First external monitor purchase. Need advice.

I am considering buying an external monitor for my Macbook. The monitor in question has a VGA input and a DVI-D input.
1. Which is better: VGA or DVI-D ?
2. I found Macbook to DVI-D and Macbook to VGA adapters. Unfortunately, these adapters are only 6 inches long.
3. As I have never purchased a computer monitor before, I do not know if lcd monitors come with pc-to-monitors cables. In other words, are pc-to-monitor cables sold separately?
4. If pc-to-monitor cables are sold separately, could anybody recommend a good place to buy pc-to-monitor cables ?
Thanks in advance.

Your computer has mini-DVI then. MiniDisplayport is on the latest white MacBook.
The display port is to the right of the USB port in both images.
Here's a link for the mini-DVI:
Mini-DVI
and for MiniDisplayport:
MiniDisplayPort
~Lyssa

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HT3964 connected new external monitor to macbook pro, was working but now have no power, black screen in laptop. monitor purchased with advice from tech and set up also. Worked fine for an hour and then quit

Have just connected a viewsonic external monitor to macbook pro 10.6.8, had everything up and running fine for about an hour then the macbook quit. No power (ws running off power source) Have I killed my macbook? Help!

Aha, all is good.
I went to Library/ColorSync/Profiles/Displays
and to home/Library/ColorSync/Profiles/Displays
and deleted all SyncMaster.icc files. I did leave behind one SyncMaster file in the home/../Displays which had an old date and I new was ok.
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External HD novice needs advice

Hey folks,
I have a PowerPC iBook G4 from around 2005 or so. I am planning to buy a new MacBook, but want to keep my iBook as a backup. It has all my iTunes and iPhoto items on it, as well as a number of other files I don't want to lose to a HD crash.
My question: i want to get an external HD to preserve my files, pics, etc. instead of losing them all to a HD crash. I don't know the first thing about external HD's. I'm not even sure what one would look like. I have seen discussions about some external HD's themselves being unreliable and they aren't all Mac-compatible and it has me nervous.
Could some kind soul make a recommendation about a good reliable external HD to back up my iBook? I've seen something about cloning, but I don't know what that is or if I want to do it. I do not seem to have the install disks for the OS. If they came with my iBook, I don't know where they went. Can anyone point me to a previous discussion about how to back up or clone my hard drive or whatever I need to do?
I am completely clueless, so any helpful advice would be enormously appreciated.

You're welcome!
Let me add a little bit more for you to think about, and do feel free to post back with any further questions once you've done some research.
Many drives come formatted for PC's running Windows rather than for Macs. You can reformat the drives for Macs using Disk Utility.
You can use a single external drive for more than one computer, but you will need to partition it so that there is a separate partition for each computer. If you also want to use Time Machine to back up your new MacBook, then there should be a separate partition for that.
There is another factor to consider if you want to make a bootable clone for both the iBook and the MacBook. The iBook uses a partition scheme called the Apple Partition Map, and the MacBook will use the GUID Partition Table. The external drive has to be formatted with one partition scheme or the other. So if you want your clones to be bootable, then you will want to get two external firewire drives and format one for the iBook (Apple Partition Map) and the other for the MacBook (GUID Partition Table).
In terms of size, the bootable clone can be the same size as the internal drive. So if your iBook has a 120 GB drive, you could use a 120 GB external drive to back it up with a bootable clone. If you decided to buy a 250 GB drive, you could partition it and use half for the bootable clone and the other half for something like large media files or other storage.
Good places to comparison shop for drives are Newegg and OWC, as both frequently have specials, as do Office Supply places. I personally like Western Digital and Seagate drives. For backup I have 3. They are all WD notebook drives in OWC's firewire Mercury on the Go enclosures, all of which have the very reliable Oxford chip sets. One drive is for the iBook, one is for the MBP, and the third is a redundant clone and archive.
Since your immediate need is for the iBook, a good strategy would be to get a drive suitable for the iBook clone and get your data backed up ASAP. When you actually get the MacBook, you can think about a drive for it.
Good luck!

