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How to connect a MacBook to a TV: instructions with various methods

If you are thinking about buying an external monitor, then first read the note about. In it, I told you what you need to pay attention to so that the macOS interface is the right size. There are many nuances there.

This article will discuss ways to connect a monitor to a MacBook, as well as three options for using it:

  • Video repeat of monitors
  • Extended desktop
  • MacBook with the lid closed, like a system unit

Options for connecting a MacBook to a monitor

It all depends on what generation of MacBook you have. In models prior to 2015, Apple used a Mini DisplayPort connector. Models after 2015 use exclusively USB-C connectors.

In both cases, you will need to use a special adapter to connect your MacBook to an external monitor.


My MacBook Air has a Mini DisplayPort connector, so I connect it via cable Mini DisplayPort - DisplayPort, which I bought at a local store
MacBook 12 only has one USB-C, so I had to buy an adapter USB-C - DisplayPort, which also has an additional charging port

In rare cases, a monitor may support a direct connection with a USB-C cable, and the cable will not only transfer the image from the laptop to the monitor, but also charge the laptop from the monitor.

Alas, such monitors are still rare birds in our area.

Which connector to use on the monitor

There are only two modern options: DisplayPort or HDMI.

I recommend always choosing DisplayPort, as HDMI has a frequency limit for higher resolutions. If you connect your MacBook to a 4K monitor or TV via HDMI, you will get a picture with a frequency of 30 Hertz. With a DisplayPort connector there will always be the required 60 Hertz. But keep in mind that .

Here are some suitable options:

  • mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort, 8- Suitable for all MacBooks up to 2016 release. They have a separate miniDP port;
  • USB Type-C to DisplayPort, 15- Suitable for all MacBook Pro 2016 and older. These laptops have 2 or 4 USB-C ports. The wire itself delivers 4K resolution at 60 Hertz;
  • USB Type-C to HDMI, 8- The adapter has an additional charging port, so it is suitable for 12-inch MacBooks with one USB-C port. It will accurately produce 60 Hertz at 2K resolution. Not sure about 4K;

1. Mode “Video repeat of monitors”

When you connect the display for the first time, a video repeat of the image will automatically turn on: the same image will appear on the screen of the laptop and external monitor.

This mode is well suited when connecting a projector or large display for presentations. But for real work - no.

Video Mirroring mode sets macOS to the same maximum supported resolution on both displays. If you have an 11-inch MacBook Air (1366x768 pixels), then an external 2k monitor (2560x1440) will work at the resolution of the MacBook Air. Of course, the picture will be cloudy and large in size.

To turn off video repeat mode, uncheck the box. Enable video repeat of monitors V:

 ▸ System Settings ▸ Monitors ▸ Location


Turning off video replay of monitors

2. Extended desktop

In this mode, both displays become one. Unlike video replay, the screens here operate independently and support their maximum resolutions.

In the screenshot below, the blue rectangles correspond to the connected displays. Their size is proportional to the installed resolutions. The larger rectangle (top) corresponds to my Dell P2418P monitor, and the smaller one (bottom) corresponds to the MacBook Air display.


The monitors are in Extended Desktop mode.

The white bar at the top of one of the rectangles represents the menu bar and determines which display is the primary one. To select another display as your primary, click on the white bar and drag it to the desired screen.

The displays can be repositioned by dragging their corresponding rectangles. This is to ensure that the connected displays are arranged in accordance with their actual location on the table, so that the cursor can move correctly.


Specify how displays are arranged on the desktop and which one should be the main one

From an efficiency point of view, this is the best connection option, since you have both screens at your disposal at once. By the way, if you place the monitor on some kind of stand above the MacBook, you can continue to use its keyboard and touchpad, thereby avoiding the expense of purchasing an external keyboard and mouse.


My Dell monitor acts as my main monitor and my laptop acts as a secondary monitor

3. MacBook with the lid closed

This mode will appeal to those who want to work with an external monitor as the only and main one, thereby making the MacBook something like a “system unit”. Convenient if you want to hide your laptop somewhere away in a drawer, or there is nowhere to place it on the table.

