New Macs connecting to HDTVs: they just work – HD Beat Hmmm. And Apple doesn’t promote this?
I know, I know, it’s a cliche, but it never ceases to amaze me how true it can be. I have been connecting computers to HDTVs that don’t support PC resolutions for years. I have even written about the challenges here at HDBeat. Well today I connected my MacBook pro to my HDTV via DVI for the first time and I am here to tell you: it just works.If you have ever tried to connect a PC to a HDTV that only accepts 1080i you know how challenging it can be. If you are one of the lucky ones that has a HDTV that supports PC resolutions, than you just won’t understand.
found by Ron Martinez
I wonder if the Mac flip to windows will change this! Gotta love the brain washed apple fans.
Hell, Apple needs to scream this from the mountain tops. This kicks hell out’a Windows media center. I’ve only had about 50% success rate with my TVs and Miro$ofts product.
It was at 1080i which is what makes it interesting.
Plenty of PC’s just work when the TV accepts “PC” resolutions, but that TV only accepts one HD resolution which is 1080i.
Nothing brainwashed about it a PC veteran bought a mac and couldn’t believe something “just worked” so he talked about it.
Nice to see the Windoze experts are as up-to-speed as usual. Dudes, the MacBook Pro IS an Intel-powered laptop.
2nd — I’ve been able to hookup my year-old PPC PowerBook to my Samsung DLP since both came out of the box. The hooks were there in OS X. Just menu choices.
I’ve an article in my “ready” file about the code behind this. Didn’t think it was worth posting, yet. I guess I should.
This has got to be new for the MacBooks. I connect my 12″ PowerBook G4 to my Sony Grand Wega LCD Projection TV and it doesn’t even come close to displaying native resolution. If I want to play video, I have to resize and reposition the QuickTime window so that it fits on the screen properly.
Adam, I think part of it must be the TV manufacturer’s choices. One of the reasons I chose a Samsung DLP is that the Texas Instruments’ DLP engine is PC-capable. That’s why so many projectors use the same engine.
Try this link for more detail:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002846757_btviews06.html
Try this link for more detail.
Is it me or does that look like a 17″ widescreen, which also means that it might have a higher resolution?
I tried the same thing with my MacBook on Saturday (about an hour after getting it) and it worked like a charm. Many, many times easier than using an MCE based HTPC (home built or store bought).
How much do I like my MacBook? I just gave my Thinkpad back to IT this morning.
Once again Mack takes the lead and Windoze will try to catch up. As for a Mac premium…. that’s just a fallacy. “Time is money”, and the inordinate amount of time Windoze users spend on virus control, trying to get hardware to work or keep working, troubleshooting an unreliable OS, or sorting through their millions of available programs looking for one that actually works well….. Windoze computers end up being the most expensive choice by far.
Isn’t this the fault of the TV makers? Shouldn’t you be praising the TV companies that can hook up PCs?
Jasontheodd, think Windows is pain now, just wait until Vista and its full on DRM. You probably won’t be able to play most of the new blueray and HD DVD stuff on it.
I believe this is possible due to the dual link DVI connectivity of the MacBook Pro (standard), PowerBook G4, or PowerMac G5. The iMac doesn’t have dual link DVI .
Yeah, I’ve done this before. I didn’t realize it was anything special though. I guess I learn something everyday.
Once again mac takes the lead… Mac is about 45% away from the lead. maybe more.
AB CD: No, because there formats haven’t changed (much). This has been a PC specific problem.
Rus62: That’s correct. I have a DVI port on my MacBook, which I can connect directly to my HDTV at home or a projector at work. Also, the Display properties window in OS X is refined and easy to use (when compared to XP).
Bob G: Where do you get that number, besides your ass?
Though I haven’t planned on experimenting w/HDTV and computing — at least not until I upgrade to an 80211.N [or X?] wireless network — just noticed my shiny new MacIntel Mini Core Duo should be shipping by the weekend.
I’ll have to try it via DVI into the Samsung in the living room before I set up in my study.