I've been searching for a way to connect my 2006 MacPro 1,1 to my HDTV and not having any luck finding a solution. Can y

[GeneL]

My TV, an older 50" HiDef rear projection Toshiba, has only component and S-video inputs, no HDMI. It sits right next to my MacPro, so it would be great if I could watch content from my MacPro on my TV.

Searching for a solution, I found a reference to using a Radeon ATI X1900 XT in my model MacPro with an Apple DVI to Video Adapter which is designed to work with the DVI port on the Mac Pro. It appears that using this adapter would allow the kind of connectivity that I'm looking for and it's cheap.

Unfortunately, there are several problems with this solution. For one thing, my video card is a NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, which apparently won't work with the Apple DVI to Video Adapter. Another issue seems to be that the ATI X1900 XT had problems in my model MacPro, so I don't think that I can do a switch to that video card.

I've seen other video cards mentioned, but I can't judge from the descriptions if they'd be suitable for my purpose. On top of that, I've finally hit the limit of what I can comfortably spend on "non-necessities" like this and most video card upgrades are pretty expensive.

Can anyone suggest an affordable solution. Keep in mind that I am using my Yamaha receiver as a hub for my Cox cable HD PVR and two DVD recorders and they are all connected using component cables for video. There are still several component inputs available, as well as an S-Video option.

I'd be thrilled to find an inexpensive solution that would allow me to take advantage of the content I find online.

Thanks for any ideas! :oldfogey:

[Forrest]

If most of the video content you want to watch on your TV is in iTunes, I suggest a first generation AppleTV, which has Component TV output. Note your TV must also support at least 720p.

[bik]

Forrest wrote:
If most of the video content you want to watch on your TV is in iTunes, I suggest a first generation AppleTV, which has Component TV output. Note your TV must also support at least 720p.

Good idea!

However, the TV does NOT need to support HD. The Apple TV will connect and it will do 480i.

With a 1st gen Apple TV, if your TV has component connections, you should be good to go.

It will be helpful if your TV has a fake "widescreen" mode to put the black bars at the top and bottom. Otherwise everything will be tall and skinny on a 4:3 TV.

I use a 1st gen Apple TV with an old Sony CRT. Works great!

[sekker]

Sounds like an ATV1 plus setting up your Mac as a home sharing computer via iTunes would do the trick (I do this using a set of movies playlists and ATV2).

[rz]

I'd go for a WDTV Live (it's how I connect my Mac Pro to my HDTV). No need to "hack" it to get it to play all the different video formats out there. Can be easily found for under $100.

[bazookaman]

rz wrote:
I'd go for a WDTV Live (it's how I connect my Mac Pro to my HDTV). No need to "hack" it to get it to play all the different video formats out there. Can be easily found for under $100.

Think Amazon had the WDTV Live Plus for $80. Not sure if they still do.

[Gareth]

There are DVI to Component converters, but they are near $100, so about the same price as a standalone media player (i.e. WD TV Live). If you want to watch things like Hulu, you'd need something like this, but I haven't used one myself, so I can't say how well it works.

[GeneL]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions!

I had missed a couple of shows recently and was able to see them on HBO 's and ABC's websites. That's what got me thinking about finding a way to see online video content on my big screen TV, rather than on my 20" monitor.

I never use iTunes. I may be mistaken, but don't you have to pay for things that you watch through iTunes? That doesn't make sense to me when I qualify to watch all the premium channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz etc) on their internet websites, plus most networks offer their already aired shows.

I may be wrong about iTunes, so I'd appreciate an education, if I am.

I did a search for a WDTV Live and found that my local Best Buy has them in stock for $80. That seems promising, from what rz and bazookaman have said. I'll have to look into just how it works.

I do know that it would be great if I can start watching internet content on my TV.

Once again, a big thank you for your posts.

[motopsyco]

DVI to VGA adapter, then a VGA to component cable. Set the Toshiba up as the second monitor with the proper resolution.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041903&p_id=2396&seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10235&cs_id=1023503&p_id=2173&seq=1&format=2

Its the most affordable way I can think of.

Cheers!

[Forrest]

The stock AppleTV or the WDTV Live has a built-in web browser. You can hack a 1st generation AppleTV to install a web browser. This will give you access to some internet video via Boxee. There's also a lot of video content offered by Apple free of charge - video podcasts and select TV shows.