SeenDa Laptop Stand

To “wake up” a MacBook with the screen lid closed, you need to connect an external keyboard and mouse/trackpad, and be sure to connect the computer to an external power source. Otherwise, when you close the lid, it will simply “fall asleep.”

If you are using a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, make sure they can wake up your computer.

 ▸ System Settings ▸ Bluetooth ▸ Advanced...


This option will allow you to “wake up” the laptop when the lid is closed

In conclusion

Personally, I used the second method (extended desktop) for a long time and continued to use the laptop keyboard and touchpad. Nowadays, I often prefer the option with a closed lid. And as manipulators I use a mechanical keyboard and mouse.

If your laptop is weak, then the option with a closed lid will not load its video system so much. Also a plus.

Synchronizing your laptop and TV will allow you to view content on the big screen. Connecting a regular laptop running Windows OS to a TV is not difficult. However, we are talking about a device from Apple. Therefore, the synchronization process will be significantly different. Few users know how to connect a MacBook to a TV.

Now let’s analyze the specifics of connecting Apple laptops to TV. The proposed options are suitable for MacBook Air and devices of other models. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure the image appears on a large screen. Many users encounter certain problems - we will analyze them and also offer effective solutions.

Options for connecting a MacBook to a TV

Conventionally, all existing methods can be divided into two groups - wireless and wired. The necessary cords and adapters are not included in the basic package of TVs and laptops. Therefore, they will have to be purchased separately. How to connect Mac to TV? The user must make his own decision. Much depends on how exactly and in what mode the TV will be used.

Note that the TV model is not of fundamental importance. Connecting a MacBook to a Samsung or Sony TV will be absolutely no different. All available options allow . This means that the laptop acts as a projector.

MacBooks are designed to synchronize with other Apple technology. Therefore, if you do not plan to use devices from other manufacturers, then you will need to perform a few additional steps to avoid compatibility issues. Let's get down to business. First, let's look at how to connect a MacBook to a TV via an HDMI interface.

Via HDMI cable

Absolutely all modern TV models are equipped with an HDMI interface. Therefore, this method of synchronizing equipment can be called a priority. Creating a connection will not pose any particular difficulties. Since the whole process comes down to connecting the cable plugs to the appropriate connectors.

If you have never connected any devices to your laptop before, then start by looking at the video signal ports. Interface layout may vary depending on your MacBook model. To set up your iMac with HDMI, plug the cable into the connector on the back of the device. The video output on the MacBook Pro is on the left, and on the MacBook Air on the right. The Mini-Display port into which it is inserted looks a little different.

When all the necessary cables and adapters are prepared, it’s time to move on to connecting the MacBook to the TV. To do this, follow these simple step-by-step instructions:

  1. Insert the HDMI adapter into the video output port on your Mac laptop.
  2. Connect the plug to the adapter.
  3. The second end of the cord must be inserted into the corresponding connector on the TV, which is located on the side or on the back panel.
  4. If the laptop was turned off, then turn it on.
  5. Take the TV remote control and select “HDMI” as the signal source.

The laptop will automatically detect the new connection. The desktop will be configured to display high definition. If the picture does not appear on the big screen, it means that the user inserted the cable into the wrong connectors. It is possible that the signal source was selected incorrectly.

Modern TV models are equipped with 5-6 HDMI interfaces. Analyze them. Select the port that allows you to transmit audio and video signals. Synchronization will be considered complete when the laptop desktop appears on the big screen. Now you know how to connect your MacBook to your TV.

If you are satisfied with the default settings, then you can proceed to play the content. However, keep in mind that at this stage the TV is used as an external display. To view content through applications, you need to perform a few additional steps. As a result, the functionality of the device will increase significantly.

We should also talk about sound reproduction. By default, the audio signal is not transmitted to the TV. Therefore, the sound is played through the laptop speakers. It is very uncomfortable. Therefore, it is better to carry out an in-depth setup so that the sound is played through more powerful TV speakers.

