[Joonsup]

So I have an older macbook and I'd like to watch some streaming tv/movies on my plasma tv, so I'm trying to figure out which method of connection will produce the best quality picture?

After doing a google search some people went with

1) a miniDV to DV cable and then DV to HDMI cable.


2) miniDV to VGA cable and then another VGA to VGA cable.


My guess would be option 1 would produce a better picture b/c it's HDMI but on meritline.com they sell a miniDV to hdmi cable so wouldnt that be the same?

Any other suggestions or comments appreciated thanks

[CollinsE90]

monoprice.com for cables

[solefald]

Do not use VGA if you want good picture quality.

Mini-DV-to-DVI and then just get DVI-to-HDMI cable from monoprice

Oh, and as for software, check out Plex (plexapp.com)

[xtac]

Get a ps3, use ps3mediaserver.

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by solefald

Do not use VGA if you want good picture quality.

Mini-DV-to-DVI and then just get DVI-to-HDMI cable from monoprice

Oh, and as for software, check out Plex (plexapp.com)

VGA > HDMI when going from laptop to TV

Edit: I mean with VGA(from laptop) to VGA(on TV)

Macs with no VGA output

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by solefald

Do not use VGA if you want good picture quality.

Mini-DV-to-DVI and then just get DVI-to-HDMI cable from monoprice

This.

[Joonsup]

ok thanks guys. what's this about software. you also need software to make it work? thought it was just plug and go

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by joonsup

ok thanks guys. what's this about software. you also need software to make it work? thought it was just plug and go

You dont need software. Its going to look like complete shit. Guaranteed. Generally dvi->hdmi DOESN'T give you fully digital signal and looks like shit. I've found this out with my current macbook pro. You're only option that will give you a decent picture is a media server, whether it be that mac tv shit, a PS3, etc.

[solefald]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

You dont need software. Its going to look like complete shit. Guaranteed. Generally dvi->hdmi DOESN'T give you fully digital signal and looks like shit. I've found this out with my current macbook pro.

this has nothing to do with your macbook pro. try using HDMI1 on your TV, they are tuned to computer signal. HDMI2/3 are usually not.

And it will NOT look like shit. I've been using DVI-to-HDMI setup to 3 years now, and picture is flawless, without any overscan.
With multiple different macbooks, macbook pro's and 4 different Mac mini's


As for software, you do not *need* it, but Plex gives you a very nice interface you can use with a remote control. Check out their site for a demo and screenshots

[Joonsup]

cool thanks guys. might as well try it out firsthand since the cables are inexpensive. if it looks like shit, oh well.

[JIM E92]

Just get AppleTV and turn on home sharing. It will play all your movies, TV shows, music, photos directly on your TV in HD. Plus it does a lot more. And tits only $100.

[E92murdered]

100 dollars once or monthy?

Originally Posted by JIM E92

Just get AppleTV and turn on home sharing. It will play all your movies, TV shows, music, photos directly on your TV in HD. Plus it does a lot more. And tits only $100.

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by JIM E92

Just get AppleTV and turn on home sharing. It will play all your movies, TV shows, music, photos directly on your TV in HD. Plus it does a lot more. And tits only $100.

I'm guessing you aren't a Math Major

$5 cable or $100 Apple TV

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by joonsup

cool thanks guys. might as well try it out firsthand since the cables are inexpensive. if it looks like shit, oh well.

I have done it, it sucks.

Get Apple TV, as others have suggested.

I have the old Apple TV (with memory) and it is cool, it will also work like the new one.

I just got a new Mac Mini and plugged it into the other tv, it is very nice!

[solefald]

Originally Posted by JIM E92

And tits only $100.

O RLY?

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by solefald

this has nothing to do with your macbook pro. try using HDMI1 on your TV, they are tuned to computer signal. HDMI2/3 are usually not.

