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V · Nov 9, 2005, 10:34 PM

Hi,

I'm planning to buy a 20" iMac to replace my dual 500 G4 but first I'd like to know if I'll be able to watch movies on my TV without shifting the computer from it's place to the living room.

First, do I need an adapter to connect the iMac to the RCA connectors of the TV (RCA=composite video=the yellow plug, right?). If yes which one?

Second, what about the sound? Can I get a cable/adapter to connect the iMac audio out to the red&white RCA jacks of my TV?

Thanks for the help, can't wait to order my new computer!

mduell · Nov 9, 2005, 10:38 PM

You can get a composite video output with an adapter from Apple, sold seperately.
You can get an adapter at radioshack or similar to get red/white audio from the headphone minijack.

brokenjago · Nov 9, 2005, 10:43 PM

It really depends on how far away the TV is from the iMac. The farther away, the longer the cord you'll need.

As to your two questions, the answers to both of them are yes. As to your video question, this seems perfect for what you're asking.

As for audio, you can buy a 1/4 inch to RCA composite adapter from your local Radioshack and then just connect it to the port on the back of the iMac.

Perfecto!

brokenjago · Nov 9, 2005, 10:44 PM

Damn. Beaten by mduell again!

Oh well. My post was more comprehensive

.

V · Nov 9, 2005, 10:46 PM

Thanks a lot both of you! I can't wait to get my first iMac!

brokenjago · Nov 9, 2005, 10:51 PM

Neither can I

.

Enjoy!

brokenjago · Nov 9, 2005, 10:54 PM

Also, if you're gonna be running some obscene amount of cable (like 100 feet,) expect some signal degredation. I really don't know how much, cause I've never done this before.

Just a note.

mduell · Nov 9, 2005, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by brokenjago

Damn. Beaten by mduell again!

Oh well. My post was more comprehensive

.

The "again" makes me laugh.

brokenjago · Nov 9, 2005, 11:35 PM

It's happened before.

Don't worry, I have each and every occasion on file, and when the time comes, I shall have my revenge for each one.

FOR EACH ONE!

nJm · Nov 10, 2005, 03:32 AM

If your TV has an S-Video input use that (the Apple tv adaptor for the iBook/iMac has both composite and s-video sockets), better picture quality.

I don't know about the iMac, but certainly with the iBook to get a decent picture on the TV you need to calibrate it using the OS's display calibration option on the NTSC/PAL "monitor" which appears when you have the tv adaptor plugged in. On default settings the picture looks really washed out (brightness too high and contrast too low).

quiklee · Nov 10, 2005, 01:10 PM

I just did this set up over the weekend. I connected my new iMac to my 51in Sony HDTV with S-Video and then hooked up the audio cables via Y-Cable and RCA cables to my Sony DVD Receiver. It sounds and looks great, especially since I got Span Doctor which let's me span my desktop and configure my iMac screen and tv screen separately . . . . so my iMac resolution is running in stock settings and my tv is running at 1024 (the max output) . . . it's really great when I want to do work while watching some shows or movies . . .

I just made the switch 10 days ago . . . i love me some apple!!!

kevin.g · Nov 10, 2005, 01:27 PM

Anyone think a new AirTunes will be released to incorporate video?

quiklee · Nov 10, 2005, 01:37 PM

doubt it KG . . . .the quality of Videos is just too high to transfer over Wireless G . . . trust me, i've thought about it as much as you . . . if apple came out with that and if they make the mac mini the right way . . . i'm getting a mac mini for every room in my house then!

kevin.g · Nov 10, 2005, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by quiklee

doubt it KG . . . .the quality of Videos is just too high to transfer over Wireless G . . . trust me, i've thought about it as much as you . . . if apple came out with that and if they make the mac mini the right way . . . i'm getting a mac mini for every room in my house then!

Well I have a Kenwood network receiver (VRSN8100) that receives audio and video via wi fi network from my PC; can't see why Apple couldn't do this!

quiklee · Nov 10, 2005, 05:05 PM

it streams HD quality videos? 720x480 size videos? . . . . . if that's the case, then if Steve Jobs is reading this . . . . HURRY UP!

kevin.g · Nov 11, 2005, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by quiklee

it streams HD quality videos? 720x480 size videos? . . . . . if that's the case, then if Steve Jobs is reading this . . . . HURRY UP!

I don't have any HD quality videos downloaded on my PC so I can't really check. Nevertheless, the technology seems to be there (or at least close)!

V · Nov 11, 2005, 10:12 AM

About controlling (play, pause etc) the movies I'll watch in the living room I was wondering if Apple wireless keyboard and mouse would work from a distance of about 20 feet of the iMac.

Someone tested the distance limtation of those?

SSharon · Nov 11, 2005, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by kevin.g

I don't have any HD quality videos downloaded on my PC so I can't really check. Nevertheless, the technology seems to be there (or at least close)!

I agree. I often have video_ts folders on my ibook that I can burn from my desktop via a wireless network. If it can handle that and my internet traffic at the same time I think its good.

Originally Posted by V

About controlling (play, pause etc) the movies I'll watch in the living room I was wondering if Apple wireless keyboard and mouse would work from a distance of about 20 feet of the iMac.

Any RF based or bluetooth based wireless device should be able to transmit that distance through walls. My logitech KB and mouse, as well as my remote all work that far and from other rooms. I have only tested the apple bluetooth KB and home and it works 20 feet but there were no walls for me to try it behind.