As noted earlier, the MacBook initially uses the TV as an external display. The laptop desktop is displayed on a large screen. This is a good option for those users who need a large external monitor. However, if you want to watch TV shows, various videos and movies, or play video games, then it makes sense to think about setting up mirroring.

Instructions for setting up mirroring:


This setting is ideal if you are using a TV designed to play 720p content. To watch video in high definition format (1080p.), you need to reduce the resolution or use an external screen as the main one. Otherwise, the symmetry of the picture will be broken.

Instructions for changing the main display parameters:

  1. Connect your laptop to your TV using the HDMI interface.
  2. Open system settings on your laptop.
  3. Choose a section "Display".
  4. Switch to tab "Options".
  5. Move the white line from the small display (laptop) to the large external monitor (TV).

This is how the TV turns into the main screen.

The configuration system proposed above will significantly modify the device configuration. The computer screen will be used as a desktop. The TV will become the main desktop on which menus and all kinds of applications are displayed.

We've sorted out the video setup. It's time to talk about sound. If a powerful audio system or speakers with excellent sound are not connected to the laptop, then it is better for the audio signal to be played on the TV. The built-in speakers in the MacBook are not capable of providing clear and natural sound.

If the TV and laptop are synchronized via HDMI, then the sound must be adjusted manually. When the cable is inserted into the appropriate connectors, and the laptop desktop is displayed on the large screen, you need to do the following:

The output tab mainly always displays the number and series of the TV model. Not every user knows exactly what the technology they use is called. Therefore, it is wiser to focus specifically on the “HDMI” inscription, and not on a little-known combination of Latin letters and numbers.

Once the user switches the audio output, he will lose the ability to change volume settings through the laptop operating system services. To increase or decrease the volume, you need to use the TV remote control.

Via Wi-Fi

With a wireless connection between a TV and laptop, everything is much more complicated. To display an image on a TV via Wi-Fi in the “Screen Mirroring” mode, you need to use a proprietary one. Instructions:


Connecting a TV via Apple TV will allow you to stream video from the Safari browser and Quick Time player. You can also use it as in the case of an HDMI connection. Please note that to perform wireless synchronization, the laptop must be updated to MacOS 10.8 or higher.

What to do if there is no Apple console? There are alternative synchronization methods using special software. The idea is to create a DLNA server for subsequent wireless transmission of content from a laptop to a large TV screen.

There are many different programs. Users who do not want to get confused in a large number of parameters, but simply stream photos and videos to the TV screen, should download the PS3 Media Server utility. Instructions for creating a DLNA server:

  1. Go to the Navigation/Sharing tab.
  2. In the field located at the very bottom, indicate the path to the directory containing films, music, and TV series. You can specify multiple folders.
  3. Save the settings and simply run the desired file.

The DLNA server will stop working as soon as the laptop goes into sleep mode. Open a command prompt and then type "pmset noidle". This command will prevent the laptop from going into sleep mode.

There is nothing complicated about this setup. You just need to follow the instructions.

Possible problems

What should I do if the output image is too small or there are black bars? The best option is to scale the screen. Not all content stretches to fill the entire screen automatically. Therefore, after setting up the connection, the user will be faced with the fact that a black frame appears on the sides.

Similar problems appear during the streaming of various movies and TV series. The image quality will also be unsatisfactory. This is due to the low resolution. If you use VLC or Quick Time players, then everything can be solved by playing content in 1.5x or 2x resolution. Therefore, you can do without screen scaling, if such functions are available to you.

First, you should activate the screen scaling option, if you have not done so first:

  1. Open the laptop operating system settings.
  2. Go to the "Accessibility" section.
  3. Switch to the "Zoom" tab.
  4. Activate zoom features.
  5. Save your changes.

Be sure to check the box next to “Smooth image”. This allows you to reduce pixelation parameters during upscaling. However, this may cause the picture to become excessively blurry. Therefore, it is also better to avoid significant scaling. Otherwise, the image will lose its naturalness.