MBP Thunderbolt 2, connect 3 external monitors via 1 only port ?

Hi Apple Communities,
My "old" mybookpro late 2009 died 3 days ago (motherboard).
So I buy a new MBP Retina 15" Late 2013.
I would like to plug 3 external monitors for more confort to work (one for Virtual Machine and 2 for OS X mainly)
(but not Apple Thunderbolt Display, nice but too expensive for my budget).
My question : Thunderbolt 2 and DisplayPort 1.2 are the same right ?
If yes, this interface should allow to connect peripherals by "daisy chain".
Because the lack of connectivity of the macbookpro, I would like to check if it's possible to use 1 Thunderbolt 2 port to plug one monitor and use the first external monitor to the 2 others. For example with this display Dell UltraSharp U2413 with the DisplayPort 1.2.
I want to keep the other Thunderbolt2 port to plug my external drive (with the firewire adapter) or plug my NAS in Ethernet.
I'm not a gamer but I work on Video Editing, Webdesign, Code so I need good performance too (3 x 1920x1080/1200px will be fine, if I can have better resolutions, it's ok ! )
Thanks for your help !

You can either use a FireWire hub or connect one device through USB. If either drive has two or more FireWire ports, it can act as a hub.
(121173)

External Monitor not showing.

Good Day All,
I seem to be having problems with setting up my external monitor...
I have a JVC tape deck, I forgot the model, and a SONY TV(forgot the model).
What I did was I used a firewire plugged it to the back of my g5 then onto my tape deck. From my tape deck to my TV.
Then I set my stuff all up in FCP.
1. VIEW> Using FIREWIRED DV PAL
(As a note my FCP recognizes the FIREWIRE becoz when I unplug the firewire the FCP notices and gives a warning)
2. VIEW> Set to ALL FRAMES.
3. Mirrored on Desktop.
And when I Log and Capture I see the footage on the TV and on my monitor and yes I closed the Log and Capture window before i do anything.
I also turned on the tv and the tape deck then i turn on the FCP and it recognizes it.
These equipment I've used before and WAS working, but the office moved so the stuff was moved. But now, nothing i do works...PLS I NEED HELP. I'm Making a presentation so I need my monitor.
Pls and TNX!!!
If it helps... I also have 2 CPU monitors attached to my G5(my secondary and primary).When I set my playback to Digital Main/Secondary they work. I've also tried disconnecting the other monitor incase that hampers the process.
Thank you very much!

Shane's Stock Answer #8: External Monitor Viewing
If you are working with DV, this is simple. First connect your computer to a camera or deck via firewire, Then connect the camera/deck to your TV/Monitor via RCA or S-Video.
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Go to the View Menu, choose > External video > all frames
VIEW>Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
VIEW>Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section.
If you are working with HDV footage, FCP 6 allows you to view this via firewire, but ONLY as downconverted DV. It won't look the best, but you can see it. To do this,
If you need to view any format other than DV at full resolution, then you need to look into capture cards. Several standard definition and high definition models are available from www.aja.com and www.decklink.com. With these options you'll need a proper monitor to view full broadcast colors, but all models allow for realtime standard definition downconvert, allowing you to view HD on an SD monitor.
The Matrox MXO is another option that is output only, but allows you to view your footage on an Apple Cinema Display at full broadcast quality.
Shane

External monitor frozen during playback

I am having trouble with my monitor not PLAYING during playback. I get an image when I scroll through the timeline but when I play - the image is frozen.. As soon as playback stops, the monitor refreshes to the correct frame - but it doesn't show during playback.
We have tried all these steps already:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
7 ) If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section.
What is really mindboggling is that the monitor is working in terms of giving us the correct image - just not during playback.
PLease help - thanks.
G4 Powerbook Mac OS X (10.4.4) Final Cut Pro 5

I think you may be onto something with the graphics card concept. The problem I am having only exists when I am working on an HD project. When I switched back to DV-NTSC then the monitor is fine during playback.
Yes, I am routing my external monitor through my DV deck, which is not an HD deck - so again, that could be another weak link in the chain.
This is the first HD project that I am editing, so obviously a few kinks still need to be worked out. My internal hard drive has 1.5 gigs of ram but I am not sure what the specs are on the graphics card.

