Macbook on TV?

Iceman · 13 Feb 2011 at 18:54

Hi all, besides the obvious of connecting using the mini display port. is there anyway to stream movies/tv programmes from my Macbook to the tv?
I have just started looking at the likes of Iplayer Channel4 OD, Its a pain watching it on the little mac, So other than cable is there a way i can stream it to my tv? Would Apple TV do this?

Thanks.

PardonTheWait · 13 Feb 2011 at 18:59

No way to stream iPlayer through the Apple TV, but it will stream all your iTunes content.

Iceman · 13 Feb 2011 at 19:43

So im guessing i can only plug my Mac into the tv via display port?

PardonTheWait · 13 Feb 2011 at 19:51

How old's your Mac? If it's one of the current crop then a Moshi Mini-DP to HDMI adapter (or similar) will carry audio as well which makes it nice and convenient, otherwise it'll still work but you'll need a separate audio run.

Otherwise Mini-DP to whatever your TV's got, DVI or VGA will do it, you could do a fairly long run if it makes it more convenient but yes you'll have to plonk it near(ish) the telly.

Kemik · 13 Feb 2011 at 19:53

Iceman said:
So im guessing i can only plug my Mac into the tv via display port?

Cheap option yes, otherwise there's always building a media server or buying a PS3.

PardonTheWait · 13 Feb 2011 at 19:54

I plonked a Mac Mini under my TV which was pure folly but it is really nice to have it there, as expensive as it was. With Plex on it and the Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad it's a very nice HTPC/sofa browsing/general server machine.

Iceman · 13 Feb 2011 at 20:00

Macbook is a late 2009. Been looking at Mac mini's but with a holiday coming up and a few other things i just cant stretch to get anything like that, Plus i don't think the other half would let me buy anymore "geeky stuff" as she puts it lol.

Kemik · 13 Feb 2011 at 20:06

Iceman said:
Macbook is a late 2009. Been looking at Mac mini's but with a holiday coming up and a few other things i just cant stretch to get anything like that, Plus i don't think the other half would let me buy anymore "geeky stuff" as she puts it lol.

It may seem like I'm being a bit of a fanboy but I hardly use my PS3 for games, it's always PlayTV (like Sky+ but for freeview and with a much nicer UI), play AVIs from my USB stick/external hard drive or stream almost anything from my Macbook pro over the network. My flat mate just signed up to Love Film which the PS3 has an app for, along with ITV Player, 4OD and iPlayer. Not forgetting Bluray for something that is less than half the price of the Mac mini.

Iceman · 13 Feb 2011 at 20:13

I just cant see me getting a PS3, not long bought an Xbox. Could i not use that in anyway?

steveo · 13 Feb 2011 at 20:19

PardonTheWait said:
I plonked a Mac Mini under my TV which was pure folly but it is really nice to have it there, as expensive as it was. With Plex on it and the Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad it's a very nice HTPC/sofa browsing/general server machine.

same here

streaming to the xbox is easy enough done, its just getting the right software if you have 1080p mkvs to stream

Kappa · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:27

steveo said:
same here

streaming to the xbox is easy enough done, its just getting the right software if you have 1080p mkvs to stream

what do you use for that?

steveo · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:31

Kappa said:
what do you use for that?

not used it in awhile but i used connect360 theres also Rivet which is a new one, dont stream any more as i have my mac mini with plex