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Connecting MacBook Pro to AV Receiver

I am trying to connect my 2008 MacBook Pro to my Harmon/Kardon AVR254 Receiver. Currently, I have been using the headphone jack on my laptop connected to an RCA cable adapter and then connecting the two RCA cables into my receiver. The problem however is that when I connect a subwoofer to my receiver, I get only a drone on the subwoofer and no bass channel from my laptop passed through it. I was thinking this was because the headphone jack only transmits the stereo channels and not the bass. Is this correct? and if so, what is the best way to get the full sound out of my laptop? (I should also note that my macbook pro model is the model that does not have an internal HDMI out setting, so connecting via hdmi straight from the laptop does not seem possible).

Macbook Pro 2008

Posted on Feb 22, 2011 1:08 PM

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Posted on Feb 22, 2011 1:53 PM

I think you're using the wrong cable, you need a cable like this one.

If you are using iTunes to get the music to your receiver there is another method, it's more elegant and offers more flexibility. You can could wirelessly connect the receiver to your computer using AirPlay. I've been using this method and love it. In addition to playing from iTunes it can also be used for other AirPlay capable apps like Pandora. Also if you happen to use an iPhone you can use it as a remote control and control your music anywhere in your house.

Roger
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Question marked as Best reply

Feb 22, 2011 1:53 PM in response to zetroretep

I think you're using the wrong cable, you need a cable like this one.

If you are using iTunes to get the music to your receiver there is another method, it's more elegant and offers more flexibility. You can could wirelessly connect the receiver to your computer using AirPlay. I've been using this method and love it. In addition to playing from iTunes it can also be used for other AirPlay capable apps like Pandora. Also if you happen to use an iPhone you can use it as a remote control and control your music anywhere in your house.

Roger

Feb 22, 2011 4:14 PM in response to zetroretep

When you make an analog connection from your MBP to anything else using a mini-headphone-to-2-RCA cable, you're sending two-channel stereo, which includes all frequencies. There is no separate bass channel; bass frequencies are part of the signal in each stereo channel. Your receiver needs to be set to expect analog stereo input instead of 2.1-channel, 5.1-channel or 7.1-channel digital input. How to do that, as well as how to set it up to output simulated/synthesized 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1 digital surround sound, should be covered in your receiver's manual.

If your receiver has an optical digital audio input port, the cable Roger has linked is the solution.

Connecting MacBook Pro to AV Receiver

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