Connecting Macbook Pro to Sony Bravia tv?

Question

Hi all,
Firstly i hope I've posted this in the correct location, I'm still new to this forum, and all the technology I'm surrounding myself with.
I recently brought a Samsung 3dtv, I connected my Macbook pro via the VGA, all worked fine, however my new tv does have dodgy hdmi's and screen issue, so a new replacement will be delivered next week.
My Macbook pro was bought in 2008, yes 4 years ago, only recently did it start slowing down and playing around. So, my Macbook is not top of the line, with many fancy connctions, oppostie obviously.  However the dvi - vga does work and continues to do so.
My iMac was brought only a couple of weeks ago, so is more up-to-date, I still don't know what all the connections are at the back, but I'm impressed.
In the lounge there is a Sony Bravia tv, was brought last year, again i don't know everything about it.
Last night, du to the failure of my hdmi's i decided to connect my Macbook to the Sony tv. This simple task turned in to hours of touture, not quite but it was pretty horrific.
I went the way which i knew has worked and should work. dvi - vga.
I connected the adapter from my Macbook to one end of the vga lead, the other end in the tv. I also connected my audio cable. The same way that i have done for years, especially on a 6 year old LG lcd tv. And still nothing. (This way even works on a broken Samsung tv)
The PC output on the Sony was grayed out, and continue to stay that way... all night. Frustrating!
I then decided to try an old windows laptop, again nothing.
I also tried with my iMac, thunderbolt (i believe) to hdmi - hdmi, again nothing!
I even tried the hdmi cables from the cable box etc and all worked ok. Nothing wrong with cables nor the connectors on the tv.
I spoke with a technician from the store of purchase, he said.... It only worked on Samsung tv as it is a 'Smart' tv, and that i could make it work by downloading a free app called... AirPlay. : |
I find this all completely odd as like I've said, the 6 year old LG Nothing-of-a-tv LCD worked via the dvi (on a 4 year old Macbook) to a vga cable, through and in to the tv, also using an audio cable, I bet my life that if i connct it again right this moment, it will work.
Also my Samsung tv is broken, yet the same cable and Macbook still works.
Why does the other two completely different tv's work just like that and the one year old Sony, No!!!
All i would like to know is, how on earth can i connect my Macbook to the Sony tv and have it working as an extra screen?? with video and sound content?
Many thanks to you all. x

Answer 1

I run into exactly the same problem with PC input staying grey. The matter gets worse by:
- if I connect a PC to the Bravia on the it recognizes it.
- if I then connect a MacBook after it it works, until the MacBook is turned off when the matter returns...
- with the earlier MacBooks (time with the round power cables before the magnetic connector) it worked well but newer display connector has this problem.
Hence it's somehow a Bravia problem or a signaling problem from this particular MacBook connector to Bravia (something signal is missing that should be there...)