Q: Mac book pro mid 2010

Hello Phil2407,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! I understand that you wish to connect your MacBook Pro (Mid 2010) to your HDTV. You mentioned that you have attempted to do so with a Thunderbolt adapter and HDMI cable? Your computer actually doesn’t have a thunderbolt port nor does it support thunderbolt. You’ll want to use a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter:

About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202079

If you would like to go cordless, you might be interested in picking up an Apple TV. We recently announced a price reduction on Apple TV (from $99 to $69):

Apple - Apple TV - HD iTunes content and more on your TV.

http://www.apple.com/appletv/

Apple TV would allow you to wirelessly stream from your Mac with AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring:

Apple TV - AirPlay - Play content from iOS devices on Apple TV.

http://www.apple.com/appletv/airplay/

Cheers,

Matt M.

Hey Phil2407,

Thanks for the follow up. Yes, Thunderbolt to HDMI and Mini DisplayPort to HDMI are two separate things. To break it down, both ports look exactly the same. However, Thunderbolt ports can accept Mini DisplayPort cables/connections (also known as backwards compatibility), however Mini DisplayPort ports do not support/accept Thunderbolt cables/connections. To learn more about Thunderbolt, check out this webpage:

Apple - Thunderbolt: Next-generation high-speed I/O technology.

http://www.apple.com/thunderbolt/

Too answer your main question: yes, you will need to purchase a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable or adapter. We have a few offerings in our store:

Video Cable - Mini DisplayPort - Cables & Docks - All Accessories - Apple Store (U.S.)

http://store.apple.com/us/accessories/all-accessories/cables-docks#!&f=minidispl ayport-video_cable&fh=4098%2B2adc%2B3073

Thanks,

Matt M.