———————————————–
update : this solution should also work for the new 4th generation AppleTV (2015)
———————————————–
Question :
I just bought an AppleTV 3 and I want to connect it to my flatscreen 26″ LCD-TV, a MyCom MC2600LT (it’s actually a rebranded/white-label DT-3003X which has internationally also been sold under the Daewoo and Grundig Xentia brand, and probably more).
Even tough the TV is able to display HD-video up to 1080i and computer-display resolutions up to 1280×768 pixels at 60Hz, it does not have an HDMI input, neither a digital audio input (a.k.a. “Toslink”).
The only input options are :
– DVI digital video + 3.5mm (a.k.a. “jack”) analog audio
– VGA analog video + 3.5mm (a.k.a. “jack”) analog audio
– Component YPbPr analog video + stereo analog audio (5 plugs, a.k.a. “RCA” or “tulip” or “chinch”)
– S-video analog video (S-video plug) + stereo analog audio (a.k.a. “RCA” or “tulip” or “chinch”)
– SCART analog video + audio (SCART plug)
How do I connect my AppleTV 3 to this TV-set ?
Answer :
Even though it might seem the most obvious to connect the AppleTV’s HDMI-output to the TV’s DVI-input, since HDMI and DVI are 100% video-compatible, this comes with 2 problems :
– DVI has no audio, so you will have to connect the audio separately ; in this case that would require a DAC (digital-analog-converter) for your audio since your TV has no digital audio input
– DVI does not support HDCP-encryption as HDMI does, so any ‘copyright-protected’ HDMI content will be blocked when connected to DVI…
So… do not try to use the DVI-input, but use the Component YPbPr connection, especially since the digital-to-analog video-conversion gets rid of the HDCP-limitations for you also !
This converter cable is the most elegant option that will do the trick for you :
LogiLink HDMI to YPbPr & Audio Converter Cable (2m) [Amazon.com]
LogiLink HDMI to YPbPr & Audio Converter Cable (2m) [Amazon.co.uk]
LogiLink HDMI to YPbPr & Audio Converter Cable (2m) [Amazon.de]
…it turns out that the HDMI-output of the AppleTV 3 is supplying enough power to power the built-in converter, so you don’t need to connect the USB-power cable.
For anyone interested, here’s a link to the Dutch manual of the 26″ MyCom LCD-TV MC2600LT (a.k.a. DT-3003X) :
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If you have an HD-Ready flatscreen TV and you want to connect an AppleTV, your best option is to use the HDMI-to-YPbPr converter-cable mentioned above.
But… in some cases these might also be interesting :
An HDMI-to-VGA&stereo converter-cable :
LogiLink HDMI to VGA & Audio Converter Cable (2m) [Amazon.com]
LogiLink HDMI to VGA & Audio Converter Cable (2m) [Amazon.co.uk]
LogiLink HDMI to VGA & Audio Converter Cable (2m) [Amazon.de]
An HDMI-to-HDMI&stereo converter-cable : [so this splits the audio from the HDMI-video signal and converts it into a separate analog stereo (2x RCA) signal, but beware that the output video signal is 720p, 1080p and 1080i only, which is problematic for most HD-ready flatscreen TVs, especially when combined with an HDMI-to-DVI converter] :
LogiLink HDMI to HDMI & Analog Audio Converter Cable (2m) [Amazon.co.uk]
LogiLink HDMI to HDMI & Analog Audio Converter Cable (2m) [Amazon.de]
MacManus.nl 
Hi there, I checked the details on the above LogiLink HDMI to YPbPr & Audio Converter Cable (2m) I was told directly by the manufacturer Logilink this would not work when attaching a Apple TV 2 or 3 to my older TV set as it could not be HDCP compliant and therefore the signal would not be passed through , ie no picture and/or no sound. Can you confirm this abovrl solution absolutely did work for you via component video and normal stereo output when using. a non HDCP compliant TV/Monitor? I dont really want to waste £30. Thanks.https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00HQILSMI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HQILSMI&linkCode=as2&tag=macmanl-20&linkId=UUJN6BWYIOS2H2WN
@Phil :
Sorry for my late reply.
Yes, I have tested this LogiLink-cable on a 3rd gen. AppleTV (a.k.a. AppleTV3) with the above mentioned non-HDMI non-HDCP-compliant flatscreen TV (from around 2007, so about 12 years old now) and have had no issues since.
(actually the AppleTV3 is on an other TV since 2015, but the LogiLink cable is still being used on a daily basis to connect devices to the above mentioned TV, e.g. a Bluray-player or a Nintendo Switch gaming console)
So the answer to your question is simply YES.
