hooking up to a HDTV

[kreemi]

hi.

i am embarking on a little project to remove the mounted monitor from my imac and wire it into both an HD Plasma TV AND seperate monitor and was looking for a few answers before i crack on!

1. is it possible to safely and cleanly remove the entire monitor and mount? if so any tips? as i cannot find any info on mods like this.

2. what connector is required to connect the internal monitor port to my VGA TV and seperate VGA monitor? ( i want both screens to display the same image)
i will probably be using a VGA splitter but will i need an adapter to connect it to the Macs internal port?

3. am i being stupid?

ive attached a lovely image of what i want if it helps..

thanks very much.

Luke.

 

[balamw]

No can do, at least not cheaply.

LCDs don't generally "speak" the same language when used internally vs. externally, so the port for the internal LCD won't (genrerally) be easy to translate to VGA or DVI.

For example, here's a link to a board that works the other way (VGA to semi-generic LCD) http://store.earthlcd.com/LCD-Products/Analog-to-Digital-Controller-Cards, and as you can see you can get a full up 19" monitor for less that the board.

B

 

[kreemi]

oh.... really?

so theres no easy/cheap way of getting an external monitor hooked up to my mac at all?

i thought i heard somewhere that the mounted monitor was hooked up internally as if it was external. ie, via a port that could be rerouted to a separate external monitor

or is that true but just not to a VGA/DVI input?

thanks for your help.

 

[flopticalcube]

What model iMac do you have?

 

[MacinDoc]

Looks like you're illustrating an iMac G4. Unfortunately, its external output is mini-VGA. If you were working with an iMac G5 or later, the mini-DV output to DVI adapter would work perfectly for hooking it up to an HDTV.

I guess you could always stream it to an AppleTV.

 

[balamw]

so theres no easy/cheap way of getting an external monitor hooked up to my mac at all?

One external, no problem. Just get the mini-VGA to VGA adapter and use the external port.

What you're asking though is to use the guts of an iMac to power TWO external monitors, and that they just won't do. Internal LCD + external, no problem. It's repurposing the internal LCD connector to connect to an external monitor that just won't be cheap.

Unfortunately, only the Mac Pro has two external video connectors.

B

 

[kreemi]

thanks for the input guys.

my macs pretty old. i got it in 2002, the lamp style one. but its still going strong!


is there no kind of external hardware that could convert this signal to RGB?

does anyone know the name of the internal monitor port?

thanks.

*edit*
just found this old link and it sounds like he wants to do the same as me in reverse (wire an external source to the monitor)

https://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-89228.html

if this could shead any more light on what im talking about.

cheers

 

[balamw]

is there no kind of external hardware that could convert this signal to RGB?

It can be done, i.e. is theoretically possible, but won't be cheap/readily available. The main problem here is you insistence on analog RGB/VGA. The internal signaling of the iMac to its LCD will be all digital, either LVDS or TMDS either of which are digital and closer to DVI than RGB/VGA.

Any digital to analog converter will not be cheap. For example, this DVI to VGA converter http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1209 (note that for the external DVI-I ports on more recent Macs carry both digital and analog signals, which allows them to connect to VGA monitors with a $19 adapter.

EDIT: Try here for some more detailed info: http://www.applefritter.com/node/18351

B

 

[wyatt23]

http://www.national-tech.com/specs/10h1-27708.htm

all you need my friend is that. it's less than $5. it takes one vga signal and allows you to simultaneously output to two displays. just connect to your mac and go.

as for sound... if you're using an iMac, i beleive they can only use the mac pro speakers. if that is the case, you can pick up a small usb sound card for next to nothing. $30 can get you 7.1 surround sound, AND allow you to use a 1/8" splitter to use computer speakers and home theatre. http://www.academicsuperstore.com/m...tNo=759280&sourcecode=s10142&promocode=se0289

you're setup can be had VERY EASILY. good luck and when you're all done... post pics!


edit: when using your moniters, they will have to be in the same resolution (unless you change them each time you use your computer). i'd say make different user accounts for each setting. 1 setting with the resolution for the personal moniter and use the internal sound card and another account for the Plasma resolution and have the sound use the new usb sound card. then store the media you want to use on each account, or simply grab an external harddrive.

 

[balamw]

http://www.national-tech.com/specs/10h1-27708.htm

all you need my friend is that. it's less than $5. it takes one vga signal and allows you to simultaneously output to two displays. just connect to your mac and go.

LOL. I focused on the internal port bit and missed that the OP wants the same display on both and doesn't need to "go there" at all. Just use the external port.

Most HDTVs take 1024x768 in on their VGA ports, so that might be a good compromise unless you're going for widescreen.

EDIT: If either the TV or monitor are very far from the Mac (> 6 feet) you might want to consider an amplified splitter to help eliminate any ghosting.

B

 

[kreemi]

http://www.national-tech.com/specs/10h1-27708.htm

all you need my friend is that. it's less than $5. it takes one vga signal and allows you to simultaneously output to two displays. just connect to your mac and go.

thanks bud. i've seen these around. the thing is im not sure if the attached monitor is connected internally via a standard VGA. as my mac has no external ports i would have to connect directly. i'll check when i get home and post a few pics if i get stuck.

cheers guys.

 

[kreemi]

http://www.national-tech.com/specs/10h1-27708.htm

all you need my friend is that. it's less than $5. it takes one vga signal and allows you to simultaneously output to two displays. just connect to your mac and go.

thanks bud. i've seen these around. the thing is im not sure if the attached monitor is connected internally via a standard VGA.

I focused on the internal port bit and missed that the OP wants the same display on both and doesn't need to "go there" at all. Just use the external port.

as my mac has no external ports i would have to connect directly. i'll check when i get home and post a few pics if i get stuck.

cheers guys.

 

[balamw]

as my mac has no external ports i would have to connect directly. i'll check when i get home and post a few pics if i get stuck.

It should have a mini-VGA, no?

B

 

[kreemi]

It should have a mini-VGA, no?

B

thankyou thankyou thankyou!!

*slaps head* man i am stupid!! i have got a external port.. the symbol is a box with vertical lines either side, its a monitor port but would that be mini VGA? i guess so.. you guys are legends.

so with that pretty much in the bag, back to question 1....

is it possible to safely and cleanly remove the entire monitor and rotating mount from the top, leaving just the base? if so any tips? i dont mind completely busting the monitor in the process as long as the mac still works!!
i also dont mind about the bloody great hole it would leave in the top as i can get that patched up no problem..

if anyone has any links for a guide or diagrams, or even knows how it would be most helpful.


thanks again.

Luke

 

[balamw]

if anyone has any links for a guide or diagrams, or even knows how it would be most helpful.

http://home.earthlink.net/~strahm_s/manuals.html might help

B

 

[kreemi]

http://home.earthlink.net/~strahm_s/manuals.html might help

B

nice one bud, that is just what i needed!

just one more question, if i remove the main monitor will the mini VGA still work?

thanks a lot guys, you've been a great help.