Q: How do I use iMac as monitor for external DVD player (HDMI to Mini DisplayPort)

Question

Quantacav

Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How do I use iMac as monitor for external DVD player (HDMI to Mini DisplayPort)

iMac 27" (late 2009). Internal DVD is region locked. I would like to use an external DVD player to watch DVD's from other regions.

I can't use the new Apple SuperDrive because they say it's not compatible with iMac's before 2012. (Is it??)

My iMac doesn't have Thunderbolt. It has mini displayport.

I have resigned to getting a generic DVD player and plugging it into the screen.

I have found this in Apple support pages...

Can I use the iMac in TDM as a display for my gaming console, DVD player, or other device?
The Mini DisplayPort port on a supported iMac can receive DisplayPort compliant video and audio signals. Converters not made by Apple may provide options to convert other electrical, video, and audio protocols to Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt compliant signals.

( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924 )

What is DisplayPort compliant video and audio signals? Does HDMI fit into that signal type?

Is it possible to get an HDMI to Mini DisplayPort converter?

Will it work if I get a generic DVD player with HDMI output? (and connect it to the iMac through MiniDisplayPort)

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Feb 18, 2014 9:36 PM

I have this question too

Q: How do I use iMac as monitor for external DVD player (HDMI to Mini DisplayPort)

All replies

Helpful answers

by Malcolm J. Rayfield,Helpful

Malcolm J. Rayfield Feb 19, 2014 2:42 PM in response to Quantacav
Level 5 (7,945 points)

Feb 19, 2014 2:42 PM in response to Quantacav

First try VLC.
<http://www.videolan.org>
On many Macs, it will play DVDs even if the region codes don't match.

The Apple SuperDrive should work if you use the terminal (Utilities foldsr) command:
sudo nvram boot-args="mbasd=1"

There are also non-Apple USB or FireWire external DVD (and Blu-ray) drives, such as:
<http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/>

Apple's DVD player may not work with external drives, but you can use VLC or Blu-ray™ Player
<http://www.macblurayplayer.com>

There is a converter to connect HDMI to the iMac via TDM
<http://www.kanexlive.com/xd>
but it will run at 720p (1280 x 720) and may have problems with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) on HDMI from Blu-ray or DVD players.
Reply options

Link to this post

by Quantacav,

Quantacav Feb 22, 2014 1:45 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield
Level 1 (0 points)

Feb 22, 2014 1:45 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Thanks Malcom,

VLC is not working, so I am going down your list.

Will let you know.
Reply options

Link to this post

by Quantacav,

Quantacav Feb 24, 2014 10:30 PM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield
Level 1 (0 points)

Feb 24, 2014 10:30 PM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Hi Malcom,

Just a simple $20 external generic DVD player works fine.
It plays through Apple's DVD software (funny, VLC won't play it)

Thanks for your help.
Reply options

Link to this post

Q: How do I use iMac as monitor for external DVD player (HDMI to Mini DisplayPort)

All replies Helpful answers

by Malcolm J. Rayfield,★Helpful

by Quantacav,

by Quantacav,

All replies

Helpful answers

by Malcolm J. Rayfield,Helpful