And please note that when you order through Amazon you have the right to return the cable if it turns out not to work as intended, or even if it just doesn’t work for you. Within the EU you have this right of return on any online purchase, if you purchase as a consumer and return within 7 days of reception of the product and if you don’t mind paying for postal fees for returning.
Good Luck !
enjoy 😉
@Phil :
Thanks for the feedback.
The short answer is YES.
Yes, I have tested the setup mentioned in the original post for an extensive period of time (several years, on a daily basis) and had no problems.
This LogiLink cable was actually the only hasslefree solution that I have found in various tests for this setup.
The AppleTV used was a 3rd gen. version ; a.k.a. AppleTV3
The TV used was a HD-ready flatscreen TV that has no HDMI and is non-HDCP-compliant (from ca. 2007, so about 12 years old).
I’ve also tested this LogiLink-cable to work with a Bluray-player and a Nintendo Switch gaming console, and am still using it on a day-to-day basis.
Please note : when ordering from Amazon, there is no need to being afraid of losing money ; any consumer in the EU has the right to return any online purchase of a physical product within 7 days upon reception, even after unpackaging if that is needed to test the product, and get a full refund if the product is in good order, be it that the seller does not have to refund return-shipping costs. Most online resellers even have a broader return-policy and free return-shipping options available (Amazon is one of them). So as long as you live within the EU and you don’t make the purchase as a company or business entity you shouldn’t have any worries on this if you buy from Amazon.co.uk until the Brexit is final.
😉
enjoy !
I have a Plasma Philips and tried connecting with the apple tv with the first cable suggested. This is for me on tv ext5 but the screen remains black so no signal. I am connecting via the receiver from the Philips tv which has the YPbPr connections, not sure why this is not working
@Andrea :
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry to hear this doesn’t work for you yet.
There might be several reasons why your screen stays black (these are very generic, so sorry for suggesting anything that you think is too obvious…) :
– maybe your AppleTV is still OFF
– maybe ext5 isn’t your YPbPr input
– maybe in your case the adapter needs extra power, so you need to connect the connector’s USB-power-cable to a power adapter
– maybe your AppleTV and your TV are not set to the same screen dimension setting
– maybe there’s a hardware failure in the TV’s YPbPr-connectors, the AppleTV’s HDMI-connector or the adapter-cable ; try connecting other devices to these connectors and see if that does work
…but still there may be other causes.
To figure out what might be wrong in your specific case, more specific info on your setup is needed.
– what is the model no. of your Philips Plasma TV ?
– which version of AppleTV are you using ? (a model no. would be very helpful)
– have you upgraded your AppleTV to the latest version of tvOS ?
– which connector cable do you have ? (this might seem to be a strange question, as you mention ‘the first cable suggested’, but please be more precise on what you have ; that might even be something else than what you were expecting to get)
Hope this helps 😉
Please report back on your findings – Thanks !
Hey thanks for the reply and apologies for my slow return reply but i only just got a notification when the lady above also made a comment.
This is really interesting as the manufacturer was very definitive and final saying it will not work, but since you are very definite it does, I might still give it a try.
Im guessing id need to ensure the output of the ATV3 is set to 720p first as that is also the top HD res the monitor can handle other than 1080i. I did hear tho that when people do this, sometimes the ATV clicks back off the set resolution and jumps back to 1080p output which causes so many issues for people getting no picture etc.
Ive considered going the composite route which apparently causes far fewer problems than component, but im sure the quality is pretty dire. Also considered one of the thousands of HDMI to Component converters that you can buy on Amazon or ebay, but it seems like trying to find a needle in a haystack actually picking one that will work and not fall foul of HDCP restrictions.
@Phil :
Thanks for your reply !
Strange to hear that you have problems getting this to work.
And even stranger that ‘the manufacturer’ (Logilink ?) claims that it is definitely not working with an AppleTV3, since I have had it running for years without a problem…
Are you positive you have this exact same Logilink CV0053 Adapter cable :
https://www.2direct.de/en/audio-video/hdmi/converters/1864/hdmi-to-ypbpr-audio-converter?number=CV0053A
I’m interested in figuring out what is wrong 😉
Oh no don’t get me wrong, Im not saying ive had problems with this cable. I haven’t actually tried this cable yet. All ive tried so far is a straight HDMI to DVI cable. That works fine for the Apple Menus etc. They’re all in glorious 1080p, but the moment I tried any content it was blocked by HDCP. But then I guess that was to be expected since the DVI port on the plasma is not HDCP complaint.
