Guide to Connecting Your MacBook Pro to a HDTV

Required Parts for Setup
1.) HDMI Adapter Cable for your MacBook Pro: Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support. This adapter allows your MacBook Pro to connect to a HDTV and pass video, as well as audio data (mid-2010 and present Macs only). Apple offers a much more expensive Mini Display Port to HDMI cable here.


2.) High Definition Cable to hook your MacBook Pro to a HDTV: High-Speed HDMI Cable



Additional Parts Needed
3.) MacBook Pro Charger
4.) Computer Speakers (For MacBook Pro's without HDMI audio)
5.) External Keyboard and Mouse

Setup Instructions

1.) Turn on your MacBook Pro and your TV/external display.

2.) Connect the small end of the Mini Displayport Adapter into the mini display port located on the left side of your MacBook Pro (shown below).


3.) Plug one end the HDMI Cable into the Mini Displayport adapter, then the other end into your HDTV, Monitor or Projector.

4.) Switch to the proper Video Input using your TV's remote.

Tip
At this point, your MacBook Pro and TV should display your Mac OS desktop (or the default Apple Galaxy Wallpaper). If not, then go to System Preferences > Displays and click "Detect Displays" to activate the second screen.

5.) Go to System Preferences > Displays and verify that your external display is on the correct resolution (1080p for most HDTVs). Un-check the "Mirror Displays" option if necessary.

Tip
Mac desktop not covering your entire TV screen? Make sure the Overscan option is checked!

6.) Click on "Arrangement". Click on the white bar in the smaller blue display box (your Mac Book's LCD screen) and drag it to the larger blue screen (your external display). This will place the OSX menu bar on your or TV screen, essentially making it the primary screen. Close the Displays settings menu.




Use MacBook Pro and TV in Single Display Mode (Optional)
By default, the MacBook Pro goes into sleep mode if its lid is closed, thus turning off the signal to your connected TV. A simple solution to prevent your MacBook Pro from sleeping only requires your MacBook Pro charger, an external keyboard and mouse. Connect these parts to your MacBook Pro, and then close the laptop's lid. Either hit the space bar on your external keyboard, or move your mouse and your MacBook Pro desktop will display only on your TV!

How can I tell if my MacBook Pro supports HDMI audio?
Here's Apple's list of HDMI audio support for MacBook Pro laptops. If your Mac doesn't have HDMI audio capabilities (like mine) then you will need to attach a pair of computer speakers or to a digital receiver if you already have one.

What if my TV or Monitor doesn't support HDMI?
No worries! There's plenty of MacBook Pro Mini Displayport Adapters for VGA or DVI for you to choose from. Be sure to also buy the proper type of display cable as well.

How to increase MacBook Pro performance
Under System Preferences > Energy, you have the option to change your MacBook Pro from Battery Power saver to High Performance. You are welcome to play around with this setting as you may experience some lag; it just depends on the applications you run. Any changes will require you to restart your OSX session.