How to Connect a Macbook Pro to a TV

Have you been desperately trying to connect your laptop to your video screen in order to watch movies, or simply have a better screen to work with? Setting up a video and audio on your TV from your Macbook Pro doesn't need to cost a lot of money or be a lot of hassle. Don't pay for a streaming Internet player; do it DIY instead!

Steps

HDTV

1. Understand that this method works only on TVs that have an HDMI port. Flat screens and LCDs are usually equipped with an HDMI port. If you have an older TV that you want to hook up to your Macbook Pro, you may need to skip to the method below.
   
   
   
   
   


2. Purchase the necessary supplies, if you haven't already. To connect your Macbook Pro to a HDTV, you will need:
   
   
   
   • An HDMI cable
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • A Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. Two caveats:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     • If you have a Retina Display MacBook Pro, you will not need this, as this computer comes with an HDMI connection built in.
     
     
     • Some Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters come with audio support. If you purchase one of these, you won't need a separate cable to get sound.
   
   
   • A 3.5 mm to 3 RCA AV Audio cable to connect sound from your laptop to your computer.
     
     
     
     
     


3. Connect the HDMI cable to the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. Hook the two cords together.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you have a Retina Display Macbook Pro, connect the HDMI cable straight from the Macbook to the HDMI port in the TV.


4. Connect the Mini DisplayPort to the Macbook Pro
   
   
   
   
   


5. Connect the male end of the HDMI cord to the female HDMI port in your TV.
   
   
   
   
   


6. If not using a Mini DisplayPort that supports audio, get your sound hooked up. Hook the 3.5 mm into your Audio Out or headphone jack in your Macbook, and then the Audio component of the cord into the TV.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • When connecting the audio to your TV, you may need to change the settings on your TV. Make sure that your audio is not coming in from your HDMI cable (digital) if your HDMI cable does not support audio. Change the audio settings from digital to video to get your audio up and working.
     
     
     
     
     


7. Turn on your TV and turn the input to HDMI. You should be able to watch videos from your computer on your TV, with sound included.
   
   
   
   
   

VGA

1. Use this method to connect Macbook Pros to TVs without an HDMI port. These TVs are generally older, although you can also use this method to connect your computer to newer TVs if you wish.
   
   
   
   
   


2. Purchase the necessary supplies, if you haven't already. To connect your Macbook Pro to a TV using VGA, you will need:
   
   
   
   • A Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter.
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • A VGA to VGA cable (both cables male)
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • A 3.5 mm to 3 RCA AV Audio cable to connect sound from your laptop to your computer.
     
     
     
     
     


3. Connect the Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter to the VGA to VGA cable. Hook the two cords together.
   
   
   
   
   


4. Connect the Mini DisplayPort to the Macbook Pro.
   
   
   
   
   


5. Connect the male VGA cable into the female VGA port in your TV. The female VGA port in your TV should have blue facing.
   
   
   
   
   


6. Get your sound hooked up. Hook the 3.5 mm into your Audio Out or headphone jack in your Macbook, and then the Audio component of the cord into the TV.
   
   
   
   
   


7. Turn on your TV and set the input to VGA. You should be able to watch videos from your computer on your TV, with sound included.
   
   
   
   
   

Tips

• Don't set the display resolution too high for your TV, otherwise the TV may not display correctly.

Warnings

• Do not buy an HDMI adapter for a Retina MacBook Pro! While the adapters are compatible, it is a waste of money to get one. The RMBP has a built-in HDMI.


• Do not confuse your Mini DVI port with the Firewire 800!

from How to of the Day http://ift.tt/1BTPtXm