How to use a monitor or TV with MacBookPro

Quick question:

I have a 2011 17" MacBook Pro (last of the Lapzillas). It does not have the mini display port (I think), but has TB.

Whats the best way to get a signal out to an external monitor, or to a HDTV?

Thanks!

Simon,
You haven't given display info like available I/O ports, so you will need to purchase proper adapters.
ThunderBolt is in reality a combo MiniDisplayPort + PCIe extension port. You can use any of the available adapters for MBP (Apple or 3rd party) to connect to other monitors or tvs. MDP>HDMI, MDP>DVI, etc....
Please note that using a MDP cable will not extend the TB port PCIe to other devices. If going into a TB display and you wish to use a TB external drive or I/O bay, you will need to use a TB cable (~$50.00) an active cable.
Because the physical dimensions are the same it can be confusing about what adapters will do what, plus if you have an Apple TB display vs an Apple MDP monitor, it is even more confusing.
Apple general TB site.. www.apple.com/thunderbolt/
Apple KB re differences of TB/MDP... support.apple.com/kb/HT3382#7
Hope this helps.

Hi,
Thanks for that. I did not realize that the TB port is also a Mini Display Port; if thats the case then I can just get an HDMI adapter, or a VGA adapter. Thanks for the info!

Does anyone about Apple TV; will this work with FCPX when Mountain Lion is released, or is it going to be too slow?

Not sure what you mean by Apple TV?
Do you want to stream to your TV set up via Apple TV?
Should work by either AirPlay or direct connection. If using direct connection, no need to involve Apple TV, just connect your actual TV monitor to your Mac using adapters, no lag.
AirPlay should work, but I don't have any TV let alone an AppleTV.
Won't hurt to try.

If you have Thunderbolt then I would really look into a IO device like from AJA or BlackMagic for example.
It will cost you some but it is worth the cash.

I have an Apple TV, and AirPlay ROCKS! I also just put a copy of my stuff in my iTunes library, and it's automatically recognized by my Apple TV.

Scrubelicious wrote: If you have Thunderbolt then I would really look into a IO device like from AJA or BlackMagic for example.
It will cost you some but it is worth the cash.

That could be an option, though I'm looking for something to use on day to day stuff, as well as editing. Prefer to get a more consumer orientated solution I guess.

BenB wrote: I have an Apple TV, and AirPlay ROCKS! I also just put a copy of my stuff in my iTunes library, and it's automatically recognized by my Apple TV.

So you plug the Apple TV into your HDTV, and then the signal is sent by wifi or something (do you need a wifi network or its internal)? Sounds pretty good.

Presumably you then use your laptop to watch dvds, vimeo etc on the TV? Does it also work as an external monitor for your laptop? Like for surfing the net or playing games?

I had read somewhere (but can't find it now) that Mountain Lion was going to improve Apple Tv such that you could use it for editing on as an external monitor. Does anyone know if thats true , or even workable?

Thanks!

Personally I've not touch an optical media disc in almost two years.

But yes, your ATV plugs into your HDTV. AirPlay let's me stream video and my screen in general from my iPhone/iPad. Mountain Lion will let it AirPlay to it from an actual Mac. Mountain Lion and the next iOS update will let AirPlay stream from any Apple device to any Apple device.

I use my HDTV as a gaming screen when playing on my iPad. Super clear, super smooth.

I travel a lot, and rent movies on my iPad to watch on airplanes and in hotels and during layovers, etc. Sometimes I don't get to watch them all, or finish them. I'll stream them to my ATV once I'm home again. Used to be I could move iTunes rented movies between my iTunes on my Mac (and thus iPhone/iPad) and my ATV. Now, it's stuck on the one you rented it with, can't move it between both. It has to be streamed one way or the other via WiFi.

Yes, from a Mac or iPad to ATV requires a WiFi network. Which is my whole studio and my whole house.

I wouldn't rely on WiFi for editing apps, though. We will have to wait for that to be seen. Remember, HDTV's are LOWER resolution than a computer monitor, and are not the same as broadcast monitors. But we will have to wait and see when it's release in the next week or so.

I've used DVI to HDMI cable with my 2007 17" MBP with mixed results. Always forces the MBP to lower it's resolution.

AirPlay works over Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection.

simonpwood wrote: That could be an option, though I'm looking for something to use on day to day stuff, as well as editing. Prefer to get a more consumer orientated solution I guess.

Alone this reason I would consider one. Don't limit yourself with one connection.