Movie from laptop to TV question

Blueface · 03-14-2010, 07:33 PM

Thanks guys.

I have a MacBook that is about 2 years old.

I was going to use it on either of two HD TVs.
One is an older model, projection. The other is a flat panel Samsung.
They have every possible input. So many, heck if I will ever know what they are for.

jaymz · 03-14-2010, 07:39 PM

photos of the outputs on your laptop, or just the laptop model would probably help

tedrodgerscpa · 03-14-2010, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Thanks guys.

I have a MacBook that is about 2 years old.

I was going to use it on either of two HD TVs.
One is an older model, projection. The other is a flat panel Samsung.
They have every possible input. So many, heck if I will ever know what they are for.

The flat panel samsung will almost definitely have a 'monitor in' cable (the typical blue cable connection for most computer monitors). I'm a PC guy, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts the 'monitor out' cable will be on your macbook.

If you have a desktop somewhere in the house, just 'steal' the blue monitor cable, and you'll have your video straightened out almost immediately. All you'll have to do is select the correct video port using your TV remote, and you're gold for video.

Sound will still be a challenge, but using JBailey's suggestion will work.

The best connection will always be HDMI, but I wonder if your macbook has that port (only recently have computer makers started putting HDMI ports on laptops)

Blueface · 03-14-2010, 07:59 PM

Pulled out the box.
Here is what mine has.
Mini-DVI port for DVI, VGA, Composite and S video
Optical digital audio input/audio line in
Optical digital audio output/headphone out

tedrodgerscpa · 03-14-2010, 08:07 PM

http://www.entechtaiwan.com/images/dvicon.gif

There's your different types of video output. The 'Blue Cable' is VGA. The other mini-DVI cables are a bit harder to come by, as the technology is not supported as much anymore (at least, that's my opinion)

Composite video is the yellow jack. Sounds like that may be your 'cheapest' connection.

SVideo is a better connection than composite.

VGA and up will provide a highest-quality connection, but my guess is that the Itunes videos that you're renting are going to be lower than high definition, anyways. Just something to think about before you blow a big wad on cables.

Also, none of the video outputs you have listed will carry audio. You're still going to need to figure out a way to get the audio out into the television.

tedrodgerscpa · 03-14-2010, 08:13 PM

One more thing...

Found this on Amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/PTC-Mini-DVI-A.../dp/B001H0REVK

First review on the page...

Quote:

Hook up your MAC to your TV/Flat screen, December 30, 2008
By C. Goldblatt "cadillaccory" (tempe, Az USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
I'm going to keep this simple. For 20.00 you can hook up your late model MAC (MacBook in my case) to your flatscreen. You do not need to get mini-dvi to dvi to HDMI as most of the forums recommend. Get this and I personally got the 10ft HDMI cable and set up the television as a dual monitor setup. Very Cool. If you have surround sound I would recommend getting the Toslink to optical mini-adapter as it is super easy to hook up your mac to surround sound also. It actually sounds better than cable and DVD's in my opinion. BTW, this item is plug and play. I did not have to set up anything software wise.

hotreds · 03-14-2010, 08:14 PM

This is interesting. I was tempted to buy the MLB.Com baseball package IF I could get the sound and picture to my TV. I guess what y'all are saying is that one would need two different cables from the computer to the TV; one for video and one for sound? How would the TV know that the sound input was for the specific video input? Or would the sound input basically mute all the other sound from the TV(over ride it) so that to watch TV again you'd have to unplug the sound cable from the computer?

tedrodgerscpa · 03-14-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotreds

This is interesting. I was tempted to buy the MLB.Com baseball package IF I could get the sound and picture to my TV. I guess what y'all are saying is that one would need two different cables from the computer to the TV; one for video and one for sound? How would the TV know that the sound input was for the specific video input? Or would the sound input basically mute all the other sound from the TV(over ride it) so that to watch TV again you'd have to unplug the sound cable from the computer?

It really depends on the configuration of your television.

Most of the time, the TV will have a 'bank' of inputs, usually outlined by a white box. - Example http://k-12.pisd.edu/avsystem/staff/...om_Pelican.jpg

If, for example, your laptop used an S-Video output, there's usually a S-Video input on the back with a matched red and white audio in.

At the end of the day, you'll need to consult your TV's owner's manual for different configurations.

Alternatively, you can always revert back to JBailey's suggestion and invest in a decent set of computer speakers.

Matter o' fact, one of my High Definition TVs is attached to a set of 2.1 (two speakers, one subwoofer, thus the 2.1) computer speakers and it sounds great*

*disclamer, I'm no audiophile but I can tell the difference between CD and Cassette, for example...

RGD. · 03-14-2010, 08:24 PM

Carlos - this is what I do here at my house:

1: Get an S video cable.
2: Plug said S video cable into computer and then TV.
3: Set TV input to S video port.
4: Set computer out to S video port. (On my pc computer it's under the video settings for the card)
5: Start movie and watch on TV.

