OK, connecting macbook Pro to tv via avi cable or HDMI?

[Dansta]

Was in a store yesterday and wanted to grab the cable needed to plug mac into tv to watch stuff on it... The guy wasn't sure which would be the best to give me?
Theres the original mac cable which was mini Disp to AVi... then he had another one which was Mini Disp to a HDMI port? Both were around the same price... but I assumed the HDMI would be better no?

If I watch HD trailers surely it'll be better to have that plugged into the tv no?

Thanks all

 

[Lou]

I've got Mini DisplayPort to HDMI for my MacBook - unsure if the pro uses a different cable though.

 

[ChrisH]

Mini DisplayPort to HDMI should work fine, if you've got a new MBP then audio should work aswell.

Lots available on eBay, i got the cablesson one i think.

 

[Dansta]

and will that show a HD picture?

 

[Dansta]

This badboy?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cablesson-Min...etTopBoxes&hash=item518fdc60a9#ht_1429wt_1167

 

[ChrisH]

Yep, thats the one, does audio and is in HD, your MBP should just output to 1080p/ 720p depending what your TV supports

 

[Liquid yellow 182]

So is that all your need to connect the MBP to an HD tv? Been wanting to do this myself.

 

[Dansta]

AWESOME!
Thanks All!

 

[ChrisH]

So is that all your need to connect the MBP to an HD tv? Been wanting to do this myself.

Yes and a HDMI cable, nps Dansta

 

[Liquid yellow 182]

got HDMI for xbox so that should be ok thanks

 

[Mot!]

Which year MBP is it and I'll tell you which one you can use to carry audio..

If it's a <2010 I have a neet cable that you can have for £10, unused that will carry audio

If it's 2010 and you want audio, I can point you in the direction of one for £8 (sod paying £25 for the Dr Bott one from apple)

 

[Liquid yellow 182]

Brought mine this yr but is not one of the new new ones with brand new specs

 

[Mot!]

Yeah, you can use the neet cable that amazon sell - they've changed the spec's on their page now as they're rewiring it to carry audio for the 2010 macbooks..

I have one you can have for a tenner if you want (bought it thinking it'd work with my 2010 but it doesn't )

 

[Dansta]

My Macbook Pro is aug 2009... thats ok right?

 

[Mot!]

Yeah, the neet cable is the one you want

PM me if you wanna buy mine mate..

 

[DB.]

I was just thinking of buying the Minidisplay port to VGA, then using a VGA wire to hook my Sept09 Macbook up to the Tv.

Going to buy one this week.

Would the HDMI option be better?

 

[DB.]

PM Mot.

 

[Tom]

None of the cheap ones carry audio. £40 for an audio one. (for a 2009 MBP)

 

[DB.]

Ok. This is to confusing! Lol! I had a thread about this before, but seems there are different views all over the place. I have been looking at some of the cable on here...

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables?mco=MTM3NTA0NTE

Seems i only need a VGA cable and the Apple Mini DVI to VGA Adapter.

Would this be ok and have Audio?

 

[Dansta]

None of the cheap ones carry audio. £40 for an audio one. (for a 2009 MBP)

Link?

 

[Washington]

Ok. This is to confusing! Lol! I had a thread about this before, but seems there are different views all over the place. I have been looking at some of the cable on here...

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables?mco=MTM3NTA0NTE

Seems i only need a VGA cable and the Apple Mini DVI to VGA Adapter.

Would this be ok and have Audio?

No, you'll need a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter (the port should look like this on your MacBook). You'll have to use a seperate cable for audio.

 

[Mot!]

None of the cheap ones carry audio. £40 for an audio one. (for a 2009 MBP)

Depends how the adapter is wired Tom - you don't necessarily need a HDMI + USB audio adapter.

I was assured by neet that the cable I bought from them would carry both as it was wired to do so. I've read quite a few instances of people having success with it - just not on the 2010 MBPs as Apple have changed the port config'..

 

[Tom]

Not seen any instances of success with mid 2009 mbp's feel free to link.

 

[DB.]

No, you'll need a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter (the port should look like this on your MacBook). You'll have to use a seperate cable for audio.

Nope, My Sep 09 Ports look like this.

Still dont know what i need! :dapprove:

 

[Tom]

You need a mini dvi to dvi adaptor then a dvi to hdmi cable.

 

[Christopher]

^ Bingo. Then an audio cable.

 

[Washington]

Oh my bad, I tried to work it out on wikipedia and it said they had minidisplay ports. You need a VGA cable and a VGA -> mini DVI adapter like you said (or the HDMI route above if your TV has HDMI ports). Audio will have to be done seperately, there's no way you can have it through one cable on your MacBook.

 

[DB.]

Is there any advantage of HDMI over VGA? I have both a VGA cable and a HDMI cable so its no bother either
way.

 

[DB.]

How about a Mini DVI to HDMI

Dr Botts -

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TX189ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MTE0ODY4NTk

 

[DB.]

How about a Mini DVI to HDMI

Dr Botts -

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TX189ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MTE0ODY4NTk

 

[DB.]

Audio Cables on the Apple store...

A)

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TR841ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MTE0ODg3MDI&s=topSellers

B)

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TR836ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MTE0ODc5ODY&s=topSellers


Sorry to be a pain.

 

[Washington]

Go the HDMI route, it's a tidier cable.

You'll need the optical cable assuming your tv has one of those ports, that second cable is no good. You'll find optical and hdmi cables much cheaper on ebay.

Edit: actually I'm not completely sure which audio cable you'll need, it depends on what audio in ports you have on your tv/speakers/home cinema.

 

[DB.]

Cheers mate, Ive got a HDMI cable from the Xbox.

Just need the Mini DVI to HDMI cable now, and the Optical Audio one. The tv should have it, its a fairly new 32" Samsung.

 

[Washington]

OK cool. Grab an optical cable from ebay then, they're about £2 and do just the same job. Might be worth getting a HDMI cable too whilst you're at it, only £2-3 and will save you unplugging the Xbox.