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FarrOut
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Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 711
Loc: Tampa
Video Projectors, for MAC? new
      #2521078 - 07/15/08 06:54 PM

Our astronomy club is going to get a video projector for meetings. A member asked to be sure it worked on MAC's.
Is there a different video output for MAC's?

--------------------
Criterion RV6
NEXSTAR 11-GPS
NEXSTAR SLT102
Starshoot CCD
Sky Scout
A wonderful wife that let's me do this stuff
Telescopes are for after you learn astronomy.
http://www.farrout.org
http://www.marsastro.org

Astronomy is looking up!


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bicparker
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 02/07/05
Posts: 1346
Loc: Plano, TX
Re: Video Projectors, for MAC? new [Re: FarrOut]
      #2521112 - 07/15/08 07:19 PM

Generally speaking, no. However, Mac laptops natively deliver their video output from a high definition (HDMI) connector. The laptops are sold with HDMI-to-VGA connectors for compatibility purposes, though.

I would go ahead and get a projector with an HDMI input (I think most of the good ones have this anyhow) for a variety of reasons, the most important being the ones I cannot think of.

BTW, I have used my MacBook Pro with a number of different projectors, including most of the major brands, and have had no problems at all.

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Bic Parker
17.5" f/5 dob
10" f/10 SCT
5" f/8 refractor
80mm f/6 refractor
66mm f/6 refractor
Plus a few others out of the rotation


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stefsaber
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Reged: 06/24/06
Posts: 4459
Loc: Rainy Florida
Re: Video Projectors, for MAC? new [Re: bicparker]
      #2525182 - 07/17/08 08:00 PM

Quote:

I would go ahead and get a projector with an HDMI input (I think most of the good ones have this anyhow) for a variety of reasons, the most important being the ones I cannot think of.




HDMI offers the High Definition output for video and audio, so in a demand industry its rather preferable. That being said, a projector with HDMI input would definitely be a plus, but if you find a budget projector that doesn't have it just be sure to have that hdmi to vga converter and it all should be fine. I would double check the manual or website of the product before you buy it to see if there are any specific incompatibility issues.

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-Stefan

"It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end." -Douglas Adams

Current Scopes: "Gator" William Optics 66SD---Black Swan William Optics Megrez 80 II ED Triplet---Zhumell 10" Dob
-Sirius Mount---Canon Rebel XT-
Past Scopes: ETX 90---Vixen ED80Sf

Fort Myers, FL



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bicparker
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 02/07/05
Posts: 1346
Loc: Plano, TX
Re: Video Projectors, for MAC? new [Re: stefsaber]
      #2525189 - 07/17/08 08:05 PM

Stefan,
Thanks for putting that definition up there..

As a footnote, I almost always say "... the most important (reasons), being the ones I cannot think of." because no matter what reasons I may know to justify doing something, the most important ones are those that are unexpected (that we can't think of).

--------------------
Bic Parker
17.5" f/5 dob
10" f/10 SCT
5" f/8 refractor
80mm f/6 refractor
66mm f/6 refractor
Plus a few others out of the rotation


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stefsaber
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Reged: 06/24/06
Posts: 4459
Loc: Rainy Florida
Re: Video Projectors, for MAC? new [Re: bicparker]
      #2525193 - 07/17/08 08:08 PM

Quote:

Stefan,
Thanks for putting that definition up there..

As a footnote, I almost always say "... the most important (reasons), being the ones I cannot think of." because no matter what reasons I may know to justify doing something, the most important ones are those that are unexpected (that we can't think of).




Very correct, you make a good point! And no one's all-knowing (well no human) so there's bound to be a reason that one can't come up with.

--------------------
-Stefan

"It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end." -Douglas Adams

Current Scopes: "Gator" William Optics 66SD---Black Swan William Optics Megrez 80 II ED Triplet---Zhumell 10" Dob
-Sirius Mount---Canon Rebel XT-
Past Scopes: ETX 90---Vixen ED80Sf

Fort Myers, FL



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rboeAdministrator
Numbfinger
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Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38189
Loc: Phx, AZ
Re: Video Projectors, for MAC? new [Re: stefsaber]
      #2525278 - 07/17/08 08:50 PM

My Mac came with a VGA adaptor - with luck your Mac will too. Opens up more choices for you.

--------------------
Ron


NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies



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Greg K.

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Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 9494
Loc: Clifton Park, NY
Re: Video Projectors, for MAC? [Re: rboe]
      #2525494 - 07/17/08 10:18 PM

My Macbook has a mini-DVI port, with either a VGA or DVI adapter, your choice. To get the one you didn't choose was under $20. I got VGA so I could use an inexpensive KVM switch, the ones that switch DVI are pricey.

To use HDMI with a computer with DVI you'd need a DVI-HDMI adapter.

DVI is more of a computer standard while HDMI is standard on A/V equipment. They are compatible in terms of video signals, however HDMI carries audio while DVI doesn't.

For cables, adapters, etc - I recommend these guys: http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

--------------------
NexStar 11 GPS
Orion SkyView Pro 8EQ w/ Autostar
15x70 Celestron SkyMasters
Orion 90mm Mak


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