Mini DVI-to-Video Adapter troubles with MacBook

Hello,
I recently purchased a Mini DVI-to-Video Adapter (the one with Composite and S-Video output) to use with my MacBook to use my computer to watch movies on my TVs. The TVs are very late model, so they may not work, but when I plug the Adapter into my computer and then plug the Composite Video cord into my TV, the TV's picture is black and white and has four replications of the desktop. It is very fuzzy but the TV is clearly receiving some input from the desktop. Does anyone have any ideas of how to correct this, or is it just because the TVs are so old? Thanks for the help.
-Bill

Welcome to Apple Discussions, schumawm.
Most likely the wrong timing/resolution is being sent to the TV. If mirroring is turned on in Display preferences under the Arrangement tab, uncheck the mirror box to turn mirroring off. Then set the TV's resolution to 640 x 480 as a starting point. 640 x 480 may be all that an older TV is capable of.

Similar Messages

  • Will the Apple mini DVI to video adapter work with a macbook? What to Buy?

    I went to my local Apple Reseller and asked for a mini dvi to video adapter to use to connect my macbook to a tv using either s-video or the yellow RCA cable. I was told that they only had the one that was for an ibook and Power book and that this would not work with a Macbook. I would need a different one. Is this correct. If so, what do I need? I have looked on the online Apple Store and cannot find anything that fits this description. They only list one type of Mini DVI to tv adapter? I just want to be able to connect my Macbook to a TV.

    As it happens, I just bought the mini-DVI to video connector for my wife's Macbook (C2D) yesterday. I am in Australia (which is a PAL country), but I didn't see anything on the device or the packaging which indicated it as being PAL-specific. In fact, in Display Preferences when it is connected to the Mac and TV and in use, the panel relating to the TV output (which is shown by the Mac on the TV screen) is where you select between PAL-50Hz and NTSC-60Hz, so I'd guess it is a single worldwide device, rather than their being separately-manufactured PAL and NTSC variants of the connector.
    Anyway, on the back of the top cardboard part of the packaging is a picture of the connectors (because you cannot really see the pins in the Mini-DVI connector itself when packaged, due to an opaque plastic "keeper" over the end of the plug).
    To reconfirm what is said above, the pin configuration on the mini-DVI port on the MacBook and what you need on the Mini-DVI connector is a horseshoe or "U" shape. I don't remember if any specific model of Mac is listed, but I believe as long as it is that U-shaped connector you'll be fine with the same connector kit.
    The "mini-VGA to video" connector is not what you want for a MacBook; mini-VGA is not "U"-shaped inside, but rather two rows of pins in "II" configuration (even though the outside dimensions of mini-VGA and mini-DVI look very similar).
    ted.h.
    Mac Mini (Pro Duo) and MacBook (C2D)   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

  • Can I use a mini dvi to video adapter on my Macbook 7.1 of have some compatibility problems?

    I have a Macbook 7,1 and I want to buy a mini dvi to video (s-video and rca) to plug my macbook to my analog TV.... I want to know, if this have some compatibilty problems... or not....
    tengo una macbook 7.1 y quiero comprar un cable de mini dvi a video compuesto.... en la pagina de apple señala que esta diseñado para imac (intel) y powerbook de 12" que ya ni existen creo.... lo unico que quiero saber es si funcionaria o no el adaptador con mi macbook...

    The first review posting on the product page is:
    +dosen't work on mac pro with nvidia!!!!!+
    +Written by PH from hamburg+
    +August 27, 2007+
    Which suggests no. I have heard from an Apple Store "genius" that it does.
    Both are n=1, so I'd suggest a call to the Apple Store sales line (even if you don't order it that way).

  • Mini-DVI to video adapter connects with S-video cord

    I see the picture, but no sound coming out of the tv. Sound only comes out of the MacBook. Any ideas?

    Hi mrs.Kurle: The S-Video cord doesn't caryy an audio signal. To get audio to your TV you will need a cord from the Audio-Out/Headphone jack to the appropiate Audio input on your TV.
    Stedman

  • Mini-dvi to video adapter changing display on macbook?

    I recently purchased a mini-dvi to video adapter for my macbook to be able to view photos and video on my tv. I'm having trouble with the display on my computer when I use the adapter. As soon as I plug in the mini-dvi video adapter into the computer the display on my computer switches from 1280 X 800 to 640 X 480. Attached to the adapter I have an s-video cable to my tv. The display shows the same on the tv but in black and white.
    Any ideas? Thanks!

    Turn mirroring off. That way the two displays can run independently from one another. The mirroring check box is in Displays Preferences under the Arrangement tab.

  • Macbook + mini-DVI to video adapter problems!

