# Comp to TV: DVI, VGA, HDMI?
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840
**Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic
**Created:** [December 2, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840 "2009-12-02T22:39:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/1 "2009-12-02T22:39:41Z")
I have a macbook pro which has a mini display port
I just purchased an insignia 42" plasma, seen here:
[http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Insignia%26%23174%3B+-+42"+Class+/+720p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9299822.p?id=1218079780935&skuId=9299822&st=insignia%2042&cp=1&lp=1](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Insignia%26%23174%3B+-+42%22+Class+/+720p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9299822.p?id=1218079780935&skuId=9299822&st=insignia%2042&cp=1&lp=1)
After asking the best buy employees (2 of them) multiple times if this television has a vga input, and being told yes, I get it home and alas, none.
It also doesn’t have a dvi port.
So my only option apparently is mini display port to hdmi. which apple doesn’t make
it is however available on ebay. I was just wondering if there is any disadvantage to this method of connection, basically why doesn’t apple sell it? Or should I look into another tv?
I don’t have cable, and likely won’t until june when my lease runs out and I move into a new place. I just bought it to watch hockey games on, I have the gamecenter live package online. So for now the primary use of my television is to watch hockey from my computer
thanks in advance for any and all information
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### Author:  [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2009, 10:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/2 "2009-12-02T22:52:09Z")
That’s weird. I have a 32" Insignia Plasma with all of those hookups. And I bought it almost two years ago.
Wouldn’t know about that method, but I’m interested in the responses too.
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### Author:  [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/3 "2009-12-02T23:03:42Z")
damn, they didn’t even have any plasmas smaller than 42.
I went in there to just buy a 32" lcd tv. It’s just for my room. but the 60hz refresh rate sucked for hockey. 600hz from the plasma was much better lol
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### Author:  [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/4 "2009-12-02T23:32:11Z")
Yeah I love mine. I think this was the only run that any company made a Plasma in 32". Not sure why they stopped making them, but it’s been pretty good to me.
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### Author:  [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/5 "2009-12-02T23:45:17Z")
word on the street is they’re manufactured by samsung
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### Author:  [@IanK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IanK)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 12:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/6 "2009-12-03T00:02:29Z")
I have a DVI - HDMI cable I use from my MBP:
> **[Robot Check](https://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimited-PCM229602M-2Meter-Cable/dp/B001625D7G)**
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### Author:  [@SnowboardinWNY](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SnowboardinWNY)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 1:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/7 "2009-12-03T01:10:11Z")
Thats odd, does the back of your tv look like this?
If not I would take it back and tell them they sold you the wrong tv. I use my MBP to watch movies and tv shows all the time with the HDMI to DVI cable. Flawless picture, you won’t regret it!
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### Author:  [@ILC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ILC)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/8 "2009-12-03T01:27:16Z")
> [@Coldaccord"](#):
>
> So my only option apparently is mini display port to hdmi. which apple doesn’t make
>
> it is however available on ebay. I was just wondering if there is any disadvantage to this method of connection, basically why doesn’t apple sell it? Or should I look into another tv?
Your best bet is to get a 3rd party one…
Apple doesn’t make one because they have no reason to. Apple to apple products don’t use HDMI, or at least its not what they would want to be the primary.
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### Author:  [@ILC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ILC)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/9 "2009-12-03T01:29:54Z")
> [@IanK](#):
>
> I have a DVI - HDMI cable I use from my MBP:
>
> [http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimited-PCM229602M-2Meter-Cable/dp/B001625D7G](http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimited-PCM229602M-2Meter-Cable/dp/B001625D7G)
that probably won’t work. if he has a mini DVI… DVI D is full size.
the right one should look more like this
> **[Amazon.com: PTC Mini-DVI to HDMI Adapter with 6ft HDMI Cable for Macintosh :...](https://www.amazon.com/PTC-Mini-DVI-Adapter-Cable-Macintosh/dp/B001H0REVK)**
>
> The Mini-DVI to HDMI adapter is designed for the iMac (Intel Core Duo), MacBook, and 12-inch PowerBook G4 with Mini-DVI connection, allowing you to connect to an HDTV, external monitor or projector. This VALUE Pack includes a Premium Gold Series 6 ft...
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### Author:  [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 4:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/10 "2009-12-03T04:06:01Z")
You need 2 adapters. Mini dvi to dvi as well as dvi to HDMI.
Edit, what Dan posted should work too.
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### Author:  [@vt1992s10](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vt1992s10)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/11 "2009-12-03T04:43:32Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#):
>
> You need 2 adapters. Mini dvi to dvi as well as dvi to HDMI.
>
> Edit, what Dan posted should work too.
I believe they have these wires/adapters at staples
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### Author:  [@ryanmcell](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ryanmcell)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 6:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/12 "2009-12-03T06:09:33Z")
I have a new MBP also with the mini dvi port.
I just use a mini dvi - hdmi adapter I got off of monoprice for less than 10 bucks and a standard audio y cable.
> **[Mini-DVI to HDMI Adapter - Monoprice.com](https://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041912&p_id=4852&seq=1&format=2)**
>
> This adapter will allow you to use HDMI® cables with the mini-DVI port found on some laptop computers. For connecting any HDMI® equipped display, including most HDTVs, projectors, and digital monitors. \* Note: Mini-DVI is designed...
Or if you prefer not to supply your own HDMI cable you can get it without the adapter
mini dvi - hdmi cable:
[http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c\_id=102&cp\_id=10246&cs\_id=1024603&p\_id=5996&seq=1&format=2](http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024603&p_id=5996&seq=1&format=2)
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### Author:  [@IanK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IanK)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 9:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/13 "2009-12-03T09:29:23Z")
Does the new MBP really not have a regular DVI port ?
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### Author:  [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 9:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/14 "2009-12-03T09:32:56Z")
apple is pushing for mini-dvi port to become an industry standard…and it is working
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### Author:  [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 9:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/15 "2009-12-03T09:33:16Z")
weird that you dont have a vga.
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### Author:  [@ILC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ILC)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 9:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/16 "2009-12-03T09:35:52Z")
> [@Jam](#):
>
> weird that you dont have a vga.
VGA sucks… thats why
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### Author:  [@Joe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Joe)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/17 "2009-12-03T10:08:38Z")
really? macs dont have HDMI? :picard: Ah well, you get what you pay for.
Oh wait.
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### Author:  [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/18 "2009-12-03T14:28:12Z")
> [@Joe](#):
>
> really? macs dont have HDMI? :picard: Ah well, you get what you pay for.
>
> Oh wait.
:lol:
I love my gateway with a HDMI port. Its great becuase one cable for sound and hd video to the TV and all HD tvs have HDMI ports and everyone usually has a cable.
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### Author:  [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/19 "2009-12-03T14:30:17Z")
> [@boxxa](#):
>
> :lol:
>
> I love my gateway with a HDMI port. Its great becuase one cable for sound and hd video to the TV.
And soon Ethernet…although I think that’s a different HDMI connector
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### Author:  [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/comp-to-tv-dvi-vga-hdmi/76840/20 "2009-12-03T14:43:34Z")
I got my mac pretty decently priced (refurb plus employee discount). Got a free wifi printer as well, and 12 month interest free financing).
Scooped a mini display to dvi and a dvi to hdmi. They took the other ones back no questions even though the VGA cable was open
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