Text bitty, general overall rubbishness, using external display

I've got a BenQ FP241W (24" widescreen). Upon connecting my Macbook Pro (miniDisplay > DVI) in clamshell mode, and outputting at 1920x1200 (60Hz), text looks bitty, and overall the display quality just isn't as good as the Macbook Pro. This isn't the case when I use the display with my Windows desktop PC.
Is there a reason why the display looks this way? Or is the Macbook display just so awesome in comparison?
Also, I'm thinking of getting the 27" LED display upon launch. I'm guessing it's safe to assume this problem won't occur with an Apple display.

Having the same problem. I'm watching all of my movies without subs now, because transcoding kills the 5.1 audio (no problems with 2 channel audio). A workaround is posted in the comments of the pms-svn package.
I will post the URL to this thread to another thread with probably the same problem (mplayer/x264). I have not yet seen a real solution to this, and I'm not really familiar with the bugzilla's from both projects.
Other threads with similar problems:
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=112219 (devede also uses mplayer and x264)
https://bugs.archlinux.org/task/22654 (related bug in Archlinux)
http://bugzilla.mplayerhq.hu/show_bug.cgi?id=1865 (related bug in mplayer)
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=115165 (this thread)
Another workaround might be to trick pms into using ffmpeg or vlc rather than mencoder. I'm also streaming to a ps3 - I didn't try it, but it could be as easy as temporarily changing settings inside the profile for a ps3-client.
Last edited by zenlord (2011-03-22 16:15:38)

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I have a 17" Macbook pro with flickering red and cyan(blue) lines across the screen. The issue disappears temporarily when I tap on the computer, and the problem does not occur when I use external display or try to screen capture the problem.

I purchased my Macbook (17") through a certified apple tecnition in August 2012, it was refurbished and the motherboard was completely replaced. I do a lot of photo editing, but I have been unable to do so because of the red vibrating lines that interrupt my screen. The issue disappears temporarily when I tap on the computer, and the problem does not occur when I use external display or try to screen capture the problem. I brought the computer back to the technition I purchased it from and he said that it was a problem with my fan, so I have two new fans but the issue is still occuring. He says he doesnt know whats wrong. Does anyone have any information on this issue?
Here is an image of the issue
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67839707@N08/8884847081/

I recommend having your Mac serviced by someone competent. A force sufficient to "blow apart" the fans was clearly excessive and may have damaged the display cable, as well as any number of other problems.
Dust is properly cleaned with a vacuum, preferably one designed for computer service, and they are not cheap.
Compressed air should never be used. It just blows dust everywhere, often into places where it can no longer be removed.

S430 - deactive nvidia GPU and still use external displays?

Hi,
I'm interessted in buying an Edge S430. Is it possible to deactive the dedicated nvidia gpu in the bios?
Furthermore, is the intel GPU cabable of using external displays?
Thank you.
Best,
harnz

S430 with Nvidia discrete gpu can be disabled in the BIOS by selecting the integrated GPU option.
I think the DP still work, but not sure whether the Thinkpad HDMI do too.
Regards,
Jin Li
May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

MBP or Air - using external displays

Hi All,
Looking at getting a MBP or Air for work, want to know how easy and how well Leopard goes from dual display to single display. I'll be using a VGA adapter initially.
My current MS laptop doesn't handle being plugged into, or unplugged an external display - the display settings often seem to change by themselves. However, it is the devil I know - is Leopard better, or worse?
Looking for general experiences using a MBP or Air OPEN with a second display.
Do you need to put the computer to sleep to plug or unplug the display?
Cheers, Chris

Hi WBW,
Thanks - sounds pretty good.
A follow up question - when using dual screens, I can place some applications on the second (external) display. When I unplug the external dispaly, how does Leopard handle this? Do the apps reappear on the laptop screen, or are they in another 'space'?
Can spaces be used in conjunction with an external display?
Chris

Can I use External Display on a Window 7 64bit 13" Macbook Pro Early 2010

I have a 23" LED LG Monitor , It has VGA Cable , RCA Cable and HDMI Plug (but no wire). I am asking now if whether I should need a VGA Cable or a RCA Cable or a HDMI cable. I know there's the Apple Mini DVI to VGA Adapter. Should I get that? And does window 7 64bit professional bootcamp support any external display? If not , is there another way to get it working.

