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how to connect mini >tv with no vga/dvi plug on the tv?

J

j2048b

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 18, 2009
815
32
Cali
I have a 46" mitsubishi projector tv that has only typical red/yellow/white and component,

how do you connect a mac mini through the receiver to the tv?

i dont have any type of s video or vga/dvi links onthe tv, or the receiver it is too old.

Any and all helpful help appreciated.

Thanks
 
I have a 60" Mitsubishi rear projection TV. It has a port on the back, I believe they call it something like a data port, or DVI link port. In the manual it says it is not for hooking up a computer, but it works fine. Our TV is 1080i, so reading text is not great, but it is perfect for use as a media center tv for watching movies, playing music etc. We have used it for several years with a PC running media center, connecting with DVI, in the port they say is not meant for hooking up computers!

Since you also have a Mitsubishi, you might want to check if that port exists on the back of your tv as well.

If you are planning on using the TV as a monitor - it will not work, the resolution is not good enough and reading text will be impossible. If your intention was to use it for media, then an Apple TV would work for you, since it hooks up via component cables. My media center PC died, and we are now using an Apple TV (with XBMC and Boxee installed) with our Mitsubishi, and we really like the setup.
 
OldMike said:
I have a 60" Mitsubishi rear projection TV. It has a port on the back, I believe they call it something like a data port, or DVI link port. In the manual it says it is not for hooking up a computer, but it works fine. Our TV is 1080i, so reading text is not great, but it is perfect for use as a media center tv for watching movies, playing music etc. We have used it for several years with a PC running media center, connecting with DVI, in the port they say is not meant for hooking up computers!

Since you also have a Mitsubishi, you might want to check if that port exists on the back of your tv as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

what does the port look like? because i do not think i have anything like that?
 
lostless,

I don't think that adapter works with the mini. Only the newer Mac minis have mini-DVI, and even then, I don't think it works with this adapter (like the just discontinued Macbook).
 
ftaok said:
lostless,

I don't think that adapter works with the mini. Only the newer Mac minis have mini-DVI, and even then, I don't think it works with this adapter (like the just discontinued Macbook).
Click to expand...

any other suggestions then?

thanks

i found a purple box type s-video cable to yellow/red/white outputs (ATI brand) i forgot i had, lying around! this should work only if i had an s-video from the mini which i dont!
 
OK, which mini do you have. I think the issue with Apple's adapter is that the Nvidia 9400 chip doesn't support any analog signal other than VGA. So even if you use a DVI to composite adapter, it wouldn't work. You might be able to do it with a miniDVI>VGA adapter plus a VGA to composite converter ... but I'm not sure. And it's probably cost prohibitive.

[strikeI think the older minis, with the Intel 950 graphics can use that apple adapter[/s].

The older minis with the Intel 950 graphics have a full DVI port. There's an adapter available to go to s-video.
 
ftaok said:
OK, which mini do you have. I think the issue with Apple's adapter is that the Nvidia 9400 chip doesn't support any analog signal other than VGA. So even if you use a DVI to composite adapter, it wouldn't work. You might be able to do it with a miniDVI>VGA adapter plus a VGA to composite converter ... but I'm not sure. And it's probably cost prohibitive.

[strikeI think the older minis, with the Intel 950 graphics can use that apple adapter[/s].

The older minis with the Intel 950 graphics have a full DVI port. There's an adapter available to go to s-video.
Click to expand...

i will be receiving shortly a 1.83 ghz mini and a 1.66 ghz, but i do not have enough s-video ports and neither does my receiver.

so the only way i can connect them it to component, through a converter or cable as shown, but they may not work that way correct?
 
OK, I saw on some of your other posts that you picked up a couple of 1.83 minis. This means that these are the older ones with full sized DVI ports.

Try THIS adapter from Apple. You'll want to use s-video as it's capable of 800x600.

Also, you'll want to use a mini-jack by RCA adapter for the audio. This is what I use for my Macbook. Then get this cable.
 
j2048b said:
but i do not have enough s-video ports and neither does my receiver.
Click to expand...
Your TV has 3 s-video inputs. You can't free one of them up? How about a composite switcher.

so the only way i can connect them it to component, through a converter or cable as shown, but they may not work that way correct?
Click to expand...

Well, with the older minis, it might work because the DVI port is DVI-I, which means both analog and digital are possible. Not too sure if the cables you linked to will work or not. Your best bet is to check over at 123mini.com to see if anyone has solved this problem.
 
ftaok said:
OK, I saw on some of your other posts that you picked up a couple of 1.83 minis. This means that these are the older ones with full sized DVI ports.

