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Rumor · Dec 23, 2009, 11:28 PM

I have the MBP with the model ID MacBookPro5, 3. I have a 32" Sharp Aquos that I would like to link the MBP to.

Is it possible to run with one cable carrying the video and audio signal? If so, which cable do I get (Mini-DVI to DVI & DVI to HDMI; Mini-DVI to HDMI, etc).

Rumor · Dec 23, 2009, 11:34 PM

It may be Mini Display Port, I can't remember. Clarification on that would be great too.

polendo · Dec 24, 2009, 02:54 PM

Even if you get it to connect it via HDMI, you will need to connect the audio source separately to either the TV or a sound system. The video output of the MBP only carries video.. no sound.

Rumor · Dec 24, 2009, 05:22 PM

So I should just go Mini Display Port to DVI? I am trying to find one on Monoprice.com, but seem to be coming up short.

Edit: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 Is this it?

mduell · Dec 24, 2009, 08:16 PM

Does your TV have a DVI input? Most only have HDMI. For only $8.55 each when QTY 50+ purchased - Mini DisplayPort Male to HDMI Male 32AWG Cable - 6ft | Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable

ghporter · Dec 24, 2009, 08:46 PM

I have used my MBP (MacBook Pro 1,1) with my LCD using a DVI-HDMI adapter. Not the most elegant of cable setups, but it works well. There's no readily available way to integrate audio with the video because all MBPs only put out video through their external video ports.

AKcrab · Dec 24, 2009, 09:52 PM

Your machine has a Mini DisplayPort.

I've not personally used this: Kanex Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 1080p Video with Digital Audio Adapter
Seems to be the most "elegant" audio/video solution I've seen.

Thain Esh Kelch · Dec 31, 2009, 05:39 PM

As far as Wikipedia is concerned, HDMI is an audio/video standard. And as far as I can see, the same with Displayport. So why can't we get one single cable for Mini-Displayport --> HDMI?

chabig · Dec 31, 2009, 05:43 PM

You could except that Apple chose not to put audio out through the Mini DisplayPort connector on the MacBook.

Thain Esh Kelch · Dec 31, 2009, 09:35 PM

Well, it makes sense with the smaller connector, especially considering that Apple loves to really distinguish between audio and video when it comes to cables. So chabig, are you saying that the mini-displayport connector doesn't have audio connectors?

(I'm new-year-drunk, so sorry for any typos or linguistik errors)

ghporter · Dec 31, 2009, 10:30 PM

No, he's saying that Apple has chosen to not provide audio through any of their (potentially capable) external video connectors.

Thain Esh Kelch · Dec 31, 2009, 11:34 PM

Ah, thanks. Apparently I thought that connector was the 'physical end-thingy and the end of the cable that you plug into the "hole"' and not the cable itself, based on my (apparently) bad knowledge of the english language.

So if I understand you correctly ghporter, the Mini-displayport does not have the necessary connections when plugged in, that enables audio transfer?

Edit: And that the "full"-Displayport connector does have full audio capabilities?

mduell · Jan 1, 2010, 12:41 AM

The connector is the physical end-thingy at the end of the cable that you plug into the socket and/or the socket itself. The cable is... a cable.

The MiniDisplayPort connector has the same number of connector pins as the DisplayPort connector. The DisplayPort standard has provisions for audio but no manufacturer is required to support audio* with their device. Apple does not support audio in their DisplayPort implementation that happens to use MiniDisplayPort as the physical connector.

* Actually you're not even required to support video, but I don't know of any implementations that don't.

Thain Esh Kelch · Jan 1, 2010, 12:55 AM

Thans mduell, you answered my question. Regarding the "connector" issue, the build in dictionary of Mac OS X was the reason I misunderstod it.

Big Mac · Jan 1, 2010, 02:45 PM

I guess there had to be some significant technical barrier preventing Apple from supporting audio through MDP if it's in the DP spec. Apple likes cable integration.