Trying to play movie thru mini DVI port - display keeps switching back to desktop(?)

I'm not able to play a movie continously to my TV through the dvi port (via hdmi cable) using display mirroring. Picture shows up OK, but after the movie runs a very short time attention shifts back to the iTunes control screen. I've successfully mirrored the display on a TV before, but not tried to play a movie until now. After messing with all the perturbations for a couple of hours, now I can't even get the picture to show up, though everything appears to be acting the same as it was. The movie plays fine on the computer w/o mirroring. I've also tried copying the movie onto my iPad and running the movie from it, but get a message that it's not legal to do so (movie bought via iTunes downloaded onto the iMac (2008; 20-inch; 2.4GHz).

Drag applications from your main desktop off the right side of the screen and they will appear on the TV. This is the extended desktop mode.
Regards,
Captfred

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Mini DVI port not working on Macbook

I often watch movies streaming on the internet by connecting my Macbook to my television via my Mini DVI to S-video adaptor cable.
Last week, however, it suddenly stopped working. The television can still detect the display, but the image is super distorted and moving in a static-ey way. I can only vaguely make out the icons on my desktop on the TV screen.
I thought that perhaps my adaptor cable was at fault, so I bought a new one - but the problem remains. I have also tried resetting the PRAM, repairing the disc and permissions with Disc Utility, and cleaning the Mini DVI port. I am pretty certain that it is a hardware problem with the port itself.
One of the pins on my Mini DVI port looks like it could be out of place. It is kind of squished at the bottom of the port instead of laying flat like the others. I’m thinking that this might be the culprit. However, I have tried to straighten it out using a safety pin and I’m not really able to do it.
Am I right to assume this is a hardware problem with my port? Any advice about how I might go about fixing this? Is there a way to repair the port without having to replace the whole logic board?
The Macbook in question is a 2008 Core 2 Duo running Lion.
Any suggestions at all would be much appreciated!

Do not dismiss the possibility that the problem may be with the TV. Based on what you have tried so far, an appointment at an Apple store genius bar is your best option. The evaluation will be FREE and then you should be in a position to make an informed decision.
Ciao.

My mini DVI port suddenly stopped working! :(

Hi! I hope everyone is doing well. I bought a mini DVI port to connect my macbook pro to the projector. It was working perfectly until yesterday, it suddenly stopped. I mean the laptop won't show on the projector. when I play around with the port and the cord and move them, they show a blue screen like the one that appears when the laptop detects a projector but NOTHING happens then. The laptop normal screen comes agian! I know that there is a problem maybe with the cord or the laptop mini DVI slot! How can I know where the problem is? I don't wanna buy a new port then the problem appears to be from the laptop.
Peace and thanks in advance!

They tested it with their cable and mine. First off, they connected an external screen to the mini port. With their cable and mine, they could not get the "detect display" to see the screen.
Then they rebooted the machine from an external drive/os and it immediately recognised the external screen.
So the diagnosis was that it was a software thing. I asked them if they could refresh the drivers or clear the settings but they were pretty unhelpful - did not want to go there. Basically they said rebuild the OS from the ground.
I find this somewhat frustrating as surely there is some soft settings that can be done without rebuilding. Are there any "preferences" or similar types of things that I can delete out of the library file.....? (I am not a Mac tech guy - I am a user.....).
Mark

Mini DVI port stopped working

I often watch movies streaming on the internet by connecting my Macbook to my television via my Mini DVI to S-video adaptor cable. Last week, however, it suddenly stopped working. The television can still detect the display, but the image is super distorted and moving in a static-ey way. I can only vaguely make out the icons on my desktop on the TV screen.
I thought that perhaps my adaptor cable was at fault, so I bought a new one - but the problem remains. I have also tried resetting the PRAM, repairing the disc and permissions with Disc Utility, and cleaning the Mini DVI port. I am pretty certain that it is a hardware problem with the port itself.
One of the pins on my Mini DVI port looks like it could be out of place. It is kind of squished at the bottom of the port instead of laying flat like the others. I’m thinking that this might be the culprit. However, I have tried to straighten it out using a safety pin and I’m not really able to do it.
Am I right to assume this is a hardware problem with my port? Any advice about how I might go about fixing this? Is there a way to repair the port without having to replace the whole logic board?
The Macbook in question is a 2008 Core 2 Duo running Lion.
Any suggestions at all would be much appreciated!

I think you may be right, it's a hardware related MiniDisplay port connector problem.
I think you can't fix it up by replace MiniDispaly port connector, however fix it by replace whole logic board.

Mini-DVI port not working: wear and tear?

I had been happily using the mini-DVI port to play content on TV, using a DVI to Video adapter : plugging and unplugging probably twice a week.
Now it seems to have stopped, abruptly: no signal at all is reaching the TV. (Adapter still works fine on my MacBook.)
What are the chances of wear and tear damaging the DVI port? Is this a complicated fix? Any other thoughts? No recent upgrades or updates.
"About this Mac" reckons it's mirroring fine, so it feels like a hardware thing. Many thanks in advance.

