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View Full Version : Best way to hook white Macbook to flatscreen LCD?


almost2mac
2009-03-21, 13:28
I have seen connectors on Apple's site, but I don't know if there's a better or different way to go. From what I understand I need to use DVI Out on the macbook. I have a PC (VGA in?) port on the TV, but are there alternatives? I took pictures of both.
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo11/jayctravis/IMG_0390.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo11/jayctravis/IMG_0391.jpg

chucker
2009-03-21, 13:38
Yes, the "PC" one is VGA in. But better yet, those ports to the right of VGA look like HDMI. You can get a DVI-to-HDMI adapter rather cheap, or just get a cable directly from DVI to HDMI.

almost2mac
2009-03-21, 13:42
Thanks for the help - is there a difference? Can you tell if I "mini DVI" or "DVI"?

I've also heard that HDMI has some DRM issues...does it also carry sound?

Brad
2009-03-21, 13:44
Yes, the "PC" one is VGA in. But better yet, those ports to the right of VGA look like HDMI. You can get a DVI-to-HDMI adapter rather cheap, or just get a cable directly from DVI to HDMI.

Since it's a MacBook, it'll need to be mini-DVI to HDMI (or mini-DVI to DVI and DVI to HDMI), but, yeah, I'd definitely go for the HDMI route.

Brad
2009-03-21, 13:46
Thanks for the help - is there a difference? Can you tell if I "mini DVI" or "DVI"?

I've also heard that HDMI has some DRM issues...does it also carry sound?
The MacBook has Mini-DVI.

No sound from a MacBook over DVI/HDMI. You'll need a 3.5 mm stereo cable from the Mac's headphone jack to probably the line-in that's under the VGA port (if that is what I think I'm seeing).

And as for DRM, that's HDCP and something you won't have to worry about with the video out from your MacBook.

chucker
2009-03-21, 13:53
Since it's a MacBook, it'll need to be mini-DVI to HDMI (or mini-DVI to DVI and DVI to HDMI)

…right, I should have mentioned that.

No sound from a MacBook over DVI/HDMI. You'll need a 3.5 mm stereo cable from the Mac's headphone jack to probably the line-in that's under the VGA port (if that is what I think I'm seeing).

Speaking of which: any way to convert the optical audio coming from that same headphone jack to HDMI-compatible audio?

And as for DRM, that's HDCP and something you won't have to worry about with the video out from your MacBook.

(Except for newer, mini-DisplayPort-equipped MacBooks. (http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2008/11/apple-brings-hdcp-to-a-new-aluminum-macbook-near-you.ars))

Brad
2009-03-21, 14:13
(Except for newer, mini-DisplayPort-equipped MacBooks. (http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2008/11/apple-brings-hdcp-to-a-new-aluminum-macbook-near-you.ars))

Don't remind me! :grumble: :p

chucker
2009-03-21, 14:17
Don't remind me! :grumble: :p

What other atrocities do you want to learn about today?™

Partial
2009-03-21, 15:16
I predict you will need a y-splitter for audio.

chucker
2009-03-21, 15:49
I predict you will need a y-splitter for audio.

That port underneath "PC" might be line-in.

almost2mac
2009-05-17, 20:49
Okay, well I've gotten the macbook hooked to the screen and it works, but it's less clear that what I would have hoped. My fault.

I was so surprised that the Best Buy near me has been renovated with an Apple section (damn the new aluminum macbooks are nice!) that I decided to take the plunge and get the cables I need.

They did not have mini DVI to HDMI, so I got mini DVI to "Video" which has an S-Video or RCA (yellow) audio port. I got an S-Video cable thinking perhaps that would be better (s stands for super?) and it will only allow the Macbook to be in 1024/768 resolution. It works, I can watch movies. But now that I know what I'm doing and with all of your help, I realize my TV *does* have regular DVI in.

If I obtain that cable, will it allow higher the native resolution of the macbook (or at least 16x9), or should I hold out and order a mini DVI to HDMI?

Brad
2009-05-17, 20:57
Yeah, S-Video and RCA suck big time compared to HDMI or DVI. Get the right adapter for HDMI or DVI and you should be able to support native (or the next closest match to the aspect ratio) on your TV.

It's a world of difference. :)

almost2mac
2009-05-19, 20:50
Well, I *finally* got it working in glorious HD after buying several of the wrong cables. Well, at least I'm not ready for any possible range of hookups.

Went with miniDVI to DVI to HDMI cord with mini-stereo to RCA jacks for sound. I watched several episodes of TV streaming from Netflix and it was wonderful!

ONE WORD OF WARNING: If you buy cables at Best Buy, make sure you scour that store. I asked for a DVI cable and was shown to a "Geek Squad" 8' cable in a velvet case for $89. There were two other places in the store that had cheaper versions for $21. Don't make the mistake that they put everything in one place. Check by the mac stuff AND the computer peripherals AND the TV section for cables.

Brad
2009-05-19, 21:18
Oh, man. If I realized you were going back out to Best Buy, I'd have thrown this link your way: MonoPrice.com (http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp)

MonoPrice is the go-to store for cables and adapters. Anything you get from a brick-and-mortar retailer like Best Buy will be obscenely overpriced compared to this site. Granted, you'll have to wait a few days for shipping, but if you don't mind the wait, you can save a ton of cash. Even if you pay up for fast shipping, you'll still probably save a good chunk over Best Buy.

After a brief look, it seems you could get a 10' DVI male-male cable with gold-plated connectors for about $7 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10209&cs_id=1020902&p_id=2759&seq=1&format=2) from MonoPrice. Add a few dollars for shipping and you're still at half of Best Buy's price. :)

And Geek Squad has branded cables now? Augh. That price is about at bad as the Monster brand cables.