How would I connect my MacBook to a TV with optimal quality?

Question

I have a MacBook that supports up to 1900x1200, and a 42" plasma HDTV. I already have an Apple mini-DVI to DVI-D cable, but does HDMI or VGA or S-Video gives better quality if my HDTV is compatible with all of them? I am aware of the lower resolution on TVs when compared to monitors.

Answer 1

Eh? TVs have as good if not superior resolution. For an HDTV plasma, probably 1280x720, though it could even be 1920x1080 on a few plasma sets. Since this is HDTV, you'll want to avoid S-video, and VGA is analog and likely not found on your TV, so I can't see why you'd want to use that either. DVI is the only fully digital standard of those you listed, and it's electrically compatible with HDMI. Thus, you can just buy a cheap DVI -> HDMI patch cable online.

Try these:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdep...

Answer 2

You're right, TV's do have lower resolutions (marginally) but that won't make much difference. The DVI-D is the best signal quality of all the formats you've mentioned, so use a DVI port if you've got it, HDMI is the next best thing, with VGA and S-video trailing way behind. Just don't forget that if you want audio you'll need a separate cable as well.