    Hi,
    My roommate and I both have Macbooks - I got mine in June '06, it's one of the older black 80 gb models and hers is a white 120 gb that she got in August '07. We bought a mini-DVI to video adapter so we could watch DVDs and video files on our TV, but have been having some trouble with it lately. At first, it worked perfectly with her computer, but in the past few weeks has been malfunctioning - when she plugs it in, the default background shows up on the TV screen but nothing else, any windows she has open only show up on the TV if she drags them to the right on her screen until she can't see them on her computer anymore, so we're unable to watch anything fullscreen. Any tips on how to fix this?
    Also, the adapter has never worked with my computer - any time I plug mine in, my computer display becomes enlarged and slightly distorted, and on the TV screen is distorted by horizontal lines that move up and down the screen. Any ideas here?
    Thanks so much for the help!

    Hi cbeth,
    welcome to macbook forum.
    For your friend macbook, try to press F7 back and forth to switch between mirror and expanded mode.
    Try to update your macbook hardware firmware and software using software updater and repair permission after that...application/utilities/disk utility/repair permission.
    Also reset your PRAM and PMU.
    Open your friend system preference / display and try to compare and set yours similar to hers, including resolution, color depth, refresh rate.
    Good Luck.

  • MacBook connecting to Mini-DVI to Video Adapter problems- HELP!!!

    I just purchased the mini-dvi to video adapter. Immediately upon connecting the device, it makes the connect sound, followed immediately by the disconnect sound, accompanied with a flashing black screen. This repeats until I remove the adapter. I just updated my graphics driver, but that didn't help. I'm running windows XP on a macbook purchased in august 2007. please help!

    Does the adapter work if you're in OS X? If so, you may get better help over in the Boot Camp forum here:
    http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=237
    ~Lyssa

  • Not detecting tv display when connected with Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapte

    I am connecting my macbook to my older tv using a Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter to an RCA (yellow video prong) and then into the tv. The red and white audio prongs hang loose, not hooked into anything on both ends. When I go into Displays there is no option for mirroring displays. I hit 'detect displays' but nothing happens. The Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter is brand new, just ordered it from apple. And I use the RCA cord all the time with other machines into my tv and it works fine.
    Any help is really appreciated. Thanks!

    Which generation MacBook do you have because at some point Apple dropped support for that adapter. Here is a link to a list of Apple adapters and compatible computer models:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3235

  • '09 mini not compatible with mini-DVi to video adapter?

    I hooked up my new '09 mini to my AV receiver via Apple's mini-DVI to video adapter but got no picture. My previous mini ('06 model) worked fine w/ the DVI to video adapter. I'm thinking the mini-DVI port on the new mini doesn't pass analog signals anymore, i.e., it's now DVI-D vs previously being DVI-I.
    Anyone else have this experience w/ the '09 models? I know it works with the older models. I'm just trying to figure out if I have a defective adapter or if the '09 mini's DVI just doesn't pass analog. I noticed the supplied mini-DVI to DVI cable is DVI-D, so maybe that is a hint.

    I doubt that'd work. Usually these adapters work by connecting "legacy" wires on the newer connectors to an older interface. The mac actually produces all the appropriate signals, and the adapter just hooks the wires together appropriately.
    It sounds like the only analog signals the mac is producing are Red-Green-Blue signals, like you'd use for VGA or component video. It's not producing a composite video signal. So if you convert mini-DVI to VGA, the composite line is going to be dead on both.
    The only kind of adapter that could help you would be one with some amount of circuitry that actually pastes the Red-Green-Blue signal into a composite signal. Something like:
    http://www.svideo.com/appletv2tv.html (I do NOT vouch for this site/product, just an example of what I mean)

  • Problem with apple mini dvi to video adapter cable

    I recently bought an apple mini dvi to video adapter cable and all that it would display on my television screen was black and white colors. The quality of the screen seemed to be okay but it was hard to tell since i did not have any color. Is there something that i can do to fix this problem

    Your probably not doing anything wrong. There are thousands of users with Similar issues and it seems to be with many different adapters.
    We have Mini DP to VGA (3 different brands) and they all fail most of the time. This seems more prevalent with LCD Projectors. I've tested some (50+) with VGA Monitor (HP) and they all worked, LCD Projector (Epson, Hitachi, and Sanyo) and they all fail, DLP Projector (Sanyo) and one worked.
    My Apple Mini DP to DVi works most of the time. My Mini DP to HDMI (Generic non Apple) works every time.
    The general consensus is that Apple broke something in the OS around 10.6.4 or 10.6.5 and its not yet fixed. As we are a school we have logged a case with the EDU Support group so will see what happens.
    Dicko

  • Can't get my mini dvi to video adapter to work with my tv

    Ok so I bought a mini dvi to video adapter to hook my imac up to my tv, and I when I go to detect displays all it does is flash white for a split second, and then doesn't work
    any suggestions?

