New HDTVs have more video inputs than before. Most likely, there are 2-3 HDMI ports, a DVI, VGA connector and at least one component connection. It is a pity that most of them will remain unclaimed. Therefore, if there is a MacBook nearby, why not take advantage of it?
The article is intended for those who would like, but do not know how, to connect the MacBook to the TV. For example, it is necessary to use the latter as a giant external monitor to run computer games on the big screen, to watch streaming video and movies.
In fact, this is a fairly simple task. Some will not even need an adapter, but in other cases, the connection procedure will be more complicated.
Choosing the Right Port
How to connect the MacBook to the TV so that the image is the best? Preference should be given to HDMI and DVI connectors. They provide equally high digital quality. The only practical differences are the form and support for HDMI video and audio in one connection.
An alternative is to use a VGA port. You can apply high definition resolution to it, and many TVs provide special connectivity options that are available only through it. For example, some models allow you to adjust the scaling exclusively for the VGA port. Another possible option is the pixel-by-pixel transmission mode, in which the image from the computer is displayed without any manipulation - stretching or compressing the frame.
Of course, you can try connecting the MacBook to the TV via HDMI, DVI and VGA in turn, and then choose the connection that works best.
MacBook Video Output
Depending on the model year and brand, Mac laptops may have DVI, Mini DVI, Mini DisplayPort, or Thunderbolt ports. Apple also used other types of video connectors, but earlier models did not have enough bandwidth to adequately process, decode, and display a 1080p signal.
Mac DVI and Mini-DVI can play both digital and analog (VGA) video signals. If you connect DVI or miniDVI to the VGA port of a high-definition TV, you need an inexpensive adapter. Similarly, you need an adapter to connect a miniDVI connector to a standard DVI display input.
Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt, on the other hand, are digital connections. There are adapters that can convert the video signal coming from these connectors to VGA format, but the quality they create is not suitable for a home theater system.
Adapters and cables
So, before you connect the MacBook to the TV via HDMI, you need to purchase a suitable adapter. There are many sellers of adapters and cables. Apple offers its own models in its “Accessories for Mac” section of its online store.
Although most simple adapters are inexpensive, some of them can be expensive. Fortunately, Apple is not their only manufacturer. There are many places where they can be purchased - from online stores to retail, and they cost less there. For example, the price of Apple’s miniDP-DVI adapter is 2,000 rubles, and the equivalent model of another company will cost 720 rubles. Therefore, it is worth spending a little time searching to find the necessary cables and adapters at affordable prices.
Popular sites offering affordable MacBook accessories are Amazon, Monoprice, and Newegg.
Create connection
If the desired adapter is purchased, and there is the necessary cable, before connecting the MacBook to a Samsung TV, LG or another manufacturer, you must disconnect both devices. By connecting them, you should first turn on the HDTV. There is no need to make special settings for the TV, but it is necessary to supply power to it earlier so that when loading the laptop can recognize both it and the required resolution. Then turn on your Mac. The laptop should independently determine the format and resolution of the screen and automatically select the most suitable video parameters. After a few seconds, the display will show the desktop.
By default, the laptop tries to use the TV as an external monitor, and it does an excellent job of this feature. But if the goal is to watch movies or games, it’s best to set up a screen duplication feature . To do this, select "Displays" in the system settings and select the duplication option on the screen layout tab.
Image scaling
After the first inclusion, it sometimes becomes noticeable that the desktop is slightly larger than the screen and its edges are cropped. Or it does not take up the entire display space and there are dark areas around the edge. So how to connect the MacBook Air to the TV so that the image scale is correct?
You can usually fix this by adjusting your TV settings. Refer to the user manual for setup information related to zooming. If your HDTV has a pixel-by-pixel display function, you can try it. This should fix any problems associated with an image that is too large or too small. Some models offer only special monitoring functions on certain inputs, so you need to connect to the corresponding port.
Lack of image
It is possible that the user has followed all the instructions in this manual, but the laptop’s desktop did not appear on the screen. How to connect the MacBook to the TV in this case? There are a few things to check.
First, you need to make sure that the correct input is selected. Some models try to simplify input selections by disabling unused ports. If you have not used this video input before, you may need to enable it in the TV menu.
You can also try another connector. If the HDMI port does not work, you should check the DVI or even VGA input. Thus, you can find the connector that will work correctly.
Sometimes the TV does not tell the MacBook the correct resolution. A laptop can deliver a video signal in one format when the display expects another. As a result, there is nothing on the screen. How to connect the MacBook to the TV in this case? The situation can be corrected using the utility SwitchResX. It allows you to change the resolution that the MacBook sends to the display device. You can find out how to use it on the developer's website.