How do I connect my MacBook to my HDTV

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Level 1

0 points

How do I connect my MacBook to my HDTV

Hi! I would like to watch HD movies I have downloaded to my computer but view them on my HDTV and home theater speaker system. My computers specs are listed below. I just copied and pasted what came up when I went to the apple symbol and clicked on "about this mac" and then clicked on "more info". There has to be a simple way in this day and age to do this. All I can come up with is a mini-dvi to hdmi connector, but I don't want to spend the money just to not have it work. So hopefully some of the technically minded here can help.

Thanks!

Model Name: MacBook

Model Identifier: MacBook5,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 2 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Boot ROM Version: MB51.007D.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.40f2

Serial Number (system): < Edited by Host >

Hardware UUID: 9A733DE9-C616-5BEB-87B3-3638945FCC4A

Sudden Motion Sensor:

State: Enabled

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Apr 25, 2011 4:56 PM

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Answer 1

TaylorN90

Level 3

645 points

Apr 25, 2011 4:59 PM in response to nottechsaavy

Hi

You have a 2008/2009 model Macbook, so you will only get video via HDMI, no audio. You would need a TOSLINK cable as well.

This website should have everything you would need.

P.S - Please refrain from posting your serial number here.

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Answer 2

Apr 25, 2011 5:12 PM in response to nottechsaavy

You need a Mini DisplayPort/HDMI adapter. http://store.apple.com/us/search?find=Mini+DisplayPort+adapter&mco=MTM3NTA3OTI

If you connect the MacBook using a Mini DisplayPort/HDMI adapter you will need to use external speakers for audio. The Mini DisplayPort/HDMI doesn't carry audio and there're usually no audio plugs on the TV to work with HDMI since it's expecting audio with the HDMI. Only the Mid-2010 MacBook can output sound along with video to your HDMI. All others output video only with the HDMI adapter.

If your TV has a DVI plug you can use a Mini DisplayPort/DVI adapter. The TV will have RCA audio plugs for use with the DVI.

Some of the newer TVs can use different input audio plugs with the HDMI. You'll have to check with your TV manufacturer to find out if your TV can do this.

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Answer 3

nottechsaavy Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2011 5:13 PM in response to TaylorN90

Thank you so much Taylor! As far as the audio goes, I listen to music through my home theater system by connecting a cable from my audio out port to the aux port on my AVR, so I figured I could get the sound from my movies that way. But it will probably lack the HD 5.1 surround quality it would have if it were going through the HDMI.

Thanks for the link to the website.

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Answer 4

nottechsaavy Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2011 5:17 PM in response to frederic1943

Also Thank you Frederic! Do you think the way I listen to my music from my computer to my home theater system will work for the movies as well? Or should I go with the optical or RCA plugs?

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Answer 5

TaylorN90

Level 3

645 points

Apr 25, 2011 5:20 PM in response to nottechsaavy

Hi there

You are welcome 🙂

I purchased my adapter from that site - great service. However, I have a 2010 MacBook Pro, so my Mini DP -> HDMI transmits audio as well - definitely handy 🙂

I think you will be fine using your audio out/AUX port to your AVR, and just adding the HDMI for video. You could even use a VGA/DVI connection if your TV supports it - but you may as well go for the HDMI, the adapters are all relatively the same price anyway

Have fun 😀

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Answer 6

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Apr 25, 2011 5:33 PM in response to nottechsaavy

After you get all the cables and connections figured out, you also might want to consider running your Macbook in (closed) clamshell mode - you can close it, but it'll be working nonetheless; here are the instructions:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

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