Mini-DVi to VGA Adapter Question

[LillieDesigns]

I'm trying to connect my iMac (Intel) to a 42 inch HP(Hewlett..) TV, and the TV has a PC slot, which the manual says is a VGA input. After reading the iMac manual it says I need a mini-dvi to vga adapter, but the only one I can find is made by Apple. After reading some reviews it seems that the Apple product is actually very cheaply made. Is there an alternative to do this? I just want my iMac picture to appear on the bigger screen.

Thanks in advance!

 

[7on]

mini-DVI is a proprietary Apple connection. I don't think anyone else makes anything different and VGA is pretty poor anyway - no DVI connection?

Is your TV standard Def or High Def? If it's only standard def, 640x480 is probably the most you can muster (I think you can go 1024x768 but it is still show @ 720x480 on the TV).

 

[Chundles]

I'm trying to connect my iMac (Intel) to a 42 inch HP(Hewlett..) TV, and the TV has a PC slot, which the manual says is a VGA input. After reading the iMac manual it says I need a mini-dvi to vga adapter, but the only one I can find is made by Apple. After reading some reviews it seems that the Apple product is actually very cheaply made. Is there an alternative to do this? I just want my iMac picture to appear on the bigger screen.

Thanks in advance!

The miniDVI adapter is not cheaply made, it is very high quality. I don't know where you're getting your information from, I own two adapters and they are solid and work well. I've not heard of any complaints on this board and a lot of the members use them to plug their Macs into external displays or TVs.

Buy the adapter, and you can enjoy your iMac on the big screen. Does your TV not have DVI in as well or is it just VGA?

 

[LillieDesigns]

It's an HDTV. I'm looking for a DVI input, but the only thing that looks like it is next to the VGA connector and says "RS232" not DVI. I read the reviews on the Apple website and a lot fo people complained that the wires inside snapped due to poor quality. If I do buy the adaptor do I need a VGA cable or a Mini-DVI cable? I am trying to run it about 20 feet from my desk to the TV.

 

[balamw]

If I do buy the adaptor do I need a VGA cable or a Mini-DVI cable? I am trying to run it about 20 feet from my desk to the TV.

You'll need a VGA cable since the adapter is female and some is the port on your TV. I have one for my iMac and am able to use the full native 1360x768 resolution of my Samsung HDTV.

I think you'll find the people complaining about the adapter are people who take the adapter on the road a lot, not those who are trying to hook up their Mac to a stationary TV.

B

 

[twoodcc]

i agree. the adapter is not made cheaply. just buy it, i think you'll be glad you did

 

[LillieDesigns]

Can anyone point me in the direction(link) of a 20 or 25 foot VGA cable that would go from the VGA input of my TV to the mini-dvi adapter to connest to my iMac?

 

[balamw]

Can anyone point me in the direction(link) of a 20 or 25 foot VGA cable that would go from the VGA input of my TV to the mini-dvi adapter to connest to my iMac?

20-25" is a long distance for analog video. You probably want two shorter cabes and a booster.

B

 

[LillieDesigns]

Nothing is easy when it comes to this. Why can't i plug in a cable and just use the monitor?!?!

There needs to be some standards, but I guess that is the slogan of electronics companies. "Make our own design so we can make you poor."

 

[brbubba]

Nothing is easy when it comes to this. Why can't i plug in a cable and just use the monitor?!?!

There needs to be some standards, but I guess that is the slogan of electronics companies. "Make our own design so we can make you poor."

You can but VGA is prone to interference and signal degradation over long distances. It will work but the picture just may not be perfect. What is the application, movie watching, or full time use?

http://www.monoprice.com has very good deals on cables, I've ordered from them before. They also have a triple shielded VGA cable that might do the trick. You don't by any chance have an open DVI or HDMI port do you?