Try THIS adapter from Apple. You'll want to use s-video as it's capable of 800x600.

Also, you'll want to use a mini-jack by RCA adapter for the audio. This is what I use for my Macbook. Then get this cable.
Click to expand...

wow that much stuff huh? which mini jack are you talking about because a whole page comes up with different adapters.

see the whole prob is i dnt have enough s-video connections for this, my tv has one and so does my onkyo receiver, plus i will have to switch back and forth between s-video and component and the wife will kill me!!
 
is this an old HDTV? Because i see component inputs. You could get a vga to component adaptor to get high def output. Just know they start around 100 bucks.
 
j2048b said:
wow that much stuff huh? which mini jack are you talking about because a whole page comes up with different adapters.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you need that much stuff. The DVI-video adapter doesn't do audio, so you'll need to go from mini-jack to RCA.

As for the mini-jack adapter ... I don't know why the link does that, but if you scroll up to the top, that's the one I use. Part no. 666.

see the whole prob is i dnt have enough s-video connections for this, my tv has one and so does my onkyo receiver, plus i will have to switch back and forth between s-video and component and the wife will kill me!!
Click to expand...
Hmmm, the picture you linked to shows 3 s-video inputs. As for switching inputs back and forth, you're going to have to do that regardless. If you really only have 1 s-video input available, perhaps you could find an s-video switcher.
 
VGA to component converter.

Here's one at Amazon. It's pricey and who knows if it'll work.
 
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thanks peeeps!
This has helped me out a great deal, i just need to make it as simple as possible, i need to find something that does component, which is what i need downstairs and i already have a switch for that!




upstairs is a different story:

where my tv only has red/white/yellow!

any thing for that tv?
 
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j2048b said:
upstairs is a different story:

where my tv only has red/white/yellow!

any thing for that tv?
Click to expand...
Yep! The Apple DVI to Video adapter I posted earlier will work for the video portion (yellow). Then get the monoprice mini-jack to RCA adapter (red/white). Lastly, you need a set of composite cables ... which you probably have a box full of. Viola!

j2048b said:
if it is in fact dvi-i i can use this then,

http://www.amazon.com/DVI-I-To-Comp...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257279467&sr=1-1

no, yes?

replys from mac mini users are pretty crappy
!
Click to expand...
That won't work. It's for compatible ATi video cards. You'll need something that does more than adapting. You'll need some sort of conversion.

You might be able to get the Apple DVI to VGA adapter, combine it with a VGA to component converter and then component cables. That'll probably cost you around $100, assuming it all works.

You're better off using s-video by finding an s-video switcher.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Yep! The Apple DVI to Video adapter I posted earlier will work for the video portion (yellow). Then get the monoprice mini-jack to RCA adapter (red/white). Lastly, you need a set of composite cables ... which you probably have a box full of. Viola!
Click to expand...

awesomeness!! the upstairs tv will work right away then!

thanks

That won't work. It's for compatible ATi video cards. You'll need something that does more than adapting. You'll need some sort of conversion.

You might be able to get the Apple DVI to VGA adapter, combine it with a VGA to component converter and then component cables. That'll probably cost you around $100, assuming it all works.

You're better off using s-video by finding an s-video switcher
Click to expand...

yeah assuming it all works, haha man this tv needs to go to the trash!!


i got the dvi to vga adapter already, so the vga to component converter may work then!

what is the link again for the vga to component converter?

thanks i will try it all out!
 
Without trying to side track the post...

Hello

I want to buy an adapter for a similar task as the original poster... I'm usually quite happy with the land of cables and conectors but I am either missing something or mis-understanding something...

I have a 2009 mini with the Mini-DVI port I wish to connect it to a standard boaring CRT tv in the UK, on ocation. Usung Componet (The Yellow plug).

So the back of mine looks like this...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3478

yet although it mentions DVI-VGA it never says anything about componet adapters.. The apple store had a few, and looking at the port options I would go for This ; -
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/M9319G/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTE0Mjg1MDg

So, from my "connector that should work" point of view, it looks fine but this is why I am baffled....:confused:

1)No mention of the Mini on review/ description
2)No mention of Analogue adapters on the Mini site
3)some MR posts imply that analogue is dropped on the 2009 Mini .. yet if you can get a Mini DVI- VGA adapter how can that be?
4)How can apple make what should be a simple selection of connectors so baffling!?!

Cheers

Wheaty

PS, before some one says I need to change my TV... It works :), and this adapter lark is for occasional use.. £20 adapter would be fab as I have all the other cables... Even the NEWEST TV's still tend to have component in some form/SCART so I can take my little Mini around to the relatives and show them photo's etc, what ever TV they have.
 
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