To start playing content, launch the player. Move the mouse cursor to the center of the video. You can now use the zoom feature to minimize the black bars on the sides, as well as the top and bottom. This work can also be done with gestures. Swipe the “Control” key, and then change the picture by lifting two fingers up or down – zoom in and out, respectively.

Users, especially those who love computer games, are interested in the question: can the iMac be used as a monitor? The answer is simple, you can. Many will say that for these purposes you can buy a separate external monitor, instead of using a full-fledged computer. A full-fledged Apple monitor with a high resolution will cost around 42 thousand rubles, while on an iMac you will spend from 80 thousand. At the same time, for 80 thousand you will get a full-fledged powerful computer with an excellent screen. There is no need to buy anything if you already have an old version of the all-in-one that has been left idle.

iMac can be used as a peripheral monitor for Apple devices, because it has a high screen resolution. You need to put the device into peripheral display mode. This mode makes it possible to use the all-in-one PC to display images from another device.

Connecting iMac to Mac

In order to establish a connection you will need:

  • Mac computer or laptop. The device must have a Thunderbolt connector. If you don't have one, Mini DisplayPort will do. If your equipment is equipped with a Thunderbolt 3 port adapted for USB - C, use a special Thunderbolt 3 (USB - C) / Thunderbolt 2 adapter from Apple.
  • Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort cable.
  • An iMac that the user plans to connect as an external monitor. The operating system must be OS X 10.6.1 or later.

Not every candy bar model can be connected as a peripheral screen. Only models can be connected: iMac with a diagonal of 27″, Late 2009 and Mid 2010. The connection uses a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt connector. To establish a connection, you will need a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable. All-in-one PCs with a release date from mid-2011 to mid-2014 are connected. The Thunderbolt port and cable of the same name are used for connection.

Turn on the all-in-one PC that will be connected as a display. Sign in to your macOS account on another device. Connect the cable to the connectors. After the connection is made, simultaneously press the “F2” + “Command” buttons on the input panel of the peripheral PC. The display will show the operating screen of the second device. To complete the docking process, hold down the “F2” + “Command” buttons.

If "F2" + "Command" doesn't work

If pressing the buttons does not start displaying the screen of another computer, do the following:

  • Check if your model supports peripheral monitor mode.
  • Switching to this mode is possible if you have logged into your macOS account on the second PC.
  • Check the functionality of the keyboard. Use only your native keyboard. With a third-party input panel, commands may fail to execute.
  • If in the “keyboard” section of the system settings there is a checkmark next to the item “Using the “F1”, “F2” and ...” keys, simultaneously hold down the “Command” + “Fn” + “F2” buttons.
  • Check the accuracy of the devices connected via cable. Check if the cable is working properly. If you find creases, twists, or bare areas, replace the cord with a working one.
  • For PC Windows, the peripheral screen mode does not work. The iMac must run on macOS.

How to disable the mode?

To exit, disconnect the cable, or simultaneously hold down the “F2” + “Command” buttons on the input device of the computer connected as a monitor. Disconnection will occur automatically when one of the computers is turned off. The same thing will happen when one of the devices goes into sleep mode.

Settings

To fully use your iMac as a peripheral display, you'll need to customize your screen settings. Use a second PC to adjust the brightness of the external screen. In system settings, open the “monitors” section. You can also adjust the brightness level on the candy bar itself through the input panel (brightness control buttons).

To play sound through the monoblock speakers, open the system settings on the “main” PC and go to the “sound” section. In the section, specify audio playback via iMac. You can adjust the volume using the volume keys from the main PC.

You can connect 2 devices as an external screen. Computers must be connected via Thunderbolt ports and special Thunderbolt cables . The aimaks are not connected sequentially in a chain, but only to the main device via Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port . There is a limit on quantity. All processes that are running on the iMac, which you connect as a peripheral monitor, remain in background activity during screen mode.

How to connect PS4 to iMac?

You can connect your PS4 to your iMac using the ExtremeCap U3 capture card. With its help, the user can even record games. For the device to work correctly, you need to download the firmware for ExtremeCap U3 from the official website. A high-resolution monitor is perfect for gameplay. Resolution plays a big role for very dynamic games, such as fighting games.

