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Apple TV vs HDMI cable

toronado455

toronado455

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 2, 2009
212
15
From what I can gather, Apple TV seems to be an iOS-centric device, mostly useful to users of iOS on the iPad, iPhone, etc.

For someone with a MacBook Pro, that wants to use their HDTV as a 'jumbo' monitor, what would be the advantage(s) of using Apple TV instead of a mini-displayport to HDMI cable setup? (other than that it's wireless)
 
toronado455 said:
From what I can gather, Apple TV seems to be an iOS-centric device, mostly useful to users of iOS on the iPad, iPhone, etc.

For someone with a MacBook Pro, that wants to use their HDTV as a 'jumbo' monitor, what would be the advantage(s) of using Apple TV instead of a mini-displayport to HDMI cable setup? (other than that it's wireless)
Click to expand...

You can't use full screen apps in a dual monitor setup, while you can use airplay to stream a video from iTunes (and only iTunes) to an Apple TV.

If you're using Windows on your mac though, nothing.
 
toronado455 said:
From what I can gather, Apple TV seems to be an iOS-centric device, mostly useful to users of iOS on the iPad, iPhone, etc.
Click to expand...
Not true (though it does work well for usage with iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, etc.). The original purpose of the AppleTV was to get media (music, videos, photos) from iTunes on your computer to your home theater. It later became useful for buying and renting movies and TV shows. There are many uses for people who have no other iOS devices.

toronado455 said:
For someone with a MacBook Pro, that wants to use their HDTV as a 'jumbo' monitor, what would be the advantage(s) of using Apple TV instead of a mini-displayport to HDMI cable setup? (other than that it's wireless)
Click to expand...
Doesn’t work like this, so no advantage. Though, as mentioned, when Lion comes out you will be able to mirror your computer desktop to the AppleTV.
 
mchalebk said:
Though, as mentioned, when Lion comes out you will be able to mirror your computer desktop to the AppleTV.
Click to expand...

OK, thanks. I guess I'll just get the cables for now since they are cheap. And maybe the Apple TV eventually if I upgrade to Mountain Lion. Still on Snow Leopard right now.

Are the Monoprice adapters and cables good? I'm considering getting these:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=5311&seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=4029&seq=1&format=2
 
Generally speaking, Monoprice is good quality at great prices, so those are likely fine.
 
Thanks for the advice on Monoprice.

What video mode will be available on the TV when connected to a MacBook Pro 13" (2011 Sandy Bridge) via HDMI? Will I have a second monitor that runs at the native 1920x1080 of the TV, or will I have a scaled-up version of the 1280x800 desktop?
 
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