And it will NOT look like shit. I've been using DVI-to-HDMI setup to 3 years now, and picture is flawless, without any overscan.
With multiple different macbooks, macbook pro's and 4 different Mac mini's


As for software, you do not *need* it, but Plex gives you a very nice interface you can use with a remote control. Check out their site for a demo and screenshots

While it wasn't complete shit, it was shit. I used dvi to HDMI, in HDMI1. The resolution is blah. Yes I had it hooked up correctly and the whole 9 yards. The moral of the story is why bother getting an OK picture when you can get a great picture. I stream blurays through a PS3, hooked up to my TV with an HDMI cable and my 7.1 with an optical cable. The picture is flawless HD quality.

Chances are the cheapest way without buying a gaming system is to just get the apple tv, although I have no firsthand experience with it.

[solefald]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

While it wasn't complete shit, it was shit. I used dvi to HDMI, in HDMI1. The resolution is blah. Yes I had it hooked up correctly and the whole 9 yards. The moral of the story is why bother getting an OK picture when you can get a great picture. I stream blurays through a PS3, hooked up to my TV with an HDMI cable and my 7.1 with an optical cable. The picture is flawless HD quality.

Chances are the cheapest way without buying a gaming system is to just get the apple tv, although I have no firsthand experience with it.

Man I have no idea what you are talking about. I play any kind of content, including 1080p from all of my macs to both of my TV's and there is no problems with picture quality. I just watched ToyStory 3 in 1080p last night. Flawless.

Digital signal is digital signal...

[inabis]

Originally Posted by solefald

Man I have no idea what you are talking about. I play any kind of content, including 1080p from all of my macs to both of my TV's and there is no problems with picture quality. I just watched ToyStory 3 in 1080p last night. Flawless.

Digital signal is digital signal...

Likewise. I have an older MBP permanently connected to my tv. 1080 rips look amazing and I've never had any issues as well. My PS3 is great too but honestly you can't really tell the difference IF there is a difference. Either way, once the movie starts no one cares!

I'm Dvi-HDMI straight in. The older MBPs have dvi outs built in.

[FDfranklin]

get a pc and have no problems and spend less.. bazingo!

[aut0sh0cker]

Originally Posted by joonsup

So I have an older macbook and I'd like to watch some streaming tv/movies on my plasma tv, so I'm trying to figure out which method of connection will produce the best quality picture?

After doing a google search some people went with

1) a miniDV to DV cable and then DV to HDMI cable.


2) miniDV to VGA cable and then another VGA to VGA cable.


My guess would be option 1 would produce a better picture b/c it's HDMI but on meritline.com they sell a miniDV to hdmi cable so wouldnt that be the same?

Any other suggestions or comments appreciated thanks

I did #1 and the picture is flawless. MAKE SURE you set the second monitor resolution to 1080p in System Preferences->Display. The only downside is that you are going to have to figure out a workaround on the audio end as the mini DV output only carries the video signal.

I have a cable stretching from the 3.5mm audio headphone jack to my receiver and it works fine, only its limited to 2-channel audio.

[escobar929]

Originally Posted by solefald

Man I have no idea what you are talking about. I play any kind of content, including 1080p from all of my macs to both of my TV's and there is no problems with picture quality. I just watched ToyStory 3 in 1080p last night. Flawless.

Digital signal is digital signal...

Originally Posted by inabis

Likewise. I have an older MBP permanently connected to my tv. 1080 rips look amazing and I've never had any issues as well. My PS3 is great too but honestly you can't really tell the difference IF there is a difference. Either way, once the movie starts no one cares!

I'm Dvi-HDMI straight in. The older MBPs have dvi outs built in.

same here, 3+ years of enjoying perfect 1080p from my MBP to my TV. They say the human eye, cant tell much diff btwn 720p and 1080p unless you have a tv bigger than 52"

[Joonsup]

So I'm getting picture but no sound. I hooked up via mini dvi to dvi and then dvi to hdmi.

Where do i plug the rca plugs into? One end is the 3.5mm and the other is the audio rca.

Here's a picture my gf sent me of the back of her tv. It's a toshiba lcd I think. any help appreciated. Thanks!