Hello ewfelton
It is very possible that the DVI port on the iMac has been damaged from wear and tear, as it's harder to get at than the MacBook.
I would disconnect everything from the iMac, grab a clean towel and turn it face down on the desk. Then with a magnifying glass and light inspect the DVI port for a broken or bent pin. In the process of inspecting the port your SMC will also be reset, follow the instruction for "How to reset the System Management Controller" when your done.
If the port seems OK and the SMC reset doesn't get it going use Disk Utility to Repair Disk Premissions and try it again.
Your local Apple Store or local Apple Service Provider can replace a bad or damaged DVI port.
Dennis

Mini DVI port

Please,
Recently I have noticed that the mini dvi port of my MacBook shows some gold metal parts absent. Is it normal or should it be repaired/fixed?
Because nobody has a macbook here, I do not have how to make a comparison. I made an schematic position of the miniDVI port metal parts of my macbook, where "I" represents the presence of a metal part and "." represents metal part absent.
top
I I I I I I I I
I I I I I I I I
I I I I . I . I
I I I I I I I I
botton
I have also tried to find out a picture in internet for comparison and I had no success.
Thanks in advance,
LabZen

That's the way mine looks. On top all are present and on the bottom there are two spaces vacant of the metal connections.
I"ve never plugged mine in so I'm fairly sure that's the way it should be. Of course we might have both lost the exact same connections but that's unlikely!

Monster iTV Link for Macbook- Mini-DVI ports different...

I have been watching movies etc. on my TV through my 14" G4 iBook for the last year using the Monster iTV Link with the mini-DVI end. I recently bought a Macbook and expected to do the same with it, but the mini-DVI ports are a different shape!
I have scoured the internet for some information on different mini-DVI ports but have come up short. Can someone explain why Apple would install a different mini-DVI port on the Macbook? Or not install an S-video?
Regardless of why they did this, I now need a new adapter or Monster needs to make a new iTV Link cable for Macbook. Has anyone seen an iTV link for Macbook? Is there one out there I can use?
I am assuming my other option is to buy the mini-DVI to video adapter, use the audio part of the Monster cable I currently have and get a S-Video cable. However before I acquire more cables and adapters...
Can someone confirm that the the Mini-DVI end of the Mini-DVI to Video adapter is the correct shape (version) for the MacBook.
THANKS
Macbook Intel, 14" G4 iBook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
It would appear the Monster guy is confused what cable you got. The iTV cable I bought up on Google has the standard round-din S-Video connector found on 15" and 17" Powerbook G4s of the same generation, but I don't think that is found on the 12" Powerbook. What you need is a DVI to S-Video connector to hook up the iTV cable from all indications.
This may be what you are looking for:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M92 67G/A

Video source to firewire and mini DVI ports simultaneously

Hi
Can anyone tell me if the MacBook Pro will take simultaneous video feeds through the firewire and mini DVI ports. I want to do live video mixing using USTREAM or BoinxTV.
thanks

http://kineme.net/forum/Discussion/DevelopingCompositions/FloggingdeadhorseStere oAnaglyph has some relevant snippets, I think, hotmagicpickle.
Not sure how relevant this is , but I decided to experiment and can certainly simultaneously view digital video coming in from my FW camcorder and my USB Elgato DDT TV, so you could certainly "get the stuff in there" at the same time using a mixture of FW and USB. Never tried to mix them, though!
Cheers
Rod

Does the mini DVI port cary audio if using a Mini-DVI to HDMI Adapter?

Hello everyone,
I've heard it is possible for a DVI port to transmit audio data to a HDMI connection if a DVI to HDMI cable is used, which will allow the sending of both audio and video to your TV. see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DigitalVisualInterface
I'm assuming this is not possible using apples mini DVI port, but just wanted to check to make sure. My main goal is to get surround sound out of my powerbook. To do this by simply adding a Mini-DVI to HDMI Adapter would be GREAT!

Hi Jonathan,
I'm assuming this is not possible using apples mini DVI port
Yup, no audio, unfortunately. The audio will have to transmitted separately via the analog audio output.
Yang

Mini-DVi-port to Mini DisplayPort

In July 2009 i bought my first Macbook 13". And then on the 4th of october i ordered a new 24" LED Cinema Display. Then after waiting for 1 month i received my items to day only to find out that my Macbook has an mini-DVI-port and not an Mini DisplayPort as the Cinema Display. But if i had waited 1 month i could have bought the new Macbook 13" with a Mini DisplayPort - but who could have known!
How do i get an adapter for mini-DVI-port on my Mac to Mini DisplayPort on the LED Cinema Display?? Is it possible or should i contact Apple and ask them to trade my new Macbook to a apparently newer version free of charge?
Please help me - not the best way to start the weekend, and find out that your 899$ Display is useless! :o(

