# A specific Macbook / TV (SAMSUNG PN43D450) question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 3, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936 "2011-12-03T11:54:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/1 "2011-12-03T11:54:53Z")
We’re finally entering the world of people who own TVs again, after 8 or so years. I’m looking at a Plasma Samsung PN43D450, but I’d want to watch shows on it via my Macbook. This [review](http://www.amazon.com/Warning/forum/Fx3E61A6XTH33BI/Tx1VDI02LHLLE52/1/ref=cm_cd_ef_rt_tft_tp) says it can’t be done. Can it be done? Ought I buy a different TV? I know nothing about modern TVs. Ultimately the system as planned will have the TV, an Xbox 360 and my macbook, with a wifi connection to my apple base station and internet. No cable hookup, as the goal is to just do gaming or watch downloadable content like netflix. For what it’s worth, we’re in Canada, so that also limits the available content somewhat. Thanks for any help. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/2 "2011-12-03T12:45:01Z")
You want to use it as an external monitor for your macbook? If so, any modern TV can do that using the HDMI or DVI port. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/3 "2011-12-03T13:30:49Z")
> [@Dog80](#): > > You want to use it as an external monitor for your macbook? If so, any modern TV can do that using the HDMI or DVI port. Right. Just get a Mini Displayport/Thunderport-to-HDMI/DVI/VGA adapter. However know that only Macbook Pros have audio support through HDMI and with the others or with a non-Pro Macbook you’ll also likely need a miniplug-to-RCA adapter and an RCA cord for audio. Also, IME and in a lot of customer reviews for Mac Mini Displayport/Thunderport video adapters they tend to be very spotty in their performance and will inevitably, suddenly, and inexplicably die at a random point in its use, and it could be many months to years or within minutes, you never really know. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/4 "2011-12-03T16:44:35Z")
No, not an external monitor as such, rather, if there’s any issue regarding playing movies or iTunes shows from my macbook. So the upshot sounds like…get the right fitting. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/5 "2011-12-03T17:00:45Z")
How old is your MacBook? If it has a Mini DisplayPort, you could use [this product](http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=5311&seq=1&format=2) and an HDMI cable to connect it to an HDMI port on your TV. If it has a Mini DVI connector, you’ll need [one of these](http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041912&p_id=4852&seq=1&format=2) plus an HDMI cable to connect it, and [one of these](http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=665&seq=1&format=2) connected to the TV’s audio input ports. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/6 "2011-12-03T23:47:03Z")
It sounds like you’re looking for an Apple TV. That way you don’t have to plug in your MacBook every time you want to watch something on the television. > **[Apple TV 4K](https://www.apple.com/ca/apple-tv-4k/)** > > Apple TV 4K features our best audio & video quality. Dolby Vision, HDR10+ & Dolby Atmos. Works seamlessly with Apple devices, services & smart home. You can use it to stream Netflix, iTunes shows and your own movies on your MacBook. And not to stereotype you, but since you’re in Canada, you can use it to subscribe to [NHL.TV](http://NHL.TV). ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/7 "2011-12-04T02:07:36Z")
Hm, $7 versus $119. I think I’ll start off with the minidisplayport widget before I go to appleTV. Thanks y’all. I really appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/8 "2011-12-04T02:48:53Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Hm, $7 versus $119. I think I’ll start off with the minidisplayport widget before I go to appleTV. > > Thanks y’all. I really appreciate it. One other nice thing about the AppleTV is that you can stream video from the MacBook while still being able to use the computer. If you use the TV as a monitor, you’re stuck with the computer for video only. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/9 "2011-12-06T02:46:34Z")
I guess you’ve already decided, but just to add: I’ve used a MacBook with my Samsung TV (LCD model but similar enough I think). I used the VGA adaptor because it’s what I had to hand. Works fine. The main issue is that the (old, white) MacBook runs pretty hot in clamshell mode. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/10 "2011-12-07T00:08:35Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > One other nice thing about the AppleTV is that you can stream video from the MacBook while still being able to use the computer. If you use the TV as a monitor, you’re stuck with the computer for video only. He already has an Xbox 360, he doesn’t need an AppleTV. Come on, guys, I know a lot of you like Apple products, but it’s silly to recommend someone buy a $120 box when they already own a box that does the same stuff and more. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/11 "2011-12-07T21:57:54Z")
> [@Blakeyrat](#): > > He already has an Xbox 360, he doesn’t need an AppleTV. Come on, guys, I know a lot of you like Apple products, but it’s silly to recommend someone buy a $120 box when they already own a box that does the same stuff and more. Do all Xbox 360s have wireless built in? ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-specific-macbook-tv-samsung-pn43d450-question/604936/12 "2011-12-07T22:18:05Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > One other nice thing about the AppleTV is that you can stream video from the MacBook while still being able to use the computer. If you use the TV as a monitor, you’re stuck with the computer for video only. You should still be able to use the computer. I play netflix and other videos from my windows laptop. If I extend the desktop I can play movies full screen on the TV while still doing other things like browsing the web, editing documents etc on the laptop screen. You should be able to do similar things on a apple computer.