Connect 2008 Macbook to HDTV

who_ru

Hi Guys,

like the title says i'd like to connect my 2008 macbook to my hdtv.

what cables do i need - dvi adaptor & hdmi cable? how about sound? i'd like to be able to watch quicktime hd movie trailers etc.

plus - sorry for all the questions - but can you watch much tv on your hdtv through the macbook?

thanks.

timefora_J

Alright mate, I'm just in the process of doing it myself, just order last bit from apple this morning.

Your gonna need 2 cables as the mini DVI out in the macbook only does video on the older mac books.

First a mini dvi to either HDMI or DVI, what ever input you have available on the TV out of those two. I have a spare HDMI cable lying around so went the HDMI route with this, plus the adaptor I got matches my macbook :

http://store.apple.com/ie/product/H1164ZM/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

Second you'll need a cable with 3.5mm jacks on both ends to do the audio. Just like this :

http://cgi.ebay.ie/3-5mm-Aux-Stereo-Cable-JACK-iPod-iPhone-mp3-Car-/140470403090?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item20b4b04012#ht_664wt_1141

On the back of my own TV there is a hdmi and dvi connection with audio in next to it. It should be just a case of connecting em up.

Hope that helps

who_ru

Thanks Timefora_J

ordered those cables online this morning - now hoping they all just work!

conor.hogan.2

I was looking into this a while ago - I would be interested to see if either of ye see a degrade in the quality because it goes dvi to hdmi and not straight, i dunno if it will just curious.

Sad Professor

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

I was looking into this a while ago - I would be interested to see if either of ye see a degrade in the quality because it goes dvi to hdmi and not straight, i dunno if it will just curious.

It's a digital signal, so there shouldn't be any loss in quality. HDMI is just DVI-D with sound anyway.

timefora_J

I should have my adaptor from Apple today or tomorrow, i'll report back with results and let you know.

I was also under the same impression that it coz its DVI which can do 1080p the picture should be decent.

conor.hogan.2

ill have to check to see if compub have the parts, while im getting a cracked macbook fixed tomorrow or day after.

who_ru

Hi all,

got the cables in the post today & all hooked up now.

first impressions are good but one minor complaint is that the image on the tv doesn't fill the screen. i've tried mucking about with format etc on the tv control, currently have it in widescreen mode, but it just doesn't fill the tv screen.

i'm running it on 1920 x 1080, 60 Hz (NTSC)

any suggestions for filling up the tv screen? there's a black column of about 2 inches either side of the tv screen.

cornbb

Try going into the Display settings in your Mac and tick the Overscan box. Also try mucking about with the various 1080p selections it might give you.

timefora_J

Just got my adaptor today and hooked it up quickly to make sure it works. I'm getting the same black lines at either side of the picture, they aren't that big at all and barely noticeable.

Overscan is ticked at the moment and when its unticked the black lines get bigger.

Will have a play around with it tonight and see if I can sort it, overall though pleased with the result.

Simon201

Just choose 'don't mirror' displays and then set the external display resolution