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TICKET ARCHIVE -> MacBook to TV

Starka - Jul 25, 2008 - 7:35 pm

I called Mac help and asked how to connect my MacBook to my HDTV. I bought the various cables and adaptors, and installed them per instructions.

To make a long story short, after 2 1/2 hours on the phone, it was decided that it doesn't work. I drove 50 miles and spent $70 on cables and adaptors, and it doesn't work.

Can anyone offer any insights?

DeltaMac - Jul 25, 2008 - 8:31 pm

I'd like to help, so if you could give just a little more information -

What is not working? No video, no audio, or neither to your TV?

I assume that you have these cables:
the mini-DVI to DVI adapter, then a DVI to HDMI cable to continue the video connection to your TV.
And, the audio cable from the audio out on your MacBook to the audio input on your TV.
Do you have these same cables?

Do you get video on the TV from your MacBook? Or, does the TV remain black? Have you turned on Overscan in the Options in your Displays pref pane? Have you tried changing the display resolution to a lower setting? Do you see anything at all on your TV?
Do you get any audio from your MacBook through the TV audio?

Starka - Jul 25, 2008 - 8:37 pm

What was recommended by an Apple tech was the Apple mini DVI to VGA, a VGA to DVI cable, and a DVI to HDMI adaptor. The result is no signal to the TV. And yes, I've tried all of the input settings on the TV.

As I write, I've been on hold back and forth with Apple support for almost five hours now.

DeltaMac - Jul 25, 2008 - 9:15 pm

No way!, that can't work! You lose enormous quality by changing from DVI to VGA then back to DVI, if it is even possible. I can't believe that anyone would recommend that. The reason it won't work, is that you change from DVI (which is digital signal) to VGA (which is analog), then back to DVI (which is now not digital!), then connect to HDMI, which is also digital, but without a digital signal to use.
So, you get no video at the TV. That's why it can't work.
You need:
mini-DVI to DVI adapter (digital signal), then the DVI cable to get to the TV (still digital), then a DVI to HDMI adapter at the TV (still digital), and now you have something that you can see on the TV, because the signal is STILL digital.
You were mis-informed, or you heard wrong. The VGA will not provide you with any way to get a video signal to the HDMI input...............
- Dale

Starka - Jul 25, 2008 - 9:46 pm

well, I just got off the phone with a guy from Apple who said it would work, and the problem is probably my TV. I agree with you that there is quite a bit lost in converting from digital to analog and back to digital again. However, I've been mis-directed by Apple so much that I'm about ready to chuck the whole mess. Between cables and gasoline, I've got $150-$200 wrapped up in this project already, and I'm no closer than when I started.

And for the record, Apple store told me that there is no such adapter as you suggest in their inventory. I then asked why they made the mini-DVI plug in the first place if it didn't adapt to anything.

DeltaMac - Jul 25, 2008 - 10:09 pm

How did you come across these Apple guys?
You're having terrible luck in finding good help.
'No such adapter?' Apple sales usually asks questions to narrow down what you need, instead of just responding that they don't have a normal part in the store. That's a mini-DVI to DVI adapter like Apple's own part number M9321G/B - this one - http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9...mco=MTIxODk3Mw
How is that different from what you asked for? Any Apple store will have those on the shelf, as Apple makes them, or at least puts their name on the label....
Apple doesn't make the DVI extension cables, or the DVI to HDMI adapter, but they offer them in their stores - http://store.apple.com/us/product/TL...mco=MTIxODk3Mw
Only 2 meters long, so check for the length that you need.

DeltaMac - Jul 25, 2008 - 10:13 pm

There's 3 different video adapters made for your MacBook.
mini-DVI to VGA
mini-DVI to DVI, (the one you need) and
mini-DVI to video (RCA-composite video and S-video - not what you need!)

Starka - Jul 25, 2008 - 10:18 pm

These are the folks at 1) the Apple Store and 2)techs from the Apple extended warranty that I bought. As you say, my experience with Apple has been decidedly negative...I'll never buy another one, and I feel that I've been cheated with the one that I have.

Starka - Jul 25, 2008 - 10:25 pm

Thanks for the help, Dale...I think you're the first that I've dealt with that actually knows what you're talking about.

Unfortunately, the adapter that I need has a three to four week lead time for shipping. As a result, I think I'll just drop the whole idea.

Best regards,

Bill

DeltaMac - Jul 26, 2008 - 12:00 am

As you seem to jump to conclusions - -
I will yell at you for just a moment -
I do enjoy helping folks, but why would you blame Apple for your problems with doing a single task that Apple can do, but (as you can see) doesn't specifically support, and is not a fault of the MacBook? A short Google for 'connect a MacBook to HDMI' would have found you the good info that you desire, without getting clouded by opinions... That's what I did.

The mini-DVI to DVI adapter is also available on-line at the Apple web site. The other pieces are easy to find, and most any place that has TVs/electronics would have those standard DVI/HDMI items.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9...mco=MTIxODk3Mw
Ships within 24 hours.....

Thanks for listening (I mean, reading, eh?)
I've learned that Apple doesn't always work with their customers, so this type of support site (which has a lot of knowledgeable folks who may have no connection to Apple except their little corner of knowledge) can be a good source for the info that you might need to help you gain a little positive knowledge about how good your purchase actually was. I apologize for the convoluted sentence, hope you got something out of it....
- Dale

Starka - Jul 26, 2008 - 7:24 am

Jump to conclusions? Hardly. The machine was back to the Apple 'geniuses' five times in the first three months that I owned it to have 'glitches' worked out. (It froze up and/or crashed regularly.) It's on it's second hard drive in 14 months. In short, it's a completely unreliable machine, certainly not suited to the work for which it was purchased. It has been relegated to being a support unit for an iPod, and an e-mail receptacle. And now this 'support' from the manufacturer. Hardly the benchmarks of a quality product, wouldn't you say?

No my friend, I think I found a bad Apple.

DeltaMac - Jul 26, 2008 - 8:46 am

I apologize for jumping to a wrong conclusion myself! I was just pointing out that you might not expect Apple's tech support to help you with a situation that they don't specifically support (converting to HDMI). SO, why not search for info about those who are successfully doing just that?

I often recommend to folks with continuing problems concerning Macs, to call Apple's customer support line (not AppleCare tech support), as they can sometimes provide a solution, such as a system replacement, or another possible resolution, especially when you have had multiple incidents with the same Mac. They are the folks to complain about the poor treatment you have received. Just something to consider, eh?
Good luck!
- Dale