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[Bob Cap]

I've been in the sound business for over forty years and things just keep on a changing.

I've got a gig coming up where the BE wants to also run some video from FOH.

Here is the setup:

Mac laptop output

200' VGA cable

Rear screen projector on stage with VGA input

What would be the most cost effective way to do this?

Thanks

Bob Cap
Advanced Audio Inc.
Gilbert, MN

[Tommy Peel]

Monoprice has this kind of stuff cheap. They've got 100 ft VGA cables for around $30ea(either M/M or M/F) and this http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10104&cs_id=1010401&p_id=4017&seq=1&format=3#specification splitter/booster is rated for 100 meters.


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[Bob Cap]

Thanks, looks good.

But what do I use to go from the Mac Laptop HDMI output to the VGA input on the amplifier/splitter?

[George Friedman-Jimenez]

Make sure you have the right adapter for the Mac video out so you can connect VGA to it. The video out depends on the year and model of the Macbook. I got burned on that a few months ago when I gave a talk and did not bother to confirm ahead of time that the place I gave the talk had the right adapter.

[Bob Cap]

Make sure you have the right adapter for the Mac video out so you can connect VGA to it. The video out depends on the year and model of the Macbook. I got burned on that a few months ago when I gave a talk and did not bother to confirm ahead of time that the place I gave the talk had the right adapter.

How many adapters are there?

[Tommy Peel]

Thanks, looks good.

But what do I use to go from the Mac Laptop HDMI output to the VGA input on the amplifier/splitter?

I'd use a Mini Displayport(also works with the newer Thunderbolt ports) to VGA adapter cable. I have cable I got on Amazon that has MiniDP on one end and a male VGA on the other; it works much better than the "dongle" type adapters. All MacBooks made in the last 4-5 years have either MiniDP or Thunderbolt.


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[Brad Weber]

Make sure you have the right adapter for the Mac video out so you can connect VGA to it. The video out depends on the year and model of the Macbook. I got burned on that a few months ago when I gave a talk and did not bother to confirm ahead of time that the place I gave the talk had the right adapter.

Having dealt with this from the other side, with the variety and variations on connectors out there it is impractical for venues to try to accommodate every 'common' possibility.  My approach is to provide VGA/HD15, HDMI and in some cases DVI inputs and expect people to use devices that support those or to bring along their own adapters or interfaces. 

[Gerry Seymour]

I'd use a Mini Displayport(also works with the newer Thunderbolt ports) to VGA adapter cable. I have cable I got on Amazon that has MiniDP on one end and a male VGA on the other; it works much better than the "dongle" type adapters. All MacBooks made in the last 4-5 years have either MiniDP or Thunderbolt.


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+1. If I had to guess blindly, this would be my bet. If I were adding another adapter "just in case" for future-proofing with PC's, it would be a standard Displayport-to-VGA adapter (like I carry when I'm out training).

[Brian Larson]

I'd use a Mini Displayport(also works with the newer Thunderbolt ports) to VGA adapter cable. I have cable I got on Amazon that has MiniDP on one end and a male VGA on the other; it works much better than the "dongle" type adapters. All MacBooks made in the last 4-5 years have either MiniDP or Thunderbolt.

It's not a matter of preference. Just find out what he actually has.

If the output is in fact HDMI (make sure) then you could run into HDCP/EDID issues depending on the computer/preferences/content/adaptor/cable/booster/projector. These issues have been discussed to death lately. The way to really do it right if you plan on doing more video in the future is to pick up a bunch of Apple adapters on eBay. I've got about 30 and inevitably someone will show up with some obscure proprietary connector on their laptop and expect me to have it and I don't.

[Gerry Seymour]

It's not a matter of preference. Just find out what he actually has.

I think his point was that all of the recent models would be able to use that, so it's a matter of figuring out if he has one of those models.

If the output is in fact HDMI (make sure)...

This is another good point. Full-sized Displayport can look a lot like an HDMI port. If it's Displayport, it's easy - an inexpensive DP-to-VGA connector like the one I mentioned earlier. Mine was $10 on eBay from a US seller.