If the user encounters a slight delay, lowering the graphics level to 720 p will help. The user will find instructions on how to use and connect the gadget in the device package. You can also use the capture card to connect the set-top box to your TV. The cost of ExtremeCap U3 ranges from 10 thousand rubles.

Connecting iMac to TV

You can use Apple TV, but it's not required. Display the image of the candy bar screen on a TV monitor without an additional gadget. The computer display resolution is high, but watching movies on a larger screen is more enjoyable. To connect your PC to your TV you need a Thunderbolt, Mini-DVI or Mini DisplayPort connector. Need Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter supportive sound. HDMI cable and TV with HDMI connector.

Follow the connection sequence:

  • Connect the Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter to your PC, then connect the HDMI cable to it. Connect to TV.
  • Start your PC.
  • Turn on the TV and use the remote control to select the HDMI image transmission interface.

Mirror display broadcasting (one image on two displays) is disabled in the system settings in the “monitors” section. To adjust sound settings, go to the “sound” section. In the “output” subsection, set the audio output via HDMI. You can scale the display using hotkeys after studying them in the “universal access” section.

Having been servicing Apple equipment for more than 10 years, we regularly receive many letters and requests from our Clients, as well as from site visitors and participants. In the vast majority of cases, we are able to provide the necessary information to help people solve problems they have with their iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac.

Today we are pleased to present you with new instructions that tell you how to how to display image from MacBook screen to TV without using wires.

But we decided to write these instructions in a format that is unusual for our site, representing an imitation of a dialogue between a user and a specialist. To be fair, we note that exactly this kind of dialogue actually happened with one of our Clients recently. We hope that the material in the article will be useful to you and that the format of the material is convenient.

How to display a MacBook screen on a TV

Good afternoon I have an Apple MacBook Air laptop and an Apple TV 2 connected to a large TV. I can watch a movie on the big screen, but I can’t do that with a MacBook. Is it possible to do this and how to enable this feature?

Hello! Your problem is clear. Please tell me what year your laptop is and what operating system is installed on it. You can view this information by clicking on the apple in the top bar of your computer screen and selecting “About This Mac.”

- MacBook Air 2012, version 10.9

Great! This means that the built-in AirPlay Video Replay function is available on your computer, allowing you to solve your problem right now. Make sure your MacBook and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

- Yes, both devices are connected.

Then the MacBook should automatically see the Apple TV that is on the same Wi-Fi network as it, and the “AirPlay” icon should appear on the top panel. Check it out.

- No. I don't have such an icon on my screen.

Fine. Then go to "System Preferences" and select "Monitors". At the bottom of the window that opens, find the line “AirPlay video replay.” Most likely, the “Off” item is active there, click on it and select “Apple TV” from the drop-down list.

- Hmm, strange... The "Monitors" menu does not display the option to select Apple TV.

In this case, most likely, your Apple TV is currently in sleep mode. Press any button on your Apple TV remote to wake it from this mode. After 15-20 seconds, an indication of Apple TV detection should appear in the monitor settings on the MacBook. Also make sure that the "Display video replay options in the menu bar when available" option is enabled in the settings.

- ABOUT! Thank you! Everything worked out, everything works! 🙂 Can you clarify one more question?

Yes, sure.

My sister also has a MacBook, but it's not very new. For New Year I want to give her an Apple TV. Tell me, she can also transfer images from her computer to the TV screen.

It all depends on the year of manufacture of the computer and the version of the operating system. AirPlay Video Replay is supported on all MacBooks (Pro and Air), iMac, and Mac mini that were released in mid-2011 or later. The operating system must be at least Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8).

- Thank you for your help and advice.

Please. Contact us! 🙂

We hope that the article was useful to you. If you are interested in setting up your computer or repairing Apple equipment, you can always count on the help of our service center specialists. Tell us about your problem and we will be happy to solve it! Need to ? No problem! Come visit and we will help you.


