connecting MBP to an external plasma TV

[prism]

If I understand correctly, the sequence is to plug the VGA cable to the TV and to the DVI to VGA adapter first, followed by the connection to the MBP DVI port. What I would like to know is whether during these connections the TV and/or MBP should be switched on or off?

TIA

 

[jarenado]

External Monitor Hookup

Everything Ive read, and in my own experience, I turn off the Plasma, and then hook up the computer. Most of the User Guides for Plasma and LCDs warn about being on while hooking up new inputs.

 

[creator2456]

I have never bothered to turn off my MBP or HDTV before connecting with a DVI - HDMI, but the HDTV is not on the HDMI Input. I do however turn my 20" monitor off before connecting to the DVI, but not the MBP.

That being said, I haven't seen a difference in doing it one way or another. I am sure that if it was possible to make all connections (VGA-TV/VGA-DVI Adapter/DVI Adapter-MBP) simultaneously, there would be no ill effects.

 

[AndyFL]

Posing this question to those more educated in the A/V area:

Would a DVI to HDMI cable not provide a "better" picture, considering it's a plasma? Instead of using VGA? Or is the difference negligible.

 

[ftaok]

Posing this question to those more educated in the A/V area:

Would a DVI to HDMI cable not provide a "better" picture, considering it's a plasma? Instead of using VGA? Or is the difference negligible.

I would think that it depends on the TV. Some TVs limit the resolution on the VGA input to 1024x768.

Most of the newer HDTVs are PC/Mac friendly and will output the correct EDID stuff to the computer. The computer will take this info and offer the proper resolutions and timings.

As for a better picture, I would think that DVI/HDMI would theoretically offer a better PQ since it's digital, compared to VGA being analog. But sometimes, analog can look better than digital, or at least look the same. My Sony DVR looks the same with HDMI vs. Component.

ft

 

[creator2456]

From my experience it is always best to keep digital signals digital and analog signals analog, so the DVI-HDMI would be better than DVI-VGA because you are not converting a digital signal to an analog one.