Macbook Pro to HDMI query

ogy

Hi guys, i've searched but older threads didn't give me any answers.

I'm trying to get my macbook pro (2009 unibody, OSX 10.6.2) to display on a Hisense 32" HD TV.

I've bought a dr. bott mini displayport to HDMI, and a HDMI to HDMI cable.

When i plug the macbook into the TV nothing happens on the TV (its on the HDMI channel), but the macbooks screen starts continously changing resolutions (i think). it keeps switching between a blue screen, a black screen, and the proper desktop display at different sizes. The desktop display only comes up for a second or two so i don't have time to change any settings to try and stop this erratic behaviour. as soon as i unplug the cable it all stops. All the while the TV shows nothing.

i've tried all combinations of tv turned on first, macbook turned on first, plugging in cables when tv and macbook are already turned on.

any ideas?

alexlyons

sounds like the macbook pro can't support the tv's current resolution. changing it may work. heres how.

its going to be pretty difficult considering you can't really use the mac, but you may be able to if you set it up right before you plug it in.

Open up system preferences and hit displays. Thats as far as you'll be able to go before you plug it in.

When you plug it in, an "arrangement" tab will appear between "display" and "color". What you want to do is click this, then at the bottom of the window uncheck the "mirror displays" box. This should leave at least the macbooks screen alone. you should be able to see the display each time it switches between the sizes.

the next thing to do, assuming you can get the macbook to work, is to get a third party plug in such as Switch Res X which will allow you choose the exact resolution for the external display. There is a lot of advanced settings, but just ignore them and put in a resolution that fits your display.

the other thing is the macbook pro may not be able to support the 32" tv if it has a very high resolution, although i really doubt it, and therefore the image may look "fuzzy" if you do get it to stop flashing etc.

ogy

thanks for the response, tried it last nigh but to no avail. i managed to get to the mirror display option, but it was unticked already. i tried ticking it to see if it made a difference but didn't, then unticked it again. having no joy getting to any other settings, just stays on a blue or black screen and every couple of minutes flashes up the correct display but only for about 2 seconds

alexlyons

that rings serious bells about the tv not liking any of the resolutions.
Try connecting it to a friends tv (preferably completely different) using all the same cables etc. if it still happens then we have a good idea its the mac and/or cables.

Also head over to the Apple Discussions

Once you register (if you bought the machine on the online store, or have an itunes account, you can use the same email and password), you will see a screen listing all the different sections. on the page linked above, hit login on the right and enter it there. You'll have to fill in a few details once you log in such as a screen name (alias) etc. if you don't have an account already, there is a register button below the sign in fields.

On the left, click "MacBook Pro" then click the second one from the top "The MacBook Pro Display (Late 2008 and 2009)" once you're in there hit "post new topic" and just explain what is happening. You should get a fairly quick response if you're clear and concise about what is happening. Its a run a little different than here, there are no "mods" as such, there are just a few apple employees keeping an eye on things and will move posts that are in the completely wrong place and will uphold the rules. I rarely see them around there. The guys and girls posting in there generally are very experienced and solve almost all of the cases, or at least tell you it can't be solved (not always great!). I post over there so I'll keep an eye out for you!

ogy

i tried it on a friends tv in the meantime and it worked perfectly:) definitely a problem with the tv i guess

thanks alex i'll register there and post my question