Connect to HDTV

Question

Level 1

0 points

Connect to HDTV

What cables do I need to conect my MBP to my HDTV receiver. Both audio and video. There are so many different types it's super confusing.
Thank you.

MacBook Pro 2 GHz Intel Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Mar 14, 2006 11:38 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Mar 15, 2006 12:16 AM in response to ivoniko

Depends on your hdtv receiver. What kind of hook ups does it have? The MacBook comes w/ a dvi output, so for hd you could go to dvi to dvi or dvi to hdmi or i guess dvi to component. As far as sound, if you want digital 5.1, you need a optical to mini cable. It's not really that confusing.

http://www.monstercable.com/productPage.asp?pin=790

Reply

Answer 2

ivoniko Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2006 12:25 AM in response to Jonathan Chan

The receiver has a mllion different hookups, don't know which ones are better to use. I went to http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVIbudgetcables.html and there are so many DVI cables that I'm not sure which one's gonna fit my MBP and my receiver.
Considering the audio can you tell more about hooking it up. From the headphones port it goes to wich port/s on my receiver.
Thanks

Reply

Answer 3

Mar 15, 2006 1:31 AM in response to ivoniko

It would go into the optical port in your receiver, look on the back of it, for digital audio you will have coaxial and optical, square and circle i guess you could say, and for video it depends on your tv, does it have a dvi input or a hdmi input? go look

Reply

Answer 4

ivoniko Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2006 12:36 PM in response to Jonathan Chan

I have HDMI input and Analog RGB which is for connecting with computers. Does it matter which one use or it's the same quality.

Reply

Answer 5

jayissrv

Level 1

10 points

Mar 15, 2006 12:53 PM in response to ivoniko

We need more info on your TV. HDMI will be a better quality because it is digital, I would lean away from Component unless you spend GOOD money on cables because interferance can be a problem. The new Intels make it as easy as pie connecting to 1080i and 720p displays

Reply

Answer 6

ivoniko Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2006 1:02 PM in response to jayissrv

Not sure what info do you need but it's the new Pioneer 4360HD if that helps. So you recommend that I use the TV's HDMI input and the DVI port of my MBP and stay away from the analog RGB. I use about to buy a HDMI - DVI cable but as there are different types of DVI I'm not sure if it's the one for my MBP

Reply

Answer 7

mcowger

Level 2

420 points

Mar 15, 2006 2:04 PM in response to ivoniko

HDMI will be the best possible signal.

You need a DVI-D -> HDMI cable.

Reply

Answer 8

smokeonit

Level 2

220 points

Mar 15, 2006 6:13 PM in response to ivoniko

you want to get HDTV on your macbook or you want the macbook signal on your TV???

for HDTV on your macbook, get the elgato eyeTV 500, firewire in to macbook, reception is via antenna.

for macbook on your TV you can go analog out of the DVI port, you need an adapter for that, but i would go dgital, get a DVI to HDMI adapter and connect your macbook directly to your TV.

if your HDTV cable/sat box has firewire out you can record that to your harddrive directly(normally).

Reply

Answer 9

ivoniko Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 26, 2006 5:53 PM in response to mcowger

I got both the optical and HDMI cables/adapters.
When I connect the optical cable to my receiver and computer the sound doesn't come out on my TV. I tried swithching the different inputs on my remote control but the sound just doesn't work.
As for the HDMI connection the computer screen shows up on the TV but only the background. There are no folders or the browser or anything else.
Help!

Reply

Answer 10

ivoniko Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 26, 2006 6:00 PM in response to ivoniko

I got both the optical and HDMI cables/adapters.
When I connect the optical cable to my receiver and computer the sound doesn't come out on my TV. I tried swithching the different inputs on my remote control but the sound just doesn't work.
As for the HDMI connection the computer screen shows up on the TV but only the background. There are no folders or the browser or anything else.
Help!

Reply

Answer 11

mcowger

Level 2

420 points

Mar 26, 2006 7:19 PM in response to ivoniko

As for the HDMI connection the computer screen shows
up on the TV but only the background. There are no
folders or the browser or anything else.
Help!

Sounds like its extending your desktop onto the second monitor. Have you trioed moving your mouse around past the edge of your MBP's display...youll see it move to TV.

Reply

Answer 12

ivoniko Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 26, 2006 7:26 PM in response to mcowger

Yes you are right, it is extendng my desctop to my TV screen. But how can I use it if it's so. I was thinking of being able to watch videos, photoes etc.
And if you know anything about the optical digital audio transfer please let me know.
Thank you.

Reply

Answer 13

Mar 26, 2006 7:51 PM in response to ivoniko

You have control over whether the video adaptor uses mirroring (both displays show same content) or extending (desktop made as big as the union of the two displays). You can use the Displays Preference Panel or toggle it back and forth using the fn+F7 key combination. If you mirror, lesser of either of the two dimensions dictates how much will be seen on the larger display.

Randall Schulz

iMac 20" Core Duo; MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Reply

Answer 14

ivoniko Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 26, 2006 8:06 PM in response to Randall Schulz

I know how to use the displays now. Thank you. But to be honest I'm not very happy with the quality of the plasma screen for this purpose, the letters look weird and not clear, the quality of the pictures and videos isn't as good as on my MBP.
I'm still hoping someone might be able to help me with Audio Optical digital issue. Or if not I'll have to call Pioneer because there is nothing in the manual about that.

Reply

Answer 15

Apr 7, 2006 3:14 AM in response to ivoniko

Regarding the DVI to HDMI adaptors (to go FROM a MacBook Pro TO a hi-def TV)... is there any quality loss compared to just going DVI to DVI?

If there is not, how is that?

Reply