The ability to connect a MacBook to an HDTV is slightly more complicated than simply using an HDMI cable. In this article, we will be telling you all about how to connect a MacBook to HDTV sets with ease.
Owning an HDTV set is something that is not beyond the common man today, and there are many homes where HDTV sets have become the norm. These TV sets offer stunning and crystal clear picture quality, and come in huge sizes to enhance the viewing experience. It is rightly said that once you have experienced TV viewing on an HDTV, you will never go back to the boring CRT TV sets of times gone by.
The advantages of doing this are several, and such a connection will enable you to see all the contents of your MacBook screen on your giant HDTV. This includes watching movies, YouTube videos, viewing pictures, surfing the web, and numerous other activities that you perform on the MacBook itself. This is a like a giant screen projector, and it is infinitely more enjoyable than viewing all this content on the fairly limited laptop screen in front of you.
Connecting MacBook to HDTV
You first need to understand which port your MacBook has. HDTV sets come with a variety of ports and connectors, so you need not worry about that part. The only thing that you need to do is figure out which port on your MacBook can be best utilized for this purpose, and then purchase a suitable cable or adapter or both, and then connect the two of them together.
Your MacBook will either have a Mini-DVI port or a Mini DisplayPort, depending on the model. In order to figure out which one you possess, simply consult the user manual of the machine, or check out the model’s specifications online. Obtaining an adapter for either of these ports is very simple, and you can even go to the official Apple website and purchase these adapters or cables from there.
This connection will handle the video output of your MacBook on the HDTV, and you will also need a simple RCA cable for the audio output. One end of this cable will go into the headphone jack on the MacBook, and the other end (which contains one red and one white connector) will plug into the TV set. This cable can be found at any electronics store, and it is very cheap.
Another option for you is to get an adapter that converts the Mini-DVI port or the Mini DisplayPort into DVI, and then a cable that connects a DVI port with an HDMI port. Your HDTV has an HDMI port as well as a DVI port, so it doesn’t matter which one you use. You will need the RCA cable, irrespective of whichever method you prefer. It is also advisable to get a laptop cooling stand for the MacBook, and a wireless keyboard and mouse for the MacBook as well. This will enable you to connect your MacBook to the HDTV, and leave it there, and then work the two from the comfort of your couch.
In order to turn this connection on, you must first switch off the MacBook and the HDTV. Plug the appropriate cables in and then turn on the HDTV, and go to the appropriate input source. Now power on your MacBook and turn the lid down immediately. This will cause the MacBook to make the TV monitor its primary monitor, and not its secondary one. You will soon see an Apple logo on the HDTV screen, and this is an indication that the connection has been made properly. You can also check the audio by playing some music.
You can now use the HDTV screen as you would your MacBook, and all the tasks that you carry out will appear in pristine 1080p HD quality. This connection is very simple to make, and anyone with a basic understanding of these ports and cables should be able to carry it out successfully.