You should be able to hook it right up just like if it was a "normal" Windows Laptop.
Windows would be the one to set it up with. Make sure you've updated Boot Camp.
You probably should use an "Apple Mini Display" port -to- HDMI adapter as that should give you more display options, etc. (I'm not sure how high the 13" can go on resolutions, HDMI or VGA may not matter?)
You MAY have to use a separate sound cable between the laptop and monitor as some HDMI -to- (whatever) adapters don't carry the sound signal via an "adapter".
The next choice would be a Mini Display port to VGA adapter.
You may want to also ask this question in the "Computing Hardware/MacBook Pro" area as they may have more info?
Hope this helps...

Magic Mouse Disconnecting When Closing MacBook Pro Using External Display

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro. I am trying to use it in sleep mode with an Apple wireless keyboard and a Magic Mouse. Everything appears to be connected fine. When I close the lid on my MacBook, I click my mouse and the external display comes on for a few seconds, then it cuts out and doesn't come back. I have the Bluetooth device can wake the computer up from sleep checked. When I have the MacBook open, the external display works fine. I only lose the external display a few seconds after I close the lid on my MacBook Pro.
I have made the Magic Mouse and keyboard favorites and it didn't help.
Does anyone have any idea? I am running 10.6.8.
Thanks

GaryKing, can you review how you reset the .plist files for both the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse?
I had nothing but good things to say about the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, until I hooked up my 22' Samsung display to my MBP. Power shouldn't be an issue because it's being plugged into the outlet and the external monitor isn't taking power from the MBP. However, my keyboard will keep popping up with the notice "Connection Lost" every 5 or so minutes. Even now, I'm already on the next paragraph but the letters are slowly coming up one by one - it's not registering as fast.
The mouse experienced the same issue if I'm downloading a lot of files, it will lag behind to the point where I'll drag the mouse to where I want it to be, then a few seconds later it'll pop up where it should, that's how bad the lag is. I thought perhaps restarting the computer will do, but no, and also everything is up-to-date so there are no updates to worry about.
GaryKing, if you can go over how you reset the .plist files, that would be much appreciated. By the way, it's past a week since your post, how have the Bluetooth devices been working? Did the reset solve the lag issue permanently, or was is just a temporary fix?

How do I turn off display when using external display

Using HDMI cable via thunderbolt port to show movies on 50" Panasonic TV. How do I turn off MBAir display?

Hello Wallclock,
The article linked below details how to go about using your MacBook Pro in closed-clamshell mode (i.e. only utilizing your external display).
How to use your Mac notebook computer in closed-clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201834
Sincerely,
Allen

IBook G4 screen broken, can't use external Display

hi folks:
I have a late model G4 iBook (which is outside of the logic board replacement program) that the screen broke and i've been trying to get the external display adapter w/my monitor to work but I can't seem to get it to switch. i can boot the ibook and get the Mac boot 'tone' and it boots (and I can use the volume control buttons (I can hear them working) once it's fully booted (although I can't see anything to tell if it's booted)...and i can see in my router logs that it attempts to get an IP address from my DHCP server..so i know the iBook works, i just can't seem to get it to switch to the external display with the cable attached to the side of my iBook. I've tried resetting the PRAM and fn-F1 to switch to the external display, but nothing seems to work.
i can't afford to fix the broken display, so I wanted to set this up as a mini-desktop..and of course i'd like to get my iTunes music off of the machine along w/some pictures and stuff.
Any ideas guys, i'm at my wits end and not sure what else to try.
Thanks again.
-c
Ps..even if there's some way I can 'hack' into my OWN box and just use remote desktop to control the iBook from my other mac...that would be ok too...
THANKS GUYS

