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Does your Tv have HDMI if yes you need a mini DVI to DVI converter and an HDMI - DVI cable for the TV (better than connecting through VGA) this will give you 1080p
For the audio you can get a minitoslink adapter so that you can plug it into the surround system
this will play H264high profile 4.1 HD+AC3 Audio MKVs without any problems
Not sure about DTS depends on your receiver
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Depending on how new your Macbook is you will either need MiniDVI to HDMI (or DVI) OR Mini Displayport to HDMI (or DVI)
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Ugh, I forgot about video. Guess I'll have to run more cables through walls.
My current setup (all going through walls, as my TV is over the fireplace)
My sterio is 5.1 channel surround, but not DTS (whatever that means). The DTS standard was still pretty new when I purchased the Yamaha receiver.
For DVDs - 1 HDMI cable to TV, digital coax to stereo receiver for surround sound.
For XBOX - Component video (YPrPb) and audio L + R cables to TV and Toslink Optical to the stereo.
Taking the Xbox out of the mix and adding the Macbook Pro would mean 1 of the 2:
1: Using an HDMI switcher possibly and just use the existing HDMI cable and also getting the 5.1 channel mini display port adapter mentioned by kcarney (thanks for that).
2: Run another HDMI cable and purchasing the same adapter. This would allow me to keep the XBOX connected to the TV the way it is now.
2. is cheaper I think, but I'm not sure which setup would be better. I'd like to keep the DVD player hooked up because its just easier for the kids to use.
Also, what about control? I have a wireless mouse, but no keyboard. Is the keyboard something I'm going to need consistently when sitting down to watch, or will the mouse be enough to launch movies, shows, music and pics? Does anybody have a remote control setup on their mac? I think I have a USB infrared adapter somewhere.
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No problem.
I had a similar situation to yours not too long ago, (and maybe coming soon again). I went to radioshack to pick up an HDMI switcher to avoid re-sorting the rat's nest behind the entertainment center and found it to be a complete POS. Don't buy one of those. Search around ebay and view the seller feedback if he has sold multiple. The one I found is a 4 port RESOUND branded switcher with IR remote. Works okay though it has some glitches when waking the Apple TV but what do you want for $30.
Option 2 is indeed cheaper, and your mouse *should* be enough.
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sorry to stick my nose in here but if you are using your mac book (i just quickly tried mine) you might need a keyboard plugged in so you can close the lid. As i say just quickly tried so maybe be very bad a advice but thought I would share.
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You can control XBMC with the mac remote but it would be better with a harmony as you would access all functions
If you are going to need an HDMI switch the harmony would be really a good idea as you would get rid of all of the other remotes and make life easier for your kids trying to play a DVD
mac don't output sound from mini dvi so you will need to use the minitoslink to your amplifier to use surround and though you could possibly get an RCA to USB jack I am not sure what kind of audio support you would get out of it.
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UPDATE. Thanks to those who posted so far. I got the adapter cable in the mail today and tried it out. I have to say I'm not too pleased with it. The audio keeps dropping out when I change the displays, or do anything. I have to unplug the USB and plug it back in in order to get the audio to come back.
I also noticed jittery video. A couple of times the show paused until the buffer caught up. I was testing out a h246 video in 720p. I was going over wireless network, so maybe thats part of the issue. Next time I'll try it hard wired.
I also really, really need to find a better way to control it. Kept losing the mouse.
And the previous post was correct about the MBP going to sleep whenever you shut the lid.
Are there any other MBP XBMC users out there? If so, any more tips for these issues?