Question on a macBook pro
 

I use a macbook pro to edit on and would like to play back a project streight from my computer on my HDTV, is this possible?
Is there a converter to get me to HDMI from any port i have?

Sure it's possible. Many HDTVs have VGA inputs which you can connect to the monitor output of your computer with a DVI to VGA adapter. DVI to HDMI cables work but they can be very problematic depending on your HD set.

I have a MBP and regularly hook it up to my 47" Vizio. It works fine - you just need a DVI-D to HDMI cable.

The "more professional" option is to go with something that will be frame accurate. Using FCP to output as a monitor (through DVI to LCD Monitor) is NOT frame accurate and shouldn't be trusted.

I like the Matrox MXO. It provides frame accuracy, color adjustment and scan conversion all for a reasonable price.

But, you can get away with a simply DVI-D to HDMI if you are in a bind.
-C

Were can I get these cables?

What is a MXO?

Use Google, you'll find all the info you need.

The DVI output of your MacBookPro is not color accurate for video but you can adjust it enough for rough work and informal screenings. Several projects I've worked on have used MacBookPros for HD screenings and depending on the projector/HD set, it worked very well for the audience.

The DVI to VGA adaptor normally comes free with MacBook Pro's. You need to make sure this is what you need though. Most modern flat-screen tv's have a DVI connector so you'd need a DVI to DVI cable.

Here's the DVI to VGA cable that comes free with MacBook Pro's:
Apple DVI to VGA Display Adapter - Apple Store (U.S.)

Here's the Matrox MXO William is referring to:
Matrox MXO - Overview

There's also a new MXO2 that you might want to look at as well.

Eddie,

What cables to buy depends on what version MBP you have. The latest unibody versions use the new mini display port rather than the "old" DVI connection previously found on the side. And unlike it's predecessors the new unibody MBP's do *not* come with any mini-display port adapters, those you have to purchase as accessories.

OWC has recently added a huge video-accessory lineup which include various laptop-to-TV adatpers, talk with one of their salespeople.

Video Cards, Displays, TV Tuners, KVM Switchs, Video Editing Cards, A/V Input/Ouput Devices, Accessories & More for your Mac (or PC) at OtherWorldComputing.com

Really? If that was the case, wouldn't it mean that you couldn't hook an Apple Cinema Display either. From my experience color accuracy will be more on the monitor than your connect.


Hooking up your HDTV to your MBP should be really easy & should work just as if you were using an Apple display. DVI to HDMI cables are cheap & everywhere. It can be tricky, but if you run into problems, just google MBP & HDTV. If you get it working w/ the OS, it should work w/ FCP or QT.

Williams post about color accuracy is correct, which is why serious color correction is never accomplished with just an LCD monitor but external "broadcast monitors" either the traditional SD or now the newer LUT-matched LCD's and plasmas used by the networks.

If your final output is to the web then obviously any decent LCD will do fine but broadcast TV or film requires a monitor than can replicate the color space of the final output type. See the various threads on color correction methods or in the FCP built-in guides.

So is this actually a function of the DVI output, or is the monitors that tend to have HDMI connections themselves that are the non-accurate part of the chain?

I'm intending to install a Mac Mini into my home theater and use a DVI/HDMI (well, mini-DVI anyway) connection to my projector--is there a reason to assume that image quality will not be as good as if I used another method to connect, say, via external converter and component video?

Your proposed setup is fine for home viewing. The weakest link in that chain will be the projector - which unless you spend more than $10k isn't going to be very impressive.

Before making any investments in equipment I'd talk to the people at OWC (see link above) and get some suggestions on how best to setup your Mac Mini. I know production and post monitoring setups like nobody's business but home theater stuff is outside my specialty.

Thanks Robert. The projector was indeed over $10K, beautiful picture. However it's three years old now which means that it has of course been superseded by new models (which actually cost even more), plus the less expensive ones have improved as well. What can you do. I'm still happy every time that screen comes down. It would just be nice to be able to view my own HD work on the big screen!

My experience has demonstrated (to me at least) that the HDMI inputs of most LCDs are calibrated for the output of cable boxes, DVD players or other consumer video equipment. In other words equipment set to video color space. The HDMI out of an HD camera is correct as well. A DVI to HDMI cable (if it works, those cables confuse the hell out of my Samsung LCD TVs) does not change the color space of the signal which is why Matrox can charge so much for their excellent output boxes. BlackMagic Designs have a decent HDMI card for MacPros but nothing for laptops, iMacs or MacMinis.

The VGA inputs on your average LCD TV are set to computer color space so with a little tweaking in the color output settings on your Mac you can get a pretty good image for informal viewing. I'm sure you can calibrate a DVI to HDMI signals to close to optimal as well but if you compare the output of a Blu-Ray player to the same image coming out of the DVI port you'll see the difference.

I'd test it first Charles.
Although...
You may want to look at Popcorn Hour. It's extremely cheap for what you want to do and allows streaming at 1080p.

