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Macbook to 32in Hdtv LCD TV

MattyBwrx

MattyBwrx

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 16, 2007
44
0
Tucson, AZ
I have a macbook (white) just wondering what kind of connection I should use to my 32in lcd hdtv (mainly need the room for cs3). I have vga,hdmi,composite hd/regular, and s-video. I need something that will display in full on my tv without looking like poo :D.
 
S-Video will be the worst

btw - you won't have any more pixels on a hdtv than a MacBook. Most seem to have 720 or 768 vertical lines. Your MacBook has 800, so CS3 will be harder to work with (although the image will be much bigger)
 
macbook to 32in HD

I connect my MacBook Pro to my 32in Westinghouse HD via a HDMI to DVI cable and it works good. Although, when I switch to my server (an old G4) that is connected to the same monitor via VGA the picture looks a little crisper. I think my problem is I bought a cheap HDMI cable from RadioShak. I would recommend buying a high quality cable.

I've also connected to large projectors via DVI to DVI and this seemed to be the best as far image quality.

Note: Depending on your HD set, you might have to modify your display settings in system preferences to get the best picture.
 
7masscom said:
I connect my MacBook Pro to my 32in Westinghouse HD via a HDMI to DVI cable and it works good. Although, when I switch to my server (an old G4) that is connected to the same monitor via VGA the picture looks a little crisper. I think my problem is I bought a cheap HDMI cable from RadioShak. I would recommend buying a high quality cable.

I've also connected to large projectors via DVI to DVI and this seemed to be the best as far image quality.

Note: Depending on your HD set, you might have to modify your display settings in system preferences to get the best picture.
Click to expand...
And you have a MacBook Pro not a MacBook. The MacBook is weaker then the MacBook Pro
 
I did a lot of reading on this and I went with VGA. I have a macbook pro with a 32" Samsung LCD TV. The digital connections apparently can cause more hassle with resolutions and more cost with cables than it's worth. The VGA connection lets me set to the correct tv resolution (without additional res software) 1366x768 and it looks great...I'm picky about picture quality.

Great for everything from web browsing to watching movies. I use it for running Pro Tools. As for graphics work, it may not be up to snuff, but definitely good for extra space (tools, etc)
 
I agree,I use VGA too,and it looks great,save your HDMI ports for something else.With VGA,I can set it to correct TV resolution
Just go out,buy the cables and try it for yourself,I don't think you will regret
 
ropeswing said:
I did a lot of reading on this and I went with VGA. I have a macbook pro with a 32" Samsung LCD TV. The digital connections apparently can cause more hassle with resolutions and more cost with cables than it's worth. The VGA connection lets me set to the correct tv resolution (without additional res software) 1366x768 and it looks great...I'm picky about picture quality.

Great for everything from web browsing to watching movies. I use it for running Pro Tools. As for graphics work, it may not be up to snuff, but definitely good for extra space (tools, etc)
Click to expand...

what's the correct resolution for a 40" then? is it the same 1366x768?
why can't it output 1920x1080?

Thanks
 
The correct resolution for most 40 inch should be 1920x1080. Early post of j26said that you wont get any more than 720 which is untrue if you have a HDTV of 1080i. Your macbook does have a resolution of 1280 by 800 but a 1080i tv has 1920 by 1080. On the apple site it specifically says that macbooks are capable of "Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors" meaning its capable of 1920 x 1080.

Personally i was hoping to connect my Black Macbook and a 40 inch Sony XBR2. I was going to buyin the Mini-DVI to DVI converter and then a DVI to HDMI cable to connect the macbook to the 40 inch. I was going to use the DVI to HDMI cause its makes it possible to achieve the highest quality picture.
I was wondering if anyone had any past exp. on this cause my is all theoritically specs.
 
hussey24 said:
The correct resolution for most 40 inch should be 1920x1080. Early post of j26said that you wont get any more than 720 which is untrue if you have a HDTV of 1080i. Your macbook does have a resolution of 1280 by 800 but a 1080i tv has 1920 by 1080. On the apple site it specifically says that macbooks are capable of "Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors" meaning its capable of 1920 x 1080.

Personally i was hoping to connect my Black Macbook and a 40 inch Sony XBR2. I was going to buyin the Mini-DVI to DVI converter and then a DVI to HDMI cable to connect the macbook to the 40 inch. I was going to use the DVI to HDMI cause its makes it possible to achieve the highest quality picture.
I was wondering if anyone had any past exp. on this cause my is all theoritically specs.
Click to expand...

i'm connecting mine at the mo via DVI -> VGA.. it's a 1080p TV, so i was expecting to see it set to 1920x1080.. but when i go into Displays - this option is not there.. max resolution was 1600x1200 (or something like that) which wouldn't work for some reason.
 
dalvin200 said:
i'm connecting mine at the mo via DVI -> VGA.. it's a 1080p TV, so i was expecting to see it set to 1920x1080.. but when i go into Displays - this option is not there.. max resolution was 1600x1200 (or something like that) which wouldn't work for some reason.
Click to expand...

Thats a piss off, when i was reading through CNET's HDTV guide it suggested that a VGA is a very high quality connection but not the highest digital connection that DVI to HDMI would be. Here's the link to the guide http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7608_7-1016109-5.html?tag=tnav . Personally i have absolutely no idea if using DVI to HDMI would solve this problem, hopefully someone else on this forum has an idea cause cause i dont have my TV yet to trial and error with yet.
 
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