Noonster · Nov 29, 2005, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by brokenjago

It really depends on how far away the TV is from the iMac. The farther away, the longer the cord you'll need.

As to your two questions, the answers to both of them are yes. As to your video question, this seems perfect for what you're asking.

As for audio, you can buy a 1/4 inch to RCA composite adapter from your local Radioshack and then just connect it to the port on the back of the iMac.

Perfecto!

The link is no longer working....
- are you talking about the "Apple Video Adapter" ??

ALSO when you say 1/3 inch to RCA do you just mean a normal headphones adaptor that then turns into 2pins (white/red) that go into the TV or the aux on your surround sound system?? and then the s-video cable deals with the video?

Cheers
Darren

Noonster · Nov 29, 2005, 02:43 PM

Can you tell me where you can get Span Doctor from please as did a google search and found nothing

Cheers

Noonster · Nov 29, 2005, 02:55 PM

Sorry double post

Noonster · Nov 29, 2005, 02:59 PM

Thats the Apple Video Adapter I am on about!!!
- I can see the s-video socket to get the video from the mac to my TV... however I am unsure about the other one as I thought there was 2sockets needed for the sound as there are 2 on your tv.

OR do i need something that converts the headphone output socket into something tha then runs to the TV and plugs in.

If someone could clear this up it would be much appreciated. Maybe a link to the exact things I need etc..

Cheers
Darren

mduell · Nov 29, 2005, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Noonster

Thats the Apple Video Adapter I am on about!!!
- I can see the s-video socket to get the video from the mac to my TV... however I am unsure about the other one as I thought there was 2sockets needed for the sound as there are 2 on your tv.

OR do i need something that converts the headphone output socket into something tha then runs to the TV and plugs in.

If someone could clear this up it would be much appreciated. Maybe a link to the exact things I need etc..

The other port is RCA video (color coded yellow).
For audio you'll need an adapter to go from the 1/8" mini jack to RCA audio. Something like this (except don't waste your money on the Monster brand name).

Chicacredes · Nov 29, 2005, 04:19 PM

Not sure if this is a stupid question, but can s-video carry audio too?

i doesn't work on my tv, but i think i remember it working when i outputted with s-video to a dvd player once at someone else's house.

mduell · Nov 29, 2005, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Chicacredes

Not sure if this is a stupid question, but can s-video carry audio too?

No.

Noonster · Dec 20, 2005, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

The other port is RCA video (color coded yellow).
For audio you'll need an adapter to go from the 1/8" mini jack to RCA audio. Something like this (except don't waste your money on the Monster brand name).

Bit confussed now as you said 1/8 but above someone said 1/3 ??

Could someone post links to the exact products I need to get this working... as I need a long cable too to run from my mac to my tv (3ft maybe?).

Apple Adaptor
S-Video cable
Audio Cables

^^ Is that what I need... sorry to sound silly with this but been trying to get my head around it for ages.

OH and my TV is widescreen same as my 20" mac so will the picture fill the tv screen nicely and look good??

Thanks in advance!!

Noonster · Dec 20, 2005, 04:26 PM

Im guessing this is the adaptor i need.....

It just doesnt look very long at all and will definatly not go from one end of my room to the other.... Do I then just buy and S-Video extention cable to run around the room and into the back of the tv??

If yes then shouldnt be a problem with that

Now the audio... whats the best way do get the audio accross making it end with 2 composite plugs at the TV end to go into the sound ports.... but what needs to be at the end of the mac?? and also can you get a lead long enough for this??

Thanks

Noonster · 05:15 PM

Also from what I have been reading I need to have two Mini DVi ports one for the S-Video (picture) and one for the composite (sound)... however looking at the back of the iMac I only have one socket??

Its the 3rd one down....

This really is getting complicated yet I am sure its probably really easy

OR.....
The monster cable
- http://www.macheaven.co.uk/?page=pro...amp;prod=10013
- http://www.monstercable.com/UK/productPage.asp?pin=2511

It says its for a 12" powerbook.... but it uses a Mini DVi connector that an iMac G5 has so wouldnt it be the same?? it also produces both sound and video from that port making me only need one thing thats if it would work with the iMac??

By the looks of the Monster one it uses the headphones socket on the iMac and converts that into the audio connectors needed for your TV.... which then allows you to control the sound via your tv or would you then use your mac??

Really appreciate everyone listening to me going on... just really want to sort this!

mduell · Dec 20, 2005, 09:56 PM

You need the VGA to s-video adapter for your iMac, a 1/8" mini jack to RCA audio adapter, and suitable length s-video and RCA audio (or s-video and 1/8" mini) cables to get to your TV. Don't waste your money on Monster cable, it's a scam.

Noonster · Dec 21, 2005, 11:10 AM

Ok will stay away from the monster cables.....

So get the Apple Video Adaptor, not the VGA to s-video one though as theres no VGA port on the iMac... would I not need the Mini-DVi to s-video one?

Whats the 1/8" mini jack to RCA Audio?? is that just something that plus into the external speaker port and then turn into two conectors at the other end for the tv?

Maybe you would be able to post some links of the products??

Cheers
Daz

Noonster · Dec 26, 2005, 09:10 AM

Was the above right then??
- Going shopping on wednesday and hoping to get the leads i need!