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Will a macbook pro need a special HDMI cable to connect to LED/LCD TV?

May 17, 2011 3:20 AM

Bought my son a 24" HDMI TV with DVD player built in during the last woot-off and I bought a regular HDMI cord also during the woot-off. Will I need to purchase a special cord or adapter to allow him to use this with his MacBook Pro? If so, can you direct me to a link? I did a search but I don't know enough about the Mac to know if I was finding the right item and none had good reviews. I want it to be as surprise for him so I would prefer not to ask him. Thanks!

cindihoward cindihoward

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vote-for3vote-against

You would need to purchase a DVI-I to HDMI cable for true HD and these are available from Apple and many other sources for very reasonable prices. Generally under $10

xskoad xskoad
vote-for1vote-against

Thank you! I figured a regular HDMI cable would not work. But I didn't know what to look for. I check out Apple Store unless someone sends a different link.

cindihoward cindihoward
vote-for3vote-against

Here, http://cgi.ebay.com/HDMI-DVI-I-24-1-HDTV-DVD-Definition-Cable-3-FT-1-M-/170562119710?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b64b681e

danpalm danpalm
vote-for2vote-against

@danpalm: The cord on the link you provided is only 3' long. Would this work on the end of an HDMI cable? http://cgi.ebay.com/DVI-I-24-5-PIN-MALE-HDMI-FEMALE-ADAPTER-CONVERTOR-MF-/170561768192?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b6460b00

cindihoward cindihoward
vote-for5vote-against

@cindihoward: That's perfect.

thefenst thefenst
vote-for1vote-against

@thefenst: Thanks. I'll get it ordered. I hope you know about Macs because I'm trusting you. :)

cindihoward cindihoward
vote-for1vote-against

@thefenst: Just out of curiosity...what is the difference between
DVI-I 24+1
DVI-I 24+5

cindihoward cindihoward
vote-for4vote-against

@cindihoward: I have a Macbook Pro actually. I have a DVI to HDMI cable running to my Sony Bravia LCD at home. :)

thefenst thefenst
vote-for4vote-against

@cindihoward: The difference between the 2 is the number of pins on the side. The 24+1 has one, whereas the 24+5 has 5. The Macbook Pro can take either I believe, but the input itself is a 24+5, so that is what I would go with.

Here is a picture of the the various types for comparison: http://tinyurl.com/2w4mdh

And here is a picture of those 2 specifically:
http://tinyurl.com/6zk7uf6

This Wikipedia article provides a good description of the various connection types:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface#Connector

Amazon has 2 for sale that get good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimited-PCM-2296-06-HDMI-Cable/dp/B0007MWE1E is the Cables Unlimited 24+5, that is the one I have.

They also sell an AmazonBasics brand 24+1: http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimited-PCM-2296-06-HDMI-Cable/dp/B0007MWE1E

Let me know if you have any other questions!

thefenst thefenst
vote-for4vote-against

Also, you will want to make sure he has a Macbook Pro and not a Macbook or Macbook Air, which have "Mini DisplayPorts" that need to have a converter to accept a DVI cable. Macbook Pros are the only Macbooks that have the full DVI port. If he has one of the others, he will need one of these: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/A

thefenst thefenst
vote-for1vote-against

@thefenst: @cindihoward: I have a Macbook Pro actually. I have a DVI to HDMI cable running to my Sony Bravia LCD at home. :)

My son wants to know if he has to have an audio cable as well as the DVI to HDMI cable to recieve both pic and sound. I think the DVI is all he needs but he thinks he will need the audio cord also.

cindihoward cindihoward
vote-for2vote-against

@cindihoward: DVI doesn't carry audio. HDMI does, but the Macbook doesn't have HDMI, only DVI. He will need an audio cable or an external speaker. If he wants to feed the sound from the Macbook to the TV directly, the TV will need to have a "Line In" port. If it does, he can use this:
http://tinyurl.com/3gv5d3f

One end will go into the headphone jack on his Macbook and the other into the "Line In" port on his TV.

If it doesn't have a "Line In," he can feed the audio directly into the RCA ports on the TV. If that is the case, he needs one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/3gtrkpu

One end will go into the headphone jack on his Macbook and the other into the red & white audio ports on his TV.

Alternatively, he can feed the audio through his Macbook and the video through the TV. I use this speaker to do just that:
http://tinyurl.com/42t5nnx

Let me know if you have any more questions!

thefenst thefenst
vote-for1vote-against

@thefenst: Yes! I do have another question. His Headphone jack does not work. He was told he would have to send it in to have it fixed and it would be about $200, which he doesn't have yet (just moved out on his own, and has his first real man job) but hasn't been at it long enough to save for this kind of expense. Anyway, is there any other way to get sound? He asked me about wireless headphones at Christmas but I didn't know what to look for that would not required use of the headphone jack. Is he out of luck until he gets this fixed? Thanks!

cindihoward cindihoward
vote-for2vote-against

@cindihoward: That's too bad, but he is not out of luck! For $8, he can get this and he will be all set for anything (regular speakers, headphones, or either cord mentioned above):
http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SD-CM-UAUD-Adapter-C-Media-Chipset/dp/B001MSS6CS

Alternatively, he can get either of these that feed directly off the USB port:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-ClearChat-Comfort-Headset-Black/dp/B000UXZQ42
http://www.amazon.com/HP-NN109AA-ABA-Mini-Speakers/dp/B0027JLIVM

thefenst thefenst

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