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Dear friends, today you will learn how to connect a MacBook to a TV. There is probably no need to explain what functions a TV can perform, but we will still look at this component in this block. Then we will talk about connection methods, and in the next block we will look at them in detail. So, what will such a connection give us?

  • Firstly, you will be able to use your TV as your main monitor. That is, if the available diagonal of an Apple laptop is not enough for you to work in some programs, games and utilities, then TV can be an excellent alternative in this case.
  • Secondly, it will be possible not only to replace or duplicate the MacBook screen, but also to expand it, performing two different actions simultaneously on two different displays. For example, you can display a movie on a TV screen, and process photos or render videos on a laptop display.
  • And you can also simply display some content from the device to the TV via a wireless Wi-Fi network. Of course, there are some nuances there that will need to be dealt with in the following paragraphs.

As you can see, there are a lot of advantages that connecting a MacBook to a TV can provide. Of course, these are not all the possibilities provided. That is, the above is generalized information, which, in turn, can be shared. For example, screen mirroring will allow you to also play games on the main monitor while your favorite show is on or music is playing on another one. Now let's look at three ways to connect Mac laptops to your TV.

  1. Via a standard HDMI cable. That is, in this case you will need an HDMI cable, which can be purchased separately in specialized stores. You can also buy it on the official Apple website or from official resellers.
  2. Via wireless Wi-Fi connection if you have an Apple TV device. Here it is already clear that you need an Apple TV set-top box to work.
  3. You can display the image from the MacBook screen on some services on a Smart TV monitor.

Here you can immediately decide on the type of connection: if you have a TV set-top box from the Apple company, then go straight to the second method in the next block. If you have a Smart TV and you only need to display some data (for example, YouTube videos), then move on to the third method. If you don’t have any of the above, but you still want to do this, then the cheapest option would be to purchase an HDMI cable. Be sure to check at home how long the cord you will need so that you don’t have to worry about it in the store.

HDMI

  1. Connect the cable with one side to the MacBook's HDMI input and the other side to a TV with a similar output.
  2. On the TV remote control, press the Source button and use the navigation keys to select HDMI, where the type of connected device will be indicated (depending on the TV model).
  3. In the MacBook screen settings, set the necessary ones for your monitor: duplicating, expanding, or displaying the image on one of the selected monitors. Let's take a closer look at each of these options:
  • Duplication is when everything that happens on the laptop screen is repeated on a large TV monitor.
  • Expansion - the desktop is enlarged, that is, you can move the window of some program to the second display, and work, for example, in a text editor on the first screen.
  • Output to the first or second monitor - here, perhaps, everything is clear from the name: the image is shown only on the monitor that you choose.

AirPlay

So, how to connect your MacBook to your TV via Wi-Fi? That's what AirPlay is for. This feature is only available to owners of an Apple TV set-top box, therefore, if you do not have it, the service will automatically become unavailable to you. AirPlay lets you do the following:

  1. Stream video from the Safari browser or Quick Time Player.
  2. Use the TV as a monitor, as in the case of connecting via HDMI.

All you have to do is turn on your Apple TV, then select your TV from the AirPlay status menu in the menu bar. This function is disabled there. As you can see, there is nothing complicated. Just press a few keys and all the necessary content is transferred to the big screen. Please note that to use AirPlay comfortably, you need access to high-speed Internet.

Smart TV

iPhone users probably know (and if they don’t know, they’ll find out now) that when watching a video, for example, on YouTube, an icon for broadcasting the video appears. This icon appears when both your Smart TV and Apple device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then you press it, select TV and the video is transferred to the big screen. In the same way, you can try to watch videos from the Internet from a Macbook.

Conclusion

Dear readers, now you know how to connect a Macbook to a TV in several ways. We hope that everything worked out for you, and that working on your laptop has become even more comfortable. Please note that some features may not be available on certain Mac computer models, so please check Apple's official website for more information. Don't forget to share your opinion, impressions and experience in the comments! How do you use two monitors and how did you connect your TV to your Apple laptop?