connecting my 2009 mbp to an HDTV

[narreth]

So, I know that the 2009 mbp 13" models dont transmit audio through the mini display port... so is there anywhere I can transmit audio and video to my tv? the tv has hdmi inputs, component inputs, and a pc (vga) and audio in jack (i think). Now, I have a mini display port to dvi which i used with a monitor, but I dont think thats very useful (no audio).

What is usually done in this situation? there must be some way to get this to work? I feel particularly annoyed at apple, since they market macs as great media devices, when any crappy windows laptop with an hdmi port would easily get this job done...

 

[Emulex]

System Preferences >Audio>Output(tab)>and click on the the proper output. Works fine.

or use the toslink out - all macbooks have the.

I use a surround system so that works out better. tv audio is the suck.

 

[narreth]

so all i need is a mini display port to hdmi and then enable sound in the preferences?

 

[Emulex]

hmm im not sure i thought you meant the current version:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3065

but you really need to use the proper cable.

I tried a few displayport mini to full size displayport and many were unstable until i got the ALTAZ adaptor. running 2560x1600 from my macbook air 2008 and the wrong adapters would just twitch out and desync now and then which made it hard to do work.

 

[Tyranicus]

I have the late 2008 MacBook Pro with MDP. I use this adapter from MonoPrice. It plugs into the MDP and a USB port and gives you HDMI with audio.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Depending on your MBP model, you may be able to get audio through it as well. Toslink adapter from monoprice is the best way to go if you can't.

 

[Patranus]

Huh?

Just use one of these

OR

one of these

 

[Heller]

This is what i use, Mini Display port to vga then hook up the picture through vga, then a use a 3.5mm audio cable to get the sound, plugged into the 3.5mm audio jack right next to my tv's vga out.

this is $15.00 worth of cables, instead of the of the usb cables for hdmi and audio. for $30.00

 

[Emulex]

all macs have toslink optical in/out why would you use analog?

hdmi supports better content and you can break the walls down with an hdfury 😉

 

[Patranus]

all macs have toslink optical in/out why would you use analog?

hdmi supports better content and you can break the walls down with an hdfury 😉

Huh? VGA can do any resolution that HDMI can handle and I also doubt anyone can tell the difference under real life use.

Secondly, most TVs don't have optical in.

Thirdly, if you are connecting it to a TV with stereo speakers, it makes little to no difference depending on the TVs audio processing.

 

[narreth]

If i already have an MDP to DVI, can I use a dvi to vga adaptor on that and would it work?

 

[Patranus]

If i already have an MDP to DVI, can I use a dvi to vga adaptor on that and would it work?

No.
The DVI adapter for the mini display port does NOT supply VGA signal.
You will have to get a mini display port to VGA adapter to run VGA.

What you can do is get a DVI->HDMI adapter if your TV allows you to select audio inputs for the HDMI inputs.