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    Can the Macbook Pro output 1080p and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround sound?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by daz7781, Apr 20, 2009.

  1. daz7781

    daz7781 Notebook Consultant

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    Can the Macbook pro output a 1080p high definition picture to a HD TV and can it output 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround sound to an AV reciever?
     
    daz7781, Apr 20, 2009
    #1
  2. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah. Intel HD audio can output up to 8 channels (7.1), although you probably want a dedicated sound card (expresscard or firewire or usb) for decent listening quality.
     
    Budding, Apr 20, 2009
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  3. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

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    how can 1080p be outputed?
     
    CanadianDude, Apr 20, 2009
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  4. EnterKnight

    EnterKnight Notebook Evangelist

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    Mini DisplayPort.
     
    EnterKnight, Apr 20, 2009
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  5. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

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    MDP to what connector?
     
    CanadianDude, Apr 20, 2009
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  6. Likvid

    Likvid Notebook Geek

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    DVI or HDMI
     
    Likvid, Apr 20, 2009
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  7. cyber16

    cyber16 Notebook Deity

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    Yes the macbook pro can, so can any of the lowest end macbooks, even the low-end intel mac mini can output 1080p and full Dolby Digital.

    We use an older mac mini 1.83 core duo as a htpc & DVR with two HD homeRuns tuners on our network.
    This mac mini only has the Intel 950 video and still does a great job without any loss of frames.
     
    cyber16, Apr 20, 2009
    #7
  8. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    I play 1080P movies on my Macbook all the time, with no problem at all! If I can do it with a Macbook, you most certainly could do it with a Macbook Pro! :)
     
    Colton, Apr 20, 2009
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  9. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Basically almost every new computer that you can get your hands on can output 1080P signals. All current video out connections support 1080P signals. E.g. VGA, display port, dvi, hdmi..etc
     
    jackluo923, Apr 20, 2009
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  10. blabus

    blabus Notebook Evangelist

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    Although the MacBook Air can't (Dolby Digital audio, that is. It doesn't have any optical out like other Apple notebooks.)
     
    blabus, Apr 20, 2009
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  11. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

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    SO let me get this straight.

    For my MBP...

    Mini display port to DVI adapter....DVI to HDMI adapter....plugged into HDMI on 1080p TV.

    Would this work?
     
    CanadianDude, Apr 20, 2009
    #11
  12. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    It would, but there would be no audio. The Mini-DisplayPort in the Apple notebook line doesn't support audio, therefore you'd need a seperate audio cable. Sometimes the software on the HDMI cable can block your movie from going on your TV because of Copyright issues, but it works out pretty good for me. ;)
     
    Colton, Apr 20, 2009
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  13. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

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    What is your specific setup Colton?

    Audio wont be an issue I have Logitech Z5500's via optical sound cable.
     
    CanadianDude, Apr 20, 2009
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  14. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    The "sofware" that you're referring to is called HDCP. It's actually a encryption method, not a piece of software.
     
    jackluo923, Apr 20, 2009
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  15. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

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    What if the TV was HDCP compliant?
     
    CanadianDude, Apr 21, 2009
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  16. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    If your video card and output connection doesn't support HDCP, even if your monitor does blueray videos won't play. If you're playing a 1080P content without DHCP protection, you don't have to worry about it.
     
    jackluo923, Apr 21, 2009
    #16
  17. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    or buy a Mini-DP to HDMI adapter...
    Mini-DP to HDMI adapter at Monoprice
     
    doh123, Apr 21, 2009
    #17
  18. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    Mini DisplayPort does support audio. Apple doesn't support it currently on their computers. Common consensus is that a firmware update would be sufficient to enable audio output.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_DisplayPort
     
    Paul, Apr 21, 2009
    #18
  19. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    Thanks for the heads up! :) I hope a firmware update would, because it would make using a laptop on the TV a whole lot easier, eliminating as many cables as possible through MDP > HDMI.
     
    Colton, Apr 21, 2009
    #19