Video playback on external monitor working. Only works when Print to Video

I'm having a problem. I'm using FCP 5. When editing, my video playback is not showing up on my external monitor (Sharp MiniDV camcorder). It does however show up on the external monitor when I "Print to Video." This is the first time using FCP 5. I never had this problem with previous versions of FCP. Can anyone tell me whats going on? Thanks

#8 External Monitor Viewing.
Shane's Stock Answer #8:
A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section
Shane

Unable to view in external monitor...

...tried "REFRESH AV DEVICES" and "VIEW> ALL FRAMES" and monitor set to AV in but no images from timeline, all connections are checked okay. Video is standard dv 16:9. Anybody have ideas?. Thanks

Shane's Stock Answer #8: External Monitor Viewing
If you are working with DV, this is simple. First connect your computer to a camera or deck via firewire, Then connect the camera/deck to your TV/Monitor via RCA or S-Video.
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Go to the View Menu, choose > External video > all frames
VIEW>Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
VIEW>Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section.
If you are working with HDV footage, FCP 6 allows you to view this via firewire, but ONLY as downconverted DV. It won't look the best, but you can see it. To do this,
If you need to view any format other than DV at full resolution, then you need to look into capture cards. Several standard definition and high definition models are available from www.aja.com and www.decklink.com. With these options you'll need a proper monitor to view full broadcast colors, but all models allow for realtime standard definition downconvert, allowing you to view HD on an SD monitor.
The Matrox MXO is another option that is output only, but allows you to view your footage on an Apple Cinema Display at full broadcast quality.
Shane

Edit and send to a external monitor

How do I send a project I have just edit on final cut pro to a external monitor via VGA or Composite.
I would like to use this as a on the fly playback source. Thanks

Shane's Stock Answer #8: External Monitor Viewing
If you are working with DV, this is simple. First connect your computer to a camera or deck via firewire, Then connect the camera/deck to your TV/Monitor via RCA or S-Video.
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Go to the View Menu, choose > External video > all frames
VIEW>Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
VIEW>Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section.
If you are working with HDV footage, FCP 6 allows you to view this via firewire, but ONLY as downconverted DV. It won't look the best, but you can see it. To do this,
If you need to view any format other than DV at full resolution, then you need to look into capture cards. Several standard definition and high definition models are available from www.aja.com and www.decklink.com. With these options you'll need a proper monitor to view full broadcast colors, but all models allow for realtime standard definition downconvert, allowing you to view HD on an SD monitor.
The Matrox MXO is another option that is output only, but allows you to view your footage on an Apple Cinema Display at full broadcast quality.

Connecting external monitor or tv

Hello,
I've got a MacBook Pro Retina 15' and i want to connect 2 external screens to it.
I am already using the HDMI port to connect to my tv to use that as the first external monitor.
I'm thinking of getting a second one for my desk but i can't decide if i should get one of the 2 following options:
Option 1:
Getting a second TV + Displayport to HDMI adapter
Option 2:
Getting a computer monitor + Displayport to DVI (or VGA) adapter
Aside from the size of the screen (tv can be bigger), is there an argument to get a monitor over a tv, and the other way around?
What should i do?
Thanks in advance

Hi
For resolving the mentioned issue , Please try the following
1. Update the Bios to latest version
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS014992
2. Update the Display Video drivers
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/research/hints-or-tips/detail.page?&DocID=HT063249
After updating drivers press Fn + F7 to toggle from internal to External Monitor
I hope this helps

