HDTV with No HDMI

[Bilemshious]

I have an older HDTV that I want to hook my iMac into to watch HD mkv files. But it does not have HDMI. Would composite work well enough?

What would you suggest?

 

[gr8tfly]

I think you mean "component", which will work almost as well as HDMI.

The tv doesn't support composite.

 

[kadeschs]

I think you mean "component", which will work almost as well as HDMI.

The tv doesn't support composite.

Right. Only HDMI, DVI, and component will deliver HD content. You would need some sort of DVI to component converter.

gr8tfly: Bilemshious is speaking of an iMac, not ATV. ATV supports both component and HDMI.

 

[JeepGuy]

the cheapest route would be to get an apple dvi to vga cable, then get a vga to component converter like this.

but it's not plug and play and will require some tweaking to get it to work, recommened extra is switchresX.

 

[gr8tfly]

Right. Only HDMI, DVI, and component will deliver HD content. You would need some sort of DVI to component converter.

gr8tfly: Bilemshious is speaking of an iMac, not ATV. ATV supports both component and HDMI.

yup - Guess I was looking at the forum category...

So, yes - unless the OP's TV has VGA, it's going to be one of the converter boxes. A cable won't work.

 

[Duffinator]

You could buy an ATV and use it between your iMac and TV. The ATV has component video outputs. This would give you much better flexibility than using an expensive DVI to component converter. Buy a 40 gb refurb direct from Apple.

 

[ftaok]

Does the TV have DVI? If so, use that. However, be careful to make sure you get the right connectors. There are several variants of DVI connectors (DVI-A, DVI-D, DVI-I, and more).

If it has VGA (aka PC Input), then you could use that.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with going from VGA -> Component only because of the hassles and time involve in getting it to work. You might be better off using a media extender that has component outputs. The aTV would work, but you may not be able to play all of your files. There are other, Windows based devices that could work, as well. Popcorn Hour is one that I keep hearing about.

ft