CONNECT YOUR MACBOOK TO YOUR TV
May 28, 2010 at 6:55 pm
filed under Uncategorized
This situation is much simpler than hooking a newer Macbook up to an analog TV, as you will not need the PC to TV converter box. Whew!
If your Macbook has the video out port shown in the picture above all you will need is a Mini DVI to Video Adapter, plus a couple more RCA cables.
1. Mini DVI to Video Adapter. Very simple. Apple, of course, makes their own adapter, but so do other manufacturers.
2. An RCA Cable. You may already have this lying around your house somewhere, but if not, you can find them for a few dollars at any electronics store. You do not have to purchase a fancy gold-plated video RCA cable set. The cheapo versions work fine for your analog tv.
3. A 3.5mm to RCA cable. This is for the audio. It’s the same cable you need to hook an Ipod or Iphone up to a stereo, so you may already have this around too. This can be found at any electronics store also. Again, more expensive is not necessarily better when purchasing this cable.
Much simpler than connecting a newer Macbook to an analog TV.
Hook everything up line this:
Macbook —> Mini DVI adapter —>RCA cable out to your TV.
The 3.5mm plug goes from your headphone jack on the side of Your macbook to the RCA audio jacks on your TV.
Now, procure these items, hook everything up, and enjoy watching video from the internet on your TV via your Macbook!
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Oh, one last thing, and this is optional, but it makes a big difference. I bought a wireless mouse with a far-reaching range to act as a remote since Youtube videos and Hulu shows are sometimes short and I didn’t want to get up to go to my computer every few minutes to click on a new video. A wireless 2.4 Ghz mouse will have a range of about 30 feet, which is plenty of distance.
Am I just lazy, or am I smart?
Molly
Hey
I tried this with my toshiba (non hdtv television) and a macbook (2008 version). the screen on my computer changes like it recognizes the video output cord, but my television does not show anything but white line feedback.
can you help me? i am a little technologically challenged and don’t have a lot of money which made me happy that you have made a website to make it cheaper for people to connect computers to televisions.
please help!
from: molly
admin
Hi, Molly.
If you’re using the correct adapter – the mini dvi to video adapter as shown above – it should be working. I’ve connected my older Macbook to several analog TVs with this method and it has worked fine on every one. The only thing I can think that the problem might be is your RCA cable (also shown above) or your TV since your Macbook’s display is changing its resolution to accompany the output.
I’ll keep brainstorming this one…
Jacob
shawn
thank you soo much
admin
Sarah,
VCRs and DVD players generally have outputs, but don’t always have inputs. Make sure you are plugging the RCAs in to the inputs (if your VCR/DVD player has inputs). You may have to select these inputs with a switch or a menu option to specify the settings. Let me know if this helps!