You need a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter
<http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9321G/B?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTA4MzU1NjQ>
and a DVI to Mini DisplayPort Converter
<http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-DVI-to-Mini-DisplayPort-Converter-p-17859.html>
<http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=8913>

Mini DVI Port has stopped working

Hi
I am using a fairly new MacBook Pro 15". Up until recently, the DVI port was working fine with an external monitor.
Now all of a sudden, it does not detect an external display at all.
I am using the Apple Mini DVI port adaptor and the DVI connection to the monitor. (I have two similar monitors and my wife's machine works fine on both of them so I don't think its the monitor.)
Running 10.6.8
Anyone able to help?
Ta, Mark

They tested it with their cable and mine. First off, they connected an external screen to the mini port. With their cable and mine, they could not get the "detect display" to see the screen.
Then they rebooted the machine from an external drive/os and it immediately recognised the external screen.
So the diagnosis was that it was a software thing. I asked them if they could refresh the drivers or clear the settings but they were pretty unhelpful - did not want to go there. Basically they said rebuild the OS from the ground.
I find this somewhat frustrating as surely there is some soft settings that can be done without rebuilding. Are there any "preferences" or similar types of things that I can delete out of the library file.....? (I am not a Mac tech guy - I am a user.....).
Mark

New Macbook Pro, no mini-DVI port? (HDTV connect question)

Most online resources suggest that Mac users can connect their computers to their HDTV's through the mini-DVI port, but I examined my Macbook and saw that the new version (purchased 2 months ago, roughly) doesn't have this port. This being the case, what can I use to connect my laptop to an HDMI cable? Thanks in advance for any and all help!

MacBook Pros now have a "Thunderbolt" port that is supposed to be backwards compatible with Mini DisplayPort (not Mini-DVI they've used the Mini DisplayPort since 2008) and, likewise, supports an external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1824ZM/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

HT4951 Can i use a Thunder bolt display with an iMac from the mid 2009 ? Would it work if connected to a mini dvi port in a scaled down mode or is it compulsory to have a thunder bolt port ?

I have a mid 2009 iMac that doesn't have Thunderbolt display, but has a mini-dvi port.
Will the Thunderbolt cinema display 27" still work when connected to this mini-dvi port ?
I thought it would be better going for a thunderbolt display monitor rather than the older version, so when i upgrade my machine in the future it stays compatible.

I have a mid 2009 iMac that doesn't have Thunderbolt display, but has a mini-dvi port.
Will the Thunderbolt cinema display 27" still work when connected to this mini-dvi port ?
No. A TB display can only be connected to a TB source.
Confusing Mini DisplayPort with Thunderbolt
As indicated in that artical a displayport device can be connected to a TB source. But that is not your situation.

I cannot use any external monitor, it appear like the port doesn't work , i'm using the mini-dvi port with a VGA adaptor ,

I've always used the port normally with different monitor but by a couple of weeks it appear like no signal come out.
Does Anyone knows what can i do ? i.e. How to check or reset the Mini-dvi port ? or if there's any key on the keyboard that can habilitate it or not ?
Any Help will be appreciate
Thanks

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
You don't have to do anything to make the port work. Reset the SMC > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
If it doesn't work, try with another monitor to see if it works or another cable. If you haven't got another display, take the MacBook Pro to an Apple Store or reseller, so Apple will test the port and see if it works correctly

Mini-DVI port: monitor goes black for a moment if wiggle the adaptor

I have an Early 2009 mini 2.0GHz, which I'm using with the included Mini-DVI to DVI adaptor.
I've discover that if I press down on the adaptor plug just right, the monitor flickers to black for a moment, as if the adaptor were pulled out of the Mini DVI port.
I know: don't do that.
But it can also happen if the monitor cable gets tugged on just right (how I discovered it), and I'm concerned that the Mini DVI port may be loose on the motherboard, that it may get worse, that it may flicker intermittently without provocation, etc.
On the other hand, maybe this is just how the mini is built and I'll be wasting my time getting service.
So I'm hoping some of you can poke at your minis and see if it happens to you too.
Instructions For Proper Poking:
º Have everything plugged in with computer and monitor on
º Press down gently on the plug that is plugged into the mini's Mini DVI port
º Try a little wiggle, press from the end of the plug where the wire comes out to get a little leverage, etc.
º Try gently picking the mini up a few times, so that the monitor cable is hanging down from the mini
It only happens sometimes for me.
Thanks

So I just ran through the little test matrix you outlined in your first post with my Early 2009 mini. Result: no trouble whatsoever with intermittent connection. I would say what yours is doing isn't normal. Maybe some other people will try and report their results.
Mini DVI has been out there for a long time, albeit not on the Mac mini, but on other Apple notebook products. I have not heard that the connection is not "robust" ever. And I've been following the MacBook and MacBook Pro display forums for a couple years now.

Trying to play movie thru mini DVI port - display keeps switching back to desktop(?)

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