Connect iMac to hdmi tv

Greetings Doug,

In order to use your HDMI television to display from your iMac, you would need a couple of things. First, your iMac must use a Mini DisplayPort for video output. Use this article to identify what iMac model you have if you don't know - How to identify iMac models.

This article will tell you which iMacs can use said adapter - About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters. This article may also prove useful - Apple Mini DisplayPort adapters: Frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Lastly, you need the adapter. Apple does not make such an adapter but there are some made by 3rd parties that are available in the Apple Store online. See this link - mini displayport hdmi - Apple.

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

Be well.

douglasfromsouthport wrote:

Hi Brett L,

This sounds like I'm being stupid but....

Is a Thunderbolt connection the same as a Mini DisplayPort? If so why two different names?

My iMac is 21.5inch, late 2013 with 4 - USB3 and 2 - Thunderbolt connections and 1 - ADSL connection. Running Yosemite.

Doug

No you are not being stupid, you just do not know. A Thunderbolt and Mini Display Port connection look identical however they are completely different. You need an adapter like:

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HHLN2ZM/A/belkin-4k-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-a dapter?fnode=209efef2db2860ab8a191724d2d…

Hi Douglas,

Referencing this article - Apple Mini DisplayPort adapters: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) -

3. My computer has the same connector but the symbol is different, what does that mean?

Some Apple computer have a Thunderbolt port instead of a Mini DisplayPort. Computers with a Thunderbolt port will have the following symbol next a port although the port physically appears the same as a Mini DisplayPort:

Thunderbolt ports:

Are compatible with all of the Mini DisplayPort adapters referenced below in question 5 and with Apple Mini DisplayPort equipped displays.