wijit1
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: No sound when connecting Macbook (2008 Aluminium) to HDTV

I have a Macbook (2008 Aluminium), but cannot get any sound to output through the TV speakers.

 

I've connected an HDMI cable to the Mackbook with a Mini DisplayPort adapter, and the picture is fine.  I've read that my Macbook is too old to get sound directly through the Mini DisplayPort.  I've connected a RCA cable to one of the earhone jack ports on the computer, and connected the red and white jacks to my TV, but still can't get sound to go through the TV.

 

In System Prefernces, I've changed the sound setting to "Headphones" - "Headphone port" (this is the only option I can choose), but still no sound.

 

Has anyone got any idea what the problem could be?

 

Any advice is much appriciated.

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Apr 29, 2014 7:46 AM

Close
wijit1

Q: No sound when connecting Macbook (2008 Aluminium) to HDTV

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by matt00,

    matt00 May 1, 2014 12:28 PM in response to wijit1
    Level 5 (4,015 points)
    May 1, 2014 12:28 PM in response to wijit1

    Hey wijit1,

     

     

    Thanks for the question. You are correct that your MacBook model is not compatible with supplying audio signals via Mini DisplayPort, as outlined in this resource:

     

    About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4241

     

    As far as why you are unable to get the sound to work with your headphone port: it is probably due to your HDTV “looking” for a sound signal from the HDMI input. Connecting a cable from the computer to a component input wouldn’t work, as the component “channel” of your HDTV would only have sound and no video (you could switch to this channel to confirm). In most cases, you might find that connecting the audio to an external device like a stereo or bluetooth speaker would solve your issue. You could also check to see if the HDTV can accept sound from an input other than the HD connection.

     

     

    Thanks,

     

    Matt M.