer 4

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Dec 19, 2010 8:59 AM in response to NWL&P

OK, this is stating the obvious, but are you sure the Philips has been switched to the right input?

Also, what about mirroring and refresh within Displays Preferences? Have you tried by turning mirroring off? And set the refresh to 50Hz?

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Answer 5

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Dec 19, 2010 10:10 AM in response to NWL&P

I don't know much about media server configurations, but hardware wise, any 1080p display should handle a direct DVI to HDMI connection. just fine.

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Answer 6

NWL&P Author

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Dec 20, 2010 1:20 AM in response to a brody

Bsteely,

3 times yes. I tried every resolution that came up in the display preferences, and paid especially attention that I had 50Hz and PAL selected, where possible

And the proof is, that it worked ok with the old DELL laptop...

so, why not with my Macbook. there has to be some setting I mis...I do not know which one...hope you guys could help me.

cheers

p

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Answer 7

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Dec 20, 2010 3:00 AM in response to NWL&P

Perhaps the clock battery is beginning to die. See if replacing it fixes the problem.

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Answer 8

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Dec 20, 2010 7:35 AM in response to NWL&P

50Hz and PAL is not a good idea based on what the user manual says. From page 78 of the English version of the user manual is the following quote:

*PC display*
• The refresh rate of a PC connected to the TV with VGA or DVI to HDMI adapter should (be) set to 60Hz.

I am also seeing on page 85 that it lists only 60 Hz timings as being supported from a computer. Furthermore, the VGA input only goes up to a maximum resolution of 1360 x 768. To go to a full 1920 x 1080 @ 60 requires an HDMI connection.

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Answer 9

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Dec 20, 2010 8:05 AM in response to BSteely

Then that supports my suggestion for getting a DVI to HDMI cable.

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Answer 10

NWL&P Author

Level 1

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Dec 20, 2010 8:13 AM in response to a brody

Thanks guys,

I'll get me one and get back to you...

cheers

p

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Answer 11

NWL&P Author

Level 1

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Dec 21, 2010 12:46 PM in response to NWL&P

Hi u all,

the tip of a brody worked...

with a DVI-HDMI cable it worked immediately...

so, now it is a matter of 'tweeking' my old mac book to a full blown media center...

thanks for the tips...

still, any advice for turning my mac book into a media center are welcome...

cheers

p

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