HDMI connection for pre-thunderbolt Macs?

[serr]

I have a gen 5,1 MBP with the mini-display port and no thunderbolt. I discovered that you cannot use the mini-display to HDMI adapter. You will get video but absolutely no audio. If you plug into the HDMI input of a surround receiver you will NOT see the device show up under Audio/MIDI Setup. OK, no surprise since this is in fact just a DVI port.


Is there a firewire to HDMI adapter solution for this?


My express34 slot is currently being used for a Wintec SSD (OS/apps) so that obvious option is not desired. And yes I use my internal data drive and my optical drive regularily.


So... firewire > HDMI?

[DeltaMac]

There's no single-connector solution on your model MacBook Pro to have both video and audio on the same connector.
Later models do have audio available through the mini Display port, and therefore can provide both to HDMI. Your MacBook Pro late 2008 does not provide audio over the video out.
Check the article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4241
And, no video out through the Firewire port. I don't recall ever seeing a Firewire to HDMI adapter. As I said, video out does not go through Firewire.
You COULD use firewire for audio, or the normal audio out port can provide audio to your TV or other video device, in addition to a mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter for the video. You can go with analog, or digital audio through that port - your choice on that. You just need the correct connector, as both are available through the line out port.
Anyway, to drive a TV from your MacBook Pro, you need a minimum of two connections. Newer MacBook Pro models can provide both through HDMI, even through the mini DisplayPort (prior to ThunderBolt) but not yours. The article that I posted above tells you which ones have that hardware capability.

Sounds like your main interest is audio?
ignore the mention about video out.
Audio:
Line out (analog or optical digital)
USB to an audio interface.
Firewire to an audio interface
I don't know which of those you can convert to HDMI, or if it's even possible...

[serr]

I'm more interested in sending 24 bit 96kHz 5.1 surround sound audio via HDMI to a surround receiver. Video would be a nice touch but is not my 1st priority.

Now... I use firewire interfaces already for my own needs. This would be a convenience for visiting with friends who have surround receivers (the traditional consumer surround interface of choice).

This all works seamlessly right out of the box with the thunderbolt Macs of course.

[DeltaMac]

And, there's multi-channel audio available on later models prior to the inclusion of Thunderbolt.
Yours, unfortunately, is older, and doesn't support that single cable solution, so as you know, you would need the external audio interface for the performance that you need.

Perhaps it will guide you to a decision to update to a newer model. Most of the 2010 models support the multi-channel audio that you want, and those did not have Thunderbolt.

[agentx]

That MBP can output 5.1 using an Optical cable and your Sound Out port to a compatible receiver.
Simply buy an optical audio mini jack -> optical s/pdif cable, and you're all set.
Any Programs that can pass a 5.1 encoded stream over the audio-out will play as "true" 5.1.

You will not ever get sound out through the Video port unless the device specifically supports it.

[serr]

Quote: Originally Posted by agentx That MBP can output 5.1 using an Optical cable and your Sound Out port to a compatible receiver. Simply buy an optical audio mini jack -> optical s/pdif cable, and you're all set. Any Programs that can pass a 5.1 encoded stream over the audio-out will play as "true" 5.1. You will not ever get sound out through the Video port unless the device specifically supports it.

You're talking about the newer lossless format of DTS (DTS Master Hd or something close to that name) yes? That could work. Know of any good DTS encoder apps? It goes without saying that I'm only interested in lossless here.