    OK... so I figured it out. Firstly, the RCA cable I was using was faulty. Secondly, I think the adapter I bought is also faulty. I found that it only works when it is hanging down from the computer... as in the computer is sitting on the edge of, say, a desk, and the the cable hangs over the side. If I move the cable upwards, it stops working. So, I'm going to call an Apple store and see if this is most likely the problem, and I'll probably exchange it.
    Thanks again,
    Zeb

  • Iphoto crashing after using mini-dvi to video adapter

    Hi, IPhoto on my Macbook is crashing. I can open it, then as soon as I scroll down it locks up and I have to force quit.
    This started happening right after I used a Mini-DVI to Video Adapter cable to hook my macbook up to my TV. The adapter/s-video connection worked and I was able to see the video on the tv. But iphoto immediately locked up the computer when I went to slide show and now it locks every time I open it.
    Any ideas?
    Thank you:)
    Dorothy

    It means that the issue resides in your existing Library.
    Option 1
    Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
    If that fails:
    Option 2
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords, faces and places back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
    Regards
    TD

  • Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter Question

    I want to hook up my macbook (late 2008 model) to my tv. Will the Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter
    work? If it will work on my tv then what else do I need to get? It looks like you need other wires to hook up to your tv? Thanks in advance for your help!

    The new MacBooks that use the NVIDIA 9400M video chip do _not_ support output to analog TVs. Thus, with the current MacBooks the only way to get output to an analog TV is with a third-party VGA-to-analog TV converter box -- you can't just use one of Apple's cables (although you'll need the mini display port to VGA adapter cable to connect to a third-party VGA-to-TV converter box).
    More specifically, you can _not_ use one of Apple's $19, DVI to Video (composite/S-Video) adapters on the new MacBooks.
    See also this discussion:
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1927674&tstart=15

  • Apple Mini DVI to Video Adapter is not working. Please Help...

    I bought an Apple Mini DVI to Video Adapter to connect my Macbook to a TV using normal video cable. When I connect the cable, my Laptop DIsplay gives a flickr once and then it shows nothing. I checked Display in the system preference where I don't get a secondary monitor option. My TV is panasonic and it's an old one. I work on Final Cut Pro and it's very very important to see my videos on a TV. What am I doing wrong with the connection? Anyone Please Please help...

    Your probably not doing anything wrong. There are thousands of users with Similar issues and it seems to be with many different adapters.
    We have Mini DP to VGA (3 different brands) and they all fail most of the time. This seems more prevalent with LCD Projectors. I've tested some (50+) with VGA Monitor (HP) and they all worked, LCD Projector (Epson, Hitachi, and Sanyo) and they all fail, DLP Projector (Sanyo) and one worked.
    My Apple Mini DP to DVi works most of the time. My Mini DP to HDMI (Generic non Apple) works every time.
    The general consensus is that Apple broke something in the OS around 10.6.4 or 10.6.5 and its not yet fixed. As we are a school we have logged a case with the EDU Support group so will see what happens.
    Dicko

  • Using S-Video w/ the Mini DVI to Video Adapter

    I just purchased a MacBook last week and I also purchased a Mini DVI to Video adapter for it so I can use the built-in DVD player to watch movies on my TV. I have a composite to composite cable and that worked fine when I connected the cable between the Mini DVI to Video Adapter and my TV. However, when I tried to use a S-Video cable and connected that between the Mini DVI to Video Adapter and my TV; then I got no picture at all. All I saw on the TV was a picture of the MAC desktop w/o the dock and the movie or nothing else played at all.
    Is the composite connection a better connection for the MAC, or, are there some settings I need to work with on the MAC to get the S-Video connection to work?

    I managed to figure this one out, by fluke. The MacBook has to be powered on and ready for user input prior to connecting the mini DVI to video adapter with the s video already connected to it, and to the TV. Once I did it this way, it worked fine. I just thought I'd share this.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Insert Date and Time doesn't update

    i am inserting a date and time in my numbers documents so that i know which paper copy is the most current. i do this by going to Insert pulldown and selecting Data and Time while in a Footer Cell. this data does not update upon re-opening the file a

  • CC for teams with Managed Desktops (ie no user admin rights)

    HI, Just getting started with CC for Teams. I like the concept of assigning users, but finding some lumps in our environment: Windows 7 with managed multiuser desktops. USers have limted rights on their workstations and cannot install software. Also

  • Why is the share button missing for videos in photostream?

    I select Photos > Shared > %Photostream Name% > %photo%, and I get a 'Share' button (square box with an arrow) at the bottom of the page.  However, I do the same thing for a video, and the 'Share; button is missing.  See the attached image.  How do I

  • Calendar not syncing anymore...

    Hey there ~ my iPhone isn't syncing with my iCal or Address Book anymore and I can't figure out why or how to fix it. I just keep getting the following error message: "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone because the sync server failed to syn

  • Change default cost assignment specification

    Hello, I do have an organisation which assignes all travel expenses to (project) orders instead of cost centers. Is there a way to change the default cost assignment (cost centers) to (project) orders on the travel expense WebDynpro? As there is no p