Hook Your Mac Up to an HDTV or Monitor
For Christmas this year I finally got myself a 40″ Samsung LNA550 LCD Television. This is a truly amazing television. Knowing how to watch tv shows on my mac computer for free, I needed to find a way to set my Macbook Pro up to my HDTV so that I could enjoy my video content the way it is meant to be seen.
In the past the method would be to burn avi files to a recordable dvd. Not only does this process take forever, it also doesn’t work that well if you don’t know how to do it properly. Another problem is that DVD-R’s cost money. Why on earth would you need copies of the vast majority of the shows or movies you download. I would say 90% of the movies I download and watch are not worth watching again, so why would I waste more time and money on them?
So download your shows and movies and watch them directly from your computer on your HDTV. If you like it you can then burn it, if you don’t you can delete it.
GATHER THE NECESSARY MATERIALS
- Video: DVI to HDMI Cable (length depending on your needs)
- Audio: 3.5mm to RCA Cable (length depending on your needs)
What cable to do you need to hook up a Macbook Pro to an HDTV?
My Macbook Pro has a DVI port on it. You can buy a cable that is called a DVI to HDMI. The DVI end (which looks a little wider than a standard PC Monitor Cable -VGA) hooks into the Mac. The HDMI end hooks into the television. A DVI to HDMI cable is your best video quality option for hooking your Mac up to an HDTV.
If you are looking for a good deal on these types of cables I would suggest the Apple Store – either online or in person (more options online). You can get a cable for about $20 which is cheaper than the other options available at Best Buy or other electronic stores.
You will also need an audio cable that goes from the speaker out on your Mac to the audio in on your television. This cable is called a Stereo 3.5mm to RCA Cable. You may already have one kicking around if you use it to connect your ipod to a larger speaker system.
How to Hook Up your Macbook Pro to an HDTV
Step 1: Turn it On
Turn on your HDTV and make sure that you select the proper source channel. There should be a source button on your remote where you can select the appropriate input. On my Samsung LNA550 the source menu reads HDMI/DVI which is the correct channel for the type of cable that we are using.
Step 2: Plug It In
Plug in the HDMI end of the cable into the appropriate section of your HDTV. This HDMI connection will be different than the others because it will also have the audio input next to it. While you are behind your television you should also plug in your audio cable. Neatly run the cables to where your Macbook Pro is kept. Plug the DVI end into the DVI out of your Macbook Pro. Plug the 3.5mm end of the audio cable into the headphone jack of the Macbook Pro.
Step 3: Set Up Your View
Your Macbook Pro should automatically detect the new display. If it does not you must force it to detect displays. To do this you must go to System Preferences -> Displays and then press the button that says “Detect Displays”. This should refresh the screens and both should be tied into the Macbook Pro.
Once both screens are active, you have a few different options.
- Mirroring: Both screens show the same thing
- Dual Monitor: This setup allows you to move different windows to whichever screen you choose. This can really expand your real estate. You can also choose which monitor will be primary through your Display Settings under System Preferences. Go to the tab marked Arrangement and you will see two blue windows or screens. One of the screens will have a white rectangle across the top. This represents the menu bar. Drag the rectangle to the screen that you want to be primary. (Note: When using full screen applications like Quick Time or VLC I make the primary monitor the HDTV otherwise when you enter full screen mode it will switch back to the Macbook Pro screen thus defeating the purpose.)
You should now be setup to enjoy your Macbook Pro through your HDTV. You just need to learn how to watch television shows on your mac computer for free. Now here are some things that will make this setup even more convenient.
GATHER THE UNNECESSARY MATERIALS
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
If you are planning on sitting well back from your HDTV then you are going to want a way to interact with your computer from the comfort of your couch. There are many wireless keyboards and mice available. Obviously Apple makes some pretty slick wireless devices for your Mac. The choice is up to you – just make sure that the device will be able to offer the range you are needing.
Cooling Pad (if you are using a Macbook)
Running video on your Macbook Pro can make it warm up pretty quick. You can also start to hear the fan at this point. Laptop cooling pads are designed to be silent and keep the Macbook or Macbook Pro cool and quiet. You can also look for laptop cooling pads that offer extended functionality like memory card readers and extra usb ports.
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Tagged With HDTV, Macbook Pro, Movies, Television
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[...] watch that night and have them download throughout the day. When you get home all you have to do is hook up your mac to your hdtv and start watching the shows like they were meant to be watched – without commercials! You can also [...]
[...] if you have your Macbook Pro hooked up to an HDTV and you want to sit back and use your Apple Remote and Front Row to browse your movies and [...]
[...] now that you have taken my advice and given up your monthly cable bill and learned how to hook up your mac to your HDTV you are going to need get content to watch. Good thing there are many torrent sites out there that [...]
[...] High Definition video from the Apple site – movie trailers in 1080p look amazing when my Mac is hooked up to my HDTV but the computer doesn’t seem to be powerful enough to handle it for a long period of time. [...]
Great post! I just subscribed to your RSS feed. Thanks!
thanks I heard a lot of people connect their laptop to the tv but I had no idea how they did it, it’s easier than imagined just need the right material.
had also heard that also begin to see programs and movies on the Internet can be cheaper and satisfying than any other cable service …
thanks for the information and believe me I’ll try …