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pvora2 asks: QuestionIs there a way to output your macbook’s video to a 24’‘ monitor or TV. I own both the mini-dvi to svideo and mini-dvi to VGA. I tried using both but there is not enough video resources to output video becuase apparently there is no way to stop displaying on the mac screen. I wanted to ask you if you can find a way to stop displaying anything on the macbook screen so it only displays on the external monitor like how you can do on windows. AnswerYour video quality has nothing to do with video resources; the MacBook has plenty of graphics card to drive its built-in and a TV or fairly large external display. Instead, you need to have a long look at the connectors and devices you’re using. S-Video, specifically, doesn’t output very high quality video (in computer terms), and a standard def TV is a very, very low resolution display compared to just about anything else. Officially, S-Video carries a 480i signal, and you’re not going to get a quality picture above 640×480. Specifically, text quality suffers significantly when you try to throw an 800×600 or 1024×768 signal down that pipe. VGA is better, but not tremendously, but that more depends on the screen than the computer, and which versions of VGA it supports in common with the MacBook. You don’t say anything about the screen, so I can’t say much here. But there is an answer to your question, at any rate. Most Mac portables support ‘closed clamshell mode,’ though I don’t have a MacBook handy to test this with. My MacBook Pro definitely supports it. You just plug in your display while the computer is closed and asleep, then use an external keyboard or mouse to wake the computer. It will sense that the screen is closed and activate only the external screen. You could then open the clamshell and use the built-in keyboard and trackpad, if you’d prefer.
About JC
 Author Biography JC is a former Mac Genius and Mac-centric IT worker with a background in print advertising. He earned a reputation as a miracle worker when he saved the day at a new business pitch with the arcane knowledge that Apple’s ADB cables were nothing more than poorly shielded S-Video cables. JC runs the Heroic Efforts Data Recovery Service and writes Ungenius, a tawdry tale of the life and times of a former Mac Genius. You can contact JC via IM or via the contact form. |
I have a DVI > HDMI cable connecting my old PowerBook G4 to my new HDTV and it works great. The mac even detects the display and the resolutions it supports.
On my MBPro, F7 is the magic key. It allows you to switch between the various display outputs.
IIRC, to do what the Answer claims in regards to a closed Macbook, the procedure is as follows:
1) disconnect all peripherals.
2) plug in AC power
3) plug in external mouse/keyboard
4) plug in external monitor
You should then here the system start up, and your external monitor/display should get activated. This is particulary nice for use with a desk setup of sorts.
Otherwise, F7 should be your answer.
There’s no need to disconnect all periphs or even restart. Merely put the machine to sleep, attach the display and an external keyboard and/or mouse, and use the input devices to wake the machine.
And F7 just switches between mirroring and spanning. It will not disable the internal display.
I’m repeatedly surprised as I encounter people that don’t know of the lovely hack called Closed Clamshell Mode. This works on PowerBooks, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros (not iBooks, not without a hack).
Now the computer will use only the external display. This will reset if you disconnect the external display while the lid is open. The simple act of opening the lid will not activate the internal screen by itself (which is helpful for ventilation when doing intensive things in this mode).
If you have a MacBook or a MacBook Pro, you can also wake the machine from clamshell mode with the Apple Remote. It’s a neat trick to use with Front Row on your TV.
What was the hack for iBook clamshell mode? I have a iBook G4 and I new there was a hack to get this to work, but can’t remember where I found it!
Thanks in advance.
The hack is called screen spanning doctor and is accessible here www.rutemoeller.com/mp/ibook/ibook_e.html
I can confirm this works fine!
I use my macbook pro on my samsung 46inch lcd hdtv
running @ 1920×1080 flawlessly (and it’s gorgeous!)
the best way to get rid of the hdmi scaling issues is to set the tv in “just scan” mode, and to start with your macbook shut down.
plug your dvi-hdmi cable and audio jack, then quickly – power on the laptop, – close the lid, – change the tv source to hdmi ..
if done quick enough , you should see the white background with the apple loading on your tv with no black bars what so ever…
(I often get vertial black bars on each side if I only do the remote keyboard wake up )
(hdmi scanning issue, because monitors shows the 1920×1080 res) … it’s only squished a little..
so doing my little trick fixes that issue (until I unplug the hdmi cable,,.. then it’s a reboot !!)