S video cable does both sound and video.

Ron

tedrodgerscpa · 03-14-2010, 08:27 PM

Hmmm....

First I've heard of S Video carrying audio

I've seen S Video / audio combination cables, but they look like this...

http://www.amazon.com/S-Video-Compos.../dp/B0000D898Q

Blueface · 03-14-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedrodgerscpa

One more thing...

Found this on Amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/PTC-Mini-DVI-A.../dp/B001H0REVK

First review on the page...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGD.

Carlos - this is what I do here at my house:

1: Get an S video cable.
2: Plug said S video cable into computer and then TV.
3: Set TV input to S video port.
4: Set computer out to S video port. (On my pc computer it's under the video settings for the card)
5: Start movie and watch on TV.

S video cable does both sound and video.

Ron

Doesn't this HDMI cable on Amazon carry both audio and video to the TV?
My tv in my patio has only the HDMI cable as a feed and gets both video and sound.
If it does, this $15 item is well worth as seems the easiest way out of this.

Starscream · 03-15-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotreds

This is interesting. I was tempted to buy the MLB.Com baseball package IF I could get the sound and picture to my TV.

JE3146 · 03-15-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Thanks guys.

I have a MacBook that is about 2 years old.

I was going to use it on either of two HD TVs.
One is an older model, projection. The other is a flat panel Samsung.
They have every possible input. So many, heck if I will ever know what they are for.

You'll need to purchase an expensive adapter. How convenient that Apple makes you do that huh?

In addition to what everyone else is saying. You're going to need 2 adapters. 1 for video. 1 for audio.

Audio is easy, as you can just get a 3.5mm stereo plug to RCA

Something like this.

The video, you're going to need the adapter to either VGA, DVI, or HDMI.. or since it's probably going to be a low resolution itunes video, an S-Video one would probably work too.

03-14-2010, 07:33 PM	#1
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: Movie from laptop to TV question Thanks guys. I have a MacBook that is about 2 years old. I was going to use it on either of two HD TVs. One is an older model, projection. The other is a flat panel Samsung. They have every possible input. So many, heck if I will ever know what they are for. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

03-14-2010, 07:39 PM	#2
jaymz God of Preservation Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North of Miami Posts: 253 Trading: (17)	Re: Movie from laptop to TV question photos of the outputs on your laptop, or just the laptop model would probably help __________________ A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head.

03-14-2010, 07:59 PM	#4
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: Movie from laptop to TV question Pulled out the box. Here is what mine has. Mini-DVI port for DVI, VGA, Composite and S video Optical digital audio input/audio line in Optical digital audio output/headphone out __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

03-14-2010, 08:07 PM	#5
tedrodgerscpa Palmetto State Herf Crew! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ted Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,712 Trading: (87)	Re: Movie from laptop to TV question http://www.entechtaiwan.com/images/dvicon.gif There's your different types of video output. The 'Blue Cable' is VGA. The other mini-DVI cables are a bit harder to come by, as the technology is not supported as much anymore (at least, that's my opinion) Composite video is the yellow jack. Sounds like that may be your 'cheapest' connection. SVideo is a better connection than composite. VGA and up will provide a highest-quality connection, but my guess is that the Itunes videos that you're renting are going to be lower than high definition, anyways. Just something to think about before you blow a big wad on cables. Also, none of the video outputs you have listed will carry audio. You're still going to need to figure out a way to get the audio out into the television. __________________ Everyday I'm shufflin...

03-14-2010, 08:14 PM	#7
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,670 Trading: (63)	Re: Movie from laptop to TV question This is interesting. I was tempted to buy the MLB.Com baseball package IF I could get the sound and picture to my TV. I guess what y'all are saying is that one would need two different cables from the computer to the TV; one for video and one for sound? How would the TV know that the sound input was for the specific video input? Or would the sound input basically mute all the other sound from the TV(over ride it) so that to watch TV again you'd have to unplug the sound cable from the computer? __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

03-14-2010, 08:24 PM	#9
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: Movie from laptop to TV question Carlos - this is what I do here at my house: 1: Get an S video cable. 2: Plug said S video cable into computer and then TV. 3: Set TV input to S video port. 4: Set computer out to S video port. (On my pc computer it's under the video settings for the card) 5: Start movie and watch on TV. S video cable does both sound and video. Ron

03-14-2010, 08:27 PM	#10
tedrodgerscpa Palmetto State Herf Crew! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ted Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,712 Trading: (87)	Re: Movie from laptop to TV question Hmmm.... First I've heard of S Video carrying audio I've seen S Video / audio combination cables, but they look like this... http://www.amazon.com/S-Video-Compos.../dp/B0000D898Q __________________ Everyday I'm shufflin...