Every MacBook Pro that has been ever produced since the year 2008 includes one video port for the connection to HDMI input, including all those on a projector or an HDTV. Between the years of 2008 and 2013, several changes were made to Mac Pro. Now some of the MacBook Pro can directly connect to HDMI, while the others still need an adapter. For important presentations or office work, if you are planning to use a MacBook then it is a good idea that you test the adapter first and thoroughly see the options for display setup beforehand.

Differences In The Models

If you have purchased your Mac Pro in the year 2013 or 2012, it may have the HDMI already; meaning that you can also connect it with the HDMI cable without using any adapter. All the other models that are produced since the year 2008 come with the Mini Display Port. It can connect to HDMI input on the HDTV or any other display, provided that you are using an adapter. It is important to notice that the models of Mac Pro that were made from the later days of 2008 to the early times of 2009 do not really export the audio over HDMI, just export the video. For exporting the audio on all these models, you can use the headphone jack of your MacBook or use the built-in speakers for listening to the audio.

Selecting An Adapter

You are required to use Mini DisplayPort to the HDMI adapter unless the Mac you are using has the HDMI port. Apple does not manufacture this adapter currently with their ram, but they company surely offers the third-party adapters on the online store from Griffin and Belkin. If you are purchasing the adapter from elsewhere, that adapter should conform to Dual-Mode Standard, VESA DisplayPort; otherwise it might not work correctly. The adapter cables are available generally in varying lengths. They range from a few inches to as long as 13 feet.

Setup

External display that you are connecting with your MacBook Pro would have its very own instructions for the setup. For example, on an HDTV, you might need to use an input menu for specifying which of the HDMI port is being used by you. You can specify mirroring or the dual screen mode from the option of Displays in the System Preferences on all the Apple computers. You can change the arrangement of the screen as well if the dual screen mode is being used. Although Mac Pro must recognize optimum setting for the most HDMI devices, the resolution, color settings and brightness can also be changed from the option of Displays in the System Preferences.

Closed Clamshell Mode

If the Mac Pro memory needs to be closed while it is displaying the content to the projector, monitor or TV with the HDMI, then you need to connect the external keyboard and mouse to the computer first. It allows MacBook Pro for going into the closed clamshell mode while you have closed the lid. External display would turn blue temporarily and then the screen would be visible again. Apple notebooks usually go to sleep while the lid is closed without the external keyboard or mouse connected.