jasek
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Solution how to deal with cheap HDMI cables and some VGA adapters.

I've purchased cheap HDMI cable which I couldn't force to work. Basically after plugging in the screen on my mac blink blue for a second, but then everything is going back to normal, and screen seems to be not recognized. I checked the cable with my friend's mac, and it was working just fine, so I thought hey something is wrong with my mac, either the MiniDisplay Port or Lion (10.7) has some bug (friend is working on (10.6).

 

I was experimenting with VGA adapter and it showed that MiniDisplay Port is fine, unfortunatelly it is painfull because quality is lower, and audio has to be plugged in separately. Accidently I've plugged in HDMI while audio was connected regular way and it started. So I figured out that probably grounding in those cheap cable is not sufficient for some macs. So step, by step solution:

 

1. Plug in HDMI cable to your TV

2. Switch TV to the right setting (display given HDMI port)

3. Connect audio cable to your TV

4. Connect audio cable to your MAC

5. Connect HDMI cable to your mac.

6. Image should appear on your TV, you can change resolution if you like

7. To enable sound on TV go to System Preferences, choose Sound, Output tab, and choose your HDMI connected TV.

 

While testing my VGA adapter which was working fine but I never could make it work with my Panasonic TV, I found a way around. First you have to connect to regular monitor, or TV which is working, and then switch to TV. The reason why it is not working straight is probably to high resolution that mac is trying with this TV. In points:

 

1. Plug VGA adapter to monitor or TV that you know it is working.

2. Plug adapter to your mac

3. With adapter connected to mac switch VGA cable to your panasonic plasma tv.

 

I hope this soultions will help some of you.

Enjoy!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Apr 28, 2013 6:24 AM

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jasek

Q: Solution how to deal with cheap HDMI cables and some VGA adapters.

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  • by Templeton Peck,

    Templeton Peck Templeton Peck Apr 28, 2013 6:26 AM in response to jasek
    Level 9 (62,070 points)
    Apr 28, 2013 6:26 AM in response to jasek

    or you could just save yourself the trouble and buy cables and adapters from a reputable brand.

  • by LowLuster,

    LowLuster LowLuster Apr 28, 2013 6:34 AM in response to jasek
    Level 6 (12,074 points)
    Apr 28, 2013 6:34 AM in response to jasek

    Have to agree with the post above. Once you have a good adapter and cable then you can troubleshot other problems. Until you have a good working cable and adapter you'll never know if it is the adapter or cable or soomething in your mac that is causing the problem.

  • by veruccsa,

    veruccsa veruccsa Jun 2, 2013 2:39 AM in response to Templeton Peck
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 2, 2013 2:39 AM in response to Templeton Peck

    Templeton Peck said:

    "or you could just save yourself the trouble and buy cables and adapters from a reputable brand."

     

    Well, I got mine directly from the Apple Store in Amsterdam and I got the most expensive one they had.. iwire.

    Still stopped working after 4 weeks! (In Holland you have only 14 days to bring back stuff)

     

    so careful what you say.