iMac mid-2011. Trying to connect to LG TV with HDMI. I have tried direct HDMI to HDMI cable, which is supposed to work but does not. I have tried using the mini-display connector. It still doesn't work. What am I doing wrong, or what do I need to do?
You need one of these:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/HA825ZM/A/belkin-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-cabl e-2-m65-ft
Also if you had an AppleTV you could use your Mid 2011 iMac for Airplay, this would allow you to play your content (movies, music, photos, etc.) that is stored on your iMac on your TV.
The Belkin was the first thing I tried. Then the Moshi Mini-Display port. Neither one has worked. Both should be plug and play, not happening. I go to the Displays in System Preferences and click Detect Displays and it comes back with "can't detect additional display because there isn't one."
I want to use the TV as a second monitor, not as a way to watch movies, by the way.
I am not sure what you are doing wrong, however Apple clearly explains how to connect an external display in OS X: How to use multiple displays with your Mac in Mountain Lion and earlier and OS X Mavericks: Connect multiple displays to your Mac I noted both because you have not stated the version of OS X running on your iMac. You should also try another HDMI cable and ensure the TV is set to the correct input. I'm sure that's all that is wrong, is somewhere you are not following directions, have a problem cable or input set on the TV.
when one connect something to a tv's hdmi port one needs to use the tv's remote to change the active input source to that hdmi port
otherwise the tv will not be seen as a display by the computer
It worked! Thank you so much!
connect iMac to LG HDMI TV
