I have a Macbook w/ Core Duo and want to connect it with the best possible method to my Mitsubishi WS-55511 (CRT based rear projection HDTV, 2003 model, no DVI or HDMI). My TV has a VGA input on it, but is limited to 640x480, which is not a widescreen resolution and not ideal. It also has several Component inputs, one of which accepts and RGBHV signal. My understanding is this would be easier to implement and cheaper than converting to standard Component YPbPr signal, but I guess that would be my third option.

My TV accepts 480i/480p/1080i, so obviously I would like to run 1080i

I have a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter at this time. I've looked at some DVI-RGBHV cables, but I'm not sure if that will work. Can someone give me some help?

Thanks

Danny,

I would try a combination of 1) a mini-DVI to VGA adapter with 2) a VGA to RGBHV (5-cable RCA plugs) breakout cable.

I previously used a VGA to RGBHV breakout cable between my RCA DTC-100 HD receiver which only offered a VGA (d-sub 25-pin) output and my Mitsubishi WS-48311 HDTV (rear-projection, CRT-based). I got excellent results. It did require setting an option on the TV to declare that particular input to operate in the RGBHV mode instead of the component video mode. This feature of the Mitsubishi HDTV is partly why I chose it over several others, since my only HDTV tuner at the time was the RCA DTC-100.

I have a MacBook (not PRO) and a mini-DVI to VGA adapter. I should try connecting it using the above method to my Mitsubishi HDTV to see how well it works. Unfortunately, accessing my back-of-set connections on the HDTV is a bit of a pain, so I have not tried this yet.

I am also anxious to try an optical output connection from my MacBook to a Dolby Digital A/V receiver to prove that the feature works as advertised on my MacBook.

The only hang up I have about this is that all my HiDef sources go through this one input on the back of my TV (via my A/V receiver). The TV has 3 component inputs, but only one of them has RGBHV capability and that same one is the only that accepts 1080i input. So, I'd have to swap back and forth between the component cables from my receiver and the RGBHV cables for the MacBook.

I'm wondering, will I see a difference using RGBHV vs YPbPr from the macbook? And what would I need to get YPbPr out of the Macbook? (From Mini-DVI to YPbPr)

My TV has a VGA input on it, but is limited to 640x480, which is not a widescreen resolution and not ideal.


Have you verified this?
I used to have a ws55711 who's manual claimed the same spec, but had no problem watching 1080i via the VGA port. Later due to warranty issues I now have a 55813 which also claims to not support 1080i via VGA and it actually does not.

I would verify it before trusting it.

Either way RGBHV and VGA are basically the same without the cable, you can buy simple breakout cables for VGA like this one.
http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/cables/eehd5r.asp

The Mac will not automatically detect the resolution so you will probably need switchresx to get it working.

Also our TV's have lots of overscan so don't expect to see the Dock or the menu bar across the top of the screen.

AIUI, there is no easy way to get component video from a MacBook or Mac Mini. DVI and RGB/VGA can be done with the appropiate Apple adapter/dongle. Converting from either to component video requires an active adapter that will cost at least $100 new. The signals are different between RGBHV and component video, so electronics are needed to do the conversion. Here is an example product:
http://sewelldirect.com/audio-authority-vga-to-component-pc-to-hdtv-converter.asp

I guess I am lucky since all three component video inputs on my Mitsubishi WS-48311 accept 480i/480p/1080i signals. I thought since yours is a newer model (I think) than mine that it would also. I know some older Mits HDTVs only accepted 1080i on one input.

Good Luck!

Has anyone seen any specialized firewire or USB to component outputs? I looked briefly, thinking that there should be some, but couldn't find any. Would be a great niche product for filling the gap in the variety of adapters for computer/display IO interfacing.

Ok, here's another thing I just thought about. My Mitsu has 1394a Firewire on it. This can be used to send audio/video to and from the TV to other devices. Is there a way to output my desktop and/or FrontRow from my MacBook to the TV? I know this one's a long shot, but I thought I'd ask.

Ok, here's another thing I just thought about. My Mitsu has 1394a Firewire on it. This can be used to send audio/video to and from the TV to other devices. Is there a way to output my desktop and/or FrontRow from my MacBook to the TV? I know this one's a long shot, but I thought I'd ask.

No.

Well, an update. I got this working perfectly using the Mini-DVI > VGA adapter ($17) and a VGA cable to the Mitsu HDTV ($6). I used DisplayConfigX to make take care of the overscan, starting with a 720x480x60Hz resolution. It looks great, the TV sees a 480P signal and frontrow looks great, I can even see text very very clearly and surf the web or whatever.

I couldn't get 1080i to work. My TV accepts 1080i on one input, a component / rgbhv input. I decided it'd be too much trouble to switch manually from my component HD sources to the rgbhv signal from my mac, and I have very little real reason to need 1080i from my mac to the TV. None of my videos are higher than 480 signal anyway, and playing music isn't a video-centric thing. So. I'm happy for what I can do. Maybe when I upgrade to a newer 1080p DLP set with HDMI, I'll be able to do more, but ah well.