Connecting Macbook to tv

You can only use a wired connection not wireless. First we need to know which one of the 9 different models of MacBook you have. To see which model you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info (and then System Report if you’re running 10.7 Lion). When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier and post it back here.

The Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody and the Late 2009 model 6,1 and Mid 2010 model 7,1 White Unibody have a Mini DisplayPort. The Early 2006 model 1,1 through Early 2008 model 4,1s plus the Early and Mid 2009 model 5,2s have Mini-DVI ports. Each would take a different adapter to connect with the TV.

And also what input plug you'll be using on your TV. VGA, DVI, Composite or HDMI. (Composite is the red, white and yellow RCA plugs on your TV or red, white and S-Video plugs.)

Depends on what input plug you'll be using on your TV. VGA, DVI or HDMI. You'll need a Mini DisplayPort adapter and a cable from that to your TV. Here's the various types of Mini DisplayPort adapters on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=min i-dvi&x=9&y=13#/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_2_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mini+ displayport&sprefix=mini+displayport&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amini+displayport If you connect the MacBook using a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter you will probably need to use external speakers or a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack to RCA sound plugs connected to a stereo sound system if your TV doesn't have separate RCA input plugs or a 3.5mm stereo input plug for audio with the HDMI plug. The Mini DisplayPort to HDMI doesn't carry audio unless you get the Mid 2010 model 7,1 white Unibody and there're no audio plugs on most TVs to work with HDMI since it's expecting audio with the HDMI. But check your TV manual to see if it has audio plugs that work with one of the HDMI ports.

If you get Late 2009 model 6,1 White Unibody with the Mini DisplayPort there is an adapter that uses the Mini DisplayPort and a USB port to combine video and audio to HDMI. It's only 2 channel stereo not 5.1 Dolby Surround.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802 &p_id=5969&seq=1&format=2

There's no extra software needed. When you first hook it up it will probably have the display set in Extended Desktop mode. The Menu Bar and Dock will be on the MacBook display and your background screen on the TV but you can move the cursor onto the TV screen.

In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen.

The TV will now have the Dock and Menu Bar and windows will open on it. But you can move the cursor to the MacBook screen and move windows from the TV over to the MacBook screen.

You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.

Or if you want to work on the MacBook screen while showing it on a TV you can check the Mirror Display box on the lower left hand side of the Arrangement tab under the two monitors box. That will give you the same screen at the same resolution on both the MacBook and the external monitor.

Hi Freferic,

I saw this forum and had some questions. I have the Macbook 10.6.8 and I'm trying to took it up to my Plasma Panasonic tv. I have a all the right cords. The image comes up on the screen but no audio....I just got the logic board replaced at apple so I know its not that. My brother has a Macbook Pro and the sound works fine. When I plus in t he Pro there is an option in sound setttings to select the panasonic for the output. My Macbook does not have this option. If you have any ideas why the sound is not working I'd really appreciate it! Thank you!

Kylie

First we need to know which one of the 9 different models of MacBook you have. Only the Model 7,1 was made after Apple figured out how to send audio through the Mini DisplayPort. To see which model you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info (and then System Report if you’re running 10.7 Lion). When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier and post it back here.

Hi, I also have a problem to connect my macbook to the tv.

Recently, I bought a mini display port from amazon and hdmi cable to connect to my tv. But I dont know that the mini displayport is not compatible with my mac.

I think it's too big to fit in the port on my mac. My macbook Model Identifier: MacBook7,1.

This is the cable that I bought http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003BERYLA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8 &psc=1

I need help. Which cable should I buy actually?

This is the Mini DisplayPort on the MacBook.

Thanks for your response Frederic. I'm aware of the mini DisplayPort on the macbook. However, I think the mini DisplayPort adapter that I bought is too big to fit in. It seems the port is really small. Have I bought the wrong one, you think?

The only other adapter is the Mini-DVI.

Mini-DVI Mini DisplayPort

yep I bought the wrong one. Thanks for your time Fred. 😝

I have Macbook 6,1 is there anything I can do to make the port work or update the computer? Or is it a lost cause?

10.6 is just the OS version. Whether your Macbook supports audio out over the Mini Display Port or not depends on the Macbook model year. See this link if your Macbook supports audio out or not: http://hdmiguru.hubpages.com/hub/connect-Macbook-to-TV-HDMI