Can't get my TV to play MacBook Pro audio. Using a standard mini-stereo to RCA red and white cable. I have returned one of the cables thinking it to be defective and tried a new one and it still didn't work. Other devices such as Xbox get sound so its not the TV's cable ports. I also double checked to confirm sound was being put through my audiojack while I attempted this so it's not that either. Any other troubleshooting tips would be great.
MacBook Pro
make sure your cable is really seated well.
go into systems prefrences and check your sound output settings.
make sure its a stereo cable, not mono split into stereo
check the output volume?
i always using 3.5mm to 3.5mm cables to do this and works great.
Do you have some headphones to try in the jack?
I also double checked to confirm sound was being put through my audiojack
I assume you mean that you've checked the sound / audio out prefs in the system preferences.....could the "mute" box be checked on that preference?
Yeah my headphones work fine inside the jack.
And yeah thats what I meant, I went into system prefs and made sure that the correct output was selected.
I screwed around with the volume to make sure it just needed to be turned up and still nothing. Mute was not selected either.
EDIT: Also I plugged my iPod into the TV using the exact same cables and port in the TV and played the music from my iPod perfectly. Still scratching my head over why it won't work for the MacBook Pro.
Try rebooting your Mac also, just to rule that out too.
does your movie play audio on th laptop speakers?
Ok now I sort of feel like an idiot. I should have formed my question better. Bottom line is this: I realized I can get sound when I put my TV on input AV1. But my real objective here is to get sound so that when I use my DVI to HDMI cable I can get the sound of whatever I am watching ie: youtube/netflix. I have an older MacBook Pro that can't get the sound directly through my HDMI connection which is fine. But I was told at the Genius Bar of an Apple Store that I could use the mini stereo to RCA cable while having my TV on the HDMI input.
should have made that clearer when I originally posted.
Well if you get sound through the headphones, and not into your TV, we know the audio out is working ,and your TV setup is the problem. Make sure your TV is set to get the video through the HDMI, and the audio through the cables. My bet now is that the TV is "listening" to the HDMI for audio when it is connected, and you need to reset that.....check your TV settings....
Yeah I only get audio through my TV from an outside device when I am on an AV1 or AV2 input. As soon as I switch to HDMI input the sound stops. I searched my TV settings for a way to correct the "listening" to the HDMI as you put it but found nothing. Looks like I might be SOL. Do you generally have no problem playing sound from an extra device when you're on an HDMI input? Maybe my TV is just too old.
My TV allows me to change the audio input in it's internal software menus, even when using HDMI.....hopefully you can too. What make/model/size/year TV?
It's a 40 inch LG...Not exactly sure as to the model or year as it was a hand-me-down, but by my estimation its close to a 5 year old TV
On most TV's with HDMI, including Sony and Samsungs, one of the inputs is labled DVI/HDMI, and this input will play audio from one of the stereo left/right input connectors.You might need to change the HDMI input you use as well as the audio right/left input you use.
Also, if you have a MacBook Pro, you should be able to use a DisplayPort-to-HDMI converter that supports audio in the HDMI.
Ok new development: found another outlet in the back of the TV labeled "Audio In RGB/DVI"
While I set the TV input to DVI/HDMI like you said I also attempted to put the red and white chords into that outlet...I got the sound! BUT the Red/White didn't really fit into that outlet and looks like it is designed for a different "male" end. Sound only worked when I kept my hand on the chord and kept it steady or else nothing. Is there some other type of chord I need to purchase to fit this outlet?
I hope you got your question answered but if you didn't here's what I just figured out you need: You need a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord. One end will go in the MacBook Pro, the other end will go into the "Audio In RGB/DVI." This is also called an "auxilliary cord", what you use to play your iPod in your car.
Hope I was able to help in some way! It worked for me!
Note: I have a 2010 MacBook Pro 13" with just a generic Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter and an LG TV. I'm pretty sure the HDMI cable supports audio because I took it out of the back of the Dish satellite box while I wait for my own cord to arrive. Ha. Just in case anyone is wondering what I'm using.
Sounds like I solved your problem. Radio Shack and other stores can sell you the 3.5mm stereo-to-RCA stereo cable you need.
Here's one cable that will work. They sell it in many lengths:
Can't get TV to play MacBook Pro audio.