Video playback on external monitor

I have a problem with video playing on my external monitor.
I have been editing a 30 second commercial with several split screens and quad screens. After my last render, the video no longer plays on the external monitor. A frame plays, and then it freezes. I went thru the "Stock Answers" section and played with the RT settings and the memory/cache settings. Nothing seemed to make a difference. I also opened some older projects and they will not play thru the external monitor either. Finally, another note that may offer some clues is that when you print to tape it sometimes plays perfectly and other times it does not.
Any help provided will be greatly appreciated!
Jeremy

Here is my standard reply:
#8 External Monitor Viewing.
Shane's Stock Answer #8:
A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section
For all the stock answers, click on this link:
Shane Ross, "Stock Answers", 03:58pm Jan 13, 2005 CDT

What are the keyboard shortcuts to display on external monitor

Hi
how can i get my laptop to export the image to an external monitor?
I have a MB Pro, and have tried DVI to HDMI direct cable, the supplied DVI-D cable connected to VGA cable and no luck.
the screen on my laptop is flickering and I want to use the external monitor.
Any advice appreciated.
Tks

The typical method is to just plug it in.
If you are using Mini DisplayPort, the adapter must be right at the Mini DisplayPort end, you cannot convert to VGA halfway down the cable.
DVI and Mini DVI provide computer-generated VGA at the computer connector, in the bar at one end and the four pins around it, plus one more from the top row of the grid.
The biggest problem with HDMI is that the display must be "paying attention" and ready to answer when the Mac queries for the name and capabilities.
If your internal display works at all, this can tell you whether the external display has been detected:
About This Mac > ( More info ) > Report > Graphics & Displays

External Monitor Viewing - ALL FRAMES Unchecked

Hello FCP gurus
I cannot get a video signal on my external monitor.
For some reason I have lost the ability to check the ALL FRAMES option in the View Menu under External Video. Each time I click ALL FRAMES it stays in the OFF mode. I think this may be the reason for the external picture loss? I have also just relocated my edit suite so somewhere in the move I might have upset the 'workflow'. Not sure, can't see why? Before today I was getting an external picture no problem.
The configuration I have is: A Firewire connection from the Hard Drive to a DV Cam (PD150). RCA Vid connector from the cam into a domestic TV.
I have followed all of Shane's #8 Stock Answer and still nudda!!
Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance!
josie
P.S. I work in Pal
#8 External Monitor Viewing.
Shane's Stock Answer #8:
A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section
Shane
G5 Mac OS X (10.4.8) FCP 5.1.2

Heck, I don't know, but reading your question helped me to finally figure out how to get my external monitor working.
Would it be okay to add to your question. Now that I have mine working the audio goes through the monitor instead of my nice Cerwin-Veg speakers. Is there a way to fix that?
P.S. Have you tried a power down, hooking up the monitor and then coming back up?

Can't view from external monitor

You know when you have your DV connected to your mac, when you edit, the LCD on the DV would show you the final output of your project? I've been using that to see what my final output is but suddenly it's not working.
I mean, everything else works great, I double and triple checked my setting under the audio/video setting and the playback output is set to apple firewire pal, but I still can't get anything from my DV. What else should I check?

#8 External Monitor Viewing.
Shane's Stock Answer #8:
A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section
Shane

Cannot seem to connect an external monitor

Hello all,
I have connected my DV camera (Canon XM1) via firewire to G5. Camera set on VCR mode and it's connected (just like as in the manual) I can easily capture from camera and when I do "edit to video" it works and shows my footage on tv. However when I want to preview my footage while working in timeline for example I see nothing.
Restarted it numerous times ect, checked "View" --> videoplayback (set on fire wire Pal, I live in Europe)
Can anybody help me please?
G5 Mac OS X (10.4.5)
G5 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

#8 External Monitor Viewing.
Shane's Stock Answer #8:
A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section
Shane

First external monitor purchase. Need advice.

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