Jump to content

Using my Macbook Pro 2016 as a monitor for Nintendo Switch?

JoseDelPino
 Share
Posted

Hi, I already know that the Macbook doesn't have any video input but, technically, there should be a way to convert this HDMI output from the switch to USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3 and send it to the Macbook through the USB C port. Has anyone find the way to do it? Thanks in advance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

nope

 

there is a way to convert it , the software (macOS) wouldn't allow it to be displayed on the built in display

 

 

(also why did you buy a macbook!?)

Ryzen 5 3600 stock | 2x16GB C13 3200MHz (AFR) | GTX 760 (Sold the VII)| ASUS Prime X570-P | 6TB WD Gold (128MB Cache, 2017)

Samsung 850 EVO 240 GB 

138 is a good number.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

AFAIK you can't use the Mac display directly as an input from another device. Perhaps there's some way that you could rig it so there's an app that mirrors the switch somehow but that'd be pretty complicated.

Make sure to quote me or tag me when responding to me, or I might not know you replied! Examples:

 

Do this:

Quote

And make sure you do it by hitting the quote button at the bottom left of my post, and not the one inside the editor!

Or this:

@DocSwag

 

Buy whatever product is best for you, not what product is "best" for the market.

 

Interested in computer architecture? Still in middle or high school? P.M. me!

 

I love computer hardware and feel free to ask me anything about that (or phones). I especially like SSDs. But please do not ask me anything about Networking, programming, command line stuff, or any relatively hard software stuff. I know next to nothing about that.

 

Compooters:

Spoiler

Desktop:

Spoiler

CPU: i7 6700k, CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3, Motherboard: MSI Z170a KRAIT GAMING, RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 Series 4x4gb DDR4-2666 MHz, Storage: SanDisk SSD Plus 240gb + OCZ Vertex 180 480 GB + Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 7200 RPM, Video Card: EVGA GTX 970 SSC, Case: Fractal Design Define S, Power Supply: Seasonic Focus+ Gold 650w Yay, Keyboard: Logitech G710+, Mouse: Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum, Headphones: B&O H9i, Monitor: LG 29um67 (2560x1080 75hz freesync)

Home Server:

Spoiler

CPU: Pentium G4400, CPU Cooler: Stock, Motherboard: MSI h110l Pro Mini AC, RAM: Hyper X Fury DDR4 1x8gb 2133 MHz, Storage: PNY CS1311 120gb SSD + two Segate 4tb HDDs in RAID 1, Video Card: Does Intel Integrated Graphics count?, Case: Fractal Design Node 304, Power Supply: Seasonic 360w 80+ Gold, Keyboard+Mouse+Monitor: Does it matter?

Laptop (I use it for school):

Spoiler

Surface book 2 13" with an i7 8650u, 8gb RAM, 256 GB storage, and a GTX 1050

And if you're curious (or a stalker) I have a Just Black Pixel 2 XL 64gb

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
1 hour ago, themctipers said:

nope

 

there is a way to convert it , the software (macOS) wouldn't allow it to be displayed on the built in display

 

 

(also why did you buy a macbook!?)

Because is the laptop with best quality/price for what I'm looking for

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
Just now, JoseDelPino said:

Because is the laptop with best quality/price for what I'm looking for

what were you looking for macbook for price/quality lol (at this point i sound like a apple hater, dont i?)

Ryzen 5 3600 stock | 2x16GB C13 3200MHz (AFR) | GTX 760 (Sold the VII)| ASUS Prime X570-P | 6TB WD Gold (128MB Cache, 2017)

Samsung 850 EVO 240 GB 

138 is a good number.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
1 hour ago, DocSwag said:

AFAIK you can't use the Mac display directly as an input from another device. Perhaps there's some way that you could rig it so there's an app that mirrors the switch somehow but that'd be pretty complicated.

I know, but a simply converter from HDMI to any format sent through USB could be decoded, similar to how video captures work

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
2 minutes ago, themctipers said:

what were you looking for macbook for price/quality lol (at this point i sound like a apple hater, dont i?)

I need it mainly for university, I use it in the library and at midday the sun light is very bright (I live in Spain) so the only laptop with a screen bright enough to deal with that brightness is the Macbook.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
2 hours ago, JoseDelPino said:

I know, but a simply converter from HDMI to any format sent through USB could be decoded, similar to how video captures work

Except it would have to talk to the GPU. USB controllers don't have direct access to the display and USB can't talk in the language that GPUs would like.

 

So you would need an HDMI capture device if you want to use your Macbook as a "monitor"

I have a blog! And a list of guides I've posted

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
3 hours ago, JoseDelPino said:

I know, but a simply converter from HDMI to any format sent through USB could be decoded, similar to how video captures work

So why not get a video capture device and just not record. You can still view it on the laptop monitor but there will be lag.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 1 year later...
Posted
On 4/8/2017 at 1:34 PM, M.Yurizaki said:

Except it would have to talk to the GPU. USB controllers don't have direct access to the display and USB can't talk in the language that GPUs would like.

 

So you would need an HDMI capture device if you want to use your Macbook as a "monitor"

USB c thunderbolt 3 has the capability to talk to the gpu and stuff like that, that’s why an egpu works.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
On 4/8/2017 at 7:34 PM, M.Yurizaki said:

Except it would have to talk to the GPU. USB controllers don't have direct access to the display and USB can't talk in the language that GPUs would like.

 

So you would need an HDMI capture device if you want to use your Macbook as a "monitor"

Not entirely correct as you can see here:

https://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmialtmodeusbtypec.aspx


Sou it could be possible.

But its not implemented...

"Hell is full of good meanings, but Heaven is full of good works"

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
2 hours ago, Stefan Payne said:

Not entirely correct as you can see here:

https://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmialtmodeusbtypec.aspx


Sou it could be possible.

But its not implemented...

That doesn't mean the USB protocol supports HDMI. It just means you can have your USB controller take in an HDMI signal and pass it along across the same cable. It's the same thing with Thunderbolt carrying DisplayPort. Unless you feed the Thunderbolt controller a DP signal, it won't actually transmit DP.

I have a blog! And a list of guides I've posted

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Console Gaming

×