Mini-dvi to video adapter changing display on macbook?

I recently purchased a mini-dvi to video adapter for my macbook to be able to view photos and video on my tv. I'm having trouble with the display on my computer when I use the adapter. As soon as I plug in the mini-dvi video adapter into the computer the display on my computer switches from 1280 X 800 to 640 X 480. Attached to the adapter I have an s-video cable to my tv. The display shows the same on the tv but in black and white.
Any ideas? Thanks!

Turn mirroring off. That way the two displays can run independently from one another. The mirroring check box is in Displays Preferences under the Arrangement tab.

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