Connect the two Macs with a FireWire cable and start up the iBook with the T key held down. You should then be able to copy off all the files you need from the iBook's hard disk.
(16304)

Using external display (tv) as different workspace

I just got a minidisplay(thunderbolt) to hdmi cord so I could plug my macbook into my t.v. My question is, how if possible, can I setup my tv display to be playing a movie for example, while I use the actual macbook/computer to work on something else. I have tried and maybe I just don't understand or somethings not working right.
When I plug my external(tv) display in, it displays like a total different background, w/ no icons, anything at all to click on, just a blank desktop w/desktop picture/background. If this is correct (if not wanting to just 'mirror' what is on my compter screen itself), I am not understanding how to open an app specifically on just the tv screen( like just opening up my app to watch a movie with on there).
I've played around w/ the moving of the screens in the display settings, spaces, etc, but maybe I just don't understand it all.
Thanks to any advice/help.

Your external display is working as an extended display. In this mode, you can have an app opened in one display and another app opened in the other display.
To put an app in the external drive, simply open the app and move it to the right part of your MacBook Pro's display. You will see how the window will show up on the TV

Using external display as main display-how?

My subject line says it all. I want to use an external LCD display as my main display while keeping my MacBook Pro closed w/o powering down to sleep. I know this can be done because I've seen posts where other users do it, but I've never learned how it's done. Please let me know what needs to be done in order to use an external display as the main display with the MacBook Pro closed and still running. Thanks so much!
Stoneman

I know you can do it, but do you really want to do it... the heat from the lack of ventilation will ruin the macbook's display... or so I'm told.

Trouble using external display

I am trying to use my TV as an external display using a mini-dvi to dvi cable. My desktop picture shows up on my TV but nothing else. No Quicktime or Safari windows. The only thing window that show up on the TV is the Display window from system preferences. I just want to watch some hulu on the big screen. Can anyone help. Thanks.

Never mind, I think I figured it out. Thanks anyway

Using External Display Only - Gaming

Hi,
I want to be able to connect my HP w2207h 22inch widescreen external LCD to m'y Macbook Pro running leopard to allow me to play games such as SPORE and The Sims 3. I have already set the external monitor as primary in os x but every time that I start the games that I want to play, the whole screen goes blank (both of them) and the external screen turns itself off. I then have to unplug it to get the picture to appear on the macbook again so I can exit. I still have no idea how to play these games on the external display with this problem.
I have been able to solve this problem in bootcamp however, with the function to turn off the macbookpro display and keep the external by itself. I really want to play these games in os x and on my external display.
Does anyone know how to do this or how to make it so that the macbookpro screen isn't used at all (i.e. the external display is the only one in use)?? Some third-party application?
Cheers
Tim

Timmy, that doesn't seem logical, buddy. If you use the MBP keyboard, I'm quite sure that it thinks u wanna use the MBP display as well. It would seem an inconvenience, to me, to have it open while using another display, anyway. I'm with the idea of using another keyboard & mouse. That's what I do.
I have a ? for ya. U mentioned that u know how to get the external display to be primary while using BootCamp XP. I have done that in the past with no problem. However, it quit working. If I close my MBP, the display turns off & XP will not allow me to do anything until I open the MBP & log back in. If I try to leave the MBP open off to the side & use the Cinema Display as primary XP laughs at me & will only open the game on the MBP display. In XP Settings, the option to uncheck the MBP display as primary is grayed out & there is no option to turn on mirroring for either display or set the Cinema Display as primary. How were u doing what ever u did to use your external display for gaming on BootCamp XP?