Technically, the MXO 1 will work via QuickTime output but it's garbage in garbage out. Your codec will determine your playback Quality even if the color space is there.
I wouldn't recommend it if that is the units sole purpose- but if you plan on editing "on your wall" then this makes sense.

The Popcorn also can be calibrated colorwise but the Linux interface takes some getting used to. It has HDMI and Component HD Out.
-C

A Mac Mini connected via DVI>HDMI connection to a projector works very well as a HTPC. I don't believe that a projector needs to cost over $10K to be impressive either. My Panasonic PT-AE700 cost the equivalent of about $2000 over 3 years ago & the 10'/3m wide picture still impresses. A similar but better model now would be about the same price & 1920x1080 rather than 1280x720. The cheap projectors designed more for slide presentations than movies are to be avoided for home use but any HD device will be impressive especially if you can totally control the light level in your cinema room.

Interesting. Would I actually see an improvement feeding my projector via VGA rather than DVI/HDMI? I have always assumed that the digital path should be cleaner--am I wrong?

Can you please confirm: The DVI output on the MacBook Pro is NOT color accurate, no matter what you screen you use.

DVI to Apple Cinema LCD display = Color inaccuracy.
DVI to Broadcast HD monitor = Color inaccuracy.
DVI to Consumer Plasma HDTV = Color inaccuracy.
DVI to ANYTHING = Color inaccuracy.



Either I am very easily impressed, or you are a few dozen tax brackets above me.

I have been impressed with a friend's $2,000 projector. While it isn't an IMAX, being able to watch TV or movies on a 120" screen in a private setting is a very enjoyable experience for me. Knowing that the whole entertainment system costs a few grand less than what I payed for a used Saturn impresses me.

Yes, DVI out to anything will not be colour accurate. It is the wrong colour space. This is what makes the MXO so useful is that it does a conversion of the DVI signal to the correct colour space (to put it simply).


Correct. The HP DreamColor, though, is supposed to be accurate (when properly calibrated).

AFAIK, no broadcast monitor accepts DVI input.

Correct on both.

DVI to Apple Cinema LCD Display (for art and photos) = Color Accuracy after calibration
DVI to Apple Cinema LCD Display (for high-end print applications) = Color inaccuracy for many professionals even after calibration
DVI to Apple Cinema Display (video intended for broadcast) = Color inaccuracy no matter what.
DVI to Matrox MXO to Apple Cinema Display (video intended for broadcast) = Color accuracy

High-quality computer displays were mainly designed for print media which has a different set of parameters for professional work than video. The Matrox MXO has been designed to fix this. I don't have one but from what I've heard it does the job. It certainly costs enough. LCD televisions have frequently been adapted from computer monitor technology which gives them a different set of gamma characteristics from your standard tube TV set. Many projectors come from computer technology as well and the manufacturers assume that anything coming in thru the DVI or VGA connector is using computer gamma and anything coming thru the video connectors are using video gamma. HDMI is normally used by video equipment.

I have a 19in Viewsonic LCD that I have been able to calibrate to near video quality but it is less accurate than my 15 year old Sony monitor. The point here is that you can use LCD displays and video projectors for watching your work and showing it to an audience but when it comes to critical image manipulation your most economical best bet is still a traditional CRT monitor. In a few years we should have a better solution.

It appears that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with connecting via DVI provided the either an MXO box or the monitor itself does some magic to convert the signal to the correct colour space.

Yes, but you can't attach the MXO to just any LCD. Not all LCD panels are created equal, and therefor may not make for good colour critical monitors, regardless of the MXO's magic at work.

Mike,

Would you have a recommended setup for connecting a macbook pro to a LCD that would give acceptable results for monitoring and colour correction? Is the MXO mini the best way to go right now? Any monitors you like at the moment?

Thanks, and hope all is well,

Vito

Since the Apple displays are changing (now mini Display Port), I believe they are out of the game for the time being. Otherwise the (slightly) older 23" display (with DVI) is a good one. I really like the NEC MultiSync 2690WUXi or 2490WUXi. Between the two, I would recommend the 2690WUXi for

a) slightly more screen space (25.5" vs 24"... that 1.5" does make a difference)
b) a wider colour gammut (the larger the panel, the wider the gamut)

When comparing the NEC to the HP DreamColor (both using the sRGB profile as a baseline), I saw all around equal quality of picture. The HP costs about twice as much or so. Also, the HP DreamColor requires a special probe for calibration; not the typical LCD probe.

I'm dreaming of the day I get myself a second NEC and put an MXO on it. Either that, or an MXO2 out to a good LCD HDTV. Again, not all are created equal.

The issue with cheap to mid-level monitors is consistency from corner to corner. Case in point: filling a $500 (CAN dollars) HP monitor with a white or medium grey screen and looking at it from a direct 90°, you'll notice a blue tint on one side, and a pink tint on the other. That's symptomatic of the cheaper panel and the MXO isn't going to make that problem go away.

Thanks for the info, Mike. Much appreciated.