How To Watch Web Video On Your HDTV

by Jason Falls · April 25, 200945 comments

Yes, I might be a bit behind the gadget head cutting edge on this one, but I thought since I’d not tried it yet, there are probably several others out there who haven’t either. On Saturday, I did a little video showing you how easy (and worth it) it can be to run your computer video through your home television to see web video, live streams, et. al., through your big screen television.

All I did was purchase an HDMI to DVI connector at Wal-Mart, run it from my HDMI output on the MacBook Pro to the DVI connector on the back of my Sony television, check the TV input settings, my computer display settings, and I was watching MLB.com’s live streams of games on my 55-inch high-definition television. It literally to five minutes and very little technical savvy.

Certainly, I’m not the first to do it. Heck, I’m not even the guy with the coolest setup, but I thought it might be helpful to those of you out there who haven’t tried it out. Enjoy.

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About Jason Falls

Jason Falls

Jason Falls is the founder and chief instigator for Social Media Explorer's blog and signature Explore events. He is a leading thinker, speaker and strategist in the world of digital marketing and is co-author of two books, No Bullshit Social Media: The All-Business, No-Hype Guide To Social Media Marketing and The Rebel's Guide To Email Marketing. By day, he leads digital strategy for CafePress, one of the world's largest online retailers. His opinions are his, not necessarily theirs. Follow him on Twitter (@JasonFalls).

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Tagged as: HDMI, HDTV, home entertainment center, MLB.com, television, web video

Comments & Reactions

Comments Policy

Comments on Social Media Explorer are open to anyone. However, I will remove any comment that is disrespectful and not in the spirit of intelligent discourse. You are welcome to leave links to content relevant to the conversation, but I reserve the right to remove it if I don't see the relevancy. Be nice, have fun. Fair?

  • shankman

    Well, I'm flattered. :) Come over anytime.

    • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

      Don't invite if you're not serious. You know I will. Heh.

  • shankman

    Well, I'm flattered. :) Come over anytime.

  • http://www.andreavascellari.com Andrea Vascellari

    I'm doing exactly the same with my 47' and…huhhh..it's nice and smooth!
    I even work directly from my TV I use it as a big screen and I control everything from my wireless keyboard+mouse.

    BTW It's going to be nice to meet in London #somesso

    See you soon Jason!

    Andrea

    • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

      Yeah, I haven't jacked it all up with dedicated wireless peripherals yet, but I'm going to. I'm already jonesing for a dedicated video-only laptop to avoid constant set up/take down. (Kids and cords across the living room don't mesh.)

      Looking forward to London very much. Excited I'll see you!

  • http://www.andreavascellari.com Andrea Vascellari

    I'm doing exactly the same with my 47' and…huhhh..it's nice and smooth!
    I even work directly from my TV I use it as a big screen and I control everything from my wireless keyboard+mouse.

    BTW It's going to be nice to meet in London #somesso

    See you soon Jason!

    Andrea

  • http://twitter.com/JasonFalls JasonFalls

    So, I’m not as cool as @skydiver, but if you want to know how to pump web video to your big screen – http://tinyurl.com/webinhdtv

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

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  • http://twitter.com/mike_stelzner Michael Stelzner

    Hey Jason;

    Really cool!

    Could you disclose the model of the cord you purchased (or a link to it)?

    Mike

    • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

      Hey Mike,

      Thanks for stopping by. I'm pretty certain it is a Panasonic cord. Here's a link to a similar one, but I have no idea if this site is reliable or not:

      http://www.visualapex.com/accessories/accessory…

      Thanks!

      J

  • http://twitter.com/mike_stelzner Michael A. Stelzner

    Hey Jason;

    Really cool!

    Could you disclose the model of the cord you purchased (or a link to it)?

    Mike

  • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

    Don't invite if you're not serious. You know I will. Heh.

  • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

    Yeah, I haven't jacked it all up with dedicated wireless peripherals yet, but I'm going to. I'm already jonesing for a dedicated video-only laptop to avoid constant set up/take down. (Kids and cords across the living room don't mesh.)

    Looking forward to London very much. Excited I'll see you!

  • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

    Hey Mike,

    Thanks for stopping by. I'm pretty certain it is a Panasonic cord. Here's a link to a similar one, but I have no idea if this site is reliable or not:

    http://www.visualapex.com/accessories/accessory…

    Thanks!

    J

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  • miked1234

    Never pay more than $15 for a cable like that. Especially one that's digital and not analogue.

    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c…

    • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

      Thanks Mike. I'm not the most intelligent shopper, so I probably could have gotten the cord cheaper online. But I'm a “here and now” guy. I just run to Best Buy or WalMart and buy the damn cord I want.

      Good link and tips though. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  • http://www.jonberry.net Jon Berry

    Jason,

    Cool trick, but what about the sound? Did that cable come with a way to bring sound into the HDMI, or did you have to run a mini–>RCA cord also?

    • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

      I'm presently using the sound on the laptop, but I'm looking into buying a second laptop with appropriate sound patches to my surround sound system (also Sony, by the way) to get the full experience. It will require a separate cord. Good question.

      • http://www.jonberry.net Jon Berry

        I've heard from many people that a Mac Mini running Boxee is the way to go. Of course, you don't get to take it on the road, as with a laptop, but it's slightly more cost effective..

        I think there's still a huge opportunity for someone to come up with a do-it-all $200-$400 settop box, but all that I've seen from Netgear, Popcorn Hour, Apple TV, Roku, etc. leave features and details to be desired.

        Someday….

  • http://www.jonberry.net Jon Berry

    Jason,

    Cool trick, but what about the sound? Did that cable come with a way to bring sound into the HDMI, or did you have to run a mini–>RCA cord also?

  • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

    Thanks Mike. I'm not the most intelligent shopper, so I probably could have gotten the cord cheaper online. But I'm a “here and now” guy. I just run to Best Buy or WalMart and buy the damn cord I want.

    Good link and tips though. Thanks for sharing with us.

  • http://socialmediaexplorer.com JasonFalls

    I'm presently using the sound on the laptop, but I'm looking into buying a second laptop with appropriate sound patches to my surround sound system (also Sony, by the way) to get the full experience. It will require a separate cord. Good question.

  • http://www.jonberry.net Jon Berry

    I've heard from many people that a Mac Mini running Boxee is the way to go. Of course, you don't get to take it on the road, as with a laptop, but it's slightly more cost effective..

    I think there's still a huge opportunity for someone to come up with a do-it-all $200-$400 settop box, but all that I've seen from Netgear, Popcorn Hour, Apple TV, Roku, etc. leave features and details to be desired.

    Someday….

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