Screen flickers while using external display

while using my macbook pro with an external display (my sony LCD TV). the external screen (TV) flickers. it goes black for about a second then comes on. it will happen about 20 minutes into watching TV and happens more often the longer i watch. for example i just finished watching a 40 minute video podcast it happened at the halfway point then more often - about 10 minutes later then 5 minutes later - then 2 minutes... the final minutes of the show it happened about 3 times before the end.
any help? any ideas? i suspect (though i can't prove) it has to do with the setting for the external display.
thanks

Can you run memory diagnostics ? Download a pre-compiled bootable iso from http://www.memtest.org/ down the page and make a bootable CD. Boot to this CD and run RAM diagnostic for a couple of hours, maybe overnight, and see if your laptop has RAM errors.
If you have no RAM defect after the long test above, then uninstall all ATI/AMD gfx card drivers in Programs and Feature in Control Panel. Now go to Device Manager and disable your gfx card, putting a checkmark in the box Uninstall drivers for this hardware. ( Please note this operation will not harm your computer. Windows will redetect your gfx card after restart. )
Restart as required by Windows 7.
You may have to disable and then enable the gfx card in Device Manager several times until you are left with VGA drivers only. ( Computer gurus suggest using a Driver Sweeper/Driver Cleaner program. But I do the driver cleaning chore myself. You may go to C:\Windows\System32\DRIVERS folder and manually delete Atikmpag.sys, Atikmdag.sys drivers. )
Now you can re-install the ATI/AMD drivers that you have downloaded from hp suppport.
Hope this helps.

Use external display only - without mirroring?

I've seen some folks using a Mac mini as a media center. I have a 12" PB and I was wondering if there's some hack for convincing the PB that there's -only- the external display (let's say 1366x768 or something similar in a wide-screen LCD) so that all video appears there and I wouldn't have the PB's internal 1024x768 even seen by the Display System Prefs.
Basically I'm trying to use the PB as if it didn't have any built-in display.
Advice and suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Barry

Well, you can use an external display and not even worry about what's on your PowerBook's screen, if you know what I mean.
Is there a reason why you want everything only shown on the external?
Again, if you have an external widescreen, you can make things appear there by choosing that as your main screen, and let your PowerBook screen be your secondary.
I just don't get, no offense, why you wouldn't want your PowerBook's LCD to function. I mean, if it was broken, then that would be a reason. And even then, your PowerBook will work with a broken screen if connected to an external where then it would definitely be forced to adhere to the resolution of the monitor.
For choosing which is your primary and which screen is your secondary when doing an extended desktop mode, go to system preferences and displays, and then there is a screen where it shows two boxes representing your two monitors. An option to drag the menu bar left or right will determine which is your main and which is your secondary. When dragging, it will "light up" with 1 or 2 on the box.

Use external display for movies only

Hi,
I have a 22" external display which I like to use for watching DVDs only. Mirroring is not an option for me as this limits the display to a lower resolution. How can I configure my Mac so that whenever I insert a DVD (or start FrontRow) this will come up on the external display and all the rest remains on the internal display?
When I put my MacBook to sleep and wake it up with my remote it works. However the internal display remains switched off and as the external diisplay is not right beside my Mac it makes me kind of blind.
Any ideas?
THANKS

hey there KinoViel,
the 1st time i put a DVD into my iMac i moved the DVD player window from it to my TV. since it is a mostly "permanent" connection every time i put in a DVD & select that input on my TV to watch it, that is where the DVD window shows up(on my TV). the Apple Remote only works w/ the Mac so you can just aim the remote @ the MacBook to use Front Row. my iMac lives next to my seating position so i don't know the keyboard commands for Front Row.... sorry. try a search for Front Row keyboard shortcuts. & i think there's a list of keyboard shortcuts in Finder Help.
when i was using my MacBook w/ my big TV because it was taken in & out of my entertainment system, i had to go through the previously outlined steps every time because the Mac had to find & ID the TV. sometimes i use my MacBook w/ my BR TV & when i connect it, i have to do the steps for the Mac to find & ID the TV.
don't be aplogize for having a PC @ work lots of folks do, be thankful/happy you can come home to the joy your Mac brings you. i'm fortunate that i am self-employed & my Macs do double duty 'cause i do some work @ home, so they're for work & play.
good luck.

Text bitty, general overall rubbishness, using external display

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