IMac as quasi-DVD player

Question

We are new Mac owners, and I'm hoping I can fetch an answer from you experienced types out there. We have an iMac 20" and an 32" LCD HDTV 720 res. We use Airport Express for our wireless internet connection and printer. My high-class Walmart DVD player has ceased to function. Until we go and replace it with competent techology, is there a way to use our iMac as a quasi-DVD player, in concert with our TV? Is it something we can do wirelessly using Airport Express?

Answer 1

You can't stream video with an AirPort Express (it can stream audio).
You can basically use it (your iMac) like a stand-alone DVD player. Your HDTV probably has HDMI input(s). The iMac has video output. It is a Mini DisplayPort (assuming your iMac is the current 2009 model), so you need something like this
[Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter|http://www.amazon.com/PTC-Premium-DisplayPort-Adapter-cable/dp/B0021YDR UI/ref=sr11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247382004&sr=8-1]
(If your iMac is a 2008 or earlier model, please post back because you need a different adapter.)
to convert it to HDMI. Then, you run an HDMI cable from there to the HDTV.
The HDTV will be seen by the iMac as a second display and extend your Desktop. Run DVD player to play the movie DVD, move the window playing the movie to HDTV's screen, and give the +full screen+ command (Command-F).
Note: Audio will still come from the iMac's speakers. If you want audio to come from the HDTV, you need to run a separate cable from the iMac's audio output to the HDTV's audio input.