What Ive yet to do is to decide which product to put down money on. Im leaning towards this cable now Ive seen your reply. I had been planning on trawling through the converters but its a. lucky dip.
So can i ask tho, what sort of quality are you getting when you say play Netflix or Amazon content from the ATV3 via this cable to the component inputs of your TV. Are you actually getting HD and good quality and colour etc? If so, thats fantastic.
@Phil :
Ah… I think I’m getting your situation.
As mentioned before : a straight HDMI-to-DVI-cable won’t get you very far… and neither does any combination of adapters that I have tested…
So… if you are not planning on getting a new TV any time soon, go with the Logilink CV0053 Adapter-cable.
Just be sure to buy it online at a shop with good return policy, where you can return it when it turns out not to work for you.
enjoy 😉
Hey, well ive just bought one from an eBay seller who allows returns up to 60 days. Managed to clinch it for just £17 inc postage. Fingers crossed! Downside is its coming from Poland and so will be at least a couple of weeks to get here in economy post! 😦
One thing ive also noticed is Logilnk appears to have done an older model CV0053 and the updated one CV0053A.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logilink-HDMI-RCA-Audio-Cable/dp/B0095MGOE0
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logilink-CV0053A-Cable-HDMI-Black/dp/B00HQILSMI
@Phil :
Great to hear you got one for a perfect price and with a great return policy !
Please report back if you have tested it !
I can’t imagine it won’t work for you 😉
Yes, there appear to be 2 versions of this cable :
Logilink CV0053 – EAN 4052792000627
Logilink CV0053A – EAN 4052792027037
The only difference appears to be that the ‘old’ CV0053 has black RCA-plugs with just a colored line on them, and the ‘new’ CV0053A has RCA-plugs that are colored entirely…
I have tested the ‘old’ CV0053, but there’s no reason to assume that the technical performance is any different…
Well, the cable arrived from Poland today and I’m very pleased and slightly amazed to say IT WORKS! It took a little bit of fiddling with both the Apple TV settings (720p 60Hz worked best) and the TVs BNC input settings (set to Component as opposed to RGB input).
Both colour and resolution seem pretty decent. The sound was also a bit dicky until i changed something in the Apple TV audio settings and now it’s working great. Now I just have to hope it keeps working and doesn’t burn out or something (as i heard the gold HDMI connector can get quite hot).
I also wonder whether its a better idea to plug the additional usb power supply in or not and indeed if yes, what sort of usb supply? An Apple one? You mentioned the cable can draw enough power from the ATV3 HDMI port without the need to connect the USB, but maybe providing it its own power supply might reduce the heat in the connector to the ATV. I wonder…
@Phil :
Great to hear this works for you !
(sorry for the late reply)
Thanks for posting your test report !
Regarding the additional power supply : as no specs are mentioned (as far as I know), you could plug it into a powered USB-port on the back of your TV (if it has one) or you could use an Apple USB-poweradapter, or any power adapter you have lying around 😉
Enjoy !
Update on my experience with the Logilink CV0053A. Ive noticed it has been having some issues with audio recently, notably while trying to use Airplay and even worse when trying to stream from Youtube on my ios devices. Intermittent cut out etc. Pulling the HDMI out of the apple tv and then sticking it back in sometimes helps for a short while but then the cutouts start happening again, sometimes one speak but not the other and sometimes both. Dont suppose you ever came across this type of thing or any suggestions re potentially changing any audio settings on ATV3, Youtube ios app or on mac Safari/Chrome/Firefox that may help?
@Phil :
Thanks for the feedback.
It’s been a long time I have streamed content to an AppleTV, but I have noticed audio lag in video streaming from my iPhone to Chromecast recently, and from what I remember there used to be a similar problem with streaming to an AppleTV… so I suppose that your problem might not be with the LogiLink-cable, but with AirPlay…
I would suggest using the YouTube tvOS app on your AppleTV and prefer using all the tvOS video apps (like Netflix) over streaming those services from your iPhone.
And if web-browsing on your TV is essential to you, you might be better of hooking up an (old) Mac mini than an AppleTV 😉
enjoy !
That is probably true indeed. Tbh Im hardly using it at the moment as its only a secondary ATV and screen in the bedroom so I dont use it much. When I get a chance tho i wlll continue to test via the various methods and report any feedback for people who may find it useful on here. Certainly its better than nothing at all, so thats a start!
@Phil :
Thanks !
Looking forward to hearing your feedback.
enjoy 😉