macbook pro hooking up to HDTV

Question

Level 1

4 points

macbook pro hooking up to HDTV

Hi all

what would be the best way to hook up my macbook pro 10.6.6 to a HDTV in order to edit and colour grade/correct in final cut pro 7.

from mike

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 6:20 AM

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Answer 1

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Jan 31, 2011 6:25 AM in response to mpike123

Which Macbook Pro model do you have?
What connections are available on your HDTV?

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Answer 2

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Jan 31, 2011 6:35 AM in response to mpike123

what would be the best way to hook up my macbook pro 10.6.6 to a HDTV in order to edit and colour grade/correct in final cut pro 7.

If you have a MacBookPro with the expresscard34 slot, a Matrox MXO2 mini will feed an HDTV with HDMI in to give you a fair representation of the material

If you don't have the slot, the best you'll be able to do is use the TV as a computer monitor. This setup will not be appropriate for color grading. In fact, if the laptop doesn't meet COLOR's minimum screen size, you won't be able to run COLOR anyway.

x

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Answer 3

mpike123 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2011 7:50 AM in response to Nick Holmes

is this ok?

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i5
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s
Boot ROM Version: MBP61.0057.B0C
SMC Version (system): 1.58f16
Serial Number (system): W8 **GU
Hardware UUID: 30A70A1F-545E-5E12-8161-F4E64E5B3A0B
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled

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Answer 4

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Jan 31, 2011 7:53 AM in response to Studio X

Based on the posted spec, it's a 2010 base model, 15" #MC371. So there's no ExpressCard on there.

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Answer 5

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Jan 31, 2011 8:08 AM in response to Nick Holmes

Then there is no COLOR monitoring for him. Probably no running COLOR either as (iirc) that machine has a max screen resolution less than the minimum requirements for what you need for COLOR.

x

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Answer 6

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Jan 31, 2011 8:18 AM in response to Studio X

1440x900 15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy as standard or optional HiRes antiglare screen at 1680x1050.
Although it will drive a 2560x1440 27" Cinema Display too.

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Answer 7

BenB

Level 6

12,097 points

Jan 31, 2011 8:53 AM in response to Nick Holmes

The MXO still isn't a real production monitor, but it's a tad better than your computer monitor.

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Answer 8

mpike123 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2011 11:05 AM in response to Studio X

can I not grade in final cut pro instead of colour is that a way round it? Also how screwed am i, is there absolutely no way i can connect up to a HDTV even to just veiw the edited footage on final cut?

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Answer 9

Jan 31, 2011 11:27 AM in response to mpike123

A Matrox MXO will allow for this as long as your HDTV has component analog inputs, or an SDI input. You'll need an adapter to go to it from your laptop, but it will work. Has the DVI inputs and your laptop has that mini second monitor out you need to adapt to the DVI you'll need.

Jerry

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Answer 10

BenB

Level 6

12,097 points

Feb 1, 2011 5:52 AM in response to mpike123

Color accuracy is color accuracy, no matter what software you use. But, the MXO with a really good LCD computer monitor is the next best thing. Not the same thing, but if you're on a budget, is better than nothing.

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Answer 11

Feb 1, 2011 7:14 AM in response to mpike123

PS...

The MXO will allow you to setup your HDTV or computer display with blue only bars, so it's accurate enough for most of the color correction jobs out there. Further, it will work with Color. I have one, and it does as advertised.

Jerry

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Answer 12

BenB

Level 6

12,097 points

Feb 1, 2011 9:00 PM in response to Jerry Hofmann

But not good enough for broadcast (seen many rejected based on an MXO) nor film.

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Answer 13

mpike123 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 5, 2011 8:38 AM in response to Jerry Hofmann

Hi

ok with my laptop or imac connected to a matrox MXO like the one here http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mac/mxo/

and then that connected to one of my HDTV's i have got which are toshiba LCD colour tv 37WL56P, Or JVC Wide TV LT-26DE9BJ.

And with this i should be able to do colour correction in final cut pro 7 right?

if any of that is wrong could please tell me specifically what i need as i am get really confused as to what i need.

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Answer 14

Feb 5, 2011 9:07 AM in response to mpike123

As long as you can connect analog component cables or an SDI cable (there is no HDMI out from the MXO) to your TV, this will work OK, and it far superior to just using a computer's monitor for the color correction.

Jerry

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Answer 15

BenB

Level 6

12,097 points

Feb 6, 2011 12:41 AM in response to Jerry Hofmann

MXO is marginally better than a computer monitor, and a far cry from a production monitor.

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